makeup

In 2012, Accessories, jewellery, makeup

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

Speaking ChicDecember 13, 2012January 14, 2013Leave a comment

In my earlier post, I shared some carefully-selected clothes that “shone”, especially those with metallic finishes. Today it’s all about the accessories!

Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough metallic-finish accessories, but there are some glittering patent-finish and croc-textured options that put gold to shame. Here are my picks:

Bags

Metallic bag from Calvin Klein Jeans (love the texture!)

Croc shopper from French Connection

Bag from Steve Madden

Shoes

Metallic finish slip-ons and heels can dress up any outfit!

Vanilla Moon

Charles & Keith

Steve Madden

Jewellery

Pendant from Myra- The New Age Chic Collection by Tara Jewellers

Bangles from Toniq

Bonus: Makeup that shines!

Maybelline hyperglossy eye liner

Body pigment powder from Inglot

In Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, hair, makeup

Chic Finds: 4 fabulous Friendship Day gift ideas to please your BFF (and your pocket)

Speaking ChicAugust 5, 2011Leave a comment

Girls, it’s Friendship Day this weekend! And while most of you plan to celebrate by tying ribbons, maybe it’s time to give some thought to your special friend—you know, the one who knows about all your crushes, responds to your 2am SMS and listens to your rants about the b**** who stole your ex. In short, your BFF.

But inflation is sky-high, pocket money is limited and it’s only the beginning of the month. So we’ve shortlisted some presents that your friend will love (and so will your wallet)—everything’s Rs 500 or less!

Idea 1: Fashion

Shop at 109F—their stores are offering flat 50% off (and some even 70%)! Prices start at Rs 695, simple math will tell you there are great bargains to be found!

Idea 2: Accessories

Choose colourful accessories from the girl who brightens your dull day. From statement rings to charm necklaces to long earrings, your friend will love these!

Below: “Key to my heart charm necklace” from Toniq; earrings from Aldo Accessories; kundan ring from Sia

Idea 3: Beauty

Here’s a fun thing you can do together this weekend—get your hair braided at b: blunt. Then join your other friends and show off the trendy plaits.

Idea 4: Makeup

This one’s for the girl who can never have enough makeup… even though she’s gorgeous. Go wild with glosses (very wearable), dark kajal and mascara, and funky-coloured nail polishes.

Below: Lakme Lip Love conditioner, Maybelline Colossal Mascara, Colorbar nail polish, Lotus Herbals kajal.

Have a great Friendship Day weekend with your friends!

In Beauty, Bollywood Fashion, Celebs, makeup, trends

Chic Beauty Trends: Funky nails, Bollywood’s minimal makeup look

Speaking ChicJuly 19, 2011Leave a comment

On my recent trip to Spain, I noticed that a lot of senoritas experimented with clothes and makeup. Among other (mostly fashion) trends in Spain, I spotted brightly-coloured nails. But the nail trend I I immediately wanted to try was this one:

I’d like to call this the ring-finger manicure. Here’s how to do it:

Select two nail colours from the same “colour” family (eg pinks, purples, bronzes etc). The colours should be contrasting or be several “shades” apart.
Apply the lighter colour on all fingers except the ring fingers.
Apply the darker shade on the ring fingers.
Flaunt your nails!

Bollywood’s no makeup look: seen on Jacqueline Fernandes, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma

I saw two movies recently—Murder 2 and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. In both movies, the leading ladies (Jacqueline Fernandes and Katrina Kaif) looked fabulous and radiant, despite almost-zero makeup.

Both Jacqueline and Katrina have clearly followed a great beauty routine and diet (and hired an awesome cosmetologist) to get great skin, which always helps. 🙂 For the movie, they applied a natural-finish foundation and not much else. Jacqueline also added a hint of smokey eyeshadow and a good deal of mascara while Katrina’s lips were probably pampered with a good lip balm. The casual looks were perfectly complemented with tousled, unkempt hair.

Meanwhile we also spotted Anushka Sharma at a Nivea event with a similar look, finished with a touch of gloss.

Results: Radiant skin—au naturel!

Which beauty trend are you trying this week?

In 2011, Fashion, LFW, makeup, News

Fashion week updates: Manish Malhotra to close LFW W/F 2011, Delhi Couture Week begins July 22

Speaking ChicJuly 13, 2011Leave a comment

Bollywood favourite Manish Malhotra is grand finale designer for Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011

One of India’s best-known fashion designers—Manish Malhotra—will close LFW W/F 2011 next month. This is the third time Manish Malhotra will be showcasing his collection at an LFW grand finale (earlier such instances: 1999 and 2007).

Manish’s collection will showcase contemporary Indian evening wear, and will be based on Lakmé ABSOLUTE, a long-wear makeup range with skin care properties. According to Manish, “Lakmé Absolute is inspired by the contemporary Indian woman who effortlessly plays myriad set of roles across her personal and professional life. Akin to my style, the collection adapts contemporary fashion to the needs of the Indian woman.” The Lakmé Absolute collection is designed by Lakmé makeup experts and co-created with Manish Malhotra.

We absolutely loved Manish Malhotra’s chikankari and Kashmiri embroidery-based collection at the previous edition of LFW. We hope to see him outdo himself creatively… again!

Below: Manish Malhotra at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011.

Second edition of Synergy1 Delhi Couture Week kicks off July 22

The second edition of Synergy1 Delhi Couture Week will begin July 22, with the opening show by Varun Bahl. The four-day FDCI event that aims to promote couture in India and globally will end July 25 with ace designer Rohit Bal’s show.

While we believe the idea of a couture week for India is a great idea, we hope the couture collections are taken seriously by both designers and the public. Only then can we hope to see much-needed creativity and fabulous fashion from India’s top designers.

Left : A model at last year’s Delhi Couture Week.

In 2011, Fashion, LFW, makeup, News

Fashion week updates: Manish Malhotra to close LFW W/F 2011, Delhi Couture Week begins July 22

Speaking ChicJuly 13, 2011Leave a comment

Bollywood favourite Manish Malhotra is grand finale designer for Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2011

We absolutely loved Manish Malhotra’s chikankari and Kashmiri embroidery-based collection at the previous edition of LFW. We hope to see him outdo himself creatively… again!

Below: Manish Malhotra at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011.

Second edition of Synergy1 Delhi Couture Week kicks off July 22

Left : A model at last year’s Delhi Couture Week.

In 2011, Beauty, makeup

Chic Beauty Launches: Lancôme Rénergie Yeux, Nivea pure & natural lip care, Dermalogica booster

Speaking ChicJuly 9, 2011Leave a comment

Speaking Chic’s guide to the latest beauty products for specific skin care concerns

For aging and dull under eye area

Lancôme Rénergie Yeux

This double-formula eye care solution promises to minimise and prevent wrinkles around the eyes and promote firmer skin tone. The cream reduces fine lines and wrinkles, firms the eye contour, lifts the eye lids and helps fade dark circles. The volumetric lifting cream (to be applied second) provides illuminating protective care.

Price: Rs 4,200

We recommend: For our hardworking moms and aunts!

For chapped and sensitive lips

Nivea pure & natural

Nivea’s new pure & natural lip care products are preservative-free and contain certified organic shea butter and jojoba oil that moisturise lips. Available in two variants, the products contain natural ingredients like olive oil, calendula and camomile. Nivea Olive & Lemon protects dry lips, while Nivea Camomile & Calendula soothe sensitive lips.

Price: Rs 159 each

We recommend: For those who want luscious lips the natural way (that’s all of us, right?).

For dull, uneven skin

Dermalogica Skin Renewal Booster

This product adds oomph to your skin care routine with its blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids in soothing hibiscus flower extract. The booster exfoliates dead skin cells, enhances cell renewal and improves texture. You can use the booster by itself or mix it with your moisturiser.

We recommend: For dull, dry, aging, pigmented and acne-prone skin

Which of these products makes it to your wishlist?

In 2011, Beauty, makeup

Chic Beauty Launches: Lancôme Rénergie Yeux, Nivea pure & natural lip care, Dermalogica booster

Speaking ChicJuly 9, 2011Leave a comment

Speaking Chic’s guide to the latest beauty products for specific skin care concerns

For aging and dull under eye area

Lancôme Rénergie Yeux

Price: Rs 4,200

We recommend: For our hardworking moms and aunts!

For chapped and sensitive lips

Nivea pure & natural

Price: Rs 159 each

We recommend: For those who want luscious lips the natural way (that’s all of us, right?).

For dull, uneven skin

Dermalogica Skin Renewal Booster

We recommend: For dull, dry, aging, pigmented and acne-prone skin

Which of these products makes it to your wishlist?

In 2011, Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, makeup, Shopping

Chic guide: Quick fashion updates for the monsoon

Speaking ChicJune 15, 2011Leave a comment

OMG, it’s a whole new season! Which means it’s time for a teeny-tiny wardrobe update. Here’s a look at our quick picks to help deal with the rains:

Clothes
What you need: Lightweight and quick dry jeans
Try: Stormwear jeans from Marks & Spencer (below)

Accessories
What you need: Waterproof bag, non-slip and comfy shoes or sandals
Try: Catwalk’s Drops of Joy collection (below)

Beauty
What you need: Waterproof mascara… need we say more? 🙂
Try: Lancome’s Hypnose waterproof mascara (below)

Coming soon: Speaking Chic’s monsoon essentials

In 2011, Accessories, Advice, Beauty, Fashion, jewellery, makeup, Shopping, trends

Chic guide: Fashionable (and affordable) things to do this week

Speaking ChicJune 13, 2011Leave a comment

Category: Fashion

Budget: Up to Rs 10,000

What to do: Shop designers for less

Designer steals aren’t restricted to online sales sites that deliver dresses by the time they’re out of season. Ensemble’s Styles for Less promotion is a great way to grab top Indian fashion designers like Rajesh Pratap, Wendell Rodricks, Tarun Tahiliani, Cue By Rahul and Rohit Gandhi, Savio Jon, Pankaj & Nidhi, Gaurav Gupta and Prashant Verma for Rs 10,000 or less! The range of designs will be a fashion lover’s delight: from casual tops to dressy numbers. Our cards are ready to be swiped.

Styles for Less is on till June 17, 2011 at Ensemble—Kemps Corner, Mumbai.

Category: Accessories

Budget: Up to Rs 5000

What to do: Go for blue

Oxidised silver jewellery will always be a great option to go with traditional wear, so bring a dash of turquoise to your jewellery box (we like this little set from Amrapali—below left). And while you’re at it, don’t ignore blues for casual wear (necklace from Toniq)!

Category: Beauty/ Makeup

Budget: Up to Rs 1000

What to do: Update your eye makeup for monsoon

The drops of joy every monsoon can be a nightmare for us girls who love our makeup. So stock up on Lakmé’s newest eye makeup products from its popular Nine to Five range. The Forever Silk Eyeliner and Kohl Ultimate are long-lasting, smudge-proof and water-resistant. The Forever Silk Eyeliner comes in seven metallic shades while the Kohl Ultimate is a kohl, smudger and sharpener all in one stick.

Forever Silk Eyeliner is priced at Rs 395; Kohl Ultimate is for Rs 650.

What chic things are you planning to do this week?

In Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, makeup, Shopping

Shopping spree: Accessories (belts, shoes, bags) and makeup galore!

Speaking ChicMay 28, 2011Leave a comment

You can’t shop fashion unless you’ve got the right accessories and makeup to go with your clothes! Here are my top accessory picks from the shopping I did on my Spanish holiday:

Shoes: Studded sandals and brogues

Jewellery: Leaf necklace

(Note to self: Gold polish still rules the accessories world.)

Belts for all occasions:

Super wide to slim…

Bags:

The floral summer tote and Blanco clutch define cute-n-casual chic.

Makeup haul: Lips, eyes, face, nails… it’s all there!

Note the brands we’re missing here in India: Bobbi Brown, NARS and Sephora. I wasn’t going to let some of the world’s best makeup pass me by! BTW, the Bobbi Brown foundation is flawless and invisible, like second skin. No kidding.

Smashbox lip gloss set: I L.O.V.E [heart] lip glosses, and I got this Smashbox set for just Rs 1000 (approx).

NARS Blush: Makes me blush! 😉 Also bought orange-red lip colour in pencil form.

Happy weekend shopping, ladies!

Shopping spree: What I raided from Mango, Zara