Sunday, April 27, 2008

Summer Beauty Unveiled and Continued


This is a continuation of the previous post as I got to see some more stuff that might be useful.
MAC cosmetics launched their N collection LE which is a tribute to all nudes (in cosmetics only). I generally don’t write much about MAC because of the snobbish makeup artists that have airs all the time. They just make the whole shopping experience filthy and irritating.
Btw what grabbed my attention was their Charged water spray and I simply got smitten over it. Such an innovative product though of course MAC is known for that.
This is the description from their site: -

Charged water, fused with vital ions from rhodochrosite to create a powerfully protective hydrating mist to help defend the skin from environmental aggression. Packed with anti-oxidants, its peach-toned hue is imparted by the rhodochrosite itself. Its aroma, is a gentle blend of grapefruit mandarin.

Isn’t it nice? Forget the science and use this to enhance your complexion keeping environmental aggressors at bay. I’d recommend spraying on whenever and wherever needed. You can test in front of a smoker (just kidding). Its better to use it after your regular sunscreen or moisturizer with sunscreen to lock in moisture and create a film to avoid pollutants from damaging your skin.

This is a wonderful fixer and so is Fix + Spray that I use very often to hydrate my skin and yet feel clean and fresh. There is something about these facial mists that I love and splurge on and hope you do the same.

Ciao

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Summer makeup tricks for beautiful YOU


Hi

I’m back and so is the heat of the Summer. Tropical countries have become hot beyond limits and its all about sweat. To combat the heat and sweat and yet look beautiful, certain changes in the beauty rituals is a must.

In this post I’ll be writing about certain tried and tested makeup tricks and skin care routine that would help us survive this summer.

First of all it’d be wise to dump away all the skin care that we’d taken in the winters. Now the days of greasiness, acne breakouts and lots of other problems have begun. The idea is to balance and yet nourish skin and make it fit enough to fight environmental aggressors.

Changes in skin care routine (more for people with oily skin) : -

+ A foaming face wash helps wash away all dirt, grime and makeup particles leaving a clean skin behind. While using this face wash you can even apply some pressure over the pores to suck out all the dirt like a vacuum cleaner. I’d recommend Lancôme Pure Focus Foaming Gel or Shiseido’s Pureness Foaming Cleanser.

+ An oil free moisturizer is the most essential part as any moisture imbalances would lead to excess oil production. If a sunscreen is included, it’d be even better.

I loved Shiseido Pureness Mattifying moisturizer, Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and Clarins ultra matte concentrate. Unfortunately they don’t have a sunscreen in them. If you are looking for an oil free sunscreen with higher spf, the best buy would be Lancôme UV Expert SPF50 that is as light as air and goes on as smooth as silk for a mattified finish.

+Tinted moisturizers would make a career woman’s or man’s day as it not only provides moisture but also some needed color and coverage. Tinted moisturizers happen to give the sheerest finish you’ve ever imagined. I really loved YSL’s Teint Parfait complexion enhancer, Shiseido’s Tinted moisturizer with spf 20 and Lancôme’s Aqua Fusion with spf 15. I just loved them.

In makeup following things could be done: -

+ use a lightweight transfer resistant foundation which is oil free and gives a semi matte finish. I’d recommend Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Long lasting foundation. Keep powder handy to blot the areas.

+Women with dry skin can opt for dewy foundations or compact foundations which are emollient based like Chanel’s Teint Innocence compact.

+Restrict the eye makeup to volumising or lengthening mascara in a water proof or water resistant formulation. Shiseido makes fantastic Advanced Volume mascara which gave great results. To cheer up the mood you can even try color mascaras.

+ Opt for powder blushes with an iridescent finish like MAC Mineralize skin finish blush from their N collection which is ideal for summers.

+ slick on a long lasting lipgloss in neutral muted colors like Pamplemousse or Peche from Lancôme’s juicy tubes.

And you are ready for the day. To intensify during evenings go for eye pencils with glitter like the ones from Lancôme which is one of my most recent buys. I love to smudge them up for a soft smokey under stated elegance.

Ciao

Monday, April 14, 2008

My upcoming posts: -

Hi,
Its been sometime that I haven’t written or updated my posts and wont be doing for sometime as well.
These are the topics that I’d be highlighting in my upcoming posts so please be patient.

- Summer Makeup tricks that can be easily mastered
- Sweat but still look good
- Fashion week inspired summer makeup
- More about Pat McGrath the makeup magician
- Fantasy makeup and how to carry it
- Skin care regimens for summer
- Reviews on certain makeup and skin care products
- New launches from YSL, MAC, Shiseido, Lancôme and many other brands
- Reader’s requests

These things are in pipeline but haven’t got time to write them because of my exams.
Kindly bear with me.
Ciao

Friday, April 4, 2008

Q n A from HETAL

Hetal asks: -

Hi Doc,
My skin is of oily t-zone, fair, with yellow undertones. I have no spots or skin problems.
I have two queries for you: -
1) is about mineral foundation which I have heard a lot about sheer cover or bare minerals. Would like to know where in Mumbai do we get it? Or do MAC cosmetics offer similar products?

2) is regarding primers. Which company makes good ones in the drugstore and department brands? And does it control oil control or not, because usually in a party/occasion I see my face a bit oily.

For me budget isn’t an issue or suggest me the best you can.

Thank you
Hetal.

Thanks for the query.

First of all its nice to hear that you have a clear complexion. Please do take care of your skin to maintain it. Bare mineral foundations are powder foundations that come in loose form and give very good coverage and yet not feel heavy. They can be used on sensitive skins as well and the primary substance in them is mica which is available in a micronised from small enough so that it doesn’t clog pores.

L'Oreal has come with Tru minerals foundation that is available in leading stores and priced for Rs.850 but unfortunately have only 3 colors which might not work for all complexions.
MAC comes with Mineralize Skin Finish powders in fantastic textures. They go on light and impart a flawless complexion and are priced Rs.1450. They can be used over a moisturizer or a foundation.
Bare Escentuals has the best mineral foundations but they haven’t come to India. They even have a fantastic range of mineral eyeshadow and mineral blushes which makes me jealous as they aren’t available here.

Recently tinted moisturizers are picking up as a trend in India as they are light weight foundations. Internationally this trend has been there since 1990s and so is the trend of mineral makeup. I’m sure India will pick it up soon too.

Shiseido makes some fantastic primers and makeup bases. They have a Pre-makeup cream Rs.1400, Makeup Enhancing Veil Rs.1750 and Makeup Brightening veil Rs.1750 for all skin types as well as mattifying veil Rs.1750 for oily skin. Lancôme makes an excellent makeup base with SPF 50 Rs.2200 that can be used over a moisturizer and under any foundation or powder. MAC has prep n prime which comes in a light texture for oily skin. Clarins has Instant Light Complexion perfector Rs.1650 approx. which creates a flawless base for the foundation to glide on. Other brand that I love is Complexion Enhancers from YSL which have various colors for various complexions. I love the no.3 from YSL,they are priced at Rs.1730.

You should apply a pinky sized amount of primer after moisturizing and not more than that. For t-zone you can also use T-zone mattifiers from Pure Focus Lancôme Rs.2000 approx. They absorb oil and prevent further oil formation where as the menthol in them helps in cooling. They are also called pore minimizers in Shiseido Rs.1500.

For a party look, u can do the following things with your makeup base.
-Use a mattifying or an oil free moisturizer
-Apply a tiny bit of primer and spread it gently all over the face. Dab on some pore minimizer over your nose.
-Use a tiny amount of liquid foundation made for oily skin such as Chanel’s Matt Lumiere Rs.2250 or Shiseido’s Dual Foundation Rs.1525 on your skin. You can also a tinted moisturizer for a sheer coverage. Then use a powder foundation like MAC studio fix Rs.1450 to keep the oiliness at bay. Lancôme’s Dual powder Rs.2500 does a fantastic job too.
-you must invest in a good quality foundation brush like the one from The Body Shop Rs.695 and a Kabuki brush which is available in many brands but I love the one from Elizabeth Arden as it comes free with their Duo Bronzer Rs.1160 which would be a must have this season.
That bronzer is just perfect for this season.

I hope this enlightens you enough.I have mentioned all the prices of the products that I knew to the best of my knowledge and I happen to use many from these as well.
Thanks
Regards

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...