Lipstick Masala

Ten years ago, when the countdown to the new Millennium began, I sat on the Washington Mall bundled up in three layers of clothes watching Bill Clinton and Ricky Martin ring in the New Year. I was so cold I could barely enjoy the huge fireworks display over the Potomac River. A decade later, I choose to avoid any outdoor festivities and instead stay inside with my friends, in the warmth of central heating and a comfy couch under my behind. This year, instead of picking out which down jacket will keep me the coziest, my biggest dilemma is whether or not to coordinate my sparkly shirt with dark lips or eyes.

For those of you contemplating a smokey eye look for New Year’s Eve but not comfortable with the technique, I’ve broken down a basic tutorial that’s both quick and easy. Don’t be afraid! What’s great about the smokey look is that you can adapt it to any color, and best of all, it doesn’t have to be perfectly tidy! The concept of “smokey” doesn’t apply to one specific look or color, rather, it is the blending technique used to “smoke out” an eye shadow. So, go ahead and use any combination you wish to!

This tutorial should take practiced hands about 5 minutes and beginners no more than 10-15. Don’t worry about perfecting each step – when it’s time to clean up and bring the look together, we will!

.

What You’ll Need:

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year -New Year’s Eve – new beginnings, clean slates, and this year – a new decade. Because it’s the holidays and I know you have better things to do than listen to my ramblings, I’ll get straight down to business. For those of you heading out to the club or a friend’s party, you’ll surely want to get the right kind of makeup look to go with your sequined outfits. Later this week we’ll be sharing a quick basic smokey eye for those that want to bedazzle on Thursday night. For now, here’s a tutorial on how to get the perfect red lip without feathering, bleeding and smudging. Read the rest of this entry »

.

Below is a contributed post by fellow blogger, Leia. Along with her best friend, she currently runs a fashion site from London that regularly updates readers with the latest high fashion looks and must-haves. As she was one of our first followers here at Lipstick Masala, I am honored that she has kindly taken the time to share some of her favorite beauty techniques with us. If your hair is suffering from winter woes, this post is for you! Leia has outlined some fantastic tips and tricks that have left her hair beautifully thick and silky. Check out her fabulous site over at http://hifashionsl.blogspot.com/!

.

.

For most of us, winter has finally arrived. Whether you love the season or the cold makes you depressed and homesick, one thing is for sure: winter wreaks havoc on your hair! Wind, dry air, and central heating can cause dryness and split ends. Here are some of my tips for keeping your hair luscious when the temperatures drop. Read the rest of this entry »

We finally have sales codes for our lovely ladies in the UK! This offer is only valid until tomorrow so get on it as fast as you can! Products we recommend: Moon Beam iridescent liquid highlighter, Brow Zings brow shaping kit and Gilded gold pencil to draw attention to eyes, brows and lips!

Offer:

• Get 15% off your entire order on http://benefitcosmetics.co.uk

• Get Free Priority Delivery so your package arrives in time for the holidays!

•  Enter promo codes LASTXMAS and FREEPRIO at checkout.

*Terms and Conditions: Offer valid until 22/12/09, free delivery applies to priority delivery only, subject to availability.

If you’ve been tuned into any news channel over the past couple of days, you’ve by now surely heard about the fierce snow storm that continues to pound the East Coast of the U.S. Snowmageddon 2009 not only brought with it mountains of ice but has also subjected us to bone-chilling cold temperatures and glacial winds. Yesterday, driven crazy with cabin fever, I strapped on my fur-lined boots and mittens and ventured outside on foot. When I returned, my face was stinging from the brutal weather conditions. Today, I am regretting yesterday’s little adventure as my cheeks are chapped dry and so red that I could pass for Santa Claus’s offspring.

Unfortunately, dry skin does not just make an appearance during a rare snowstorm or two. Many ladies have complained to me recently that the winter air has been causing the skin on their face to tighten up and flake and no lotion or cream seems to be working to restore that moisture. Here is my answer: 1) If you live in a country where you have central heating on all the time, make sure to use a humidifier when you sleep at night – trust me, you will see a difference in your skin within a few days. 2) Don’t overdo it with the rich creams. Exfoliate regularly (for more information click HERE) and remove the dead skin cells on your face. This will help your regular winter lotion/cream penetrate better. If you still feel like you need something a little extra, then go a little heavier, but I feel like most of those result in clogged pores. I prefer treating my face in addition to moisturizing, which brings us to number 3) There are a number of moisturizing masks you can use that will bring your skin relief, my favorite of which is the Oatmeal mask below. It’s fast, easy, and best of all, costs next to nothing. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s shaadi season. If you’re not already there, most of you will soon be traveling back to the homeland for the winter holidays and over the next month or so will be attending at least two weddings a night. In theory, you will be there to wish the newlyweds well, but in reality you will be checking out members of the opposite sex decked out in their finest shaadi garb while simultaneously whispering with your friends about your competition. But, most importantly, you will be there to see what the bride is wearing. Did she get her jora made by India’s Tarun Tahiliani or did she go with Pakistani designer HSY? What kind of jewelry set is she wearing, is it authentic polki or is it kundun? And finally, who did her makeup – Tariq Amin or a no name?

The makeup, oh the makeup. It seems the bridal makeup industry in the desi world is truly hit or miss – you can look stunning on one event and frightful the next. Artists not familiar with your skin or those who take themselves so seriously they don’t care what you think cause catastrophes that include wrong foundation shades, scary black eyes with dark red lips and shimmer galore. Many ladies put all their faith into their artist, which may work at times, but generally this is a wrong move! Don’t go into your bridal appointment oblivious, ladies – this is the most photographed day of your life (and yes, these pictures really do last forever)! Whether you are in Bhawalpur or Bombay, you must walk into your makeup session with a few crucial pointers in hand. Read the rest of this entry »

Black Friday scares me. For those not in the U.S. and unfamiliar with the day, Black Friday kicks off the Christmas shopping season and is one of the biggest shopping events of the year. I’m not one of the enthusiastic shoppers that stands in line outside Best Buy at 5am for door buster deals, I don’t drive to the outlets to get my hands on that Burberry coat that is 50% off just for a day, and I pretty much avoid the mall at all costs until the weekend is over.

This is why I look forward to Cyber Monday, the day retailers roll out online deals for those who prefer to avoid the panicked masses the day after Thanksgiving. Thanks to Cyber Monday I can do my Black Friday shopping from the safety of my own living room.

For those of you that prefer holiday shopping online, or if you simply didn’t get enough on Black Friday, here is a quick list of some beauty retailers’ Cyber Monday promotions: Read the rest of this entry »

It seems the recession hasn’t just hit my wallet – Estee Lauder has been feeling the effects, too. By now, many of you may have heard the sad news that the company has decided to discontinue its poorly performing Prescriptives line. For loyal Prescriptives fans, or those that simply found a holy grail product or two in the line, you have a limited time to get your hands on all the refills you can.

All Prescriptives retail counters around the world will be closed by January 31^st, 2010. Any remaining inventory will be available after that online for U.S. orders (www.prescriptives.com) while supplies last. If you were a fan of the famous Calyx perfume, rest assured, the company is planning to continue selling the item at fragrance counters in department stores.

Whether or not they’ll be having a sale to get rid of their remaining inventory is yet to be seen. Either way, I’ll be stocking up on their False Eyelashes mascara and their great lip balm – Lip Specialist Triple Action Therapy.

If you have trouble locating a product or have questions about the termination of the line, Prescriptives asks you to contact them at 1-877-819-2698.

These days I’m fascinated by the commercials for the new lash growth product, Latisse. Maybe it’s because of how gorgeous Brooke Shields still is, or it’s because of the fact that they have found a way to make eye lashes to grow but still can’t give balding men back their hair. Or, maybe it’s because of the laughable way they so casually state the side effects, “May cause eyelid darkening which may be reversible. May cause increased iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.” Errrrr seriously? I’m sure it’s a great invention and all, but I’m leaving my irises alone.

For those of you that are looking for ways to make their lashes appear thicker and longer but don’t wish to dabble in the potential destruction of your irises, there are plenty of other things you can do. My primary recommendation would be to try out the eyelash primer I swear by (CLICK HERE), but there is another secret practiced many celebrity makeup artists that uses a product you most likely already have at home – face powder. Yes, I said face powder. Read the rest of this entry »

Once upon a time, long before any of us were born, products such as blush and lipstick were only used by women of ill-repute i.e. tarts, trollops, concubines, what have you. “Ladies” did not indulge in such lewd behavior. If you had been born a “proper lady,” you would simply pinch your cheeks and hope that was enough to bring on a natural looking flush/glow. Thankfully, you and I don’t live in such a godforsaken century. Seriously, not being allowed to use blush? How did these people survive?!

Today, we can use any product we desire to enhance our natural looks without being labeled a harlot – well, most of the time anyway. I mean, we’ve all witnessed the Aunties who are a little too color happy (think Moulin Rouge – on crack). But, the point is, today we have options. We don’t have to get our blood flowing to our face by jumping up and down in place or slapping ourselves silly. Blush is now a staple part of a woman’s beauty routine – and the one item I could never do without.

Now that summer is over, and I begrudgingly greet the wintry air, I’ve shelved my “warm weather” blush shades and unpacked my favorite go-to pinks for the cold season. While peaches and corrals are still acceptable if paired with the right colors, now is the time to use the products that will further heighten that “just came in from the cold” cheek look and will also look fabulous with a winter smokey eye and nude lip. A few of you wrote in asking for my favorite pink blush shades, which for me, is akin to asking Angelina Jolie to pick the best of her umpteen children. But, for the sake of sparing your time and in order to suggest some universal colors, here are my two most-used products: Read the rest of this entry »