Chic Launches: Lancome, French Connection fragrances, new collections by Metro shoes, Hidesign bags

Chic Launches: Lancome, French Connection fragrances, new collections by Metro shoes, Hidesign bags

January’s been a month of launches, though February will see more as new collections hit the stores. Take a look at our picks this month.

Accessories: Hidesign Lizard Leather Collection

Fear not, animal lovers! Hidesign’s latest collection is made of faux lizard printed vegetable tanned leathers. The deep emboss and hand finished colours give the leathers a rich gloss. The bags in this collection are available in colours like midnight blue, deep red, forest green, brown and black. The styles range from clutches and wallets to totes and day bags. My favourite: Thelma grab handle bag (picture below).

Hidesign Thelma grab handle bag

Hidesign lizard leather in midnight blue

Accessories: Metro Shoes’ Bling it on collection

Drawing inspiration from unconventional prints, metallics and nature, the Bling it on collection adds a tint of azure to monotonous wardrobe colours.

Metro shoes denim ballerinas

For women, there are flats, denim textured ballerinas, polished kitten heels, gladiators, wedges and slip-ons, mostly in shades of blue. My pick- the tie-up flats (picture below).

Metro shoes blue tie-ups

The guys can choose from zipper shoes, loafers, lace-ups and boots in cobalt blues, earthy browns and burnt sienna. For men’s party shoes, there are comfy slip-ons, buckled formals and high-tops in vibrant blue.

Metro shoes mens slip-ons

Fragrance: Lancome Trésor Midnight Rose

Endorsed by Emma Watson, this fruity floral is colourful and upbeat. Lancome Trésor Midnight Rose embodies mischievous femininity and embodies romantic yet contemporary love. Rose bring playfulness to the fragrance, with deliciously tangy raspberry tones, wooden shimmers and voluptuous vanilla notes. This perfume could be your signature with its spontaneous, irresistible charms! Spray it on and feel like you’re in Paris. 🙂

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose Fragrance

Fragrance: FCUK3

This set of fragrances for him and her is for the bold and witty. Think bright florals for the playful young lady (top notes of red berries, mandanrin oil and pink pepper, base notes of amber and vanilla), and creamy musk for the flirtatious guy (top notes: pineapple, mandarin, orange; base notes: amber, musk).

Packaged in a high-gloss shell enclosed in glass, these fragrances will add a fun touch to your life and your dressing table.

FCUK3 Packshot

What’s your chic pick of the month?

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

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

For aging and dull under eye area

Lancôme Rénergie Yeux

Lancome Renergie 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 pure & natural lip care Camomile & Calendula Nivea pure & natural lip care Olive_Lemon

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

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?

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

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

For aging and dull under eye area

Lancôme Rénergie Yeux

Lancome Renergie 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 pure & natural lip care Camomile & Calendula Nivea pure & natural lip care Olive_Lemon

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

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?

Chic guide: Quick fashion updates for the monsoon

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)

Stormwear Denims from Marks & Spencer

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

Catwalk Drops of Joy sandals

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

Lancome Hypnose waterproof mascara

 

Coming soon: Speaking Chic’s monsoon essentials

Lancome’s story of beauty, makeup and science

Veronique Delvigne speaks about Genifique and Lancome As Veronique Delvigne explains genomics and proteomics in her clipped French accent, her passion for science, research and beauty shines through. As Scientific Director of Lancome Paris, you’d think it came with her job, but that only partially explains why she is beauty and brains rolled into one.

Veronique was in India recently to talk about the science behind two new products from the Lancome stable: Génifique Youth Activator and Teint Miracle Foundation.

Speaking Chic had a brief chat with with her about the present and future of skin care, makeup and the business of beauty.

What has changed recently to spur the growth of makeup products with skin care benefits?

We always knew that makeup can play with the deepest layer of skin, rather than just the surface. But today we have understood how we can actually play with the inner layer. For example, we know certain active substances can stimulate or provide a “boost” to specific gene activity. We have applied this concept while developing the product Génifique. Then we have a new generation of foundation that contain moisturisers, enhance transparency and provide sunscreen and UV protection.

The new approach to skin care is also leading to other changes. The European Union has adopted a new seal to indicate PPD (persistent pigment darkening) as a measurement of sun protection. Under this system, a product with UVA protection of at least 1/3 of the SPF (UVB protection)  will get the new seal.

You spoke extensively about proteomics and genes, and how they play an important role in dealing with the problem of ageing skin. In what other areas of skin care can this science be applied?

We are just starting out in this field of research, and are currently working on the problem of skin dryness—it’s a universal problem. We have identified genes that are linked to cosmetic dryness, along with a set of proteins that can address this problem.

Natural and organic are the new buzz words in skin care and the beauty industry. What are your views on such products?

Firstly, it’s important to understand that the consumer is looking for safety in her products. We have demonstrated for specific active ingredients the need to use specific extracts of natural ingredients rather a complex or blend to create product efficacy. We need to create products that can deliver efficacy. For instance, rose extract is good for skin, but it’s not enough. Also, there are false concerns about preservatives. If you don’t use preservatives, the product’s oxidation takes place in just a few days and it starts smelling. So my advice is don’t believe in small brands, use something you trust.

What other factors play a role in getting good skin, besides diet and exercise?

Enjoy life! It’s very important to be positive. Being happy produces endorphins which are produced in the ectoderm, which is the same envelope as part that controls the skin. Hence there’s a direct connection between your state of mind and your skin. Your skin can convey your emotion. Besides, people older than 100 years are always very positive.

Makeup Review: Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation

My mom doesn’t like makeup. Her idea of makeup is lipstick and maybe a compact. She’s never applied foundation. So convincing her to try Lancome’s Teint Miracle Foundation was the tough part.

Lancome’s Teint Miracle Foundation is the latest from the stable of the brand’s scientific research-based products. The foundation uses Aura Inside Technology—a natural light creator—to recreate skin’s inner light. Teint Miracle Foundation uses the right combination of  new pink bioptic pigment and blue bioptic pigment to make your complexion appear lit-from-within.

The foundation’s main draws: it boosts radiance and you appear flawless.

Mom and I put these claims to test just before she headed out to lunch with her friends.

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation makeup We were both impressed with the rich-feel product packaging. As I helped my mom apply the foundation, I discovered it blended quite easily. (The Lancome makeup artist had told me earlier that the foundation was light, so if you’re looking for heavy coverage, this is not the right product for you.)

I set the foundation with some loose powder and waited a few minutes to check the foundation’s magic. Five minutes later, her skin seemed to glow, like she’d just done an expensive facial. And while mom doesn’t have any blemishes or pigmentation, her skin tone and texture seemed even, and mom looked radiant! Really.

As she headed off for lunch, I was afraid the foundation would get smudged or wiped off, or that people would know she’d done something to her face. But when she returned, she was still glowing, and beaming from the compliments she’d got from her friends. 🙂

Other reasons why we liked the foundation: it’s non-comedogenic (my mom’s skin didn’t break out), has SPF 15, is oil-free and stays on for a long time.

One reason I didn’t like the foundation: When I tried the foundation on myself (in the correct shade), it didn’t seem to do the same wonders it did for my mom.

Verdict: My mom loved the foundation, and will use Lancome’s Teint Miracle for special occasions. That’s a big thumbs-up!

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Rs 2700

Disclosure: Speaking Chic received this product for review from Lancome.

Chic wedding makeup: Mesmerising Metallic

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

Lancome metallic eyeshadow PosePlay 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?

Guide to chic Diwali makeup: Part 2

In our previous post, we gave you some ideas for Diwali makeup and hair styles. Here are some more ideas for a chic Diwali look.

Makeup idea 2: Hot lips

Reds, plums, rich coloured lips are in vogue right now. Try Lancome’s lipsticks for red-hot lips.

Speaking Chic tip: With lips the focus of your face, keeping the rest of the makeup to a bare minimum.

Lancome red lipstick

Makeup idea 3: Rainbow eyes

Lakme gypsy collection eyeshadowConfused what colour eye shadow to use: purple, cream or green? Use all three! I tried this idea last weekend, and the results were striking. It’s a bit tricky to pull off this look, but with the right choice of colour and a steady hand, you can rock it! (FYI: I got this idea from Lakme’s Gypsy collection.)

Speaking Chic tip:  Choose eye shadow colours carefully. Rule of thumb: use one colour to match your outfit, one neutral, and a third that will blend well soften your look.

Hair idea 2: Sleek & chic

Sleek hair at WLIFWMy meeting with TIGI’s Akos Bodi and the recent catwalk shows convinced me that sleek hair is tres chic this season. If you have straight hair like I do, you don’t need to use a straightener. Apply a heat-activated straightening product to wet hair, and blow dry your hair.

Speaking Chic tip:  Tie a tight ponytail to sleek hair, set the style with hair spray, then enjoy the rest of the day with touching your hair again!

 

 

 

 

 

How are you doing your makeup and hair this Diwali? Tell us!

Monsoon mini-guide: Part 2

[tweetmeme source=”spkngchic” only_single=false]

After part 1 of our monsoon mini-guide, Speaking Chic readers wrote in asking for more monsoon makeup and accessory tips. So here we go:

Makeup

  • Rule of thumb: Monsoon means minimum makeup. You don’t want your pancake getting washed away on your way to a meeting. So avoid the base if you can, and keep it basic.
  • Highlight your eyes with a white eyeshadow (very, very little) or one that is a shade lighter than your skin tone. You can dab some of it on your undereye circles if you don’t use a concealer. 
  • Use waterproof mascara. Try Maybelline or MAC—they really are water-resistant.
  • For lips, use a gloss that stays long, like Lancome Juicy Tubes. For an evening out, use a darker colour of gloss. And how about giving nude lipstick a shot?
  • An alternate evening look: nude look but with eye-catching lip colour (dare to use the red!).
  • If there’s one trend you don’t want to miss this season, it’s the pop colour everywhere, especially the nails! Try out pinks, purples and even blues! Yum!
  • pop colours nail polish

Hair

  • We can’t say this enough—anti-frizz is a must! Try L’Oreal’s anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner, or hunt for serums at your favourite imported goods store. If it suits your budget, ask for Kerastase Oleo Relax Anti-Frizz Serum (available at B:blunt and other salons).
  • On the days you don’t want to tame your mane, ditch the serum and let your hair behave the way it wants. After all, uncombed hair looks great this season, so if you’ve got a natural wave or loose curls in humid weather, use a dot of gel to take it a notch ahead.
  • For formal looks, try casual updos, for a more formal look. A few loose strands, a cute hair accessory like studded hair clips, and you’re all set.
  • If you’re having a hair cut this season, don’t go too short, or your mane won’t be long enough to for the upcoming festive season.

Accessories

  • Believe it or yawn, chunky is still in. Hunt for great bargains for chunky wooden/ lac bangles at local markets. These won’t strain your budget and will last the season.aldo_big ring
  • For a more sophisticated look, slip on an oversized ring. Guaranteed to draw attention to your bright nails. We like Aldo Accessories, trendy and complete VFM.
  • If you haven’t caught on to the chain reaction, now is the time. Multiple chains with charms and small crystals smarten up any outfit. BTW, all moms have long gold chains, so make sure your borrow those! Aldo_chain

What do you think of our mini-guide? Share your suggestions and tips in the comments box, or write to us at speakingchic [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Transformed: Vintage to Ultramodern!

I still remember the moment I first spotted it. It was late evening and I was in my PJs, rummaging through mom’s cupboard. The beige fabric had perhaps lost some its shimmer, but a good dry clean could restore some of its erstwhile glory. I dug deep for more information on this six-yard fabric, a sari I didn’t remember seeing earlier. The sari was her wedding gift from an American family friend, Mom explained. Unfortunately, she had no idea who the designer was.

Vintage sari

My surprised reaction was, “I didn’t know you had such a lovely sari!” The netted fabric had flowers woven into it, giving it the appearance of lace. Best of all—it was vintage!

Vintage definition It was to be my first family appearance in a sari (a cousin’s wedding reception) and I wanted it to be memorable (for them and for me). Now that I had discovered the perfect sari, I had to face a formidable challenge. Being a vintage garment, my look had to preserve the essence of the sari, but I didn’t want to look an auntie either. I concluded that I needed to drape the sari the traditional way, wear classic jewellery, while creating a look that stated modern, elegant and “quarter-life-crisis-has-just-struck-me” simultaneously.

Blouse hunt

It’s only in the past few seasons that the sari blouse suddenly rose to prominence on and off the ramp. The plain, self-colour blouse was boring; variety in colours, fabrics and embroidery were à la mode. Blouse-hunting turned out to be harrowing process, going from store to store, looking for the right match, comparing materials. The brocades were in the wrong colour, the velvets were too plain. We emerged from a trifle disappointed from all the stores we visited.

At the last store on the list, I pulled out a swathe of orange, sequins-laden georgette. I held it up against the sari, took it out in the sun, and voila! The rows of the little gold embellishments did not just spice up the sari, but also made it super stylish, with a dash of colour and bling.

Vintage is forever, so are diamonds

It was the ultimate fashion conundrum— what do you pair with a vintage outfit? How do you give it your personal signature while paying tribute to the original creator who laboured over it decades ago?

For starters, the accessories had to be timeless. And there’s nothing more timeless than diamonds. I opted for a dangling pair that ensured I looked my age, and teamed it with a simple ring and matching gold-and-diamond cuff.

Plum it up

It was an image of Dita von Teese on a beauty portal that inspired my makeup. Her bright red lips were too hot to handle for me, but I stole her idea of drawing attention to my lips. I followed the natural-looking layer of foundation with muted lilac eyeshadow and pink blush from MAC, but jazzed up the lips much as I could with an intense purple Lancôme lipstick that would stay through the event.

I already had a great haircut, so I just blow dried it the right way—a sideswept fringe across the forehead that had people asking for my stylist’s number!

Hey there, gorgeous!

The compliments that evening ranged from “So who did your makeup?” to “You’re looking sexy!” to “That’s a lovely sari! Which designer?”

But that all didn’t matter. The best compliment came from the original owner of the sari, my mom, who said, “The sari is perfect for you. It’s yours now!”

Wearing an invaluable vintage garment albeit with a contemporary touch is a sartorial experience I’d advise all young women to try. Why? Because it made me feel good, it made me appreciate the real artisans, and because it was one of my biggest style moments. I left the reception as radiant as the bride.

This post is the official entry to Star World Betty of Elle Contest- http://www.starworld.in. Being an ardent fashion follower and blogger (feel free to explore the Speaking Chic blog and the Twitter feed) as well as a word lover, getting a chance to work at Elle would fuel my passion for fashion, style and writing. Elle India’s approach of balancing high-end fashion and spot-on trends with engrossing features and cutting-edge photo shoots is the perfect launchpad for a career in fashion writing and blogging. I hope to make this kind of writing be taken seriously in India, and developing an online Indian fashion destination. With the great insights into the fashion and publishing industry that I get from the internship, I would improve my fashion knowledge and eye for fashion, style, aesthetics and trends. I’d learn about the fashion business, how to identify trends and ideate, the ropes of styling, magazine design and photography, and even what it takes to produce a 200+ page magazine month after month with great content. At the end of the two months, I would be in a better position to combine my journalism and content development background with fashion to develop a distinctive writing style that would make me a better fashion blogger and writer (I aspire to be India’s answer to Cathy Horyn and Suzy Menkes :-)). Above all, the internship will be the experience of a lifetime, and I will emerge enriched in every way possible.