I was out and about the other day, not even looking to the world for inspiration and randomly walked into a boutique in Houston (Carmaa, for those in the know) and had a coronary. The best thing about vacation is surprises like this. I just about had a coronary when I discovered the owner had several Indian magazines. After performing CPR on myself, I asked the owner whether I could take photos of the magazine articles and she was kind enough to oblige. So here's Part 1 with Kalyani Chawla. I have no idea who she is, but if she's good enough to be featured in Vogue she's good enough for me.


Kalyani Chawla's Beauty Tips:

• Bronzers work well on Indian skin and make you glow
• MAC Lipglass will give you a long-lasting finish, ideal for evening wear
• Be fanatic about removing eye make-up with an extra gentle cleansing gel
• Add a few drops of baby oil to your bath for soft skin all over
  

Kalyani Chawla's Beauty Must-Haves:

• Lakme High Definition Eyeliner
• Dior Capture Totale Serum
• Dior Prestige Revitalizing Eye Cream
• Johnson's Baby Oil
• Dior Eye Make-up Remover
• MAC Lipglass

image source: Vogue India, photos taken by me and mostly my amazingly fabulous camera.

A while ago I remember admiring bipasha's sunkissed cheeks and thinking that I often love her make-up (the styling not so much but her make-up is usually fabulous). I was browsing the internet again-aren't I always-and I came across a pic of Sriya Saran at a Lux event in Chennai where she was named brand ambassador. At that moment I realize two things. First, do these things take place in an alternate Chennai because I never hear of any glamorous occasion when I'm there. Second, I need to post about Shriya and Bipasha's cheek colour.



To achieve their warm tangerine blush, apply Nars Gina or MAC Melba very lightly on the apple of the cheeks to the temple.

image sources: www.idiaglitz.com, www.media.movietalkies.com

I found this ad that Deepika did for Maybelline and I thought I would post it. The shade she is wearing, according to the ad anyway, is the Shine Seduction lipcolour in 720 Sun Kissed. I personally haven't tried out the line of colours from Maybelline, but do let me know if you have and whether you liked it.



source: www.thefashionspot.com

I found this rather blurry scan of Feroze Gujral spilling the beans on some of her make-up picks. After a lot of doctoring I was able to make out the make-up she listed as her favourite, but I can't seem to make out the rest. Do let me know if you know where I can find a better scan.


Feroze's picks:

• Mac Pink Swoon blush
• Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
• La Mer Creme de la Mer moisturizing cream
• L'Oreal Paris True Match powder foundation

image source: www.thefashionspot.com

I found a little blurb on indiafm where Lara Dutta talks about her style and decided to post it. I generally always like her make-up as she seems to know what looks good on her and what doesn't. The pic of Lara at the IIFA awards ceremony a while ago has nothing to do with the blurb but I just like the make-up and overall look there.

Party wear: “My dictum is - less is more. When in doubt, I always prefer under dressing. I stick to browns and blacks,” Lara reveals.

Style quotient: “I feel style is very personal, it is what suits you and keeps you comfortable. My style is totally classic - I go for smart cuts and fits,” she smiles.

Accessories: “As you can see, I subscribe to minimalism. My best accessory is a nice bag and a neat pair of shoes to match,” adds the style diva.

Cosmetics: “I favour the nude look when it comes to make-up. Of all the cosmetics, lip balm or a lip tint is a must-have for me. I won’t leave home without it,” declares Dutta.

Not Christmassy: “The biggest fashion faux paus for me is to dress up like a X’mas tree. You know, that grunge look with loads of rings, chains and bracelets! I am absolutely horrified by bling,” she admits.

source: www.indiafm.com

I was browsing the internet instead of sleeping (thank heavens for concealor) and stumbled on this interview of Martina Luisetti, a make-up artist for MAC, who did the make-up for the fashion show. The advice about "opening your eyes for that dreamy starry look" seemed somewhat dubious to me. Is it really a bit of genius make-up related advice or just plain common sense while awake? I found the breakdown/interview on www.indiwo.com and thought I'd share.


Step 1:
After your base of course, use a shade of burgundy to give your lips that precise definition yet not stark look. The idea is to have your lips looking like rose petals!

Just for your information, if you are travelling abroad pick up a shade of wine red called Artefact by MAC which was used on the models.

Step 2:
Apply on some purple gloss to plump up your lips and give them that sensuous touch.

Step 3:
The eye shape is that cinematic 30s style. So go with soft eye make-up which is very well blended into the eye. Use a blackish eye shadow to create that smoky feeling and add a little shimmer to the eyelid.

If you want the exact shadow of eye shadow, it was Paint Pot Black by MAC that was used on the models.

Step 4:
Apply loads of mascara to your eyelashes to open up your eyes and give them that dreamy, starry look!

Thank you all so much for linking me to the now infamous (to me anyway) picture of Kareena Kapoor. Rest assured I will have the breakdown up soon. I'm just exhausted from school right now. Yes, it's the same old (whiney) story. Such is my life and hopefully the powers that be will finally take pity on me and I will graduate while still having flashes of sanity. I'm hoping my jokes will also become funnier at that point. I digress.

Here is an excerpt I found while looking for Kareena's make-up at the filmfare awards. Click on the picture and it will pop up enlarged an you can read it better. Happy reading.

image source: www.kareena-kapoor.net

Browsing around the internet in search of a clear picture of Kareena Kapoor at the Film Fare Awards, I found this picture on www.amisha-patel.net. I am very grateful to whoever uploaded this image because we learn more about the mysterious make-up of the stars. So next time you read that they state "I wake up looking this good, in fact I don't even know what foundation is; I'm this naturally pretty," you can smirk with the knowledge of a seasoned cynic knowing at least the foundations of three different stars.

Kajol uses Guerlain Divinora Compact Powder Foundation. Although I am pretty sure they use a liquid one of appearances etc. Priyanka uses Clinique Super Balanced Compact. Amisha Patel uses Giorgio Armani Designer foundation. Take it for what it is and let me know what you think.

Since I added a Bollywood and Style section a while back, I feel I can drag this unfortunate picture through the mud. It's not necessarily the make-up or the hair that bugs me In fact, when I'm in a kinder, more accepting mood I would have even compliment the blush (which almost leads me to say a prayer of thanks that there's only one pair of cheeks visible), nude lips, and Kohl rimmed eyes. So what am I complaining about, right?


Take a step back from your monitor, and look at the styling of the clothes. I think the blouse is actually very pretty and would look great with a nice pair of pants. It's the "shorts-will-do-fine-for-this-look-at-me-I'm-so-hot-na?" look where a decent pair of pants or a nice skirt are out of the question! Eureka we have it! Pants! Pants, people, that's what's wrong with this look. I understand she's going for the sexy look, but the look is so incomplete and unrefined looking by wearing a pair of very short shorts to this look. Which is where I come to my point: sexy does not have to equal badly styled.

Now that the style quotient has been explained away, I'd like to concentrate briefly on the pose. I have not been able to stop laughing from the instant I started writing this post. I have verified that this isn't an overly explanatory/instructional ad for those suffering from constipation or an ad for a laxative company. Badly styled and very badly posed ruins the gorgeous make-up and pretty blouse. And as a final note, I still can't stop laughing dammit!

image source: www.kannadagallery.oneindia.in

I think we can all agree that mascara commercials are misleading. When I was an innocent, uncorrupted soul, I used to believe that masacara commercials would mirror the lashes I'd get from using the mentioned product. A lot of frustration, tears, and not to mention clumpy lashes later (imagine 8 coats of thickening mascara on my poor lashes), the truth dawned to me in one of my Photoshop classes. A while ago, L'oreal was called out on its misleading mascara commercial featuring Penelope Cruz. Looking at Aishwarya's new mascara commercial, methinks not much has changed. She still looks great though and I'm very tempted to try out the shadow she's wearing.


image source: www.lorealparis.co.uk

I was browsing the internet, waiting to be struck by a metaphorical lightning bolt to jolt me into writing something groundbreaking, when I found interviews with desi celebs on their make-up habits. Now keep in mind they still don't seem to like divulging exact shade information, but at least it's a push in the right direction.

Esha Deol:
I am very particular about my skin and trust only Mac as it suits my skin. I also like Clarins moisturisers as they are very light.

Neha Dhupia:

I am very particular about my makeup as we practically live in it for long hours when we are shooting. I only use MAC and Bobbi Brown as these suit my skin and they are in tune with the international trends in makeup.

Anchal Kumar (apparently she’s a model for L’Oreal in India. I have no clue who she is otherwise, but she looked so pretty in the pic I saw of her):

For skin care I depend entirely on Clarins as it suits my skin and works wonderfully. I use moisturiser, sunscreen, cleanser and beauty flush balm that hydrates my skin. For makeup, I use Mac shimmer powder and foundation. It acts as a great base for Indian skin. Christian Dior lipsticks and lip gloss are just amazing. For a change I use eye shadows and blushers from Bobbi Brown.

Nandana Sen:
Unless my films require I use very light make-up. For skin care, I use products from Clinique as they are not perfumed, lip balm and light brown eye pencil from MAC, Lakme kajal and Christian Dior make-up. When I was 16, my mom gifted me Christain Dior's Diorissimo, since then I mostly use this perfume. Perfumes from Schnell and Tresor by Lancome are also among my favourites. The fragrance can be described as light and floral with a tinge of sweetness.

Tanushree Dutta:
Make-up is another big domain I shop for. I like Christian Dior foundation and nail polish, Mac eye shadows and lip glosses. I also use Nina Ricci lip gloss and Revlon nail polish. I don't use Indian products as I am not too sure of their quality.

Ayesha Takia:
Blush-on, mascara and mocca lipstick from Mac and chapstick from Molten Brown is what I dig for. 212 Sexy by Carolina Herrera, Cheery by Christian Dior and True Star by Tommy Hilfiger are among my favourite brands in fragrance.

Shilpa Shetty:
I use products from Mac, Stella, Estee Lauder and Nars. I don't stick to one brand. If a colour suits my skin tone I may even go for a new brand. Before I go to bed, I use Johnson's baby oil to get rid of the makeup on my face and then dab it with a hot towel.

Amrita Arora:
I am not very fond of make-up. But if I use I am very particular about the brands. I draw on mascara by Estee Lauder, kajal by Revlon and fruity lipgloss and cheek tint from MAC. They suit my skin tone and are very soft on sensitive skin.

Perizaad Zorabian:
I use only Mac products as they have quality products. My makeup man uses them and maybe I am used to the look and feel. Red Earth is another brand I like for its colours.

Koena Mitra:
For my stage shows and shoots the brands I stick to for cosmetics are Derma, Krylol, Mac and Bobby Brown. I usually shop at Beautiful in Khar or from make-up artists Bharat and Doris’s make-up counter at Citi Mall. They generally have all the uncommon and latest stuff in make-up. When I am not facing the camera I dab Kohl pencil, Mac gloss and very little cream blush. I hate using a base cream unless it’s very imperative.

source: www.imagesfashion.com

I got a request recently for Kin Kardashian's make-up and I figured I'd post it here too. Whatever you think of the girl (and trust me, I'm always on gossip blogs getting the latest scoop), she seems to have great make-up usually. The thing is that I could easily see the shades she uses look great on fairer skinned desi ladies. So for you fairer skinned desi (or not) lovelies out there, I present you Kim Kardashian's make-up recommendations from an article I read a while ago.

It's All About the Lips

Looking at Kim on the red carpet, one would instantly notice her kohl-rimmed dark brown eyes and olive skin. She also has great, natural eyebrows. She doesn’t sport the overly-plucked L.A. brow. But Kim’s lips are really the feature she pays attention to.

“In my make up bag, I always have MAC blush in ‘Pink Swoon,’ along with their travel size blush brush. A MAC lip liner in ‘Stripdown,’ with MAC lipstick in ‘Angel.’ And Nars lip gloss in ‘Turkish Delight.’”

Her blush, lip liner, lipstick, and lip gloss are all in the soft pink range. Nothing strong or too bright for her lips.

MAC Blush- Pink Swoon– Clearly Pink (Sheer tone Powder)

MAC Lip Liner- Stripdown-Naked Nutmeg (Pencil)

MAC Lipstick- Angel- Soft Pink (Frost)

Nars Lip Gloss- Turkish Delight- Pink Sorbet

As far as the one beauty item she could never live without, that’s the Nars lip gloss in ‘Turkish Delight.’ Kim isn’t alone in her praise of Nars. Many women call it the best lip gloss around, although not at the cheapest price, either. And it comes in a luscious array of shades. The ‘Turkish Delight,’ is described as pink sorbet, or better yet, a strawberry milkshake. The color is that pretty and soft.

These two products can’t fit in a make up bag, but we were curious how Kim keeps her long, raven locks so shiny and healthy. She told us she is a big fan of these two shampoo lines: Clairol’s Herbal Essence and Pantene.

source: http://blogs.glam.com/glamblush/2007/09/11/exclusive-qa-kim-kardashian/

I was browsing around for the dirt on Bollywood make-up yet again and found a site with snippets from Kareena Kapoor's various interviews. She states the following about her favourite products:

• "The only make-up item she uses is kaajal! "I'm very possessive about my Revlon Kaajal (kohl) pencil and cannot enter any place without knowing I have it where I can reach it easily!"
• "For rare occasions like a premiere or a wedding there's a lipstick she's extremely secretive about. "All I'll say that it's a basic pink Mac lipstick… I'm not revealing anymore even if you think I'm cheap!"

My guess is she uses MAC's Viva Glam V lipstick. It looks a lot like what she wears/describes. What do you ladies think?

source: www.geocities.com/onlinekareena

One of my Asian friends (she's Chinese to be specific) told me once that every Asian girl gets told at one point or another that she resembles Lucy Liu. I think this applies to us Desi girls too. If ever I am told I look like a celeb, it's the brown celeb du jour that I get compared to but don't really look like. So it's always nice to see Desi celebs get acknowledged outside all of the Desi-lands.

Imagine my surprise when I opened up my Octobre issue of Instyle and see not only Aishwarya Rai (I do believe she is the token brown celeb nowadays), but Tabu featured in their style section. Both were wearing beautiful saris and their make-up looked great.

I tried scanning the pics from the magazine, but somehow they didn't come out too well. However, I did add pics from the same even just for reference.

Tabu's photo was from the namesake premiere:Aishwarya's was from the Provoked premiere:
image sources: www.masalatalk.com, www.dailymail.co.uk

I was browsing around, again I need to control this obsession of mine, and I ran into this little scan of an excerpt from New! magazine on www.hennapens.com. There is no mention of beetroot (see earlier post about Shilpa Shetty's rather ridiculous recommendation), but the article states that she seems to like Bare Escentuals. Enjoy!


source: www.hennapens.com

So I was browsing around last night for divine inspiration (that's how I write my posts, this isn't your ordinary blog you know) and an interview with Mickey Contractor in The Hindu caught my eye. In that article, he seems to at one point be hissing and bearing his claws. Not in an outright nasty way, but it's definitely more than a backhanded compliment (you know, when people go "oh! you look so much better now that you've put on weight and your cheeks are so chubby and round. so cute.") The article states:

"In his years of experience, which was the one face for which he needed the least effort? 'Raveena Tandon. She has perfect features. ' And the most difficult? 'Preity Zinta. It was so tough to make her look like a girl! And you can quote me on that." He laughs . . ."

Ouch! I'm not sure exactly why he said what he did, but there wasn't really a build up to this quote. No it fits in the interview just as you read it. Poor Preity Zinta. A make-up artist stating that their client has flaws? I think nothing of it. Having your femininity disregarded by someone who's beautifies you regularly? That has to hurt.

source: www.hindu.com

I was surfing on the internet and found the following article on Shilpa Shetty in www.sundaymirror.co.uk. I will hold my comments until after you finish reading the article, so here is the interview:

I spend too much on… Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer. I love it. They gave me some on a flight and as soon as I landed I went and bought some more.

My beauty regime is… simple. I never use soap on my face, and I always make sure I take my make-up off at night. I use a concoction of baby oil and coconut oil in equal parts – it’s the best thing for my skin.

My best beauty bargain is… beetroot! If you want a natural flush, boil some beetroot in the microwave and rub a bit on your cheeks over your moisturiser. It always comes out the right colour.

My beauty addiction is… collecting lipsticks. I’m quite a freak about them. I have the same pink shade in every make, but I can’t stop buying them. I especially love Estee Lauder lipsticks.

My fragrance reminds me of… happy times. All the notes in S2 are favourites of mine. At its heart it contains jasmine, which reminds me of home, and when I smell it, it instantly takes me back to India. It’s very special to me.

My worst beauty disaster was… wearing bright blue contact lenses and red lipstick. At the same time. I have no idea why I did it – I must have been about 21 and coloured lenses had just come in big time. It was a complete disaster.

So beetroot... I am speechless. I know that beetroot is a great dye and all but I wonder if she actually does this for awards shows and appearances. Judging by the depth of the shimmer and colour on her cheeks in her photos I should guess not. Just tell us what you use already! What does Desi sisterhood mean if stars don't share their product secrets with us? By the way, is there such a thing as Desi sisterhood or has the beetroot made me gone mad? See, not only am I speechless, I'm pretty much brainless too. And it's all the beetroot's fault.

I found an article where Mickey Contractor, a Bollywood make-up artist, gives a detailed description on how to get a specific look. So here it is, enjoy!

Mickey Contractor, one of Bollywood's top makeup artists, has seen makeup in Indian cinema go from the caked matte finish and heavy eyes and lips of the 1980s to the current look of natural-looking skin and a range of colour palettes. The latest looks combine textures such as matte, gloss, shimmer and sheer for gorgeous glamour.

FACE

-The base is the most important factor in red carpet make-up. Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint in a Level 4 is ideal for Indian skin, as it neutralizes imperfections and evens out the complexion.

-After foundation apply concealer, such as Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, to disguise any blemishes

-Apply a translucent powder such as Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Libre over the top of the skin, concentrating on any shiny areas, such as the forehead or nose, in preparation for the photographers’ flash

EYES

-The eyes are the most important feature in Bollywood. Dark colours such as carbon and burgundy (M.A.C’s Beauty Marked eye shadow has some added sparkle) work well with Indian skin tones. “I apply a hint of a darker shade at the end of the eye and blend into the other colour. This technique gives extra dimension to the eye and really makes it stand out” says top Bollywood make-up artist Mickey Contractor.

-Eyeliner is also crucial. Line the entire eye with kohl – inside and outside both lash lines.

- “I recommend all women curl their lashes no matter what the occasion,” says Contractor. Then apply one coat of mascara, allow it to dry and apply more until you reached the desired effect (Contractor recommends three coats). L’Oréals’ Double Extension Waterproof Mascara with help add volume to lashes and will stay put all night.

-Eyebrows should be pronounced, so run a light brown powder or an eye shadow over the brows (Bobbi Brown’s eye shadows in smoke or mahogany work well).

BLUSH

-Choose a blush similar to your skin tone and use as a base over the whole cheek. “Then use a warmer blush colour over the tops and buff them together into the foundation – it gives a natural-looking lovely glow. Colours in peach and coral look great on Indian women.” Try Pout’s Coral Nymph/Bronze Siren cream cheek duo.

LIPS

- “When there’s so much focus on the eyes, I like to play down lips and go for nude, lighter colours; I recommend going for colours that match your natural lip colour”.

BODY

- Make sure you think about the skin that’s on display, the neck, arms and chest should glow. “M.A.C’s Face and Body Foundation is perfect for this – it’s water-based so works on all skin types and water-resistant so it won’t streak if you sweat.”

source: www.women.times.co.uk

So my search for finding out what desi celebs use has brought me one step further, only no one ever seems to specify what products are often used on specific celebs. I truly believe that the day will come when we will find out exactly what eyeshadow a particular celeb uses as a crease colour when she's making press statements. Until then, I suppose we can make do with this interview I found with Bollywood make-up artist Cory Walia.

Makeup artiste Cory Walia (seen doing model Indrani Dasgupta's face at the Lakme beauty salon) lists five common makeup mistakes:

* Using too much foundation or foundation that is the wrong colour.

"Most people think foundation is a mask they can hide behind!" says Cory.

People who have dark complexions tend to use a pink-based foundation. As a result is their skin looks purple, which Cory dubs as the 'Krishna look'.

* Not using mascara

Most women do elaborate eye makeup and forget to use the one thing that will make a difference: mascara. "Women use kajal and eye shadow but no mascara. All makeup is incomplete without mascara. It lifts your eyes and really makes them stand out," says Cory.

* Using a dark brown lipliner and filling the lips with a lighter shade of lipstick.

Women tend to go for very dark brown or almost black colored lipliner and then fill it with a lighter brown coloured lipstick. This, says Cory, is a big no-no. Use a lipliner that blends in.

* Sticking with matte

Matte lipsticks are out. Lips that are dry, wrinkled looking and filled with dark colours like brown, burgundy or chocolate are out. Gloss them, says Cory. "Make your lips look juicy. Matt/desert dry is out. Brown and burgundy are nice colours but put some gloss on it," he says.

* Imitating actresses or models you see on television

Cory says many women walk up to him and ask him to give them the 'Ramola Sikand' (of television serial Kahiin Kissi Roz fame) look or make them look like (veejay-model-actress) Malaika Arora. "Don't try to imitate others. Develop your own personality, self-confidence and attitude. Any kind of makeup will then look good on you," he says.

Finally, get rid of the complex you have about your skin tone. "Indians think being dark or tanned is bad. That's their biggest complex. Learn to love your skin tone, only then can you highlight it," he says.

Five makeup must-haves

1. Lip pencil

2. Mascara

3. Kajal

4. Blush

5. Gloss

Get these, pair them with of self-confidence and attitude, and you are set to look great, says Cory.

source: www.rediff.com

Alright, so once I'm on a roll, I get lightly obsessed. If you so wish, you could probably psycho-analyze me and probably see how I got to be such a make-up afficianado. If you do end up doing this, let me know. I'd like you to analyze whYIi have such an intense hatred for visible dark lipliner with frosted pink or grey lipstick. I'm not sure this abhorrence is healthy. Anyway, here is more information on Bollywood and make-up.

Sonali Bendre:
"I have a very sensitive skin, and anything unusual bothers my skin. I can't even use something like besan to wash it. It doesn't agree with me. When I get up, I just wash it with water and a non-moisturising soap. Moisturisers don't gel with me. The less I do to my skin, the better. The only thing I consciously do is to never sleep with make-up on. I use baby oil to take off the make-up and then wash it off with soap and water. If I'm going out in the day, I wear a very light lipstick and mascara. If I were going out in the night, I'd add on a liner and a very light eye shadow. I like Mac."

Malaika Arora:
"I believe that to look good, you must have a healthy skin and for that, the age old recipe of loads of water is what I believe in. First thing I do in the morning even before drinking tea or coffee is to drink warm water with lime and honey. I follow this up with literally a liter of water and then start my day. I don't smoke or drink, so these things are naturally excluded from my diet.

I believe that water flushes out all the toxins we accumulate throughout the day. The kind of lifestyle we lead, eating fast food and also frequently eating out is harmful. So water is the first medicine I use. Then come all the cleansers, moisturisers, skin globs etc. I use these but what I follow strictly is exercise, healthy eating and keeping my skin very clean. Last thing before going to bed, I wash my face with Margo soap. It's a neem soap, mild and very good for the skin. Then I drink a glass of warm water and go to bed. My skin is very oily so I moisturise it with an oil-free moisturiser after washing it lightly."

"In cosmetics I use a lot of moisturisers, mascara and kohl pencil. Other make-up is minimal, I believe that one should highlight the attractive aspects of one's face. I have high cheekbones so I highlight these with a blusher, to achieve a sun-kissed, flushed, healthy look. I use cosmetics by Body Shop or Mac because these shades suit the Indian skin."

Juhi Chawla:
"I believe in the 6 to 8 glasses of water for the skin tip. I drink lots of water. Besides, I have a very simple routine. I just use a moisturiser and an eye cream to keep my skin moist. Generally, I keep it very clean. For face wash, I use La Mer. They have a mild washing lotion, which I like. I use their moisturising lotion and an eye cream from Clinique.

To fight dry skin, I drink lots of water, eat curds and lots of green vegetables and salads. I eat less spicy food and opt for more of the boiled and baked variety. When my eyes feel tired, I lie back with slices of potatoes on my eyes to remove the tiredness from them. After I remove my make-up, I use a cleanser to clean my face.

I wash my face with a very mild soap. "I don't apply any creams at night or any other time, but if I feel like using something, I opt for the moisturiser again at night. I find leaving the skin alone is better than doing hundreds of things to it. Allow your skin to breathe freely by keeping it clean. The lesser you meddle with your skin, the less it meddles with you."

Rani Mukherjee:
On eye care: "I don't take any special care of my eyes. Except when I'm feeling tired, I use an eye toner, which is rose water. And it really helps because after that, my eyes do feel cool and clear. That's my secret."

Manisha Koirala:
"I think I've inherited my flawless skin texture from my parents. I keep it very clean and wash it with lots of cold water and use moisturiser to protect it. To take off my make-up, I use baby oil. I don't do much to my skin. I'm going out, I just use a little blusher and nothing more. I prefer my face to be clean of make-up. If I'm going out in the night and it's a dressy occasion, I use a bit of mascara and liner but not too much. No make-up during daytime. I drink lots of water and juices but not with the intention of keeping my skin looking good."

Archana Puransingh:
"The only thing I really care about is my hair. I cut it and look after it regularly. I just like to wash my hair and leave it dry. I don't even blow-dry it. I love sitting at a hair salon to get all the works done - waxing, pedicures, manicure, facials, etc. I don't follow any beauty regime. No creams, face packs and masks for me. The only thing I do regularly is wash my face before I sleep and brush my teeth and nothing else. The only allowance I make is that I use Neutrogena soap. I bleach my face maybe once in nine months. So for me, hair care is the most important."

Hema Malini:
"My skin is good because God made it so. I keep it very clean and free of make-up as much as possible. I visit the beautician often and let her take care of my skin. Farida, my beautician, makes this nourishing aroma oil for me, which is excellent. I use this on my face and even before applying make-up. I don't use foundations for the most part. I think the skin should be allowed to breathe naturally. I concentrate on the eyes and leave the skin alone. Sometimes, I use a light lipstick but that's all. Before sleeping, I apply my current favorite night cream, Aveda. When I do my own make-up, I only work on the eyes and use kaajal."

"I think your skin has a lot to do with your eating. I eat a lot of green vegetables and seldom eat out. I also eat my last meal before 8 p.m. and make sure I eat very little. This really helps your complexion. Not too much food or spices and very little oil. I'm a curd person and have it in liberal doses. I use the usual cosmetics."

Mahima Chaudhary:
"I have a dry skin. As soon as I get up in the morning, I wash my face and apply moisturiser. I don't do much make-up except for using kaajal and lipstick. I think lots of sleep, lots of water and the fact that I follow a vegetarian diet helps in keeping my skin clean." "I keep changing my moisturiser and use different cleansers for my eyes and face."

Raveena:
"I don't use any kind of cream or scrub on my skin. It has always been very soft and smooth. I have totally stopped using pan stick since I neither have pimples, blackheads or any facial hair. When I'm shooting, I use some pancake and shading. When I'm home, no make-up at all. Eat a lot of yoghurt, curds, cucumbers and cooling foods. Also drink a lot of water to keep your skin without blemishes."

Kareena Kapoor:
"Don't use any chemical preparations," she advises. "Control your eating and drinking habits and your skin will be glowing forever."

Tabu:
Tabu believes that her favorite accessory is her great-looking hair. "I shampoo my hair regularly. Using a shampoo regularly makes your hair look dazzling. I also believe in oil therapy for my hair. I oil my hair at least twice a week. I also apply an herbal hair powder, which we make at home, to nourish my hair. I make it a point to blow-dry my hair if it gets wet or after washing it. That really helps. I believe, that if you have straight hair, use shampoos with cleansers and if you have thick and coarse hair, avoid shampoos with added proteins, as they tend to worsen the hair condition. For normal hair, use mild shampoos made with moisturisers.

Nandita Das:
"I drink a lot of water, starting with about three glasses after I wake up. I wear kaajal on a regular basis. I use a lip pencil whenever I go out and that's all. I go to the beauty parlour once in a while to get a nice hair massage or for dipping my feet into water for pedicure, when I'm tired. But mostly, I have a very ordinary lifestyle."

Bipasha Basu:
"Make-up is mostly for the eyes. If I've done my eyes, it's enough. I prefer a highlighter on my eyes and use kaajal. I dislike lipstick. I love lip-glosses. On an ordinary day, if I'm going out, I use the Mac Shimmer, a moisturiser with sheen and not a foundation. I like mascara. And for blush, I use YSL Bronser."

Perfume favorites:
Juhi Chawla - Cartier Declaration
Manisha Koirala - Chanel Five and Opium
Kareena Kapoor - Vive-Versa by YSL or Romance
Hrithik Roshan - Issey Miyake
Neelam -Naomi Campbell
Sanjay Suri - XS Pour Homme
Manish Malhotra - 212 Men
Raima Sen - Clinique
Pooja Bhatt - Enjoys men's perfumes.

Hot Bollywood star favorites: Hugo Boss, Giorgio Beverly Hills, Gucci Rush and 212 On Ice.

source: www.godubai.com