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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Adele promotional portrait


Make-up by Michael Ashton
Adele
Photo: Mari Sarai







































































This beguiling portrait of Grammy Award-winning singer Adele was recently released to promote her latest album, 21. Michael Ashton, the singer’s personal make-up artist, has created several looks for her that pull inspiration from films, street style, architecture, fabrics, music and more. This look was based on Adele’s natural assets.

“[Adele’s] timeless beauty is reminiscent of old-school Hollywood starlets,” said Ashton of the look. “For me, this is a modern take on classic beauty references.” And as for those eyes? “Adele always loves a lash! They have really become her signature.”
Skin Care
Skin was cleansed using Bioderma Sensibio H2O and moisturized with a mix of Weleda Skin Food and Prescriptives Vibrant-C. Lastly, Ashton slicked Adele’s lips with Lucas Papaw ointment.
Foundation
Chanel Pro Lumière Professional Finish Makeup in Nude 10 was massaged into the skin and polished using Cover FX #160 Cream Foundation Brush
Concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3 was applied where needed for extra coverage and a sheer veil of Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener in Light Bisque was applied near the inner tear ducts
Powder
Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in Clair 20 was rolled and pressed along the T-zone using a large Shu Uemura Face Powder Sheer Puff. The under-eye area was dusted with Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder in #1.
Blush
Nars Cosmetics Blush in Orgasm was applied to the apples of the cheeks with a Japonesque Professional Kabuki Brush for a “youthful bloom” of color
Eye Shadow
M.A.C. Paint Pot in Painterly was applied all over the eyelid and into the inner corner, with M.A.C. Paints in Bamboom through the crease and under the eye near the lower lash line. Dior 5 Couleurs Designer in Nude Pink 508 was buffed onto the lid with the bronze shade from Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Sequoia 87 (discontinued) in the crease and on the lower lash line.
Eye Liner
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink was applied with an angle brush on the upper and lower lash lines and M.A.C. Eye Kohl in Feline (limited availability) was drawn on the upper and lower waterline.
Brows
Brows were brushed up with M.A.C. Brow Set in Clear before the artist lifted the arch and extended the length with Givenchy Eyebrow Show in 02—Brown Show
Mascara
Diorshow Mascara in Black was applied on top and bottom lashes
False Lashes
M.A.C. 44 Lash applied with Duo Eyelash Adhesive in Black
Lips
The lips were filled out with M.A.C. Lip Pencil in Subculture and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Évasion was pressed onto the center of the lips and the cupid’s bow with fingers
Highlights / Countour
Cheekbones were sculpted using the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The illnesses staring you in the face

We tend to see narcissism as an unattractive characteristic, best left for reality TV stars.

However, studies show that taking more than a passing glance at ourselves in the mirror could be a good thing.
Last week, researchers from the Yale School of Medicine in the U.S. suggested that facial wrinkles could be a warning sign of osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease.

Facing facts: Your features really can divulge some surprising secrets about your health
Facing facts: Your features really can divulge some surprising secrets about your health
They examined 114 post-menopausal women in their 40s and 50s, counting their wrinkles and then giving them X-rays. This revealed that those with the worst wrinkles had the weakest bones.
‘Bones and skin share common building blocks — collagen,’ says researcher Lubna Pal.

‘As we age, changes in collagen occur that account for wrinkles and sagging skin; they also contribute to deterioration in bone quality and quantity.’

‘The face really can divulge some surprising secrets about your health,’ adds Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, of the Royal College of General Practitioners.
‘A flushed face, for instance, could be a sign of the heart condition mitral stenosis. As the heart valve doesn’t work properly, it can lead to increased blood pressure.’
Here, with the help of medical experts, we look at more of the surprising health problems a simple look in the mirror could reveal...

EYES

Droopy eyelids, bloodshot eyes, twitching eyes, rings in the eye, pale eyelids... These could be warning signs to hayfever, anaemia or even lung cancer
Droopy eyelids, bloodshot eyes, twitching eyes, rings in the eye, pale eyelids... These could be warning signs to hayfever, anaemia or even lung cancer

Droopy eyelids

Possible cause: Bell’s Palsy, stroke, lung cancer
Conditions that affect the nerves in the face such as Bell’s Palsy can cause a weakness or paralysis in one side of the face, which may make closing the eyelid difficult and cause a drooping mouth. This is thought  to occur because a virus, usually herpes, causes a nerve to become inflamed. This, in turn, interferes with the signals the brain sends to the  face muscles.
Droopy eyelids are also a symptom of a stroke, along with slurred speech and weakness in the mouth and arms.
‘More rarely it can be a sign of lung cancer,’ says Dr Stokes-Lampard.

‘One particular tumour — the pan-coast tumour found at the top of the lung — can put pressure on a group of nerves that affect the eye. Accompanying symptoms include arm and shoulder pain, hand weakness and a tingling sensation in the hand.’

BLOODSHOT EYES

Possible cause: Hayfever, iritis, high blood pressure
‘Red, itchy eyes are most often associated with hayfever — when the body’s immune system overreacts to a supposedly “harmless” substance such as pollen, causing an allergic reaction,’ says Dr Susan Blakeney of the Royal College of Optometrists.
Another cause is iritis, inflammation of the iris (the coloured part of the eye). Iritis is linked to the auto-immune disease Ankylosing Spondylitis, a form of arthritis where the body attacks its own tissues, including the eye.
Occasionally, the whole eye can turn red, as a result of a subconjunctival haemorrhage. Although more often simply due to accidental damage, this bleed behind the eyeball can, more rarely, be due to high blood pressure, which causes the small, fragile blood vessels to rupture.

Involuntary movement: Eye twitching - known as myokymia - is usually a sign of stress
Involuntary movement: Eye twitching - known as myokymia - is usually a sign of stress

Twitching eye

Possible cause: Stress, Multiple Sclerosis
Eye twitching — known as myokymia — occurs when the muscles in the eyelid randomly spasm every few seconds. Stress can cause these tics, as it stops the body absorbing essential B  vitamins, known to keep eye muscles strong; these ‘spasms’ can also occur elsewhere in the body, such as the stomach.
‘Persistent, prolonged twitching — over days or weeks — can also occur in conditions that affect the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis,’ says Dr Stokes-Lampard.
Other symptoms of MS include a problem with balance, numbness, and blurring of vision.

RINGS IN THE EYES

Possible cause: High cholesterol, Wilson’s disease
‘White rings around the iris, the coloured part of the eye, are a well known sign of high cholesterol levels in the blood,’ says Dr Blakeney.
Cholesterol can also lead to xanthelasmas — flat, yellow-white fat deposits under the skin on or around your eyelids.

‘The hard, thick plaque is dumped in areas of the body with rich blood supplies, such as the eye,’ adds Dr Blakeney.

Rusty brown rings around the iris are a sign of Wilson’s disease, a genetic condition that prevents the body from getting rid of excess copper.
‘This first affects the liver, but then copper enters into the bloodstream, travelling to other organs, including the eyes,’ says Dr Stokes-Lampard.
‘The copper causes tissue damage, which leads to symptoms including difficulty walking, tremors, and confusion. Typically, it occurs in younger people under the age of 35.’

PALE EYELIDS

Possible cause: Anaemia
‘When the inside of the lower eyelid appears pale instead of a healthy red, you could be anaemic. This is a result of a lack of iron — integral for the making of oxygen-rich red blood cells,’ says Dr Stokes-Lampard.

Although this is particularly apparent in the eyes, you can also see it inside the mouth, the nail bed and on the cheeks.
Anaemia can make you feel weak, cold, dizzy and irritable. It is confirmed with a blood test.
Men need around 8.7mg of iron a day while women need 14.8mg a day, to compensate for blood loss during menstruation. You should, however, be able to get all you need from your daily diet. Good sources include red meat, beans, nuts and most dark-green leafy vegetables.

NOSE


Button nose: If your nose starts looking bigger than usual, it could be a sign of rosacea or giantism
Button nose: If your nose starts looking bigger than usual, it could be a sign of rosacea or giantism

ENLARGED NOSE

Possible cause: Rosacea, acromegaly
A thickening of skin around the nose — known as rhinophyma — can occur in severe cases of rosacea, says Dr Stokes-Lampard.
This common but chronic skin condition is thought to be caused by abnormalities in the blood vessels of the face; the nose becomes bulbous due to an increase in the size of the oil-secreting glands.
Avoiding possible triggers (sun, stress, spicy foods, alcohol) and medication can help with redness, but in severe cases plastic surgery may be considered.
The hormonal condition acromegaly — also known as giantism — can also lead to a change in the appearance of the nose, as well as the hands, jaw and tongue. It occurs when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, stimulating the growth of muscle, cartilage and bone. This is commonly due to a benign pituitary tumour.

SKIN

FLUSHING

Possible cause: Lupus, heart disease, menopause
Redness can be a sign of the auto-immune condition, systemic lupus erythematosus. Along with joint pain and fatigue, this causes a ‘butterfly’ rash over the cheeks and nose. This is as a result of the body attacking its own tissues, including the skin, and is made worse by sunlight.
Mitral stenosis, where the mitral valve (on the left of the heart) doesn’t open fully, can also cause pinkish-purple patches as a result of the increased blood pressure throughout the body and reduced oxygen content in the blood, says Dr Iain Simpson, of the British Cardiovascular Society.
The effects are most obvious on the face, where the skin is thinner and blood vessels are packed closer together.
Red, patchy flushing on the face and neck is also a common sign of the menopause. Changes in hormone levels affect the hypothalmus, the area in the brain that regulates heat.
As a result, the brain thinks the body temperature is too high and must be lowered — it does this by dilating the blood vessels in the skin, causing redness and a hot, burning sensation.

FAT, PUFFY FACE

Possible cause: Underactive thyroid, mumps
When the thyroid isn’t producing enough of the hormone thyroxine — which controls how much energy your body uses — your metabolism slows down. This can lead to weight gain, including on the face.
Certain auto-immune conditions including Hashimoto’s disease, a damaged thyroid, and drugs for depression and heart disorders can all lead to the thyroid not working properly.

Skin conditions to look out for include flushing, colour change and itchiness
Keep an eye out: Skin conditions to look out for include flushing, colour change and itchinessKeep an eye out: Skin conditions to look out for include flushing, colour change and itchiness
Early symptoms may also include tiredness, depression and muscle aches. It can be treated with hormone replacement tablets, says Dr Stokes-Lampard.
A distinctive ‘hamster face’ is also a result of mumps, the highly contagious viral infection which has seen an increase due to the lack of uptake of the MMR vaccine.
This occurs when the parotid glands, just below the ears, become infected.
Other symptoms include pain and tenderness in the glands, loss of appetite and joint pain. Although not usually serious (apart from in young males where it can lead to infertility), mumps shares symptoms with more serious infections such as glandular fever, so it’s important to have these ruled out by your GP.

COLOUR CHANGE

Possible cause: Bronchitis, asthma, jaundice
Respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema can lead to a sallow, grey skin — simply because there isn’t enough oxygen going around the body. Sallow skin in a very young child is a good way to spot an imminent asthma attack, says Dr Stokes-Lampard.
A yellow tinge to the skin can be a sign of jaundice, caused by a build-up of bilirubin, the yellow substance produced when red blood cells are broken down. Normally it’s passed out of the body in urine.
However, if there’s something wrong with the liver, an excess amount can build up. In both cases, you should be checked out immediately.

ITCHINESS

Possible cause: Eczema, pregnancy, antibiotic sensitivity
Skin that’s dry, itchy and sore is a well known symptom of eczema.
It normally occurs in areas with folds of skin such as around the eyes and ears, says Dr Catherine Hardman, a dermatologist at BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital in London. But pregnancy can also result in itchy skin, especially in the latter stages.
It’s thought high hormone levels interfere with the secretion of bile (a yellow fluid that helps with digestion) from the liver cells. Instead of going into the digestive tract, it spills into the blood, causing intense itching.
Certain drugs — such as the antibiotic Doxyclycine used to treat chronic respiratory diseases, sexually transmitted infections and malaria — can also cause itchiness.

SPOTS IN WOMEN

Possible cause: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The hormonal condition polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to a range of symptoms including problems getting pregnant, excessive hair growth and acne — the latter are because some women have higher levels of the male hormone testosterone, which play a role in the increase of the production of sebum, a natural oil in the skin.
What causes the condition is unknown, although there is a genetic link. Diagnosis involves  a scan and blood tests.

LIPS

Getting lippy: Cracks in the lips could be a sign of anaemia or diabetes
Getting lippy: Cracks in the lips could be a sign of anaemia or diabetes

CRACKS

Possible cause: Anaemia, diabetes
Open cracks or sores on the corners of the mouth, known as angular chelosis, can be a sign of anaemia — caused by a deficiency in iron.

Production of red blood cells (vital for healthy skin) slows down — which means cracks that do appear will be equally slow to recover.
Another possible cause is diabetes, a condition which leads to too much glucose in the blood.
‘The main symptoms include feeling very thirsty, going to the bathroom frequently and extreme tiredness,’ says Dr Stokes-Lampard.

‘However, these high levels also encourage the growth of candida, a type of fungus, that attacks the corners of the mouth.’

EARS

Twisted shape or creased lobes could mean skin cancer or heart disease
Twisted shape or creased lobes could mean skin cancer or heart disease

TWISTED SHAPE

Possible cause: Skin cancer, repeated injury
Tumours — benign or malignant — on the external ear or in the inner ear canal can cause the ear to change shape or direction.
‘The ear is a common spot for basal cell carcinomas, the most common form of skin cancer,’ says Dr Hardman. ‘They are also found around the eyes and on the scalp.’
These tend to appear as white or skin-coloured, smooth, pearly nodules.
Another form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, looks like an ulcer or reddish patch of skin. If you notice any changes you should consult your doctor immediately.
Rugby players and boxers are the best examples of what’s known as cauliflower ear.
Repeated injury causes a build up of fluid and swelling which left untreated can cause scar tissue.

CREASED LOBES

Possible cause: Heart disease
Diagonal creases across the ear lobes may be linked to cardiovascular problems, according to a study published in the British Heart Journal in 1989.
One theory is that they occur as a result of malformed blood vessels — replicating those supplying the heart. More likely is that the creases are a result of age, when heart disease is also more likely, says Dr Simpson.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity &amp; Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Friday, June 10, 2011

Bridal Makeup - Do' and Don'ts for your Wedding Photographs...



Getting your make up right for the big day can feel like a massive task, even if you have entrusted yourself to the care of a professional make up artist. At times, if the make up professional goofs up, you could end up looking eeriely white faced or like a overtly pink pastry in all your photographs.

Indian Bridal Makeup for a wedding should be done keeping in mind the time of the wedding, for a morning function, keep your colours simple and natural and yet defined, you can go for the all out glam look during the day. Here are some tips that will help you look beautiful both at the wedding itself, and in the photographs you look at for years to come.

Less is More: Don’t get your face made into a mask. Too much foundation, blush and eye make up can take you to the borderline of drag. Insist the make up stays natural. Your best features need to be accentuated and your not so perfect features need to be camouflaged skilfully. Wear as much make up as you are comfortable with or you will look ill at ease in your photographs.


According to Cory Walia, make up expert, the biggest mistake most brides make is choosing blush and lip shades to match their outfits rather than their skin tones. For dusky complexions he recommends shades like caramel and coffee, cobalt and olive green which go with a dusky skin. Pinks, light blues and greens are not recommended. A medium complexion can carry off any colours. Fair complexions he says should stick to pastel shades like peach, baby pink rather than bright reds and fuchsias which can get a trifle overwhelming.

Ensure that your makeup is good for flash photography, choose foundations which have a yellow undertone, which can create a warm appearance in photographs. Judicious use of bronzer at the forehead, the high curve of your cheeks, and the bridge of your nose can create a flushed healthy look.

Use a light dusting of loose powder to set your make up, too much heavy pressed powder use can make your face look chalky and dull, and no powder will make your skin shine.


Your wedding day should have you looking classic, keep your eyeshadow colours natural like bronzes, smoky hues, charcoals, pinks and peaches rather than opt for colours like greens and blues.

Make sure your eyebrows and eyes are well defined so they show well in photographs, but do ensure the blending of shades is done well. The flash can bleach out your features so some definition is always welcome. Shimmer can look glamourous in person but if not used well can make your face look oily. Stick to the matte as far as possible.

Use shimmer as a highlighter not as an all over element in your make up.

Above all, be at ease with your look, if you feel ill at ease, it will show in your photographs. Meet your make up artiste before hand and discuss the kind of look you want with swatches from your outfit, to let them know the colours they could use to complement the outfit. The complete look should look put together seamlessly with no elements that stand out. That, and the confidence that she is looking her best, is what makes a bride look radiant and beautiful both on camera and off.
Photo Credits: 
Holland Photo Arts, Andrena Photography, Mili and Sid Ghosh, BinaryFlips Photography, Kumari Photo and Design, Deepika Ghumman
From:Wedingsutras.com and KhushSingh.com

Khush Singh New York New Jersey Bridal & Indian Bridal Makeup Artists

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist...Born with a Brush in her hand</a>

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

CoverGirl admits to using false lashes in ad for "false lash effect"

Rimmel got into hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority in the UK last year for putting false lashes on Georgia May Jagger in its 1-2-3 Looks Mascara ad. So it's little surprise that fellow cosmetic companies are being careful.

But CoverGirl has gone from cautious to comical in its latest mascara ad, which stars America’s Next Top Model winner Nicole Fox.

The print commercial for LashBlast Volume promises a false lash effect. However a small print disclaimer running alongside the image states that lash inserts were applied to Miss Fox's eyes before the product was applied.

Enlarge   The ad for CoverGirl's LastBlast Volume mascara promises a false lash effect - but a small print disclaimer states that lash inserts were applied to model Nicole Fox's eyes before the product was applied

False claims: The ad for CoverGirl's LastBlast Volume mascara promises a false lash effect - but a small print disclaimer states that lash inserts were applied to model Nicole Fox's eyes before the product was applied

The disclaimer is at complete odds with the copy in the ad, which reads: Is your volume true? Or false? LastBlast gives you true volume.

'If your mascara promises volume but delivers clumps - that's false! True volume comes from our big brush, not from big clumps. Try LastBlast Volume for yourself. You may never go "false" again.'

The small print, however, which is barely visible in the bottom left-hand side on the model's neck, reads: 'Lash inserts were applied to both of Nicole’s lashes to add lash count before applying mascara.'

Sally Greenberg from the National Consumers League called the ad 'outrageous'.

The ad for CoverGirl's LastBlast Volume mascara promises a false lash effect - but a small print disclaimer states that lash inserts were applied to model Nicole Fox's eyes before the product was applied

Promises: The copy of the ad suggests that users may never need to wear false lashes again

The ad for CoverGirl's LastBlast Volume mascara promises a false lash effect - but a small print disclaimer states that lash inserts were applied to model Nicole Fox's eyes before the product was applied

Disclaimer: The small print, which is barely visible in the bottom left-hand side on the model's neck, reads: 'Lash inserts were applied to both of Nicole's lashes to add lash count before applying mascara'

She told MailOnline: 'It is in such tiny print that it amounts to deceptive advertising. The average person is not going to read the fine print.

'They are asking you to buy a product that cannot do and does not do - the model needs false eyelashes. The whole premise of the product is called into question.'

She added: 'CoverGirl should take the ad down.'

The CoverGirl disclaimer echoes a situation in the UK last November, when a Rimmel mascara commercial was banned because it failed to make clear that the effect was enhanced with artificial lashes.

Both the TV and print ads showed Georgia May Jagger, the daughter of Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, in profile.

Misleading: The Advertising Standards Authority(ASA) has banned the maker of Rimmel London's '1-2-3 Looks Mascara' from running the commercial again after they featured Georgia May Jagger wearing fake eyelashes

Misleading: The UK's Advertising Standards Authority banned Rimmel London's 1-2-3 Looks Mascara ad in November because it failed to make clear that Georgia May Jagger's eyes were enhanced with artificial lashes

The text and voiceover gave the impression that turning a dial on the mascara would provide thicker, longer lashes on a scale of one to three.

In fact, the longer, fuller eyelashes seen in each image were actually created using artificial inserts.

Vertical small print on the magazine advertisements stated the images were 'shot with lash inserts'. A similar line was run on the TV commercial.

But the ASA banned the cosmetics giant from running the ad because its disclaimers were not clear enough.

Whether CoverGirl faces the same fate at the hands of the Federal Trade Commission remains to be seen, though the Federal Communications Commission's website indicates that it is the TV station or publication's responsibility to ensure that advertisements are not misleading.



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