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Sunday, January 30, 2011

Movie Makeup: The Runaways

Movie Makeup: The Runaways

How Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning got transformed into rock legends

The Runaways Movie Makeup

Photo: Courtesy of Apparition

The Runaways chronicles the rise and fall of the legendary all-girl rock band fronted by Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Featuring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning in the title roles, the film is based in part on Currie’s autobiography, Neon Angel: The Cherie Currie Story, and executive-produced by Jett. “Because of the involvement of the real people in the movie, it was really important to me to get the look right,” says Robin Matthews, the movie’s makeup artist. Here, Matthews reveals how she transformed Stewart (Jett) and Fanning (Currie) into rock legends.

How did you prepare for the movie?
When I came onto the project, I had just finished shooting New Moon with Kristen in Italy. So I came to The Runaways with about a week’s worth of prep before we started shooting, which isn’t a lot of time when you’re recreating real people. But luckily the director had a ton of photos already. And then my assistant and I went to the library to gather as much photographic and video materials as possible—yearbooks from the time period, makeup ads from old magazines. Between the director’s photos and ours I think we gathered about 5,000 pictures.

What also helped me prepare was having Joan Jett and Cherie Currie around—I was so lucky that I could ask them questions. They were on the set every single day. The first thing Joan would do when she’d come in every morning was come to the makeup trailer and hang out while I did Kristen’s makeup. There’s a big sofa right by my station and she’d just sit there for a bit in case we needed anything, listening to her iPod or playing her guitar.

What was the makeup like during the Runaways’ era?
It was such a great time back then—the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. It was just a mesh of disco and punk. Punk rock was just starting, so that heavy eyeliner look was becoming popular. And it kind of went into glam rock, which was very glittery and extravagant—tons of colors were used. David Bowie had a huge influence on Cherie Currie, and he used to paint his face all these crazy ways—he’d cover his face and eyebrows with white. Currie recreated a lot of those looks on herself in the early days.

The Runaways started off just playing around with their eye makeup, but during their superglam period they did eye makeup, blush, and lipstick—all three at once. And then toward the end they just went back to their original look. The band was around for four years, and you’ll see in the photos of the real band that they did away with everything except for the eyes. I specifically asked Joan and Cherie about that—because you see the lipstick and blush for a brief moment in the photos. Joan said she didn’t remember wearing lipstick very often, and Cherie said she used to use those clear glosses in the glass tube with the roller top that smelled like strawberry or cherry.

How does Joan’s makeup look transform in the movie?
Going off the pictures, she initially just used a brown eye shadow and that was it. Then that morphed into a smoky eye with brown eye shadow and black liner. She added blush and lipstick to it during her glam phase but eventually went through more of a punk stage where it was just harsh black liner everywhere. At the end of the film, we show Joan in the ’80s, where she really went into pinks—she’d wear a bright pink jacket with bright fuchsia lips and a pink-and-purple smoky eye. But that look was created mostly for promotional photos; once those promotional days were over, she went back to her basic black liner and brown shadow without any lip color or blush. And that’s the same makeup look she wears today.

How does Cherie’s makeup change over the course of the movie?
We did about 10 or so different makeup looks for Cherie. She was so all over the place with her makeup that I had plenty of choices to pick from. I sat down with the director and Dakota and we chose which looks we wanted to use because there were so many. Cherie was a real shapeshifter with her makeup. She did this brown winged eye shadow for awhile, and then she did this crazy silver shadow with glitter and thick black eyeliner with bright striped cheeks. She also did a blue-and-gold smoky eye which is really cool—I would’ve never thought to use those two colors for a smoky eye.

Toward the end of the film, we really see Dakota’s look change as Cherie gets more and more haggard and tired. It’s a big, shocking look—very different from how Dakota Fanning has appeared in other films. So I’m waiting with bated breath to hear what people think because it’s a shocker. I can’t give away too much, but if you know about the demise of the Runaways, you’ll understand why Dakota looks the way she does at the end of the movie.

What’s your favorite Cherie/Dakota look from the film?
My favorite is the silver glitter eye. I made a paste out of silver Make Up For Ever Star Powder, silver glitter, and Make Up For Ever Eye Seal and shellacked it all over Dakota’s eye. She looked like a disco ball, and it was tough to get off! But that was one of Cherie’s real concert looks. And that’s how Cherie was in real life—sparkly and glittery.

Was there a universal product that you used on everybody?
Since the Runaways were all about accentuating their eyes, eyeliner was the most-used product. I went back and forth between different eyeliners, depending on what the scene was. The main one I used was Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes. The color range is crazy—most waterproof, smudge-proof eyeliners don’t come with the extensive color range. They have bright blues and silvers, which worked great for Cherie’s look. For the scenes where I needed the makeup to stay put, I’d apply that and smudge it quickly—because once it dries it doesn’t move. For other scenes, though, I needed the eye makeup to be really runny, like the band had been on the road for days—because this movie is about realism, it’s not a glossed-over Hollywood beauty movie. So in those cases, I’d use this kohl eye pencil by M.A.C that’s really smudgy and moves around a bit more.

How were the Runaways’ makeup techniques different from today’s?
They would actually hold up a piece of paper to their skin and put their blush on against the paper to make the harsh line; this is how they brought out the cheekbone and accentuated it. And funnily enough, back in the ’70s they didn’t line the inner rim—you’ll see all these photos of the Runaways with smoky eyes but they only lined underneath the eye, not along the water line. Joan does that now, I think, but she didn’t back then.

The Runaways didn’t have professional makeup artists on tour with them—they were a rock band struggling to make it, traveling around in the back of a station wagon. For magazine photo shoots they’d have makeup artists do their makeup—and I think that’s where some of the images of them wearing lipstick and blush come in. But for the most part, they came up with all of these cool looks on their own, which is amazing.

Wedding Makeup and Skin Care Regime

Creating a Flawless Face for Your Wedding Photos



Every bride seeks to look her best on her wedding. Great wedding makeup starts with a great canvas. Learn how to put your best face forward on your wedding day.

People who wear makeup often seek to enhance one feature, like their eyes or their lips. In order to best play up that feature, however, the skin needs to be in its best form. This means proper skin care, makeup preparation, and finding the perfect foundation match.
Skin

If you don't have a regular skin-care routine, start one three to five months before the wedding. This will give your skin time to adjust. Skin care doesn't have to be expensive or confusing. Use a basic cleanser, such as Cetaphil, morning and night. Exfoliate once or twice per week, and use a moisturizer twice per day. Lip balm is also a good idea to keep lips hydrated and soft.

Seeing an esthetician at a salon or spa is also a great way to begin a personalized skin care routine. While it would be ideal to start getting facials 4-6 months before the wedding, you can start as late as three months. Do note, however, that you should not get a facial within two weeks of your wedding, so schedule accordingly.
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Avoid the tanning bed. Not only is tanning bad for the health of your skin, brides who are normally light to moderate in color end up looking unnatural in their wedding photos years later. If you truly feel you need a touch of color for your wedding day, opt for a sunless tanner or spray on tan instead. They have developed significantly over the years and options for fair skin and dark skin are all available without the worry of turning bright orange.

Sunless tanning products are safe for your skin, temporary, and achieve the same results without the damaging effects of the sun. Your first coat of sunless tanner should be applied five days prior to the wedding, and if you desire a darker color, apply another coat three days prior to the big day.
Foundation

On an everyday basis, a foundation with SPF is recommended, but on your wedding day, you should use a foundation that does notcontain any sort of sunscreen ingredient. The ingredients that act as sunscreen will reflect the photographer's flash, making your face look brighter than the rest of your body. The reflection also washes out your features. During formal portraits, the photographer can "bounce" the light, which neutralizes the SPF brightness, but candid shots, photos during the ceremony, and the reception are usually not staged, and therefore it is best to eliminate SPF in your foundation altogether.

Using a foundation primer after moisturizing and before your foundation will significantly increase the length of time between powder touch-ups. Additionally, foundation primers even out the skin tone and texture of the skin, and absorb oil, to keep shininess at bay.

Make sure that the foundation you select matches your skin tone perfectly. Choosing the right foundation texture is equally as important. The right texture will ensure that your makeup lasts throughout the day and into the evening.

Use concealor sparingly and just where needed. With concealor, less is more. Learn more about how to hide dark under eye circles my emailing us.





















































Saturday, January 29, 2011

Makeup For Your Eyes on your Wedding Day

Bridal Eye Makeup Tips and Tricks

They say that they eyes are the windows to the soul. Make your eyes pop on your wedding day by following these makeup tips.

When it comes to wedding eye makeup, there are several things to keep in mind. Often, the less you do to your eyes will enhance them more. Eye makeup that is classic and timeless will look wonderful in photos for years to come, whereas trendy looks will appear dated and overdone. The following tips will help you figure out what is best for your wedding day.

Brows

Eyebrows are often overlooked when it comes to makeup. Yet they frame the face, create depth and add shape. If you have never seen an esthetician or waxing specialist to shape and groom your eyebrows, consider booking an appointment 8 weeks from your wedding day. This will give you a chance to see how you react to waxing, threading, or tweezing, as well as give you some time to adjust to seeing the shape. Your esthetician will tell you when you should come back again before the wedding, but generally you should get your brows waxed a week prior to the wedding. This allows for any redness to disappear completely.

To further enhance your eyes on your wedding day, consider filling in your eyebrows with a soft powder to complete your look. A neat and tidy eyebrow will only enhance any eye makeup you choose to use.

Eye Shadow That Lasts All Day

Before applying eyeshadow, use an eyeshadow primer, such as MAC Paint. Primers are designed to help the powdery texture of eyeshadow adhere to the eyelid better. This increases the longevity of your eyeshadow. Do not use a concealer in place of an eyeshadow primer. Concealers do not dry like primers, and actually make eyeshadow more susceptible to creasing, running, and smearing.

An alternative to using an eye shadow primer is to simply apply a layer of powder to the eyelid before apllying eye shadow. While this will help somewhat with controlling the creasing and oiliness on the eyelid, it is not as effective as using a primer designed for the eyes.

Choosing Eyeshadow and Eyeshadow Application

Avoid using eyeshadow with a lot of shimmer or glitter. Used sparingly, they can create a soft, beautiful look. However, in photographs, they can easily look like oily skin or greasy spots instead. Stick with semi-matte or matte eyeshadow shades, which photograph better than any other texture. Make sure you practice your makeup several times before the big day. Take a digital photo after each trial to objectively look at the end result.

When applying your wedding day makeup, apply your eye makeup first. It seems counterintuitive, but applying your eye makeup before anything else will save you time in the long run. When eyeshadow is applied, small particles often fall onto the cheek, and brushing them away usually leaves a small streak of color. This means going back again and correcting your foundation and concealer. By applying your eye makeup first, you can wipe away any fallout without having to reapply your foundation and concealer again.

Mascara and Eyelash Options

For brides who are likely to cry, waterproof mascara is a strongly advised option. Alternatively, consider using a cream-based mascara, like Kiss Me Mascara. They are water-resistant and will not smudge, smear or flake.

Another option is to have your eyelashes tinted in a salon or spa. The results last two to three weeks, or longer, and give the same appearance as if you are wearing mascara. This is a great option for brides with blonde or ultra-light eyelashes.

False eyelashes are a popular option for brides. When choosing false eyelashes, choose a set that looks to be almost "not enough." Once applied, they will create a full, natural-looking lashline without being noticeably fake.

Remember, the key to DIY Wedding makeup success is practice and patience. Give yourself ample time to do your makeup. You can learn more about other areas of wedding makeup by shooting us an email.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Balancing Family Wedding Traditions - Who's Wedding is this anyhow?


Balancing family traditions with your own beliefs and values is a key issue new couples face when planning their wedding. Many of the traditions that will come up involve religion or cultural themes (where you marry, what you wear, readings), and you will need to address these complications ASAP.

Whose wedding is this, anyhow?

Traditionally, the parents of the bride pay for the wedding, while the groom’s parents cover the rehearsal dinner. Although these “rules” have changed significantly in the past 20 years, if any parent is contributing a significant chunk of money to your wedding, their input needs to be honored. If your mother is dead-set on you getting married in a church, and you and your fiancé want a secular affair, your best bet is to compromise. Take Mom aside, and explain to her how much you want to honor her request, then see if, perhaps, you can have the ceremony in a church, followed by an outdoor reception with a rock band.

If your husband is firmly against the church idea for whatever reason (he’s Jewish, it goes against his own beliefs, personal reasons), you should still opt for a compromise. See if you can arrange for a priest to do a reading and blessing. If not, have your mother or another relative do a reading. Weddings, like life, are all about compromise. Some couples even have two weddings; an official, religious ceremony, with just close family and friends, followed by a secular affair with a larger guest list; as for who signs the marriage license, that’s up to you.

Taking advice to the limit.
Whenever you say “no” to a close relative, you risk repercussions. Your parents could withdraw their financial support, or, in extreme cases, refuse to attend the ceremony.  You need to be prepared to deal with both scenarios and weigh your options. If your 200-guest affair has been a life-long dream, and you can’t do it without parents’ help, bite the bullet and give in. If either set of parents are asking for something that morally goes against your values, then you need to tone down the wedding, and, in the most drastic cases, change the affair to a long-distance wedding so as to avoid any family conflict.

The last thing you want is strife before your big day, so always do your best to alleviate the issue beforehand. Whatever is requested from a parent or relative, take time to think it over and talk to your fiancé about it, then ask for time alone with the person making the request. Take them out to lunch, or ask if you can drop by one afternoon when they’re alone (no e-mails or impersonal calls). Tell them how much you appreciate the gesture and that you love them, and then politely remind them that it’s your day and your decision to make. Hopefully, they will come around to the idea that they’re not the one in the spotlight.

Smaller requests are a bit easier to deal with. If Mom insists you wear her wedding dress, and you’ve already picked out your Vera Wang gown, offer to wear some jewelry of hers -- a bracelet or necklace or brooch. Should the request be in the form of a 12-piece band or a martini bar, and the two of you are paying for the wedding and on a limited budget, you have to explain the financial situation.

A word to the wise: Before you start major wedding planning, reach out to close family and friends, tell them how much you’re honored that they are taking part in this wondrous event, and ask them if they have any ideas they would like to incorporate into the wedding.  Even though you don’t have to say yes, they’ll be flattered that you sought their advice.

Bridal Makeup Tips

Bridal Makeup

You have met the man of your dreams, fallen in love with him and even got the marriage date fixed. And now, you are eagerly waiting for the day of your union, when the two of you would become each other's, forever. In the meantime, you have started with the preparations, right from choosing the venue to selecting the bridal dress. Now, have you given any thought to the D-day makeup as well? No? Then, waste no more time and start taking care of yourself from this moment onwards. We have listed a number of make up tips and ideas for the bride, in the following lines, just for you.

Makeup Ideas For Bride

Before The D-Day
  • Undertake a skin, hair and nail care program at least 6 weeks before the wedding. Start going for regular facials and manicures and ask your beautician to advise good beauty products as well.
  • Stay away from the sun as far as possible. In case you have to move out, do not forget to use a sun-block, with at least 20 SPF. Try to avoid extremes of weather, like wind, pounding rain or freezing cold, as well.
  • If you have a stressful job, make sure to go for relaxing massage, at least once in a week. Use essential oils in your bath and try to attend at least one aromatherapy session before the wedding.
  • Do not compromise on your sleep; otherwise you will be hard-pressed to hide your under-eye circles on the D-day. At the same time, be happy. Remember, what goes on in your mind reflects on your face as well. 
  • Make the booking for the make-up artists at least 3-4 months before the wedding. Let him/her see your outfit, so that he/she can plan the exact look. You should also go for a trial session before the wedding.
On The D-Day
  • It is always advisable to synchronize your makeup with the bridal outfit and jewelry. If they are extremely heavy, then you should prefer to get light makeup done on the D-day.
  • The time of your wedding also has a bearing on the type and amount of makeup. For instance, heavy makeup looks good at night, but will make you seem very odd under the harsh rays of the sun.
  • If your wedding has been scheduled for spring/summer, bright, pastel shades will work the best. For a winter wedding, warmer and deeper shades will be a better option.
  • Though your bridal makeup needs to be heavier and more dramatic than the one you do for usual parties, it should no be so heavy that it makes you look like a made-up doll. 
  • Since it is your wedding, you will be photographed a lot. Remember, foundations will yellow tones work best with flash photography. While, the ones with pink tones will make you look too pale.
  • Always go for a lip-liner that is the same shade as your lipstick. Otherwise, you might end up with a lip-line that is too noticeable. At the same time, always stick to long-lasting lipsticks, for your wedding.
  • Remember, you have to balance the eye makeup with lip makeup. In case you want to go for dramatic eyes, go for a light-color lip shade. If you are using a dark lipstick, it is better to have natural, light eyes. 
  • Never ever forget to apply the foundation on your neck, back, ears and other exposed areas of the body as well. Otherwise, your face will look painted on and your beauty - artificial. 
  • It is advisable to go for a light dusting of translucent powder, so that your face does not end up shining too much. You can also apply bronzing powder to warm your skin tone and get a natural glow. 
  • Ask your sister, friend or some other female relative to carry a powder compact, tissues and lipstick for you. This will help you do the touch ups, especially if your wedding is going to be a long affair.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Buddhist Wedding Traditions and Rituals



A Buddhist wedding is typically a simple, yet meaningful, occasion. The civil ceremony takes place in a back yard or home, and afterwards, couples usually go to a temple to receive special blessings from a monk. This also involves a time of prayer and giving gifts to the monk, such as food, medicine, flowers, and candles.

In Buddhist wedding traditions, the bride and groom wear embroidered mediation robes (the exact type of robe depends on the country where the wedding takes place). In the western world, couples might not even wear a robe. Wedding guests should wear something that is in good taste. If you are a guest at a Buddhist wedding, remember that you will need to remove your shoes before entering the temple.

Buddhist wedding ceremony vows typically go something like this: “Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, present gifts to please her.” The bride says: “Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously.”

At an Indian Buddhist wedding, the food is almost always vegan or vegetarian. Western Buddhist weddings do not necessarily adhere to this practice, and meat can be consumed.

Indian Wedding Makeup Do's and Don'ts

Brides to be … it is your wedding day and please allow us to congratulate you.  As you are probably aware, wedding planning is a fantastically challenging process and there are times of utter confusion when making certain decisions. Bridal makeup and hair styling is definitely one of them!

While we know, you love to be in "the know" of the latest makeup trends (tutorials on blogs and video sites, always stopping by a makeup counter to try out a new launch), but you when it comes to your wedding day look what style do you go with???

While working with brides for over 20 years, one thing has always been consistent in my interaction with my North American & European brides. They want to look flawless and natural, but glamorous and not caked-up. Here are some guidelines on how to achieve this goal.




Do's

1. Do start looking for a professional artist at least 6 months before the big day, especially if your wedding is on a Saturday or a long weekend.

2. Do put aside a realistic budget for your beauty. There will be a higher price tag if you expect the artist to remain with you the entire wedding day. Try offering the artist more clients to work with at your wedding to make it worth their time commitment.

3. Do get comfortable with your artist's style. This includes reviewing their portfolio, considering recommendations from their previous clients, and a one-on-one consultation and trial makeup session.

4. Do set aside a budget for the trial sessions. Remember that the artist is investing time and talent to help finalize a look that looks exquisite on you.

5. Do have your outfit with you when you set up a trial session. A black T-shirt will not represent your wedding day outfit and therefore will not be able to fully translate the impact of the final look!

6. Do take your dupatta/chunni to your hair trial, especially if you need to have your head covered during the ceremony. Many a fabulous hair style succumbs to the weight of an embroidered chunni, so the hairstyle has to be pretty, as well as functional.

7. Do take pictures as reference, but remember that every look will have to be translated to reflect your features, hair, and skin tone. The Jodha Akbar look when replicated on you will be your version of it, not Aishwarya Rai's.

8. Do be open to your artist’s recommendations. They do this for a living and know how certain colors and intensities will turn out in pictures.  It is always best to take pictures before, then with an initial trial and then a stepped up style to see how the looks look on film.

9. Do try out different styles of eyelash enhancements - extensions, individual lashes or custom made full sets. They look spectacular and mascara is no match for what they can do for your eyes!

10. Do remember that colors look different in different lighting situations. If you get a trial session done for an evening event that is going to be in the soft mood lighting of a hotel, don't judge your makeup by looking at it in sunlight as it will look too bold.





Don'ts


1. Don't attempt to do your own hair and makeup. The bride has an enormous amount of nervous energy during those last few hours leading up to the wedding.


2. Don't ask a best friend or aunty to do it either. Yes, your friend does an amazing job with makeup when you go out to party, but can she make it work for different lighting situations and for professional photography? Does she have an array of professional grade tools and products on hand to do emergency fixes for stress related acne that just showed up or really dark circles that reflect the sleepless nights of the week preceding the wedding?


3. Don't try to cut corners on cost by going to a makeup counter to get a makeup for product purchase deal. Do you really want to run around the mall on your wedding day?


4. Don't show up at your consultation and trial session without taking care of grooming. Out of shape brows, facial hair and peeling skin will never let the flawless, perfect look come into play.


5. Don't opt for a trendy look for your wedding. If you must follow a trend, do so on the night of the sangeet. You really don't want to look time stamped on your wedding day.


6. Don't insist on dark eyes and nude lips for the wedding. Nude lips will not show up in the photographs and you will look washed out.


7. Don't go with an all out shimmery look to replicate the look you see on magazine cover shoots. It will make you look like a disco ball! Instead, keep the shimmer and sheen for your eyes with just a tad bit on your cheekbones.


8. Don't keep your hair all down for the garba and reception if you want to dance the night away (Although I did not follow this because my significant other wanted my hair down...he still owes me for this one ;) The energy, movement and passion of the moment will make you sweat and your hair will stick to your face and neck … not very pretty!


9. Don't believe everything you read about beauty products. Airbrush makeup does not last for over 18 hours and unless you use a perming chemical for curls, your curls will get looser, softer and more open as the hours progress.


10. Don't take too many suggestions from multiple friends and family after a trial session. Everyone has their own taste and viewpoint which may end up frustrating you. Let this be your decision and work with your artist until you discover the look you love!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Tape to remove make-up, fake tan applied with cling film... stars' bizarre beauty secrets

What is Gwyneth ­Paltrow’s secret to effortlessly glamorous locks? An expensive shampoo? A Brazilian blow dry? No, according to hairstylist David Babaii, it’s that little-known styling tool, the loofah brush.

For the cover shot of this month’s U.S. InStyle magazine, he rolled pieces of Gwynnie’s damp hair around the loofah before blasting with heat to add texture, and tamed ­flyaway hairs using a bathroom-cabinet tongue brush.

We quizzed a number of celebrity beauty experts about their quirky secrets and uncovered some surprising tips . . .

Gwyneth Paltrow
Lady Gaga

Beauty secrets: Gwyneth Paltrow, left, uses a loofah brush to style her hair while Sellotape is used to remove Lady Gaga's excess make-up

KETCHUP

If you’ve been swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool and your blonde hair has turned a nasty shade of green, then try using ketchup before your shampoo.

Apply it to your hair and leave in for a couple of minutes before rinsing with warm water. The red tone will help to ­neutralise the green, returning your hair to its former golden glory.

Darren Fowler, international ­artistic director of Clipso, has worked with ­Juliette Binoche and Tori Amos.

TIN FOIL

To create wavy hair without ­curling tongs, use sheets of tin foil. Twist 15 sheets of tin foil into three-inch long wands — the thinner they are, the tighter the curl.

Wind sections of hair around the wands and twist the ends of the foil together to secure. Blast hot air from your hairdryer for three to five minutes all over your head to ­activate curls — the tin foil will insulate heat and stay hot for about five minutes.

Once cool, unravel your hair for bouncy, voluminous locks.

Ben Cooke, co-founder of Lockonego, was responsible for Victoria ­Beckham’s ‘Pob’ hairdo.

CONDENSED MILK

Felicity Kendal’s hair colourist Lea Harrison often applies condensed milk to her scalp when doing her bleach highlights. ‘This ­prevents irritation and soothes the scalp, which can get sore if it comes into contact with ­peroxide,’ says Harrison.

Lea Harrison, of the Michaeljohn salon in Mayfair, London.

Surprising solution: Ketchup can help restore blonde hair that's gone green in chloride

Surprising solution: Ketchup can help restore blonde hair that's gone green in chloride

FABRIC SOFTENER SHEETS

Those fabric softener sheets from Bounce are brilliant for removing static from hair after a blow-dry. Gently glide them over the hair from root to tip — the result is beautiful, static-free tresses.

Darren Fowler.

CLING FILM

If you struggle to do your back when you’re applying fake tan, get a long piece of cling film, lay it on the floor and apply some of your fake tan mousse or cream to the middle of it.

Stand in front of the cling film, take an end of each strip in each hand and apply it to your back using the same motion you use to dry your back with a towel.

James Read, fake tan ­therapist, has worked with Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and ­Lindsay Lohan.

BABY SPOON

Make-up artist Kabuki always has a rubber-coated infant feeding spoon in his false eyelash kit. ‘It’s the perfect tool to tone down mascara,’ he says.

Hold the spoon under the lashes and use a clean brush to apply a non-oily make-up remover over the top of the lashes.

The remover and unwanted mascara runs into the spoon and away from the face, so the false lashes stay in place. The other eye make-up remains, too.

Kabuki, artistic director of myface.cosmetics, works with Kylie, Madonna and Gwen Stefani.

Kylie Minogue
Tess Daly

Tricks of the trade: Make-up artists use a baby spoon to tone down Kylie's mascara, left, while Tess Daly has her false eyelashes applied with a pencil

INGROWN HAIR REMOVER PADS

If you’ve made a mistake with your self-tan and have been left with patches, there are loads of remedies: from whitening toothpaste to cigarette ash.

According to tanning guru James ­Harknett, one of the most effective are Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads. ‘At £27, they’re not cheap, but the ­salicylic acid and ­glycolic acid in them does the job,’ he says.

James Harknett has worked with Patsy Kensit and The X Factor’s Brian ­Friedman.

HAIR GEL AND SELLOTAPE

When make-up artist Kabuki did Lady Gaga’s face for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he used lots of black glitter around her eyes. The glitter was fixed with alcohol-free hair gel and Sellotape was used to clean up any stray flecks of glitter from her face.

Kabuki, myface.cosmetics.

FEMININE WASH

Make-up artist Issidora cleanses her face and takes off her make-up using FemFresh.

‘It might sound odd, but this ­gynaecologically approved product does not contains soap,’ she says. ‘It lathers ­beautifully and, if you use it with a loofah, it not only removes every trace of make-up but also ­exfoliates, too.’

Issidora works with Grace Jones and Sharleen Spiteri.

E45 CREAM

When you don’t have any serum, mousse or shine spray, but your hair needs to go from parched and frizzy to glossy and glamorous, reach for an unscented body butter. Massage a pea-sized amount into the ends of the hair for instantly soft and hydrated locks. E45 works a treat.

Jonathan Long, the co-founder of ­Lockonego, has worked with Yasmin Le Bon and Louise Redknapp.

PENCIL

One of make-up artist Ariane Poole’s best tips when it comes to the tricky matter of dealing with false eyelashes is to wrap them round a pencil before applying them.

They’ve often been sitting straight in their packaging for so long they’ve lost their curve, so they don’t fit the eyelid ­properly and can ping off.

Wrapping them round a pencil breaks their spine a bit, so they fit more closely to the lid.



Saturday, January 15, 2011

Mehndi (Henna) Art

Mehndi (Henna) Art
Henna, also known as Heena, is a form of body art that has existed since ancient times. Mehndi (or Henna) is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration, in countries like Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Morocco, Yemen, and Somaliland. It is typically employed for special occasions, particularly weddings. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest.

The patterns of mehndi are typically quite intricate and predominantly applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. However, Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called "henna tattoos".


What is Henna?
Henna is a flowering plant, the sole species in the genus Lawsonia in the family Lythraceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, and northern Australasia in semi-arid zones. Henna is a tall shrub or small tree, 2–6 m high.

Henna, produces a red-orange dye molecule called lawsone. This molecule has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds permanently to lawsone, the colorant of henna.

Mehndi (Henna) Art

Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. Henna was regarded as having “Barakah”, blessings, and was applied for luck as well as joy and beauty. Brides typically had the most henna, and the most complex patterns, to support their greatest joy, and wishes for luck. Some bridal traditions were very complex, such as those in Yemen, where the Jewish bridal henna process took four or five days to complete, with multiple applications and resist work.

Henna paste is usually applied to the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush, but sometimes a small metal-tipped jacquard bottle used for silk painting (a jac bottle) is used. The cone has a fine opening at the thin end which lets a thin flow of paste to facilitate intricate designing.

Why is Henna as Body Art Popular?

Henna painting has become very popular as a form of temporary tattoo and is liked by a lot. The best aspect of henna is that it is totally natural, made from a plant plant whose leaves are first dried and then crushed to make a fine powder. While applying, the powder is mixed with water. This makes henna totally safe to use. Along with that, its application is totally painless and the effect is temporary. You can use henna to get tattoos, without worrying about pain or infection. In case you are not satisfied with a particular tattoo, just wait for a few days. Its color will soon wash off and you can easily go for another design.

Popular Mehndi Patterns

Though there are no set patterns or designs for Henna, there are some popular designs that have been followed since ages. One of the most popular designs is a paisley that is often filled with a checkerboard pattern. Another popular pattern is a lovely peacock, with the sharp and curved beak and the corona on the head. Floral patterns are quite popular as well.

Mehndi Art Pictures



Friday, January 14, 2011

Beauty supplements: Do beauty vitamins really work?

What are beauty supplements?
If you spent the summers of your youth blissfully unaware of the dangers of too much sun exposure, there’s a new beauty product vying for your attention. No, not a new cream, blush, or cleanser. We're talking beauty supplements and skin-care supplements: pills, elixirs or even candy that you ingest to help improve your skin.

You may have noticed supplements such as Imedeen or Perfect Skin at your local drugstore in the vitamin aisle, or even at the cosmetics counter, beckoning with promises of improved skin tone, firmer skin, less visible age spots, acne control, protection from sun damage, clearer pores and even a better tan. Seductive claims all -- we all want to look radiant.
 
But what's in these supplements? Formulas vary, but some common ingredients are vitamins (such as vitamins A, C and E), minerals (such as zinc and chromium), antioxidants (like lycopene and green tea), omega-3 and omega-6 fats, and amino acids.

According to Dr. Charles Lynde, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Toronto, beauty supplements "work from the inside to try to provide a proper environment in your body, to try to set the stage to be healthy."

Beauty supplements are a billion-dollar industry worldwide, and they are very popular in Europe and Asia. They are just starting to generate some buzz here in Canada. And for us, the jury still seems to be out.

"We don't know," says dermatologist Dr. Sandy Skotnicki-Grant, medical director of the Bay Dermatology Centre in Toronto. "Vitamin C, definitely, there is no doubt, there are scientific studies showing that [applying vitamin C topically] can increase collagen production. But taking it in a vitamin? That study hasn't been done."

Theoretically, there is science behind the fact that if you are missing nutrients, then taking a vitamin pill is not a bad idea to ensure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need. "Your skin is the only organ you can see that reflects your inner health," says cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellet, director of DLK in Toronto. "So if you're not following a good diet, or you're not taking care of yourself, garbage in is going to equal garbage out."

Some supplements are supported with studies and before and after photographs, but there's no way to control for everything that you may be doing to your skin. "There are no unbiased studies, no randomized, double-blind, people-controlled trials that show that taking a pill will improve your skin," says Kellett.

Are there immediate benefits?
Skotnicki-Grant has patients who report improvement in their skin after taking skin-care supplements, but it's all self-assessment. "I have to ask what somebody wants," says Pat Browne, spokesperson for Nordic Selfcare Institute, a Toronto-based company that represents beauty supplement Imedeen. "If you wanted to take this product and suddenly look like Katherine Heigl, then no, that's not going to happen. I think everybody sees benefit; it just depends on what you're looking for."

Lynde advises using supplements in addition to, not as replacement for, your skin-care routine. "I think [supplements work] to some extent for most people. On the other hand, people may not be attuned to noticing subtle changes. I usually tell people to give it a trial of three months, and in that three-month period, most people will start to notice some change." This isn't a "one bottle will do you, you'll see great changes" kind of deal; beauty supplements range in cost from $30 to $100 for a month's supply, so you have to be willing to make a serious investment.

If you don't have that kind of money to spend, what alternatives do you have? "The problem is you can't really say," says Skotnicki-Grant. "I think if you want to be proactive and take a multivitamin, then maybe take extra vitamin C and E, and if you have the money [for a beauty supplement], you can't do yourself too much harm."

Of course, if you are thinking of taking any kind of supplement, you should talk to your family doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medication. And if you have food allergies, take a close look at the packaging, since some supplements can have fish- and tomato-derived ingredients.

Other ways to take care of your skin
When it comes to skin care, there will always be something new to try, something with a lot of hype. And there are many different ways to approach skin care, from simply staying out of the sun and drinking water right up to more radical approaches like Botox or surgery. "Each of them provides different ways of attacking the problem," says Lynde. "Unfortunately, none of them can make you look like you're 16 again. Everybody is searching for the fountain of youth."

Thursday, January 13, 2011

How to reduce under-eye puffiness

How to reduce under-eye puffiness


1. Soothe
"If you have time, start with remedies that drain excess fluid from under the eyes before you camouflage with makeup," says pro makeup artist Buffy Shields, who has worked with Penelope Cruz. Anything cooling helps to constrict blood vessels and reduces swelling. "Put chilled wet tea bags or cold, fresh cucumber slices or refrigerated teaspoons on your closed eyes and relax for 10 minutes," she suggests.

2. Treat
Dab on an eye cream that contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as caffeine, yeast extract or orange peel extract, which encourage fluid drainage. If you use a gel, allow it to absorb, then follow with a light moisturizer. Tip: If puffiness is chronic, keep eye creams in the fridge.

3. Disguise
a) To lessen shadows or discolouration, "choose a liquid or creamy concealer that matches your general skin tone exactly," says Shields. "If you go lighter, the bags will look worse."

b)
On your upper lids only, sweep on a matte eye shadow in a skin-tone shade. If you need eyeliner to make your lashes look thicker, go for a dark brown, stay as close to the lash lines as possible and line only the top lids. Curl eyelashes to make eyes look brighter and bigger, and apply black mascara.

c) The rest of your makeup plays a supporting role in keeping the focus off your under-eye bags. "Choose a soft, neutral blush," says Shields. "Bright cheeks will attract attention too close to your eyes. Spotlight your lips instead, with a high-shine gloss."


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Tradition of Mehendi





Mehndi is an inseparable and essential part of every Indian wedding, so much so that the entire concept of an Indian wedding is often referred to as “haathh peele karna” which literally translates to applying mehndi (henna) on the hands of a girl. The phrase is often used to indicate that marriage has been fixed or has already taken place.


Well, almost every Indian community, be it Parsis, Muslims, Gujaratis, Marwaris, Punjabis, Sikhs, Marathis etc. uses henna to decorate the hands of a bride. In fact, in many of the regions henna is applied on to the hands of the grooms.

Designs, figures of gods, vines and several types of designs are made using mehndi. The ceremony is held just a few days (often a couple of days or so) before the wedding. It is said that the darker the colour of the mehndi, the more love and affection will a bride receive at her new house.

Mehndi is usually applied on the hands and legs of the bride. It has become quite common these days to have mehndi designs extending from palm to just below the shoulders and on the legs up to the knees starting from the feet.

Almost every woman from both family gets mehndi on her hand. It usually is an all ladies affair with lots of traditional as well as modern songs being sung at the time of mehndi. In several regions of India, mehndi is still given by the groom’s family, especially in parts of Punjab.

While traditionally it was applied by a relative or a friend of the bride, these days professional henna tattoo artists should be hired.

Make sure you book the mehndi artist well in advance so that you don’t have to run around or settle for a lesser skilled artist at the last moment.

The Tradition of Mehendi





Mehndi is an inseparable and essential part of every Indian wedding, so much so that the entire concept of an Indian wedding is often referred to as “haathh peele karna” which literally translates to applying mehndi (henna) on the hands of a girl. The phrase is often used to indicate that marriage has been fixed or has already taken place.


Well, almost every Indian community, be it Parsis, Muslims, Gujaratis, Marwaris, Punjabis, Sikhs, Marathis etc. uses henna to decorate the hands of a bride. In fact, in many of the regions henna is applied on to the hands of the grooms.

Designs, figures of gods, vines and several types of designs are made using mehndi. The ceremony is held just a few days (often a couple of days or so) before the wedding. It is said that the darker the colour of the mehndi, the more love and affection will a bride receive at her new house.

Mehndi is usually applied on the hands and legs of the bride. It has become quite common these days to have mehndi designs extending from palm to just below the shoulders and on the legs up to the knees starting from the feet.

Almost every woman from both family gets mehndi on her hand. It usually is an all ladies affair with lots of traditional as well as modern songs being sung at the time of mehndi. In several regions of India, mehndi is still given by the groom’s family, especially in parts of Punjab.

While traditionally it was applied by a relative or a friend of the bride, these days professional henna tattoo artists should be hired.

Make sure you book the mehndi artist well in advance so that you don’t have to run around or settle for a lesser skilled artist at the last moment.

7 most-asked beauty questions answered

7 most-asked beauty questions answered

Fiction: Drinking water keeps your skin from drying out.

Of course water is good for us, but can it really give dry skin a refreshed, hydrated appearance? Not on its own, says Dr. Lisa Kellett, a dermatologist in Toronto. "If this were true, then the simplest cure for dry skin would be to drink more water." What keeps skin hydrated is oil, in conjunction with other factors. "Dry skin is caused by changes in the top layers of skin called the epidermis and stratum corneum," she adds. Dr. Kellett treats patients' dry skin with high-performance diamond and silk peels, which remove dead skin cells and leave complexions looking fresh.

Fact: Split ends can't be repaired with hair products.
If your ends are looking frizzy and dull, chances are that you're plagued with split ends. Some products on the market claim to salvage your split ends, but truthfully, nothing beats a regular trim. "The only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. A haircut every six to eight weeks is best, especially for people with long hair," says Nhi Tran, Sassoon Salon's creative director. The best defence is a good offence: Tran suggests using heat-activated protective products, which can help prevent damage caused by styling tools.

Fiction: You only get cellulite if you're overweight.
Fat chance. It's actually the luck of the gene pool that dictates who will get cellulite (fat deposits that are trapped in pockets beneath the skin). It doesn't matter if you're tall and full-figured or petite and svelte – no one is safe! "Anyone can get cellulite," says Dr. Paul Cohen, a Toronto-based dermatologist. "It has nothing to do with your weight. It's [caused by] hormonal influences on the way the fat in your body is compartmentalized." Firming creams, self-tanners and basic moisturizers can temporarily diminish the appearance of cellulite, but not even liposuction offers permanent results. 

Fact: Crossing your legs will give you varicose veins.
Sitting like a proper lady has its disadvantages. Crossing your legs can actually constrict blood flow through your veins, "which may manifest itself over time as varicose veins," says Dr. Kellett. She explains that these veins tend to crop up in people who have other risk factors, such as obesity, histories of leg trauma, family histories of venous disease and occupations that require standing for extended periods of time. Standing forces the venous network to work overtime, pumping blood from the legs all the way up to the heart. If your valves are out of whack, blood can pool, which leads to bulging veins.

Fact: Storing your nail polish in the fridge makes it last longer.
Any cosmetic product, particularly if it's chemically based, will benefit from being kept in a cool, dry place. According to Lisa Hughes, an esthetician at Toronto's The Ten Spot Beauty Bar, a cool temperature can help prolong the quality of the product. The chilly environment helps ward off premature clumping in polishes. But there's no need to stockpile enamels in the refrigerator: To put an end to goopy polish, Hughes suggests adding a few drops of polish thinner to restore it to its original consistency.

Fact: The less you wash your hair, the healthier it becomes.
Many women don't have time to wash their hair every day, but can this really improve the health of their hair? According to colourist Luis Pacheco, co-owner of Hair on the Avenue in Toronto, skipping a few washes will help keep natural oils in your hair, making it appear healthy and shiny. "Excessive hair washing removes sebum from the hair and scalp," says Pacheco. "Sebum keeps hair moisturized and serves as a protectant against the elements." If your strands are thin and oily, you'll need to wash your hair more frequently. Choose a gentle shampoo that doesn't leave any buildup.

Fiction: Concealer should be lighter than your skin tone.
If you buy concealer that's a shade or two lighter than your skin tone, your eyes will be left with an unnatural white aura, says Gregory Graveline, a Toronto-based freelance makeup artist. "Your concealer should be the same shade as your foundation or natural skin tone," he says. He warns that highly pigmented concealers can be too heavy, particularly for mature skin. Graveline suggests using a dab of liquid foundation instead. "The subtle improvement is preferable to a cakey-looking eye area," he adds.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Arabic / Islamic Bridal Makeup and Hair

Today's article features Arabic bridal makeup and hair styles that will hopefully inspire you in selecting your wedding look. Arabic makeup might not also be suitable for everyone - it involves bright and contrasting colors for the eyes, dark and high eyebrows and an overall dramatic look. But it is also considered eye-catching, and sexy. Such looks may not be suitable for a mixed wedding, but you can consider it for your all-women bridal party.

If you favor such an Arabic bridal look, then read on!




Arabic Bridal Makeup: The Eyes

The eye makeup is key to the Arab bridal make-up look. Eyeshadows that are in bright and contrasting colors are often used to complement the bride’s outfit. The use of shades to blend colors is also important. Use gel eye-liners as they are easier to apply and are waterproof. Gel eye-liners are great for lining the inner rim of the eye and they stay put for hours, unlike pencils.



Dramatic Arabic Eye Makeup


Arabic makeup is known for its dramatic look. The Arabic makeup look involves dramatic eyes. This is usually done by using several complementary eye shadows, and blending them over layers. This results in a vibrant look. 

Eyeliner is then used to provide a dramatic contrast to the eyeshadow colors. Lastly, the eyebrows are highlighted or thicken with a brow pencil.

The look can take some skill to create; of course, one needs a steady hand and a sense of color to be able to blend complementary colors that looks stunning.

Here are some Arabic Eye Makeup Tips to help you get started on creating your very own dramatic Arabian look!
 
Arabic Eye Makeup Tips


1) Start with the eyelids first. Typically, you should first pick a base eyeshadow color. For dramatic Arabian Eye Makeup look, pick a shade that is slightly glistening, or luminous. Apply the base eyeshadow color on the upper lash line going to the top part of your eyelids.

2) Next, you should shape your eyes with the use of a dark eye pencil and do strokes on the base. Extend the line towards the outer part of your eyes and make a wing shape. The inner eyelids should be applied with a light sparkling color going to the mid part of the brow area.

3) A darker eye shadow is then applied to the remaining eyelid part going to the brows. Add color as desired extending towards the wing you have previously created. Blend the colors in the top eyelid. Highlight your upper brow part. Use a cream colored or white eye shadow to emphasize the eyes.

4) Apply another layer of dark eye pencil on the top eyelid. With a black liquid eye liner, make a thin line extending to the wing shape and let it dry.

5) To finish this look, apply two to three coats of black mascara for that total Arabic look.

Arabic Eye Makeup Pictures

 Blue Dramatic Arabic Eye Makeup

 Purple Color Arabic Eye Makeup
There are three purple shades of varying darkness blended to create this look.

 Luminous Shades - Arabic Eye Makeup
She is wearing false eyelashes

 Gold and Pink Arabic Eye Makeup

 Muted Arabic Eye Makeup
There are only Two Shades Used in this Simple But Fresh Look

Arabic Eye Makeup
Four Eyeshadow Shades Used



Arabic Bridal Makeup: The Lips

Lips are also dramatically shaped using complementary colors - shades of reds, browns, oranges and pinks are used depending on your skin tone and eye make-up.

Check out some Arabic bridal make-up videos and tutorials below to get a sense of how a bride with Arabic Bridal make-up looks like.
One has to lengthen the sari blouse and add long sleeves in order to make it Islamically permissible.

This is not an impossible task - in fact, some imagine that making the sari Islamically permissible detracts from its exotic beauty. But this is not really the case. In fact, the Islamic Indian Muslim Bridal Sari look is rather becoming. Check out the selections we have for you today!

Hope you are amply inspired by these beautiful Indian Muslim Bridal Sari Designs.

Indian Muslim Bridal Sari Designs

Demure White Embroidered
Indian Muslim Bridal Sari

Innovative High Neck Sari Blouse Design
Lengthen the Sleeves and Voila!
Indian Muslim Bridal Sari

Simple Long Sleeved Sari Blouse
Indian Muslim Bridal Sari

Puffed Long Sleeved Sari Blouse
Indian Muslim Bridal Sari

Sleek Long Sleeved Sari Blouse

Baby Phat
they're real! mascara from Benefit Cosmetics
The Savile Row Company 300 x 250 MYLA