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In 2011, Beauty, makeup, trends

Chic makeup: Lakme Fantasy Collection Review (Part 3)

Speaking ChicMarch 31, 2011Leave a comment

In part 2 of our Lakme Fantasy Collection Review, we wrote about the face products. In the third and final part, we give a roundup of the collection.

Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Colour

Colours: Mostly pinks, peaches and light purples

Price: Rs 225 each (available in 8 shades)

Review:

We tried three shades from the collection, and our favourite was No 131 (pictured above on left) which was a nude pink. I’d recommend this shade as a must-have for ALL Indian women. The lipsticks are what you expect from Lakme—last long but when they start to fade, you need to quickly touch up. All shades work well with our skin.

Verdict: 4/5

Lakme Eye Color Quartet

Colours in the quad: Dewy green, petal pink, gold pastels.

Price: Rs 425

Review:

While the green in this eye shadow palette is lovely, I don’t think so highly of the other shades. The pink reminded me a bit of last season’s purple eye shadow shade. Also, while the shadows are rich in pigment, they could go easier on the shimmer. After all, we we wouldn’t want the nudish shadow to shimmer too much at work. 🙂 Another issue I have faced with Lakme eye shadow quads: the colour “powder square” breaks after a while on its own. But if you intend to use the palette only till the next season, it won’t be a problem for you. On the upside, shadows stay in place for hours and are great for summer parties.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Lakme True Wear Nail Colour

Colours: Pinks, lilac, mauve (six shades available)

Price: Rs 90 each

Review:

I won’t write anything in this review—just show you pictures of their lovely shades. Gorgeous!

Verdict: 4.5/5

Lasting impressions of Lakme Fantasy Collection:

Lakme’s Fantasy Collection gives Indian women the versatility to try a variety of looks over the next few months, and all at an affordable price. I’m glad that Lakme has experimented with new products like the bronzer and multi-purpose eye pencils. Fortunately, most of the products in the collection deliver what they promise. Our two wishes? We would have liked to see orange in their range, as it is a hot colour this summer AND can work with Indian skin tones. Also, after last season’s Gypsy collection, we’ve seen plenty of shimmer and shine, so maybe some matte products would be good too.

Our final words: Good collection with some winning products.

Related Posts:

Chic makeup: Lakme Fantasy Collection Review (Part 2)

Chic makeup: Lakme Fantasy Collection Review (Part 1)

In 2011, Beauty, makeup, trends

Chic makeup: Lakme Fantasy Collection Review (Part 1)

Speaking ChicMarch 29, 2011Leave a comment

Earlier this month, Lakme launched its new makeup range for summer 2011: the Fantasy Collection. Besides introducing new shades in existing product lines like Enrich Satin lip color (lipsticks), Eye Color quartet (eye shadow palette of four shades) and True Wear nail color (nail polish), there are plenty of new and exciting products:

Cheek Artist (cream blush)
Gold dust shimmer bronzer
All over shimmer gloss
Shadow artist shimmer stick (cream-based eyeliner-cum-shadow)
Fairy dust eye shadow (like an eyeshadow in pen/ stick form)
Fantasy shimmer liner (sparkle eye liner)

The colour palette of this collection ranges from bright tones in green, pink and blue. Gloss and shine are key elements of this product range.

In part 1 of the Lakme Fantasy Collection review, we test some of the eye products.

Shadow Artist Shimmer Stick

These are creamy pencils that you can use in a number of ways: as liner on upper or lower lashes, or you can apply and smudge/ blend, or simply use all over the lid as eye shadow. And as the name suggests, they’ve got glitter!

Price: Rs 350 each (available in four shades)

Review:

I found the pencils easy to use, and I was also able to easily blend the colour. I wore the Green to office and while my colleagues liked it, one of them wished that the green was a deeper shade. I agree with her, as it isn’t always practical to wear such a colour to work or formal events and the darker colour would go well with our skin tone.

Anyways, my thick liner stroke stayed in place from morning to evening and faded just a little. I also turned it into eye shadow, by applying a few solid lines across the lid and then blending with my ring finger. The resultant eye shadow was wonderful—just the right hint of pigment and good dose of shimmer. Of course you can add more layers of colour if you want more colour.

Verdict: 3.5/5

Fantasy Shimmer Liner

The product description claims that it gives you twinkling eyes, and you can line, layer and blend this product without smudging.

Price: Rs 275 each (available in 8 colours).

You know what? Every word in the above-mentioned product description is 100% true. Though the product is in liquid form, it’s got a quick dry formula. So apply it once, blink, and there—it’s in place. And yes, your eyes do seem to twinkle. 🙂

The shimmer liner brush was just right to apply the liner comfortably and I didn’t have a problem applying it even though my hand tends to shake.

I tried Midnight Moon (picture on left), Gold and Pink Crystal—and I loved ALL of them! The’yre great for parties, weddings, shopping and fun! This product has to be on your makeup kit this summer (or rather, this year).

PS: I’d love to try the White in this range. If it’s transparent, I’m buying it!

Verdict: 4.5/5

Coming soon: Lakme Fantasy Collection Review (Part 2)

In Beauty, Fashion, makeup, trends

Chic Party Makeup: New Year 2011 guide (part 1)

Speaking ChicDecember 28, 20104 Comments

Be the quintessential party animal on New Year’s Eve with makeup to usher in 2011 looking your chic-est. Speaking Chic illuminates some top makeup trends.

Smokey eyes
Classic look, but not an easy one to try at home. Too much eyeshadow and you look like a witch. Too little, and it doesn’t make an impact. Give your smokey eyes the 2011 twist by ditching the black eye shadow in favour of grey, silver, teal, taupe or dark blue. Add some sparkle or glitter on your eyelids or corners of your eyes to get the perfect party look. Smokin’ hot!

Speaking Chic tip: Get your smokey eyes right with the help of this video.

Dewy skin
If you’ve got the confidence to carry off a clean makeup look, the dewy skin look is just right for you. The best way to look nude yet glowing is to apply a foundation that gives your skin the right amount of sheen. I use MAC’s Mineralize Satin Finish Foundation for this.

Speaking Chic tip: Apply some loose powder after the foundation. This might take away some of your dewiness initially, but as your skin gets oilier during the party, the glow comes right back.

Which trend will you party with?

In Beauty

Chic wedding makeup: Mesmerising Metallic

Speaking ChicNovember 20, 20101 Comment

If you’re going to a wedding this winter, your sari, lehenga or kurta-churidar is most likely to be embroidered in gold. After all, zardosi, gota embroideries and everything gold is in vogue this season.

And the best makeup to complement Indian wear this season is to metallic. We show you how in Speaking Chic’s Mesmerising Metallic makeup guide:

Face

If you can carry off a bronzer on your skin, then bring it on. Or stay safe with your oft-used blush.

Eyes

Play up the metallic tones with the right eye makeup. Here’s how:

Sweep metallic eye shadow over your eyelid. (Check out Lancome’s Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in Pose).
Or, if you want to add more colour, cover your upper eyelid in a colour that matches your outfit (pink, purple or green). Then add a dot of golden/ metallic eye shadow/ shimmer on the inner corners of your eyes.

Lips

Avoid pinks and purples; instead use an earthy lip colour and add a touch of gold (lip gloss or shimmer) only to the centre of your lips. (Try Avon lipsticks in metallic shades.)

Hair

Moms are bound to have lovely hair ornaments (like maang tikkas) they hardly wore. Borrow a gold-themed one for the wedding, while minimising other accessories (you don’t want to overdo the bling, right?).

Check your makeup in the mirror once, smile, and you’re set for the wedding. 🙂

Are you ready to go metallic for the next wedding?

In Beauty

Chic Makeup: Lakme’s Gypsy Collection (Part 2)

Speaking ChicNovember 2, 20106 Comments

You can read the previous part of our review of Lakme’s Gyspy Collection here.

Eyes: Eye Quartet

Just one sweep of the Gypsy collection’s eye shadows is enough to make your eye lids sparkle. The two eye shadow palette has the right colours for the season: pink, purples, grey and bronzes. Most of the eye shadows have a gold shimmer, which are perfect for gold embroidery we will be wearing this Diwali and throughout the wedding season. Very, very trendy! And I love the names too: Silk Route and Tanjore Rush.

The only downside: the eye shadow tends to “break” easily.

Black Satin Kajal

Lakme’s Black Satin Kajal is indeed satiny, it just glides over your eye lid, doesn’t smudge too much and is dark as night. Word of caution: Handle with care! I dropped the pencil without the lid, and my heart broke when the point broke. 🙁

Nail polish: True Wear Nail Color

I asked a friend to test the Gypsy collection’s nail polish. She headed to her neighbourhood salon for a pedicure, and asked them to apply the ruby red she was carrying. The pedicurist and the salon staff fell in love with the colour, said it was the right amount of shimmer, and they would be stocking up on the colour ASAP. 🙂

Other fab colours: Mystic indigo, henna gold, plush purple… awesome! Take a look:

Speaking Chic Verdict (entire collection): 4/5. Choose the colours to go with your wardrobe and you’re set to look gorgeous for the festivities!

Have you tried Lakme’s Gypsy collection of makeup yet? Tell us what you think!