Parvathy Omanakuttan at Cannes

I'm not quite sure through which virtues Parvathi Omanakuttan got invited to attend Cannes but she managed to stun the world wearing a gown made out of King Midas's (golden) pet crocodile's hide. If you squint enough, you'll notice that her make-up is also stunning-in a good way. I adore her make-up and think it's perfect for many occasions.


Recommended Products:

• Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel
• Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer
• Translucent powder of your choice
• Make-up Forever Full Cover Concealor
• Shiseido Accentuating Stick in Glistening Flush (S3)
• Becca cream blush in Terracotta
• NARS blush in Dolce Vita
• MAC eyebrow pencil in Stud
• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• MAC eyeshadow in All That Glitters
• MAC eyeshadow in Bronze
• MAC pencil Technakohl in Graphblack
• CoverGirl Volume Exact
  
• Vincent Longo lipstick in Boccacino
• MAC Clear Lipglass

Recommended Tools:

• Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge for the tinted moisturizer, concealor, blush, and highlighter.
• MAC 239 for patting on shadow
• MAC 217 for blending and crease shadow
• MAC 219 for smudging the eyeliner
• MAC 187, 188, or 116 (use a light hand for Dolce Vita with this brush) for blush

Face:
Prep your skin with the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel (yes I'm actually serious about my claims on this) or a primer of your choice. Then, 'bounce' on the Inner Light tinted moisturizer with the blending sponge. I really like this tinted moisturizer as you need little to get a polished look and it gives you the glow we're after for this look.

Check to see what all problem areas need some extra help and blend in some Full Coverage Concealor with the blending sponge.

Don't apply translucent powder just yet. Apply it only after you're done with the cream blush.

Highlight:
Apply the highlighter after you're done with foundation. Blend out the Glistening Flush accentuating stick with either your fingers or the sponge. Place the highlighter on top of your temples and blend outward. Add a bit to the apple of your cheeks as well. Also apply the Glistening Flush on the browbone, bridge of your nose, and your cupid's bow and blend.

Cheeks:
Add warmth and definition with the Terracotta cream blush placed on the cheekbone and slightly under it. Blend outwards and towards the temple while smoothing out the edges.

Smile and apply the Dolce Vita blush lightly onto the apple of the cheek to give your cheeks a slight, warm pop.

Now apply translucent powder to set the make-up.

Eyes:
Pat on some Primer Potion to prep lids for colour.

Brows:
Parvathy's eyebrows are strong, clean, and dramatic . So pluck away any stray hairs and follow the natural arch of your eyebrows. Next, slightly make the brows thicker (and darker if you're comfortable with it) than you're used to. You don't want to go overboard thickening your eyebrows, just make them a slightly more dramatic version of what you were gifted with. Set with a brow gel if needed.

Eyelid:
Apply All That Glitters to the lid and blend into the crease.

Crease:
Define the outer third of the crease with the Bronze eyeshadow and blend outwards toward the browbone.

Highlight:
I like to keep the browbone highlight subtle for this look so I would leave it with the highlighter we already applied. However, if you want some extra drama, apply the shadow of your choice very lightly to the browbone.

Eyeliner:
Rim the lower lash line and waterline with Graphblack. Line the tip lid from the inner corner to the outer corner. Start with a thin line and gradually thicken the line as you get to the end. Make sure to keep the line thin-medium. Smudge the liner to soften the look and reapply Graphblack on the smudged areas to get soft drama.

Mascara:
Curl lashes and apply Volume Exact generously to create Bambi-lashes. You can apply individual lashes at the outer corner for exagerated drama.


Lips:
Apply the Boccacino lipstick and top off with clear Lipglass for extra shine.

image source: www.rediff.com

A Variation of the Swine Flu? Jessica Biel Complains About Being too Good Looking

I seem to be swarmed with beauty-news lately (highlights and lowlights following soon and the previously promised posts will be up, I promise again), but this was too hilarious not to post. I recently came across a post where Jessica Biel opened her mouth only to have her wordings become verbal diarrhea when she inserted her foot into her mouth. Here is an excerpt from Jessica Biel's interview in the new Allure magazine:


. . . Biel is so frustrated when she misses out on plum roles that go to Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman because directors find her look to be too modern.

"I just want an opportunity," she states in Allure's June issue. "If you don't like the audition, then don't hire me! But if you don't want to even see me -- that's hurtful." Find out what else Jessica has to say about her looks, marriage, and living life under a microscope.

Is being too good-looking really a problem for an actress? "Yeah, it really is a problem. I have to be blunt."

I'm not a doctor, but I know when someone has caught the Evangeline Lily virus where the victim cries themself to sleep out of frustration that they cannot fathom what it is to be ugly like the rest of the world (if at this point you think I'm making this up, google Evangeline Lily and her infamous Elle interview). Seriously, if things get worse doctors might need to deflate Jessica Biel's head!

image source: www.eonline.com

Work Essentials Part 2: Eyes

In my effort to continue the work essentials I have come to LOVE (yes, that's right. these products make me unleash the power of my caps lock button), here is a list of eye make-up that make the day prettier.

L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black

This is such a gem by L'Oreal. My friend calls the depth of the black liquid liner almost 'paint-like' and I can't agree more. It's a rich, intensely black liner that stays on for more than 10 hours. The felt-tip applicator really makes getting control over the liner easy; I can make a thin or a thick line with the least amount of effort possible. It's also extremely gentle on the eyes as I can even tightline my eyes with it. The Lineur Intense is such a great buy that I don't really see the need to purchase the colour equivalent of Lancome's Artliner.

YSL Effet Faux Cils

I tried so hard not to fall in love with this mascara but it's impossible. I've worn enough false lashes in my life to know that no mascara will ever reach such rapunzel-ian lengths, but this mascara is pretty fantastic. With just one swipe, I get thick, long bambi lashes. The formula is very wet in the beginning so be careful as it will smear onto your eyelids when you apply. As the mascara gets older, it seems to clump on me more. However, just wash the wand in hot water and you'll be back to madly in love with this mascara. I mean, it's a deep, glossy black that makes my lashes look divine and doesn't flake or smear all day. What's not to tumble hopelessly in love with?

Covergirl Volume Exact

This is another great, less wallet-intensive love of mine. This gives me great separation, length, and volume. It's not as dramatic as the YSL mascara, but it's a winner in its own right. The wand separates my lashes and emphasizes every one (even the tiny ones on the inner corner). The formula is the right consistency and wears like steel during the day. I like it to its dramatic counter part, Lash Blast, because it doesn't weight down my lashes or make them break off. By far my favourite drugstore mascara.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in SandcastleHere's a shocking truth about me that doesn't involve the number of blushes I own: I hate eye-shadow primers. For some reason, they always dry out my very oily eyelids and make me look like I spent years trying to gain wisdom but, alas, only ended up with crepey eyelids from thinking deep thoughts. I like to use a good cream shadow that will hold my eyeshadow in place instead. Bobbi Brown's cream shadow in Sandcastle is a more sophisticated shade of my lids and is a great primer. I pat it on in the morning with my MAC 242 brush or my fingers if I'm feeling lazy and then apply shadow. My eye make-up lasts as long on me as it does when I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion and my eyelids look less like I am trying to recreate a rugged desert landscape.

image sources: www.nordstrom.com, www.sephora.com, www.dugstore.com

Deplorable Article on Aishwarya Rai and Make-up

In recent beauty related news, I came across an article that churned my stomach. I didn't believe it at first but since it seems to be popping up everywhere, I'm going to rant til my nailpolish chips on this one.


The article in question is on Zeenews stating that "Ageing Aishwarya Rai insecure without make-up." Here's an excerpt from the article:

"The worst nightmare of a beautiful lady is to wake up one fine day and find herself old and haggard. Same goes for gorgeous Aishwarya Rai, who is becoming insecure with age and time. Few years back, the lady ruled supremely and was admired for her flawless beauty. But now she needs her powder and rouge to look beautiful. Recently, the lady had a face-off with director Mani Ratnam over her make-up."

A woman's worst nightmare is getting old and haggard? Really? Because the way I see it you can either get "old and haggard," or, well, not grow any older and celebrate birthdays eternally among the angels. I mean truly, the only logical alternative I can find to ageing is dying. You either live and get older, or die. So now that we have set the bar of beauty to "living" over "corpse,"I think these claims of no make-up are even more ridiculous.

When did an actress who claimed to not wear any make-up actually go bare-faced? There's always some form of foundation, contouring, powder, etc. going on, not to mention the camera filters, lighting and the sorts. I'm finding an increasing number of articles aimed at Aishwarya's age that seem to imply that she is less attractive because she's growing older. I don't ever hold the notion that Bollywood, Hollywood or any other filmdom is not ageist but I can still find it insulting. What do you think of the article?

Work Essentials Part 1: Complexion

I get asked often to try to veer off from my naturally dramatic tendencies and recommend some make-up that would work well for a conservative office. Here are some essentials that I have found work really well for work.

Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
When I first started using this my friend couldn't believe I was putting something meant for various other regions (I paraphrased) on my face. However, it's not just meant for places that I used to be too scared to mention by name (still the same it seems). This is a silicone gel to powder that doesn't aggravate my sensitive acne-prone skin. In fact, it mattifies my skin and I often find that this and a bit of pressed powder is enough to give me a polished, clean look. It also is a fabulous primer that makes a noticeable difference with regards to how long my make-up stays on. After a long day, and by that I mean longer than 8 hours, my make-up is still on. My make-up slides on much more smoothly and lasts a very long time. if you've been aching to try a primer like Smashbox's, try this first.

Chanel Poudre Douce in Peche Tendre
My first thought when I heard of this finishing powder was what in God's name is this supposed to do other than make my wallet bleed and cry? Then the make-up artist put the powder on me and I changed my mind. The Poudre Douce powder gives me a soft sheen that isn't exactly in the realm of glowy, but rather a satin sheen that makes my skin look healthy and well rested. The powder is incredibly finely milled and has light diffusing properties. it doesn't provide coverage but because of the light diffusing properties I can wear this and manage to fool people into loving the way my skin looks. When I do wear this over foundation, I get an airbrushed finish with no chalkiness in sight. I'm not sure if Chanel squeezed the essence of endangered dragons at the third full moon every leap year to make this product, but I cannot rave enough about this powder. Everytime I wear this powder I get compliments on my skin. All this without foundation or a powder with coverage.

image source: www.drugstore.com, www.bloomingdales.com