Lipstick Masala

Every week, I go to my local grocery store and buy the latest issue of In Touch magazine. And now that my sister is back in town, every week I will be fighting her over who gets to read it first. She updates herself on the latest Brangelina breakup rumor and I pore over the pages searching for the newest shades of lip gloss or nail polish. This was how I discovered the technique known as “foiling.” Oftentimes, I would find myself questioning why my eye shadow never had the same finish as celebrities at the Golden Globes. Sure my eyes looked nice enough, but it seemed I was missing the key ingredient or miracle product that would make my shadow gleam like JLO’s or last all night in the way Scarlett Johansson’s makeup did.

After countless primers and pigments, I finally discovered “foiling,” which is essentially applying your shadow wet to create a vibrant, metallic sheen (hence the reference to the metallic foil). Now, some of you may be thinking “ew, why would I want disco ball lids?”

Don’t worry, like all makeup, there are varying degrees of intensity to foiling. You can foil your whole lids or simply your liner, you can choose to look like a drag queen or keep it simple and elegant like Penelope Cruz. If you do wish to stick to a light look, a little wet application can still transform your dull shadow – it won’t exactly be a “foil” look, but it will emphasize the color and texture of the product and allow your shadow to last longer rather than melt down your face in the summer. Read the rest of this entry »

When I think of face powder, I immediately cringe. I can’t help it – I was traumatized as a child by the aunties of the 80s and the thick plaster and splotchy white powder they applied to their faces in order to achieve the “fair and lovely” look. As a result, I’ve often ventured out without setting my makeup with any powder at all, even risking a shiny nose or two, in the fear that I will end up looking just like the ladies that scared me in my youth. But, as much as I hate the product, sometimes it is in fact a necessary evil, especially for oilier-skinned ladies when the weather turns warmer. The problem is, many of us find it difficult to choose and apply the right kind of product for our skin types and tones. Part of the confusion stems, like with foundation, from which color to use, but the truth is, the most important choice you will make regarding your powder is which form you use, loose or pressed. And, with the proper application, you may just be able to prevent yourself from looking like the lead actress from Memoirs of a Geisha.

Like many of you, I have been the victim of sales assistants at makeup counters that don’t want to take the time out or simply don’t know enough to explain the use of certain products. When I’ve asked the difference between loose and pressed powder, I’ve been told “oh, it’s just the consistency you prefer and what’s easier for you.” Ladies, this is not the case. Yes, ease of transportation and application is a vital point, but cosmetics companies would not waste time and energy finely milling powder into two different consistencies just because they are nice and want to give us a choice. There is more to the loose versus pressed decision. Read the rest of this entry »

.Hi there lovely ladies!

We’ve been notified by readers Nida and RSSNGirl of yet another fabulous beauty offer! If you live in the U.S. hurry over to your computer and point your browser to the MAC website (www.maccosmetics.com).

MAC Cosmetics is running their “SUMO Big Savings” promotion – 25% off any online order, no minimum purchase amount necessary.* Use code SAVE25 at checkout. Orders over $60 will also receive free standard shipping to any U.S. address. Click HERE for more information.

This offer is only valid from June 16th-18th!!

UPDATE: Reader Dysfunctional has informed us that the same code also works for Canada. Enter SAVE25 at checkout to receive 25% off purchases.

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* Offer is not applicable to Viva Glam products or the purchase of MAC Cosmetics gift and e-gift cards.

Like most companies in the fashion world, beauty lines turn over their goods one season in advance. As items for the Fall will soon be lining shelves, you know what this means – it’s sale time!

Ladies in the U.K.: If you haven’t yet jumped on the ASOS.com bandwagon, now is the time. Not only do they have great deals on clothes, shoes and handbags, but they are currently having a large clearance sale on dozens of beauty items. Hurry up and order products in skincare, haircare and makeup before they are all gone!

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Ladies in the U.S.: Bobbi Brown is offering 25% off on all online purchases for their “Happy Summer” campaign. Proceeds will be donated to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that “provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide.” Shop away, it’s for a great cause! But step on it – this offer ends Thursday.

Wise men have said that the eyes are the window to the soul; what they forgot to mention is, the cheeks are the drapes that adorn said window. Just as one can feel the emotion emanating from your pupils, excitement is further depicted in the deep flush of your rosy apples while despair can be perceived through your sallow, colorless skin. But, unlike the eyes, which cannot be masked, the cheeks are yours to camouflage – you can imitate the perfect pink cheeks with the right blush and dupe the world into seeing exactly what you want it to.

But, before you excitedly reach for your favorite makeup brush, stop for a minute and inspect the consistency of your blush. What most ladies tend to forget is that just as with products like foundation and eyeliner, it is important to find the right formula for your cheeks before settling on a color. The wrong consistency can exacerbate red, bumpy skin while the right one can give off the impression of “just coming in from the cold” winter cheeks.

We are given a myriad of options when it comes to blush: cream, liquid, creamy liquid, cream sticks, stains, tints, powder, the list is endless. So, which one to choose? The answer is a mixture of preference, weather and most important, skin type. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo Credit: cvs.com

As much as we all love shopping to satisfy our makeup/shoes/clothes obsessions, parting with $$$ in this recession is not so fun. But, don’t worry, there are plenty of beauty products available to satisfy multiple needs at less than $5. One of our recent favorites is regular old Chapstick. Not only can you use it to moisturize your lips, but it also makes a great base for eye shadow.

The great thing about Chapstick is that it’s slightly emollient but not greasy like Vaseline. Apply a thin coat onto your lids and then apply powder shadow. The sheen from the Chapstick will give your eyes a dewy look that’s perfect for the Spring/Summer time, and the slight tackiness from the wax content will grab the pigment for longer hold. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to eyeliner, I’ve always been a bit of a traditionalist, i.e. basic black on the upper and lower lash lines. Maybe I watch too many Rani Mukherjee movies and unwittingly try to model my look after hers, or it could be I’m simply too lazy to experiment most mornings (I think it’s more the lazy factor – as much as I love Rani and her enchanting kohl-rimmed eyes, she’s seriously got to change it up a little at times). So, in my quest to diversify, I have recently been observing friends and family members for different colors and techniques. I apologize to those of you that have found my nose pressed up against yours as I analyze your eyeliner from up close, but as you can tell, it was for a good cause!

Last month at Mother’s Day brunch, a very good family friend was sporting a look I absolutely fell in love with – she was wearing colored eyeliner only on her bottom lashes with her top lash line completely bare. It was so simple yet gorgeous, I’m actually surprised I don’t see more girls wearing their liner this way. Weeks later, I spotted

Drew Barrymore with a very similar style and was further intrigued, although I have to admit the color she chose and her method of application left her looking a little frightening. She had the right idea but the end result was too stark against her skin tone. After some research, it seems quite a few celebs seem to be adopting this style as a staple mostly in the teal color, including Kate Hudson and Blake Lively from Gossip Girl. I’m curious, why aren’t any of the brunette girls trying this out? If anything our darker coloring will make the shadow/liner pop even more.

How to wear the look:

Read the rest of this entry »