Misleading and Just Stupid: Priyanka's Chopra's Sunsilk "Thick and Long" TV Commercial

Oy vey. I came across this TV commercial for Sunsilk "Thick & Long" hair products starring Priyanka Chopra today and the ad just irked me beyond belief! I always used to roll my eyes at the Pantene Pro-V hair commercials where the models' hair was digitized to perfection but the Sunsilk commercial is even more stupid, in my opinion.

Not only does the hair in the commercial look totally fake, but Priyanka Chopra doesn't even have really long, really jet black, really silky pin straight hair like that! And she hasn't had that kind of for years!! Instead, P.C. wears her hair dyed brown, sort of wavy and I can tell her hair type is somewhat thick and coarse, like many desi women.



Talk about misleading advertising. My mom once saw a similar hair commercial starring Lara Dutta and kept blabbing about how beautiful her hair was. Rolled eyes then, roll my eyes now. Yeah, maybe in some alternate universe I will get hair like that JUST from using shampoo and conditioner!! - Does Sunsilk really think that adverts like this are the way to go? Wouldn't a more realistic ad starring Priyanka with her normal, everyday hair sell products as well?

Watch the video for yourself - and let me know what you think!

Steal the Look: Aishwarya Rai at the 2009 IIFA Awards

Last breakdown in the 2009 IIFA series...Miss Rai. I've been pretty impressed with the makeup looks of the Bollywood set - on the whole, the ladies looked quite gorgeous!! At the IIFA, Ash went for glossy apricot lips with a hint of pink on the lids to tie the look together. Like Bips, Ash accentuated her eye shape with a classic cat eye.

To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a champagne cream shadow such as MAC Shadestick in Beije-ing all over the lids from lashline to brows. After the cream shadow has set, apply a shimmery seashell pink shadow such as MAC Shadow in Expensive Pink to the crease, following the contour of the eye. Apply a dark gray pencil liner along both upper and lower lashline. Flick the outer corners of the liner toward the end of the brows for the cat eye look. Finish with mascara.

Cheeks: Apply a very light dusting of coral blush such as Bobbi Brown Shimmer Blush in Coral so as not to compete with the color on the eyes and lips.

Lips: Apply an apricot cream gloss such as Revlon Cream Gloss in Peachy Sheen to the lips.

Steal the Look: Mughda Godse at the IIFA Awards 2009

Mughda Godse brightened up her makeup at the 2009 IIFA Awards with sea blue shadows and coral cheeks and lips. While I'm not a fan of makeup that is too bright or garish, I think Mughda looks quite pretty here.

Get the look:

Eyes: Apply an eyelid primer such as Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion all over the eyelids. Apply a shimmery, bright ocean blue shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Freshwater on eyelids from the upper lashline until the crease. Apply a navy shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Deep Truth in the crease and along the lower lashline. Apply a black eye pencil to line upper lashline and lower waterline. Finish with black mascara.

Cheeks: Brush a coral toned blush such as MAC Blush in Melba from apples of the cheeks to the ears.

Lips: Apply a nude lip liner such as MAC Lip Pencil in Subculture to the lips. Then apply a coral toned cream lipstick such as MAC Lipstick in Ravishing to the lips.

MAC Euristocrats II Collection Review

The MAC Euristocrats II Collection, which hit stores this week, is a collection of seven lipsticks, seven Dazzleglasses and four lip pencils - just lips!!


My recommendations from the collection are:

• Milan Mode lipstick -a rosy pink shade. I initially dismissed this as just another pink and didn't expect to like it so much. However, the pigmentation was great, texture was smooth and the color brightened up my face immediately.
  
• London Life lipstick - a slightly dark rasperry shade. It is a great color for dark skin tones. Not an eye popping shade but one that works equally well for work during the day and a dinner date at night.


• Naked Paris lipstick - a plummy brown. This is a nice "nude" for dark skin toned ladies whose lips already have some pigmentation. On me, it was a "my lips but better" look. Very natural look.


• Euro Beat Dazzleglass - a very shimmery peach. The color goes on very sheer for a hint of peach on the lips.


• Rue d'Rouge Dazzleglass - a gorgeous true red shade. This was my favorite Dazzleglass shade of the collection. Without a doubt, it looks gorgeous on tan skin tones. If you love reds, you have to get this!

Now if you can ONLY get one or two items from the collection, my favorites of the collection are the Milan Mode lipstick and the Rue d'Rouge Dazzleglass. Definitely look out for this collection - its worth a check!!

Steal the Look: Sonam Kapoor at the 2009 IIFA Awards

Sonam Kapoor is all over the map these days - it seems like there's not a month that doesn't go by where Sonam isn't on some magazine cover, promoting a movie or in the Bollywood gossip columns. Seems like she's slowly but surely dethroning Deepika Padukone as the reigning princess of Bollywood!!

Sonam is one of my personal favorites of all the Bollywood beauties when it comes to fashion and beauty. In my opinion, she has pretty good taste in both fashion and beauty and is less likely than some actresses to show up at events wearing a dress that resembles drapery. At the 2009 IIFA Awards, Sonam tries out a green smoky eye which ends up looking gorgeous and not hideous.

To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a shimmery green eye shadow such as MAC Shadow in Swimming from lashline to crease. Apply a matte black shadow such as MAC Shadow in Carbon in the crease of the lids and in a thick line along the upper lashline using a wet liner brush - extend line out ever so slightly. Apply a black kohl pencil such as MAC Kohl Pencil in Smolder along the upper lashline and in the lower waterline. Finish with black mascara.

Cheeks: Apply a slightly shimmery bronzer such as Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzer in Bali Brown to cheeks and blend well. Add a pop of any highlighting powder to add dimension.

Lips: Apply a light slick of peachy coral lip gloss such as Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Compact in Coral Pink to the lips.

Steal the Look: Lara Dutta at the 2009 IIFA Awards

Lara Dutta doesn't often get accolades for her acting ability but when it comes to fashion and beauty, the star usually gets it right. For the IIFA awards, Dutta combined shimmery gray eyes with mauvey pink lips and cheeks.


To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a shimmery gray shadow such MAC Eye Shadow in Silverthorn all over the lids up until the crease. Apply a black pencil liner such as Clinique Kohl Shaper in Black Kohl into the top and bottom lashes. Finish with black mascara.

Cheeks: Apply a mauve pink blush such as MAC Blush in Breath of Plum to the cheekbones. Apply a shimmery highlighter such Benefit High Beam to the tops of the cheekbones for a bit of sparkle.

Lips: Apply a shimmery mauve pink lip gloss such as MAC Cosmetics Lustreglass in Star Nova to the lips.

Steal the Look: Priyanka Chopra at the 2009 IIFA Awards

For those of you that prefer subtle makeup to the smoky, smoldering look, this breakdown of Priyanka Chopra's makeup is for you! If Bipasha Basu is the Bollywood Queen of Smolder and Sizzle, then Priyanka is Bollywood's Girl Next Door. Priyanka's makeup always look perfectly polished, never tarty.

Steal the Look:

Eyes: Blend a shimmery mushroom brown shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Cork all over the lids into the crease. Apply the same shadow along the lower lashes. Apply a champagne shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Orb to the browbone. Apply black liquid liner such as MAC Penultimate Eye Liner along the upper lashline. Apply black mascara to top and bottom lashes.

Cheeks: Apply a rosy pink blush such as MAC Powder Blush in Ambering Rose to the cheeks.

Lips: Apply a creamy rose pink lipstick such as MAC Lipstick in Sophisto to the lips.

Steal the Look: Bipasha Basu at the 2009 IIFA Awards

I don't have satellite TV so I didn't get to catch the 2009 IIFA Awards this past weekend...from the still photos, though, it appears there was plenty of glamour, fashion, dancing and other Bollywood flashiness going on!!

First up, Bipasha Basu looks gorgeous as usual with a contoured cat eye and coral peach lips. I didn't love her blue outfit but this isn't a fashion blog, now is it? So let's continue with the breakdown!

To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a shimmery champagne shadow such MAC Eye Shadow in Femmi Fi from lashes to the browbones. Apply a matte brown shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Cork in the crease from inner corner to outer corner. Apply a thick black liner such as Benefit Bad Gal Eye Liner on both top lashes and bottom lashes (including the lower waterline). Using a stiff liner brush, run the brush along the black liner to straighten out the line and flick up the color at the outer corners. Finish with black mascara.

Cheeks and Face: Apply a peachy nude blush such as MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul to contour the cheekbones. Apply a gold powder highlighter such as MAC High-Light Powder in Golden Nectar on top of the cheekbones and blend with the blush. This is a very matte look so be sure to finish your face with a loose matte face powder.

Lips: Line lips with a nude toned liner such as MAC Lip Pencil in Oak. Fill in lips with a peachy coral lip gloss such as MAC Lip Glass in Lychee Luxe.


I saw this Getty photo of Bipasha and had to post it. Doesn't she look pretty in it? Stay tuned for breakdowns for Priyanka, Ash and Mughda!!

Photos via Santabanta and Getty Images

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss in Rose Sugar

Did you ladies get anything from the online Bobbi Brown sale last week?! One of the things I picked up was the Shimmer Lip Gloss in Rose Sugar.


Rose Sugar is a super, super shiny gloss in a sheer silvery pink tone. The shimmer is fine so you don't have to worry that your lips resemble a disco ball. As for the color, the website describes Rose Sugar as a rosy pink but to me, it comes out mostly clear with a hint of color. It probably looks a little more rosy on fairer skin tones.

I have mixed views on the lip gloss. On the one hand, I heart how super shiny the gloss is. I can practically see my reflection when I put it on!! I do, however, wish the color was a teeny more pigmented, more pink and then I'd be sold. And the one thing that annoys me about the gloss is how sticky it is - living in the Windy City, I can't walk more than a block with half my hair sticking to my lips!!

Here's a lip swatch - what do ya think?


Pros:

• Super shiny
• Nice, neutral shade for summer
• Tackiness helps the gloss stay on longer than most glosses
• Sophisticated shimmer

Cons:

• Tiny tube compared to a lot of other department store lip glosses
• Not much pigmentation compared to lip glosses by MAC or Dior
• Really tacky gloss - my hair kept sticking to my lips!!
• Not a steal at $20

25% Off MAC Cosmetics!!!

Here's a little treat for you ladies this week!! I know a lot of you are huge MAC fans and from June 16th to 18th, you can get 25% of all MAC Cosmetics online!!! Just enter SUMO at the checkout.

Now here's a little hint - sometimes if you let your local Nordstroms know about a makeup sale like this one at MAC, they will honor the sale and give you the discount themselves. I did this for Bobbi Brown's sale last week, got the 25% off and didn't have to worry about paying extra for shipping!!

Cover Girl Perfect Blend Eye Liner

I generally like switching from black eye pencils to dark brown in warmer months so I can have definition around the eyes without a harsh look. I decided to bust out my MAC addiction and explore the eye pencil offerings of some drugstore brands. I have tried L'Oreal's Le Grand Kohl before, which I know and love, but seeing as Cover Girl is making a mark these days with its Lip Stains and other products developed by Pat McGrath, I thought I'd see what CG had to offer.



I picked up the Cover Girl Perfect Blend Eye Liner in Black Brown, a dark chocolately brown. On one side of the pencil is the actual color and on the other side is a sponge tip for blending. The pencil goes on very smoothly with little dragging. The color is perfect and no matter how much I layer on, my eyes don't look harsh or tired. The sponge tip is awesome if you apply liner less than precisely as you can just use the tip to soften the line and straighten it out.

The one downside is durability - perhaps because of the smooth texture, the color tends to fade away after a couple of hours so I tend to reapply if I wear the CG Liner to work and need to go to an after work event.

Pros:

• Soft texture makes for smooth application
• Sponge tip including for blending
• Cheapo eye pencil at around $5, great for the girl that runs out of eye pencils practically every month (me!)!

Cons:

• Gets slightly smudgy after a while (similar to MAC Eye Kohls, in fact)
• Only lasts a couple of hours

MAC Just a Pinch Gel Blush

I'm on a roll when it comes to lip and cheek stains this spring/summer. First it was the Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint that I reviewed last week and now it is MAC's Just a Pinch Gel Blush.

The Just a Pinch Gel Blush is part of the Rose Romance Collection. It is a gel blush housed in a tiny pot that you can either dip your finger into or dip a brush into. The color can be described as a bright, juicy cherry red color!! But if you're afraid of brights, don't let that stop you from buying this great product. Although it is pigmented, I haven't once applied it and ended up looking like a clown. Instead, it adds a nice bright flush to the cheeks and really wakes up my skin.

The MAC makeup artist used a stippling blush to apply the blush to my cheeks but I prefer using my fingers. Using fingers is easier to control the amount of product and to blend the product than a brush. I just stick my middle finger in (remember to wash your hands!), rub a little product on, and tap tap tap the gel blush onto my cheeks and blend.

So how does MAC Just a Pinch Gel Blush compare to the Bobbi Brown Tint, you ask? They are both tints but a little different. Go for the MAC cheek stain if you want your blush to be a brighter and more noticeable or if you really need to wake up your face in the mornings, like I do! The BB Tint is more suitable for a natural, working out type flush and the color Blackberry as I mentioned is a little more sophisticated and suitable for night than the bright cherry of Just a Pinch.

Pros:

• Gel texture is extremely smooth and blendable
• Very pigmented so a little goes a long way
• Love, love, love the bright cherry color
• Even looks nice on the lips as a lip stain
• Instantly brightens up the face

Cons:

• Ain't cheap at $19.50
• Like most cheek stains, it only lasts a few hours before you need to reapply although I think it lasts a little longer than the BB Tint due to greater pigmentation
• A little messier since it comes in a pot as opposed to a stick or pen.

L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner

L'Oreal jumped on the "green" bandwagon and introduced its EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System recently. The system is targeted at color treated hair which requires special care. The shampoos and conditioners don't have sulfates, contain natural botanicals and are 100% vegan. The line is meant to prevent color-stripping and dryness that occurs with sulfates. The EverPure line comes in Moisture, Smooth and Volume for varying hair types.

Now, I've never colored my hair but I wanted to try the Moisture line to see if it had any effect on the hydration in my curly, moisture-challenged hair. I was a bit surprised to see that the shampoo still lathers even though the sulfates have been removed. The ingredients that cause the lather are apparently derived from plant oils (such as coconut and palm oils).

The Moisture shampoo cleanses well, doesn't dry my hair out and I like the gel-like consistency. The thick conditioner moisturizes quite well - the texture reminds me of conditioners from higher-end lines. While I wouldn't say it was the most phenomenal haircare I've tried, it certainly does its job.

Since my hair isn't colored, I couldn't tell you personally whether it preserved hair color well but from the online reviews, it seems as though women really like it for color-treated hair.

Pros:

• Very thick, moisturizing conditioner - texture of a body butter
• Shampoo till lathers without the sulfates
• Conditioner rinses away without leaving any heaviness or residue
• One of the few hair lines without sulfates
• Price is right at about $7 each

Cons:

• For those that are sensitive to scent (like me), the shampoo has a slightly musky smell - a little too strong for my taste
• The term "pure" in the name is a little misleading - 99% of packaged shampoos or conditioners we buy are going to have some degree of chemicals

Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint

Summer is the time to layer on sheer washes of color due to the intense heat and humidity. And cheek stains or tints are the way to go to add a hint of color instead of piling on the powder blush.

Bobbi Brown has come out with the Sheer Color Cheek Tint, a cute little twist-up tint that you can throw in your bag when you need to brighten up a bit. The tint comes in 6 colors - the best colors for darker skin tones are the Sheer Blackberry, a plummy pink, and Sheer Raspberry, a brighter mauve pink.

The Sheer Blackberry, in my opinion, is especially well suited for desi skin tones because it exactly mimics the flush you get from working out. The Sheer Blackberry also looked really pretty on my lips - sort of like a Clinique Black Honey color.

To apply, either dab it on the cheeks directly OR rub the color on fingers and then apply it on the cheeks.

I would have loved to provide a swatch on my cheeks but my camera is behaving badly - you'll just have to try it out on your own!

Pros:

• Dual purpose - can use it both on cheeks and lips!
• Very natural flush
• Sheer texture makes it difficult to screw up
• Bright, summer-ready colors

Cons:

• Slightly sticky
• Very small tube for $22 but I believe it will last a while
• Color doesn't last more than a few hours (but this is typical of stains or tints)
  

20% of Smashbox Cosmetics!!

Today and tomorrow (May 28th and 29th), Smashbox Cosmetics is having a 20% sale off of all of its cosmetics (except Curtain Call cosmetics and other cosmetics purchased via other offers). If you've never tried Smashbox and want to, here's your chance to get some discounted makeup!

Even though its not as hyped as other brands, I've found Smashbox Cosmetics to be completely wearable with some very pretty colors. I really liked the Fall 2008 Wicked Lovely Collection, especially the Sweet Lip gloss. Popular products include Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Lip Enhancing Glosses. Products that I have my eye on are the Double-Ended Eye Brightener and Cream Liners.

All you need to do to get the discount is enter the following code, FFSB9, when you purchase products through the Smashbox website.

Steal the Look: Aishwarya Rai at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival

Wow! So you ladies certainly had differing opinions on my last post on Angelina's makeup at Cannes - some of you were "eh" just like me while others couldn't disagree more and loved her makeup!! Well, I love a little debate so keep the comments coming, whatever your view! : )

I'm guessing most of you, though, will like the steely, smoky gray eye look that Aishwarya pulled off during one her days at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Reader "a" requested this look and I have to agree, her makeup looks very pretty. I also like the sleek low ponytail, a departure from her usual long waves.

To get the look:

Eyes: Pat on a concealer all around eyes to even out skin tone. Line the upper lashline and lower waterline with a black pencil like MAC Eye Pencil in Ebony (you'll go over the line again later to intensify). Sweep a shimmery mid-tone silver shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Silverthorn all over lids up until the crease. Apply a bit of silver shadow along the lower lashline. Line the upper lashline and lower waterline again with black kohl pencil. Go over the upper lashline with black liquid liner such as MAC Liquid Liner in Boot Black. Apply tons of black mascara to make eyes pop.

Cheeks: Sweep a dusty rose blush such as NARS Blush in Mata Hari from apples of the cheeks to the ear. Blend well.

Lips: Apply a silvery pink lip gloss such as MAC Lustreglass in Flusterose to the lips.

I Hate Angelina Jolie's Cannes Makeup!!!

I know, "hate" is such a strong word but I seriously dislike Angelina Jolie's makeup at the Cannes screening of Inglorious Bastards. I realize that there are some people out there who rail at the fact that she usually wears same and simple makeup and a wardrobe of mostly black, but sometimes, you gotta stick with what works.

Its great to see Angie switch it up a bit with a bright pop of red lipstick but there's something that's not working for me here. Its not the lipstick color itself - its the red lipstick paired with a nude - pink dress (the colors of which do not seem to compliment each other), the red lipstick paired with a mostly sallow complexion and the red lipstick paired with a lighter hair color.

In general, I don't think the color of that dress is doing anything to brighten up her complexion. In fact, I think she would have looked amazing with the lip color if she wore an all black or white gown and kept her very dark hair. But there's something about this that just adds 10 years to her look - she appears tired, not vibrant.

If You're Shiny and You Know It, Blot Your Face!!

I've probably prayed for really, really hot weather about 3,000 times in the last four months of disgusting Chicago weather. And then it happens - the heat and humidity set in, you start sweating, your face becomes an oil slick and you want to destroy every photo taken of you with said oil slick. Even celebrities aren't immune from "shiny face" - check out Padma L.

At least its only Padma's forehead that is shiny - my pet peeve is a shiny nose!! Sometimes just cleansing and toning don't cut it in the summer. So here's how to enjoy the summer without feeling like you have a Crisco mask on:
Blotting Papers

When you're shiny and you know it, whip out some trusty blotting papers to reduce the reflection. There are a ton of brands of blotting papers out now so you don't have to spend a fortune on these disposable products. Simply take a sheet of paper and press to your forehead and nose. Whether or not you get glee from looking at the sheet afterwards to see how much oil you picked up is, well, up to you! Repeat with a clean sheet if necessary. The glamour factor with blotting papers though is probably a zero - its a little weird so keep the action in private areas such as a restroom rather than blotting in public.

1. Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets - 50 sheets for $5.29

2. Shu Uemura Blotting Paper - 40 sheets for $12

3. Shiseido Pureness Oil Control Blotting Paper - 100 sheets for $17

4. NYX Blotting Paper - 50 sheets for $3

5. Brown Paper Napkins - $0

The NYX blotting sheets are a bargain at $0.06 per sheet but if you prefer to go high end, the Shiseido sheets are $0.17 each and you get a 100 - most likely enough to last you the whole summer.

If you're a true recessionista, you may want to more about option #5. That's right, brown paper napkins double as blotting papers and I know a few people that swear by these, particularly the ones in Starbucks. And since there's a Starbucks on practically every corner of this country now, if you forget your regular blotting papers feel free to stop on by and steal some napkins to pretty yourself up.

Blotting Powder

Now if you're so oily that blotting papers aren't going to do anything but disintegrate once they touch your face, consider purchasing blotting powder. In my opinion, blotting powder isn't ideal because you're probably tacking on makeup on top of makeup which will give you a more matte look. However, if its a necessity, consider some of these options:

1. MAC Pressed Blotting Powder - $21.00

2. IMAN Perfect Response Oil Blotting Powder - $14.99

I've used and loved the MAC Pressed Blotting Powder. Its very light and somewhat translucent so you don't need a perfect skin tone match. And I never found it to clog my pores, only provide a light veil to stop the oilies.

25% Off Becca Cosmetics!!!

This recession/depression/repression (is it over yet??!!) is doing all of us ladies a favor by dragging down retail clothing prices but high end makeup costs never ever seem to budge, right? Well, today's your lucky day!!

Becca Cosmetics, which is known for its beautiful but natural makeup colors (think along the lines of Bobbi Brown rather than MAC if you've never tried the line), is having a 25% deal on its entire collection through the Daily Candy. Popular items from Becca include its Luminous Skin Color, Beach Tint and Glossy Lip Tint.

All you have to do is enter this code DCBECCA09 at checkout!

Happy shopping!

The Golden Girl is Baaack!

The Spring/Summer 2009 trend of the season is shine! Both silver and gold are now a girl's best friends. So, bring on the dazzle as you brighten your day with a little shimmer or should I say...a lot of shimmer.

To play up the metallic look, the makeup should be modest with a little pizzaz around the eyes. Try not to overdo it and check this look out! The bright eyes with copper, pewter and gold are all blended into the other, yet the lips are a subtle pale pink. Or I think just choosing one of these eye brightening colors that matches a tone of metallic you are wearing - shoes, dress, etc. will really 'Wow!' the crowd.

Eyes: Sweep the eyelid area with a cream shadow in a light, neutral color sparingly to add staying power for your metallics. Try Givenchy's Prismissime Mat & Glow - Sunny shades which has the perfect match for the bronze on the eyelid and gold on the browbone. This shadow compact also lets you blend a matte shadow with the metallic to tone it down if necessary. Then for the platinum punch add a little Heavy Metal shadow by Lorac's Multi-Platinum Palette to the inner corner of the eye extending up to the brow and add a little shimmer to the lower lid for balance. Then apply the Dreamy shadow to the outer corner, again extending to the brow. Finally apply Lancome's Defincils black mascara to upper and lower lashes to finish the eyes. These are all available at Sephora.com (http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P218907&categoryId=B70)
Lips: Try a pale pink or neutral color for the lips to really make sure the eyes steal the show. A great lipstick with a subtle shine is Sephora brand Rosy Mad which gives a soft pink shimmer to the lips or for a more matte look try Lorac's Babydoll cream lipstick.

Cheeks: The cheeks should have just a light wash of color looking as natural as possible. Laura Mercier's new Second Skin Cheek Color in Rose Petal fits just the bill for the summer heat.

Skin: Impeccable skin that again has a light hand and a matte finish is essential. Try DiorSkin AirFlash Spray Foundation in a shade that matches your skin tone.

Most importantly remember to have fun with metallics and play with some colors like metallic blues, greens and even pinks!

We're Alive!!!

Hi ladies!!

Sorry, for the lack of posts in the last week and a half. We've both been traveling with hectic schedules. New posts to come up this week!!

KG & GM

New Makeup Brushes at a Bargain

It has been a couple years since I even thought about my makeup brushes. But recently, I noticed that my blush brush had become a little stiff and no matter what color blush I applied, they all kind of looked the same. Well, after a little research, I know better than to let so much time pass by. Here's what I learned about makeup brush maintenance:

The beauty experts recommend replacing brushes about once every year if possible and cleaning them once a month. Gently wash them with a clarifying shampoo or even baby shampoo, Woolite or dishwasher liquid. Then squeeze out excess water by laying them down flat between a towel and let it air dry. There are also some cleansers specially formulated to clean brushes which sometimes contain disinfectants or alcohol to help dry the bristles faster. These can be purchased online at Nordstrom.com - the one by MAC seems to be a popular choice.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/

Once the bristles grow really rough or start falling out, it's time to throw the brush away. Also, sharing make up brushes may lead to infection so make sure they are replaced or cleaned more frequently, especially ones that are used around the eyes or lips. Storing the brushes in a roll-up bag with separate slots instead of throwing them in with other makeup helps them stay clean longer as well.

Now that I had a refresher on how to maintain my brushes, I decided to purchase some new ones. I knew that I didn't want to spend a lot of money. However, there are some fantastic all natural brushes made of sable or goat hair that do last a long time if they can be maintained well. With a coupon from Ulta in hand, I visited their store while on vacation. As I walked around, I noticed they had several lines on sale but the real find was their clearance section. I found a fairly good quality Ulta blush brush on sale for $5 and even an eyebrow brush for $2.50. I love a good sale. And they even have some that are earth friendly made of bamboo and Taklon bristles http://www.ulta.com/ulta/

One other tip I have is to make sure each brush passes the Triple test: 1) Feel the brush on the back of your hand. If it's soft and light, buy it. If it's stiff, forget about it. 2) Brush your hand again going back and forth with the bristles and see if any strands fall out. If they do, don't buy it as the hairs are probably not glued very well. 3) Finally, pull some on some of the bristles lightly. Again, if the strands fall out, it is loosely glued so don't buy it.

I'm not sure if every Ulta store has a clearance section but hopefully the one near you does.

Steal the Look: Ujjwala Raut's Makeup from Michael Kors Fall '04

Reader Divya asked us to do a makeup breakdown of one of Ujjwala Raut's looks from my Roop ki Rani post on the model. This look is from the Michael Kors Fall 2004 - true to most of Michael Kors' looks, the models had bronzed, rich looking skin.

To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a shimmery seashell pink eyeshadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in French Cuff all over the lids up until the crease. Apply a shimmery white shadow such as MAC Eye Shadow in Phloof! in the inner corners. Lightly line eyes, top and bottom, with a black eye pencil. Finish with black mascara.

Cheeks: Apply a rust colored blush such as MAC Mineralize Blush in Lovejoy or a deep bronzer along the perimeter of the face.

Lips: Apply a bit of highlighter in the upper "v" of the lip - you can use a slight bit of the shimmery white shadow used above on the eyes). Apply a sheer pink lip gloss such as MAC Tricolour Lip Gloss in Just Dessert to the lips.

Wet Bronze Eye Look

This is a wet bronze look I did for a friend's birthday party last night...instead of just applying a bronze shadow dry to the eyelids, I applied the shadow wet for extra shine on the lids.

What I used:

YSL Touch Eclat #4 to prep my eyelids

Lorac Bronze Shadow applied wet all over eyelids

Lorac Spice Shadow applied wet in the outer corner of eyes and along lower lashes

MAC Smolder Eye Pencil along upper lashline and lower waterline

Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara

I combined the wet bronze look with pink blush and a slightly glossy light pink lip - when it warms up a little, I think I might go with a more hot pink lip!

Roop ki Rani: Ujjwala Raut

Ujjwala Raut is one of the few Indian models who has graced the runways in both India as well as New York, Paris and Milan, solidifying her status as a truly international model. She won the Femina Look of the Year in the Miss India Pageant in 1996 and was among the Top 15 finalists in the Elite Model Look of the Year contest.

Ujjwala has walked for fashion shows such as Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss, Cynthia Rowley, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabanna, Betsey Johnson, Gucci, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and Emilio Pucci. She also has walked at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show.

Ujjwala has been the face of ads of Dolce & Gabbana, Gap, H&M and Roberto Cavalli. In 2004, Ujjwala was the face of Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics, probably the first South Asian model to be the face of a major cosmetics company.

Ujjwala has been on a number of magazine covers such as those of Elle India and Femina India. And I remember when I saw Ujjwala in an editorial in U.S. Marie Claire a few years back - definitely very cool!!

Ujjwala took a short hiatus from the runway to start a family but it seems like she might be back to the runways!! She modeled for Spring 2009 shows like Gottex and at Lakme India Fashion Week for the Autumn/Winter 2009 shows.

Check out this video interview of Ujjwala on modeling from Ripe TV - it has some great clips of her on the runway.

I tried posting a slideshow of Ujjwala's pics on here but it didn't work out so well, so below are more photos:

Pro X, Olay's New Miracle Cream

Post-pregnancy and dealing with toddlerhood - my skin is definitely not doing so well. So, when I recently came across the Olay Pro X line's starter set of day cream, night cream and eye cream, I was pretty excited to try it out. Overall, I thought the products were decent and worked well. However, I'm not sure about the younger looking skin in 28 days. Here's a quick breakdown:

Daytime Age Repair Lotion

http://www.olayprofessional.com/ageRepair.html
The lotion was good during the day - it absorbed quickly into my skin, didn't feel greasy and provided a matte finish which is perfect with/without makeup. However, I wish the SPF was slightly higher (it has SPF 30) - with a honey ethnic complexion, I tan so easily and can even get burnt sometimes.

Night Hydra-Firming Cream

http://www.olayprofessional.com/hydraFirming.html
This cream did fulfill what it promised - it moisturized really well. Although, I'm not a big fan of night creams because when I go to sleep, I like my face to feel really clean but somehow this one did not bother me as much. I have only used this for about a week so we'll see if my skin glows in a few more weeks.

Eye Restoration Complex

http://www.olayprofessional.com/eyeRestoration.html
Finally - an eye cream that seems to work...not! All of you moms of toddlers know what I'm talking about when I say I have bags and black circles (note the black and not dark). Even though now I'm getting a decent night's sleep, all those sleepless nights are catching up with me. I was praying that this eye cream would do the trick. Alas, I'm here to let you know that for me, no such luck :( But on the bright side, the cream is great for under makeup and does absorb well similar to the day cream.

But here is the catch - if you're like me and worried about some of those ingredients, especially when a toddler is trying to kiss Mamma's face twenty times a day, I wouldn't get this. The big one that caught my eye was Triethanolamine (TEA) in the day cream. So onward we go to find the fountain of youth!

Giorgio Armani Sheer Lipstick in 21 Bordeaux

Have you ladies ever tried Giorgio Armani cosmetics? I view this cosmetics line as the "strong, silent type" - it doesn't necessarily make a huge splash in beauty news like MAC with its infinite number of collections but nevertheless delivers some great products.

One of my favorite GA products is the Sheer Lipstick in 21 Bordeaux. In fact, I almost done with this lipstick since purchasing it about a year ago and I can't believe I haven't blogged about it yet. Well, apologies for keeping this beauty gem a secret!!


One of the reasons I love this product is its amazing ability to be worn in a multitude of situations - day or night, at casual or more formal events. In addition, the texture of the Sheer Lipsticks is one of THE best I have tried hands down - hate matte lipsticks? Then try the GA Sheer Lipstick because the more your wear it, the more glossy and shiny the application. Just check out the photo above, which could easily pass as a gloss swatch! In fact, the GA Sheer Lipstick line reminds me a little of Clinique's Almost Lipstick line which is a cross between a lipstick and gloss.

As for the color that I love - 21 Bordeaux - well, I don't really find it that Bordeaux at all due to the sheer application. Its more of a sheer berry on me and as I build it up on my lips, the color gets a bit redder. The color is SO flattering on my skin tone that I wear it to work, the grocery store, out to dinner, out for drinks, to brunch...well, you get the idea! Here's some more of the pros (and very little cons):

Pros:

• Awesome, glossy texture - perfect for spring and summer when you want a lighter, more sheer lipstick
• Packaging is matte black and sleek
• Contains a bit of shimmer, nothing overboard
• No need for precise application
• Super moisturizing
• 21 Bordeaux is a very flattering color for desi skin tones
• Its so sheer you can also layer it on cheeks for a multi-tasking product - I do!

Cons:

• The color is a teeny bit hard to build because the texture is so glossy but that's not necessarily a completely bad thing!
• Pricier at $25

Let me know if any of you have tried the other colors in the GA Sheer Lipstick line and what you thought!!

Lakshmi Menon in Vogue India May 2009

I love Lakshmi Menon's cover of Vogue India May 2009 - her hair, the statement necklace and the color of that dress!! I read somewhere that the color Lakshmi is wearing (sort of a coral pink) is the hot color for summer. Now if only Vogue India would start putting some other great Indian models on the cover!!

Below, check out the scans of Lakshmi's editorial in the May issue. The shot below of Lakshmi in a long white dress just makes me want to take a vacation!

Q&A with Donna Maggi from Nioxin

Remember the Q&A session I did with Chicago based hair stylist Daniel Cerda? Well, here is a shorter Q&A session with Donna Maggi of Nioxin, where I asked her some of the questions on hair fall and achieving shine. Donna worked on some of the hair styles at the Fall 2009 New York Fashion Week. Donna touches on a good point in her answers which is to treat your scalp well, not just our hair, since that is where new hair growth occurs.

RC: I'm in my late 20s and I've noticed a lot of hair fall recently as have my friends. What is the cause, how do we prevent additional hair fall and what do we do to stop current hair fall?

Donna Maggi: Hair Loss has many causes including diet, stress as well as hormone changes. Let’s go through a check list. First, ask yourself if you have a well balanced diet. Are you experiencing a sudden weight loss or weight gain? Is there any stress in your home life or work? Do you have any health issues or do you take any medications? These things can all affect the condition of your hair including hair loss. Genetics can also play a part. Do you have a family member with thinning hair either on your mother’s or father’s side of the family?

Additionally, the environment can contribute to thinning hair. Do you protect your scalp from the sun or swim in chlorinated water? Do you frequent the gym? Over blow-drying the hair (heat damage) i.e. blowers, flat irons, curling irons, hot rollers can damage the hair. And a typical sign is if you see a lot of hair in your brush?

Ways to help: Use products that can care for the scalp first and the hair. Cleansing is very important. Try Nioxin’s 3 part System to care for the scalp skin where the hair begins. Use a wide tooth comb when hair is wet to protect the hair. When the hair is wet it is most fragile and likely to break. I like to think of the hair as fibers of silk. You would be very careful with a silk garment and would not be using anything harsh. The same thought can be applied when caring for the hair. Cleansing the hair after a workout is very important for removing any toxins from the scalp skin. We are all familiar with skincare for our face. This is skincare for the scalp. You simply cleanse, restore and activate with Nioxin’s three part system. Using styling products that can build up on the scalp and hair is not a good thing. Nioxin’s styling products can help address these needs. Try Nioxin’s Bliss Thermal Protector before you use heat for great protection.

RC: Imagine your model has a mass of thick, black curlyish hair that absorbs light like a black hole (this is me). What do I do to achieve shine on a daily basis with my natural texture without the grease?

DM: Most models use a lot of products to make the hair do something that it can never come close to doing naturally. Start by cleansing and gently removing all of the product build-up on the hair and scalp to create an optimal scalp environment. Next you need to restore moisture and resilience to the scalp and hair with Nioxin Scalp Therapy. Then activate the scalp and hair with Nioxin Scalp Treatment. Now that the hair is ready to style, use Nioxin styling products which do not contribute to the “grease” factor. A lot of people think that oil equals shine, but that is not the case at all. Oil is not moisture; in fact it clogs the hair follicle and makes the hair feel greasy. It is very important to apply products in a layering effect, which will help evenly distribute the products. I believe in order to achieve the best look, start with just a little and add more to achieve the desired style.

Hello Beauty Buffs!

I am so excited to be here! When my lil' sis asked me to be a part of her beauty blog, I was thrilled. In fact, when I first heard that she was writing in a beauty blog, I wasn't surprised...she has some amazing talents and her knowledge of beauty products over the years has far surpassed mine. Who would've thought?

Ever since my adventure into my Mom's makeup collection at eight years old, giving myself and friends a makeover has always been a fun hobby of mine. Over the years and now that I'm a Mama for a 15-month old baby boy, there are more important things for me to consider when purchasing my beauty products than just colors and trends. So hopefully, I'll bring a slightly different perspective to Roop Cafe by discussing more natural products that actually work or ones that don't have as many yucky toxins! Look forward to having you all read up and your comments:)

Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color Swatches

Here are my swatches for the four lipsticks I tried from the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color line!! In the picture above, the lipsticks from left to right are 28 Rose Rage, 8 Sweet Tart, 36 Ablaze and 52 Romp.

52 Romp - Romp looks very purple in the case but its actual finish is an iridescent purply-pink. The color and the finish remind me of the '80s era but I still think the color is very pretty. This color would look best on dusky to darker toned ladies (for reference, think of the skin tone ranges of Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Joy Bryant and Iman). This color would be harder to wear for someone with a lot of yellow or green in their skin tone, such as South Asian and East Asian ladies with fairer tones or olive skinned Latinas (think of the skin tone ranges of Gong Li, Jennifer Lopez and Kareena Kapoor). If you can wear this color, though, it sure is an attention-getter!!

8 Sweet Tart - This is a creamy, slightly chalky, bright pink with a touch of coral. This was the least favorite of the lipsticks I tried because the chalkiness did not suit my skin tone. Sweet Tart would look best on fairer skin tones of all ethnicities (think Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Kim Kardashian).

36 Ablaze - Ablaze was one of my favorites of the four, next to Rose Rage. It is a tomato red (with a hint of orange) with a satin finish that makes it muy caliente for the summer!! I can't wait for a really warm day to wear this lip color with a sundress!! I actually applied to color below without lipliner and it did not bleed. This lip color is the most wearable for all skin tones as I believe it would look awesome on all skin tones from the fairest to the darkest. For reference, I probably have the approximately skin tone of Lara Dutta if we're thinking Bollywood or Alicia Keys if we're thinking Hollywood.

28 Rose Rage - Rose Rage is a creamy, light rose pink shade. It is another one of my favorites of the group and can be worn day or night, for a subtle or more loud look. For day, I dab it on and pop some pink lip gloss on top. For night, I apply it heavily for a bright pink look. It would also look good a range of skin tones although maybe slight less so than Ablaze. Very dark skin tones might find it a bit chalky but I think most women of color can pull it off.

Keep in mind that the Vivid Impact Lip Color line comes in different finishes that are not necessarily indicated on the case. For example, while 28 Rose Rage and 8 Sweet Tart are cream finishes, 52 Romp has an iridescent finish and 36 Ablaze has a more satin finish. I would use the testers at your local drugstore or Ulta to determine what color and finish suits you.

Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color

April 2009 has been a whirlwind for me...so many changes which will definitely affect my life path - hopefully for the better. All through it, there is nothing like a great makeup product to pep me up on a down day!! And for this month, Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color definitely brightened up my days!

I was able to try several colors of the lip color - 28 Rose Rage (a rose pink), 52 Romp (an intense purple pink), 8 Sweet Tart (a candy pink) and 36 Ablaze (an intense coral). A swatch of 28 Rose Rage is pictured below. Reader and fellow blogger Indian Girl recently asked what lip color I was wearing in a recent post and Rose Rage is it. I love this color and have been using it frequently.

For someone that is used to the quality, texture and pigmentation of high end lipsticks, I was truly impressed with the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Colors.

Pros:

• The texture of the lipsticks is smooth and easy to apply. Even when my lips were dry, there was zero flaking.
• The pigmentation of the lipsticks were a definite plus of this line because they are well pigmented. The great advantage of this is that you get more for your moolah and you can apply it as light or heavy as you want depending on the look you are going for.
• There is no need for a lipliner because the color does not bleed.
• There is no awful artificial smell, one of things I hate about alot of drugstore lipsticks. There is no detectable scent at all.
• The price is right! Each one retails for about $8. You may also be able to find a discount through your drugstore chain.

Cons:

• The only con I can think of is that the color on the lipstick case doesn't always match the actual color of the lip color. For example, the color on the case of 28 Rose Rage appears much more muted than the color on my lips.

I'll be doing another post with lips swatches of all the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Colors that I tried, so look out for it!!

Steal the Look: America Ferrera's Makeup at Gotham Magazine Issue Launch

At the latest Gotham magazine issue launch, on which America Ferrera is on the cover, the Ugly Betty actress looked amazing with raspberry colored lips, long black lashes and highlighted cheeks. Makeup artist Linda Hay did America's face. Reader A.J. asked us to do a breakdown of America's makeup, so here it is!!

How to get America's look:

Eyes: Apply a shimmery champagne shadow such as Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Gold Dust all over the eyelids. Concentrate some of the same shadow in the inner corner of the eyes to really make eyes pop. Apply a black liner such as Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink to the upper lash line, making the liner thicker as you approach the outer corners of the eyes. Apply a white eye liner such as Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Pencil in Pure White to the lower waterline of the eyes. Generously apply black mascara to the upper lashes.

Cheeks: Apply a pink cream blush such as Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pink Raspberry to the cheekbones. Apply a shimmery highlighting blush on top of cheekbones such as Bobbi Brown Platinum Pink Shimmer Brick. It looks like Linda Hay also applied a little blush to America's temples as well which helps to slim down the face.

Lips: Line lips with a pink liner such as Bobbi Brown Lip Liner in Ballet Pink. Apply Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss in Ruby Sugar (this is the actual gloss color used - can't wait to try it, it looks amazing on her!).

Photo courtesy of Justjared.com

Introducing Glam Mamma!!

Ladies,

I am very, very excited to introduce to you a new blogger here at Roop Cafe - Glam Mamma!!
Now Glam Mamma isn't just any beauty blogger. She's very special...why, you ask?

Well, Glam Mamma is actually my older sister who pretty much taught me everything I know about beauty. If any of you have an older sister or female cousin, you may have done some of the things I did when I was little such as stealing her makeup, stealing her clothes, watching her spend hours in front of the mirror doing her makeup, and generally copying everything she did, much to her annoyance!! Funnily, as the years went by, I would sometimes find that one of my holy grail makeup items mysteriously landed in her makeup bag....hmmm.

I'm really excited to be blogging with my beauty mentor now and hope you are excited to read some great posts!

As usual, feel free to email us at GlamMamma@gmail.com or kohlgirl@gmail.com with any of your questions, post ideas or feedback!

MAC Eye Shadow in Sushi Flower: My New Favorite Blush!!

Multi-tasking beauty products include lipstick that can be used for blush or hair conditioner that can used as shaving cream...but what about eyeshadow that can double as a blush??

Well, not always, but if your shadow is the right color and texture, by all means use it as a blush!

I discovered this fantastic used for shadow when I bought MAC Eye Shadow in Sushi Flower, a bright candy pink shadow, even though I rarely wear pinks on my eyes. Sushi Flower has been sitting in my makeup bag for ages and I finally realized that the candy pink would look gorgeous as a spring blush.

I tried it out and here are the results -

I love the result and can't wait to use it for the rest of the spring and summer. The Sushi Flower shadow itself a satin formulation so it goes on as a super smooth blush with very fine shimmmer.

Try it out yourself and let me know what you think! Brightly colored shadows in a range of pinks, corals and peaches will no doubt look beautiful. Make sure colored shadows are in a matte or satin formulation - definitely nothing too shimmery. Additionally, you can use a finely milled champagne or gold shadow as a cheek highlighter!

Can Astrology Determine Beauty Trends?

By now, you may have heard about the Financial Times April 11th article which declared that the famed Lipstick Index of 2001, which measures economic activity by monitoring lipstick sales (i.e. crashing stocks + unemployment = more women buying lip color), has now been replaced with the Foundation Index for the current gloomy times. According to FT, sales of foundation increased in 2008 while sales of lipstick actually fell.

The theory behind the Lipstick Index, which could also be applied to the new Foundation Index, is that women are more likely to spend money on a makeup product such as lipstick or foundation rather than splurge on clothing or other luxury items.



Now, there could be a theory behind the theory that comes from...astrology?! That's right, one of my favorite astrology blogs, Wall Street Weather, poses an explanation for the Foundation Index:

"Foundation’s growing popularity is reflected in the planetary cycles of Saturn in Virgo (Sep 2007-Jul 2010)* and Pluto in Capricorn (2008-2024), as Saturn and Capricorn rule the skin. These planetary energies demand more from a beauty product than a mere pick me up. They need to provide value and a natural yet polished appearance since these energies relate to work and professional reputation.

Saturn rules time and Virgo efficiency. Foundations at all brands and price points have become multitaskers, saving money by eliminating the need to purchase multiple products. Today’s foundations contain sunscreen, moisturizers, and ingredients that claim to correct uneven skin tone. The foundation trend will continue under Saturn in Libra (October 2009 - April 2010, Jul 2010- Oct 2012) as Saturn in this Venus-ruled sign values a radiant looking complexion."

What do you think? Do you believe in astrology? Think its a plausible explanation? There has been a noticeable shift from lip gloss and bronzers on the fashion runways to a very natural, bare-skinned look during the past few seasons which is telling and fits well with the explanation. I'd also be interested in learning whether sales of skincare products have also increased in addition to foundation.

If in fact the astrological explanation is true, we're looking at a major beauty trend of perfect, glowy looking skin for the next few years which will no doubt bring in additional innovations in facial makeup and skincare!

How to Create a Braided Chignon

Loose hair, cascading over the shoulders is always lovely but what about those times when you just want to put your hair up, yet still look polished?

For as long as I can remember, I have had extremely long hair past my shoulders but more often than not, I put my hair up when I need to run errands and/or get work done. And after all these years, I have finally figured out how to create the perfect chignon.

First, what is a chignon? Its basically a bun or knot worn at the nape of the neck. At fashion week, whether its in New York or Paris or fall or spring, you can bet the the chignon will be on at least a few runways because it is just so classic.

I like to add a braid to the chignon because it adds a little twist to a classic look!!

How to create a braided chignon:

1. First, make sure your hair is long enough. Hair that is to or past the shoulders is of sufficient length - the shorter the hair, the more pins you'll need and the messier the chignon tends to look.

2. Work with "day-old" hair - that is, hair that was washed the day before rather than the day of. Hair is easier to work with when it is not freshly washed. Dampen dry hair just a bit with water and if you didn't use any styling product after washing, use a bit of mousse for hold.

3. Brush or comb hair back into a low ponytail. The ponytail should be at about the height of your ears. Secure with a rubber band. Its your choice whether to part hair or leave it unparted - I prefer a side part.

4. Braid the hair from the rubberband down. Secure the end of the braid with another rubber band. For me braiding the hair, rather than twisting it up into a bun immediately, is KEY in order to tuck in all the shorter layers you might have.

5. Wind the braid into a bun. Wind the braid around the base of the ponytail around and around in a circle until you come to the end of the tail. While holding the chignon in place, put yet another rubber band around the chignon to hold it in place.

6. Secure the braided chignon with pins. Hold the braided bun in place with the "U"-shaped hair pins. For fine hair, the thin metal pins work well. If you have thick hair like mine, try the Scunci Magic-Grip Hair Pins, which you can find at Walgreens or CVS. These plastic pins withstand really thick hair without bending in half as I have experienced with the thin metal pins!

7. Set the braided chignon. Spray hair lightly with hairspray and you're done!

Steal the Look: Bipasha Basu's Makeup at Filmfare Magazine Issue Launch

At the launch of the latest Filmfare magazine issue, Bipasha excelled at pulling off a natural makeup look while still looking sophisticated. Her eyes were accentuated with ultra long lashes and her skin glowed in golds.

To get the look:

Eyes: Apply a golden peach shimmery shadow such as Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Seashell all over the eyelids from lashline until eyebrow. Line both the top and bottom lashline with a dark brown shadow such as Revlon Matte Shadow in Rich Sable. Wet the liner brush slightly to make it easier to apply. Bipasha clearly has false lashes on so opt for a strip of false lashes or a super lengthening mascara such Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara in Glam Black, which I recently reviewed.

Cheeks: Achieving glowy cheeks like Bipasha's is simple. Simply pop a tawny pink blush such as Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny on the apples and brush towards to the temples. Then pop a highlighter blush such as NARS Highlighting Blush in Albatross on the cheekbones and blend.

Lips: Apply a apricot pink lip gloss to the lips. Chanel Aqualumiere Lip Gloss in Candy Glow matches Bipasha's lip color perfectly.

Photo courtesty of Filmicafe

Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Shampoo and Conditioner Review

Having blogged about Padma Lakshmi in the Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Line ads, I tried the products myself to see if my hair looked as good as Padma's in the commercial! The Nature Fusion line comes in a Moisture Balance shampoo and conditioner and a Smooth Vitality shampoo and conditioner.



I used the Moisture Balance line and was quite surprised at the results of the line. A lot of drugstore brands do a mediocre job, but the shampoo cleansed my hair and scalp well without stripping the moisture out. The conditioner, which I thought would leave my hair weighed down, actually moisturized my hair but didn't make my scalp greasy.

The consistent results for me are shiny, bouncy and moisturized hair. My hair has been significantly less frizzy and I notice a bit more shine as well. I'm actually in interested in seeing what the difference is between the Smooth Vitality Line and the Moisture Balance line since the latter does such a great job of smoothing already.

The shampoo and conditioner each retail for about $4.99.

Makeup Artist Ann Orcutt's Favorite Drugstore Buys

The New York Times recently interviewed Ann Orcutt, makeup artist to celebrities, on her favorite drugstore makeup products.

While I wasn't surprised by some of her picks, there were others that I am intrigued by! For example, Orcutt likes both L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara and L'Oreal Le Grand Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, two products that I used for ages and have blogged about before. I'm not surprised she chose these staples because they are of great quality. Orcutt also recommends Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector, stating “This is practically an exact copy of the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Highlighter, which costs about $40." As someone who is addicted to the Touche Eclat, I had to raise my eyebrows at her comparison....hmmm, I forsee a beauty battle post coming up to compare these two products!!

Here is the full list of Orcutt's cheap beauty buys:

1. Cover Girl AquaSmooth Compact Foundation ($9.79)

2. Cover Girl Cheekers Blush ($4.39)

3. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.50)

4. L'Oreal Le Grand Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Black Sable ($8.49)

5. Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow Quad ($6.99)

6. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss ($6.99)

7. L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Liner ($8.99)

8. Cover Girl TruBlend Microminerals Finishing Veil ($12.99)

9. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($9.00)

10. Olay Foaming Face Wash ($4.49)