Ace your Winged Eyeliner!

My all time favorite ----> WINGED EYELINER! From celebs like Angeline Jolie to pop's stars like Rihanna, to our very own Bipasha Basu, this technique seriously makes a statement!

You really don't need an eyeshadow because the eyeliner is in itself strong and bold! Paired with bright lips and thick lashes, you're ready to go in under 5 mins! =)

Here's a quick video on how to ace it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9ZtXjIUAP0&feature=plcp

How far you want to extend your wing is a matter of choice... With time and practice you'll find the most suitable wing for your eye shape, face shape and personality! Remember, a little goes a long way so keep your strokes short and sweet :)

Keep in mind: Start thin and thicken as you move outward! You can keep thickening to intensify the look! 

For those of you'll who are trying this out for the first time, start by using a pencil to trace your eyeliner and only then go over this with the  sketch/liquid/gel eyeliner! 

I'll be honest, it is tricky at first to get both the wings perfectly symmetric, so practice, practice, practice!

Good luck! :D

Lotsa love, 
Akriti
xxx

HAPPY ONAM!!

Yaaaay! It's that time of the year when I get to eat delicious food on a banana leaf! Haha.. that's the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Onam! Yes, I'm a self-confessed foodie..! Every restaurant is going to be jam packed with families and friends dressed in traditional clothes celebrating the festival of harvest!

I'm headed for lunch with my friends to Ente Keralam- my favvvv restaurant for authentic Kerala food!

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali who was much loved and admired by the people of Kerala. Legend has it, that King Mahabali, who once ruled the state, would visit the people every year on this date =)

Onasadya- A grand feast served during the celebration of Onam

Women don the classic cream and gold saris which look SO elegant paired with a coloured blouse. I was choosing between a red/green/cream blouse, picked the red after actually going "Inky Pinky Ponky!" 
Stick on a round red bindi, apply chandan paste right above it (it cools down your forehead), pin a string of traditional jasmine flowers to your hair, and voilaa! Your a Malayali!! (Native of Kerala :P )

As far as the makeup is concerned, it's natural, fresh, with hint of gold to match the sari border! Malayali's love thick black eye kohl, so I made sure to incorporate that! Product Description given below...

The Stylist- Seetha Aunty =)

Here's to spending a wonderful day eating till your heart's content! ;)

Product Description:

Blush: Oriflame- Pink

Eyeshadow: M.A.C Amber Lights ( I used only one eyeshadow, believe it or not!! lol)
Eyeliner: L'Oreal Gel Eyeliner
Eye Kohl: Lakme Absolute 9-5 Eye Kohl
Mascara: YSL Volume Mascara Faux Cils- Black

Lipstick: M.A.C Capricious

Lots of Onam love,
Akriti
xxx

Conference Makeup

When you're going to work, it's usually better to stick to minimal or natural makeup, but on certain days like a Conference Day or a Corporate gathering, it's exciting to come up with a new look which isn't over the top but at the same time professional! So I decided to create a simple "Conference" makeup look combining a limited number of products.. You can of course tweak the look according to what you're wearing, and use more/less product! =)

Makeup: Grey + Blue subtle smokey eyes, defined eyeliner and a pink pout! Step to step guide given below! :)

BASE:

On a well moisturized skin, I dabbed on MAC Studio Finish Concealer around my eyes and down the bridge of my nose (I do have mild redness there).. To set it in place, using a powder puff, I applied the Inglot AMC Pressed Powder over the concealed areas and on my T-zone to control excess oil :) I skipped the blush- there are days when you just don't want to use a blush haha.. 

EYES:

1. Apply an eyeshadow base/primer using your finger tips to prevent your eyeshadow from creasing. I used MAC Prep+Prime Eye Primer

Revlon ColorStay Quad

2. For my eyes, I'm using a beautiful pigmented eyeshadow palette called Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Azure Mist. With a fluffly brush (MAC #217), apply lightest silvery shade on your brow bone (below your eyebrows) starting below your arch and blending out. This will instantly bring out your brows! I do this all the time, even if I'm not using any eyeshadow on my eyes! Next, with the same brush, apply the grey shade on 2/3rds of your eyelids going back and forth, swirling around gently. When you're using a fluffy brush, remember to use a light hand! To add depth to your eyes, go ahead and apply the navy blue shade on your crease, using the same brush. Less is more, so start by using a littleeee bit of eyeshadow and keep building up the intensity.

3. To define my eyes, I lined them using Lakme Eye Artist Eyeliner which resembles a felt pen! It makes it extremely easy, especially if your going to be bring out your eyeliner. I've created a slight lift to make me seem more awake ;)

4. For your waterline, use a black kohl, I used the Maybelline Colossal and smudge it ever so slightly with a smudge brush (MAC #219). With the same brush, dab on the grey eyeshadow and apply it over your lower lash line to give that soft, subtle day look! You don't want this look to become dramatic, so use extremely little product.

5. Finish off with a generous coat of mascara! I used The Body Shop Big and Curvy Mascara, which I honestly feel isn't too great, your lashes appear clumped up! :/

LIPS:

1. Keep it simple. I used a gorgeous creamy pink shade, Lakme Lip Love- Rose Kissed... Perfect for the day, plus I <3 the packaging! =)

Lakme Lip Love

I hope you found this useful! =) I just returned home after a holiday with Mum, going to rest and recover from my jet lag lol..  Hope to do a quick video day after tomorrow, so stay tuned =D 

  

Also, there are a few seats available for the Sept 1st, 2nd Group Workshop, do get in touch if you're interested!

Take care you guys!!

Lots of love,

Akriti :)

Coca Cola Lip Balm

En route to Sweden, we had a stop over in Munich for 3 hours.. I wasn't complaining because there was a Bobbi Brown counter in Duty Free! Hehe... After about 1.5 hours of strolling around the makeup counters, I went across to the so called "Coffee Shop" to grab a cup of Green Tea.. To me, it was more like a Coca Cola World, I was surprised how there were Coca-Cola adverts all around, from posters to glasses, to even the lights!! 

Yes, Coca Cola lights!!

I try my best to avoid fizzy drinks, but I was sooo tempted, standing there, being surrounded by Coca Cola in every form! Lol, marketing gimmicks I tell you! :P

Just as I stood in the queue, something caught my attention.. As I went closer, I realized it was a Coca Cola Lip Balm! Haha.. I left the queue immediately and decided to pick up the lip balm instead, hoping it would fulfill my craving! :P 

I don't know why it says Lip Gloss, it's works as a Lip Balm!

How coool!!

If it was a random lip balm, I would not have bought it (I have a few mini cupcake lip balms just lying around), but because it was Lip Smacker's- a popular brand in the U.S known for their lip balms, I decided to indulge in one! And of course, because it was shaped as a bottle cap! 

 How cuteeee is it?! <3 

Honestly speaking, it wasn't as yummy as I thought it would be! The Cola flavor lasted a few seconds.. And it wasn't toooo moisturizing! I wish they sold Coca Cola extracts (like Vanilla extract),  I would mix it with my Vaseline and use it! Conclusion: Nothing beats pure Petroleum Jelly- Vaseline! However, I don't regret buying it because I did end up drinking green tea and because like most girls, I'm a sucker for packaging! LOL.. It was so adorable!

I'm currently blogging from a Cafe- having a delicious scoop of dark chocolate gelato on the buzzing streets of Stockholm! I will post pictures of this beautiiiful place soon!

Take care!

Lots of Coca Cola love,

Akriti :)

         

Vogue Beauty Awards 2012

With so many cosmetic brands in the market, it can get very confusing which products to pick! Be it colours, textures, payoffs, pigmentation, durability etc, you can only find out by trying and testing! (And of course word of mouth, blog reviews et al) 

Vogue Beauty Awards brings you the best of the best in each category judged by Skin experts, Makeup Artists, Interior Designers (who take into account the packaging and design), Hairstylists and Actors..

I've taken pics of the article featured in the August Edition of Vogue India 2012, so much easier hehe! Have a look! =)

           

                   

         

        

I was so excited when I read that Lakme Nine to Five Kohl Ultimate won the beauty award for the Best Kohl Pencil! If you haven't watched it yet, here's a video of me reviewing the kohl pencil

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXQVXY2GNq4

       

Of course you don't have to agree with them all, there are so many other brands who offer wayyy better products at affordable prices! So if you love your Revlon lipstick or your Bourjois blush, or even your Maybelline mascara, don't doubt it! Each to it's own really...! 

I'm off to board my flight to Sweden (going with mommy for a 1 week holiday).. I will try posting whenever I can! I hope you all have a glamourous week! 

Lotsa love,

Akriti :)

Happy Independence Day!!

Be true to yourself, your country, and everyone around you! Smack on an orange lipstick and spread the patriotism! Hope you guys have a beautiful day with family and friends! =)

Product Description:

Eye Kohl: Lakme Absolute Silk Eyeliner (Blue Cosmos) + Revlon CustomEyes Eyeshadow (Blue)
Lipstick: M.A.C- Neon Orange, Limited Edition :(

Lotsa lovee
xxx

Mickey Mouse Hair!

Designer duo, Isha Kedia and Deepak Goswami’s label ‘Klitche’ presented ‘Paper Planes’ their debut collection at the Lakme Fashion Week which focused on the beauty and clear form of folded, shaped paper! 

The range showcased dresses, tunics, coats and jackets in abstract geometric shapes and patterns..

I loved how they incorporated  Mickey Mouse inspired ear shaped hair buns to go with the theme! The geeky glasses added a fun element to the overall concept.. The makeup was kept fresh with sleek eyeliner and bright red lips! =D

TRESemme at the Lakme Fashion Week!! :)

TRESemmé, the global hair care brand presented the luxury prét “Chair-Worthy Collection” by Priyadarshini Rao at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012! The audience was mesmereyesed by the unique hairdos created by Dharmesh Hingorani- sleek up-dos, vibrant curls, elaborate creations, gorgeous plaits and intricate braids!

I personally LOVEEEE this brand! When I was at University, there would be four MASSIVE bottles of the TRESemme Shampoo and Conditioner stocked up in my bathroom as it was always out of stock in the supermarkets! :/ I was soooo excited when I heard about it coming soon to India!

Watch this link for a sneak peak into the TRESemme lounge and a glimse of the fashion show! =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBlRz1a3ICE&feature=plcp

For the trendy, chic, urban woman who loves experimenting with hairstyles ;)

Cannot wait!! *_*

Kareena Kapoor at Lakme Fashion Week

Kareena Kapoor made her presence at the Lakme Fashion Week 2012 in an elegant off white collared shirt with silver tassels detailing down paired up with black trousers and pointy black pumps! Her simple, chic bun and minimal makeup looked  absolutely stunning!

Her skin was kept matte, with just the right amount of highlighter placed on the higher planes of her face (Cheekbone, T-zone). A darker shadow in the hollows of her cheeks instantly lifted her cheekbones (although she already has amaaazing cheekbones which are prominent from a mile away!


Moving on to her eyes, the classic winged eyeliner complemented her tasseled shirt, giving her that edgy, bold, powerful image! She lined her waterline with a brown eyekohl for a softer, more natural look! And ofcourse, lots and lots of mascara- both on the upper and lower lashes!


For her lips, she went for a creamy baby pink lipstick which looks great on her complexion!

I love how in spite of not accessorizing, she's pulled off a fabulous look by keeping it simple! =D

P.S- Notice her hotttt red soles!? What a way to glam up especially if you have to be seated! LOVE

My Look for Day 1 at LFW 2012!

Heyyy eveyone! I just got back to my hotel after a fantastic day at the Lakme Fashion Week 2012! I was sooo excited as soon as I entered Grand Hyatt Mumbai, that my stomach did a backflip! Haha seriously, I was just awe struck. The ambience was unbelievable- people were dressed to impress, displaying their own style statement!


The day opened with a spectacular display of collections by Gen Next designers who featured unconventional patterns and designs! (will put up pics as soon)


I got to interact with Cory Walia- one of the Head Makeup Artist's of Lakme (the other being Clint Fernandes) discussing the new makeup trends of the season! He also did a demo of a simple night look, which I recreated into a a short video (Video will be up tomorrow!)


In the midst of all the paparazzi, I got a chance to interview designer Kallol Datta, Tara Sharma (who looked grogeous with her neon pink top teamed up with jeans) and the stunning Amy Jackson who in my opinion wore the BEST makeup! 


Here's my look for Day 1 (Taken with my phone camera)


Clothes: A sleek, eclectic shirt dress with a touch of lace for that feminine oomph!

Makeup: I love wearing block colours because it's so easy to play around with makeup! You can use literally any colour and get away without looking over the top! So, for today, I decided to add a burst of colour to my lips to brighten up my look! For this, I had to tone down my eyes a bit, hence the subtle aubergine smokey eyes! My cheeks were contoured to add balance to my face and Voilaaa! =)

Watch this space for more updates!
xxx