Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

Chic List: Things that shine! (Part 2)

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!)

CKJ metallic bag AW 12

Croc shopper from French Connection

FC Camden Croc Zip Shopper Bag

Bag from Steve Madden

Steve Madden BPANDORA_FUSCHIA

Shoes

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

Vanilla Moon

504-MINK-BRONCE-METTALIC

Charles & Keith

Charles & Keith silver shoes

 

Steve Madden

Steve Madden SUTTTLE_DUSTY-GOLD

 

Jewellery

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

Myra's the New Age Chic Collection by Tara Jewellers (1)

Bangles from Toniq

Toniq-9923 (1500 x 1000)

Bonus: Makeup that shines!

Maybelline hyperglossy eye liner

Maybelline hyperglossy liner

Body pigment powder from Inglot

body pigment powder 17 Rs. 800

Beauty Review: Maybelline Baby Lips

Beauty Review: Maybelline Baby Lips

I’ve always loved lip balms- even before my tryst with lip glosses and creams, so I checked out Maybelline’s Baby Lips.

Maybelline Baby Lips

Available in Care and Color ranges (in seven cleverly-named flavours), my friend Lincy tried the Mango Pie (Care- Rs 125) and I tried the Cherry Kiss (Colour- Rs 150). Here’s our experience with the lip balms.

Are the lip balms as moisturizing as they should be? Yep, they’re soothing and my lips feel moisturized immediately after application. I particularly like the smooth, thick texture of the product. And as the product packaging claims, the balm actually does keep my lips moisturized for hours. I only need to apply it once in the morning and it’s good enough for rest of the day.

Maybelline Baby Lips

The colour of the Cherry Kiss is a light tinge of pink and almost looks like a lip gloss, but without the heavy-duty shimmer. Unfortunately the flavour is not too potent, with just a slight hint of mango and cherry that lasts barely a few seconds.

Lincy loves the balm so much to admit she’s almost addicted to it, running to re-apply it every couple of hours! And I love it too. I can’t wait for the Cherry Kiss to get over so I can try Coral Flush! Mmmmm….. 😉

Chic Guide: Top 5 things to do this week (Sep 24-30)

Chic Guide: Top 5 things to do this week (Sep 24-30)

Indulge in a “precious” bag

Each piece in Hidesign’s Blossom Collection by Alberto Ciaschini takes more than 30 hours to create, and the delicate ‘flower buds’ are embedded with Swarovski crystals. With only 60 pieces available of each design, this is luxurious craftsmanship at its best. If you’d like to indulge some more, check out Audelade’s bags of handcrafted and hand-woven fabric made of gold / silver in combination with finest quality natural leather.

Below: Blossom Collection from Hidesign, bag from Audelade

Hidesign Blossom evening bag_black

 

Audelade BA00006 INR 202000 - Copy

Blossom Collection available at select Hidesign stores across India. Prices Rs 12,500 (clutch), Rs 18,500 (evening bag). Audelade available at Skyzone, Phoenix Mills, Mumbai. Prices start at approximately Rs 25,000 for clutches.

Cheer in style

Skip the team jersey this T20 World Cup, and opt for more stylish clothes to show your support for your favourite team. Check out Sher Singh’s country polos that “represent” India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies and other T20 teams. And then there is FreeCultur’s T20 range of crew neck cricket-centric tees. While these tees are designed for cricket-loving men, I don’t see why women can’t wear them too!

Below: Regular fit India Polo in Nawab Blue from SherSingh.com, Tshirt from Freecultr.com

The Regular Fit India Polo in Nawab Blue INR 1399

Freecultr-cricket tee

Available at SherSingh.com (Rs 799 onwards) and Freecultr.com (Rs 599 onwards).

Get updated

Here’s the latest news from the fashion and shopping world:

Furla’s first India store is now open at Palladium, Mumbai. It’s got brightly coloured bags, clutches and wallets in its launch collection.

Accessories brand Stuart Weitzman will soon be in India through a long-term franchise agreement with Reliance Brands. The India launch will be early next year with stores in Delhi and Mumbai. The price range is expected to be Rs.25,000-Rs.75,000.

Stuart Weitzman RESERVE_DPS

Also, Myntra now sells saris from a dozen brands like FabIndia, Satya Paul and Satyavee Designs.

And Amit Aggarwal now makes has saris too- under his eponymous label (available at Ensemble). Expect his expertise in fluid drapery in his saris too.

Amit Aggarwal sari

Doll up your eyes

Highlight your gorgeous Indian eyes with some interesting products- Lakmé Eyeconic kaljal and curling mascara. The Eyeconic Kajal claims to last 10 hours, while Eyeconic Curling Mascara comes with a curling brush for defined lashes. The more interesting mascara is from Maybelline New York- it’s called the The Falsies Mascara which hopes to give a false-mascara look with more visible and fuller lashes.

Below: Lakme Eyeconic kajal and mascara, Maybelline New York Falsies Mascara

Lakme Eyeconic Range    Falsies V E_Product

Available at leading department stores across the country. Prices: Lakmé Eyeconic kajal Rs. 199, Lakmé Eyeconic mascara Rs. 250, Maybelline New York Falsies Mascara Rs 425.

Discard old season styles

I’m bored of the overtly feminine look of spring/ summer 2012. So pack up the girly prints, pastel blouses, pleated skirts and pussybow blouses. The new fashion season is here- enjoy it!

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

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!

109 F sale

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

Key to my heart Charm Necklace from ToniqAldo earrings

Sia kundan ring

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.

Braids at bblunt Braids at bblunt

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.

Lakme Lip Love conditionerMaybelline Colossal mascara black

Colorbar Nail Polish                                          Lotus Herbals kajal

Have a great Friendship Day weekend with your friends!

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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