Lipstick!

Isha Sharvani's fat mu designed pout from Luck by Chance - photo by Abheet Gidwani courtesy of Excel Entertainment.

This morning I was at Saltwater cafe in Bandra, ordering my usual cappuccino when I was momentarily stunned, out of nowhere came a bright flash of pink - a full fushcia pout! So early in the morning?....I was a bit taken back.......but then I thought....non! Why not? It's bold and sexy and what a statement!

It made Mulain think about putting on lipstick ...it doesn't always have to be about the eyes...focus on the lips can be just stunning.

It seems that statement lips are exploding this season! Juicy, tomato lips are strikingly-stylish with massive 'wow' factor not only a fantastic look for confident smiles but a lovely mouth is mouth-wateringly juicy for your loved one. If you happen to be 'colour-shy' try options of colour gloss or tints so you don't miss on the fun.

Mulain recommends.....
MAC - 'Morange' Lipstick GBP 11.26 - traffic-stopping effect.
Nars - 'Lolita' Semi-matt lipstick GBP 17 - for a sheer orange colour.
No.7 - 'Tangerine Twist' Lipicious Gloss GBP 9 - for a tangerine tint.

So go pout, pucker, kiss, smack, smile - flaunt those lips babyee.....MWAH!

Mulain x

ps - fat mu think Isha Sharvani has one of the best pouts in Bollywood - check out her lips from 'Luck by Chance' - designed by our very own MU Natasha.

In the Pink!

Mulain was sitting with his MUs in a loo-verly Bandra cafe today when our bon amie Ashima Narain popped in to say 'bonjour' and keep us updated on her latest escapades. Such an interesting girly this one.....photographer, documentary film-maker....you must see 'er film 'In the Pink' about Mumbai's very own Flamingos and 'The Last Dance' http://thelastdance.info/index.htm which 'ighlights the plight of the poor dancing bears we 'ave here in India. Well done ma cherie....great work ..... you are definitely a fat mu mu-se!

Ashima was telling us all, over a fabulous cappucino, about returning from a trip to Rajasthan followed by the Ajanta-Ellora caves. What she told us about the caves made us a leetle sad my friends. Apparently these old, old sights are not looked after and lots of cement slap-on work going on with no craftmanship, care, finesse, pride 'appening? What is this? Now we 'ave all travelled around this very fine subcontinent and marvelled at the temples, palaces, shrines, sculptures, reliefs, caves, tanks and our beloved Taj Mahal......are we doing enough to save our 'eritage!

Mulain does not understand how we used to create such magnificant works and now can't even manage a leetle maintenance...absurd! Zut alors......

We should be so proud my dears of our past.....and take care of our future , tres importante....

Ok...my rant is done....this leetle Champagne socialist will be back to La Maquillage tomorrow...

Til then....mwah....Mulain x

Palettes galore!

Mulain is so tempted to 'op on a plane straight to the beauty hall of Selfridges to check out all these GORGEOUS, to-tally inspiring make-up palettes that 'ave been launched - pops of de-lightful colours from pop to rainbow, from Japanese pop culture to 'The Garden of Eden' - so mu-ch to choose from and so mu-ch fun to be 'ad!

My favourite is Bobbi Brown's 35 pop colour eye-tray http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/news/090325-bobbi-brown-brights-palette.aspx/Gallery,Make-up%20Palettes/ - just wonderful...please check this out. Also see Monsiuer Uemura's creative offering for the Spring and Summer of 2009....http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/news/081009-shu-uemura-holiday-collection.aspx/Gallery,Make-up%20Palettes/.

Also to watch out for is our lovely Chanel's 'Best of British' range with super-fun Union Jack inspired make-up, the long-awaited D&G new make-up range fronted by Scarlett J inspired by 50s glamour and Italian landscapes....available in good old Selfridges, MACs 'Hello Kitty' and other fantastique Bobbi Brown palettes - from nudes to mauves to copper .......we are just too spoilt my darlings.

We mu-st find the time to shop! Am off to find my MU's Natasha and Virgine to 'atch a plan.....too much work and no play makes Mulain a dull bull!

Moi....x

I am a man!

Mulain is in a very good moo-d! Lots of declarations of love and admiration, always puts a spring in le step. But I mu-st clear one teensy-weensy thing up....Je suis un homme! I suppose I may look like a femme fatale to some - ok so I like lipstick (Onyx Aperitif is to die for), Liza Minelli and colourful scarves. Camp I may be lay-deeze and gents but I am pure bull beneath it all..... I assure you. So 'ope that sorts out a few misconceptions that 'ave been flying around and do 'ope I 'ave n't broken too many hearts my dears.

In a slight bad moo-d though - 'alf of zee city did not vote....some said too 'ot! some said too busy....some said 'what's the point?'......too sad for India. People died so we could 'ave this privilege....crazee.....imagine you could not vote...then 'ow would you feel. Tssk, Tssk!

Anyway......in with loov-e out with anger, in with loo-ve out with anger.

'Ope you all have divine plans for le weekend - I am contemplating my plans.....maybe Blue Frog http://www.bluefrog.co.in/ which I always enjoy - great live music and cool people - or should I head to Indigo for a mouth-watering dinner? http://www.foodindigo.com/ - I just loo-ve their Kiwi Margaritas...so refreshing in the 'eat.....A certain Spartan Hollywood actor is in town and I know Monsieur S R Khan is 'aving a party for 'im....Should I go and rub shoulder to shoulder with Tinsel Town - all will be vying to see this man of 300 fame - all the Bollywood gym boys would love 'is physique and will be comparing, flexing.....sounds like too much testostorone for me......maybe I could just stay in with a glass of red wine and my leetle book 'Eat, pray, love'.......three great things for life....food, spiritualitee et l'amour.....Will keep you in zee loop.

Remember people - whatever you do for the next two days - look after your skin! Lots of water....lots of sun-cream and take off your macquillage - tres importante. (Lancome and Shisheido both do fabulous eye make-up removers which take off zee most stubborn of mascaras).

Ok - lecture over - go enjoy and we'll chat soon.

Mulain x

J'Adore Tudor!

Election queues are 'uge and long....tres bien people - great to see.....piggy 'flu is rife, a pandemic fast approaching....but we shall be brave and carry on like courgeous little soldiers....life goes on....the MUs are working 'ard - mu-ving and shooting, mu-ving and shooting.. and in theeze 'ot weather....mon dieu!


The MU's have also been catching up with friends from around the world - one being the lovely Steven Waddington....who is a favourite of ours....we just loo-ve 'im...what a funny boy! The MU's worked with this hunk of gingerness 4 years ago for a 'uge Hallmark TV mini-series in Rajasthan.....now he is co-starring with the very Sex-ee Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in 'The Tudors' which 'as proved a big hit overseas...people just love men in tights and all that 16th century frolicking...oh la la - Mulain is blushing.......Seems that the West is going Wild for Tudors maintenant....New York, Dolce & Gabbana, 'The Other Boleyn Girl'.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/fashion/16TRENDS.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=tudormania&st=cse

Mulain loves the style of the period but is chuckling to 'imself, observing the other ginger hunk Henri zee VIIIth, with all 'is wives, is not so dis-similar to some of zee men we know - are zee dark ages still with us?

Off for fish curry...Mulain x

Election fever!

Mulain 'opes you are going to vote tomorrow!

We do not care at fat mu 'oo you vote for but pleeze I ask you - exercise this prilivege. Your vote does count.....if you don't like zee system, change zee system!

In an ideal world Mulain would like to see roads with no 'oles, less traffic somebody pleeze....flying cars like in zee '5th Element' would be much better non? We are 'oping that the opening of the Worli-Sealink bridge will make a difference to all us Mumbaikers - let us watch and wait mon amis. This maximum city also needs maximum nights, reversal of the 'omo-sexuality law would be great, all leetle children to have a right to education, men with super long finger nails should be banned - tres importante and everyone should 'ave a full body massage at least once a month - we must de-stress living on such a teeny-tiny bit of land with so many millions. C'est incroyable 'ow we do it....really!

So for tomorrow - pleeze no more throwing of the slipper, putting pebbles in chopper fuel tanks and enough armchair politics - cast your vote - the world is watching us India - Chalo!

Mulain x

Mulain loo-ves McQueen!

Zut Alore! Swine flu' - Mulain is a 'leetle' worried but 'allo....let us get distracted with the wonderful creations that are appearing on the world-wide ramps - La Tilbury, McGrath, 'out-of-show-retirement' Monsieur Nars....loo-verly visions my darlings and all the MUs here are soaking up the inspiration and bubbling with creative idees to put into motion......please check Francois Nar's make-up design for Marc Jacobs for 2009/10....http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/news/090219-marc-jacobs-autumnwinter-2009.aspx/Gallery,Make-Up%20Trends/ and Charlotte Tilbury's Sepia inspired make-ups.....http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/news/090220-donna-karan-collection-autumnwinte.aspx/Gallery,Make-Up%20Trends/ and to-tally mad is one of our favourite designer Monsieur McQueen's looks, such a crazy cat but we love 'im for being bold, brilliante, differente...http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/news/090312-alexander-mcqueen-autumnwinter-200.aspx/Gallery,Make-Up%20Trends.

So to all you aspiring artistes de macquillage....look around you and get creative, inspired, mad - excell! mon amis - don't stress about this leetle piggy probleme, or the mad politician's of India and the world.....focus, focus and bring some joy, couleur and art to theeze leetle planet of ours...

Right... am off as the MUs are mu-ving HQ today and it 'is all go 'ere....

Caio Bellas.....I loo-ve you!

Mulain x

To age or not to age?

'Aving recently worked with a top celeb who swore by 'Frownies' http://www.frownies.com/ to make her character lines disappear over-night - Mulain is questioning the instant face-lifts pots, potions and pills that are out there. Must say I am a leetle concerned with all theeze instant, quick-fix promises....what are we to believe mon amis and do we really need them?

One of the fastest 'quick-fix' options I 'ave come across on the market is http://www.60secondfacelift.com/ which us MUs find truly incroyable.....Pleeze see the 'before and after' photos.....how is theeze done? and what ingredients are they using 'ere? Mon dieu! 'Ave also explored world renowned skin and anti-ageing specialist Dr.Perricone's site and 'e claims that you may have a facelift in your fridge! http://www.perriconemd.com/category/perricone+lifestyle/3-day+facelift.do. Emmy award winning make-up artist Art Harding 'as also come up his miracle wonder product and swears by it..... http://www.instantfacelifts.com/ .....

Honestly mon amis 'ere at fat mu we urge you not to get so obsessed with the lines, the wrinkles .....it is your choice people but we advise a balanced life of less stress, good food, healthy living and a lovely glass of red wine, plain old joie-de-vivre - life is too short as it is....stop sweating zee small stuff and age gracefully......a la Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, our lovely Catherine Deneuve, Biana Jagger, Susan Sarandon! Fat mu loo-ve theeze women - and honestly maybe they 'ave 'ad a leetle work done....it seems to be all about moderation my darlings.....

So live life, enjoy, be 'appy.....and age.....

Mulain x

Cannes-cannes!

Mulain is getting too excited, it is one of my favourite times of the year...Le Festival De Cannes! Yes everyone it's that time of year when the Slumdog Oscars are behind us, Spring is in the air and we get to see what is coming our way 'movie' wise for the next few months - although Mulain has heard that Champayne and foie gras is off le menu!! sign of the times my friends ......even world-renowned Jacques Dessange is not just cutting hair, but cutting his team too. Snip!

Personally I cannot wait to watch Monsiuer. Tarantino’s World War II action movie “Inglourious Basterds"..what a gen-i-us that man is...fat mu would love to work with 'im....watch this space.....Also on this year’s festival bill are Ang Lee's “Taking Woodstock,” and Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" where we...the general public...... get to see this fantasy movie that includes the last film performance by Heath Ledger - so, so sad.

The festival is scheduled to start on May 13 and is opening up with a Disney / Pixar animated film 'Up' - a first time for any animated / 3D film - Congratulations Disney!

The fat mu girls are not strangers to La Disney family.....last year they worked with the fabulous 'Cheetah Girls' and this year they are designing the 'Air & Make-up for Disney's first feature in India.

As usual....Mulain will keep you updated on the latest buzz from the festival and is 'appy to tell you that the closing filme on May 24 will be about our very own and very lovely Madame Chanel with the biographical film “Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky".

A Bientot my darlings....

Mulain x

P.s - Mulain thinks that if you 'ave the time and inclination, whip out your micro-bikinis and speed-os, book a 'cheep' flight, 'ead for Cannes and soak up the sun and ambience of the French Riveria.

Vive Le Gaultier!

Today our 'leetle' Natasha is rushing off to shoot for GQ magazine with a high-profile 'ero from the Bollywood screen - can't drop a name as GQ super-stylist Arjun Bhasin would 'keel' us. Speaking of La Bhasin.....he recommended us MUs a fabulous product by France's own Gaultier - 'Monsieur Powder Bronzer' - use Jean Paul Gaultier Powder Bronzer for a discreet, natural, healthy look and what is great iz that it comes in a very easy-to-use, practical case with a mirror and brush.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P216313&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=2952

Monsieur Gaultier has stated on his website that he has "made a firm commitment to men and their increasingly open relationship with grooming". Vive Le Gaultier.....!

Maquillage for the man seems to the buzz thing - man-cake! manscara! everything now is for 'im....not just 'er. Mulain is tres content with this new trend in the beauty biz, for years I have been searching for the perfect creams and potions - now I 'ave lots of options...Product's I love are....Benefit's 'You Rebel' tinted moisturizer (in 2 tones) is a male must-have.... fat mu can say that Arjun Rampal is a big fan of this! It adds a loo-verly glow to the face - good in all weathers.

According to a fab little article I read on www.ponystep.com Biotherm 'bronzer' is THE product to look out for- always with bronzers my dears - I say keep it light and not mythological....but whatever takes your fancy.

Everyone is jumping on this male make-up bandwagon....visit any big brand on-line and you'll find skin-care and make-up for everyone - as it should be.

What an exciting time for all us make-up loo-vers .....I say visit...

www.sephora.com
http://www.biotherm-usa.com/_us/_en/men/
www.benefitcosmetics.com

and as always - pleeze, pleeze let me know if you find a 'leetle' gem of a product...

Remember people.......sharing is caring!

Mulain x

Mulain sees the light!

Ola people and listen up – especially going out to Rachel in the Bush!

Today we are going to attack zee problem of dark circles!

From melting Mumbai to Springtime Paris - every Tom, Dick and 'Arry is on the look-out for the perfect eye-blaster. That quick fix, that right cream, that magic wand, the perfect cure...even recipes!? to lift, lighten, brighten, to ensure your eye-area is perfect - Mulain is besieged with desperate pleas of revealing a remedy for this probleme so as always I am 'ere ready to 'elp….read closely and concentrate....

You must first ...sleep well, exercise, drink lots of l'eau and de-stress! From the land of the temples - as zee old saying goes..... treat your body as one - c'est vrai mon cheres.

At fat mu HQ we know the quick make-up fixes for instant radiance and brightness - YSL 'Touche Eclat' in 3 colours (no.3 may work on some Indian tones - make sure you try first in natural day light, not the morgue-style lighting of the department store..what are they thinking?). MAC 'Studio Finish Concealor' - again do try before you buy - getting your correct couleur is vital! Benefit's 'Lemon-aide' for pale skins is excellente and we just love, love, love the packaging 'bravo Benefit'....pour 'Les Professionals' out there we have found in our many, many years of experience, Kryolan 'derma' is the best for Indian skins - for a mix and match artiste it is truly the best - just remember to keep it light on the brush.

For skincare we are currently experimenting with Garnier 'Under Eye Caffeine Roller' for de-puffing those peepers in the early hours - watch this space! Aussi.....we hear 'Eyederma' is superior for all the eye problemes...dark circles, 'character lines', smoothing skin on zee lids....Mulain is currently investigating these and will pass on any useful information as quickly as possible!

If of course you are still struggling with all of the above... there is nothing a large pair of fabulous, dark glasses cannot hide while also maintaining a 'Garbo style' air of mystery - remember my darlings there are options for us all......

Mulain x

The Freida Pinto look!

So... you want to know how to look like our Slumdog sweetheart...Jamal's Helene de Troy...that belle du jour with the flawless skin ...that unblemished beauty at the train station looking for her love....... then follow closely... 'The Freida Pinto look'!.. 'ot off the press from the fat mu HQ.....!


Les Produits:
-Cosmetics a la carte liquid 'Skin Tint' in' Gold honey'
-Screen face loose 'Transluscent' powder
-Screen face gel blush in ' Barely rouge'
-MAC eyeshadow in ' Woodwinked'
-Screen face Neutral eye shadow palette
-Bobbi Brown gel liner in 'Black ink'
-Maybelline mascara in black
-Revlon kohl pencil in brown
-Shisheido cream highlighter
-Bobbi Brown lip gloss in 'Maple tint'


Face:
To begin our Natasha first prepped Freida's skin (cleanse, tone, moisturise) ...tres importante to create a lovely canvas to work on and for the make up to stay on looking fresh and glowing all day...


After prepping the skin , Natasha smoothed the Cosmetics a la carte skin tint in ' Gold Honey' all over Freida's face to even out the skin tone and create a lovely glow.. she
then dusted the Screen face loose transluscent powder lightly all over to set it.. concentrating on the t-zone so that the glow from the face was still visible...


Eyes:
Tres simple.. without overloading too much eyeshadow but still getting 'leetle' bit artistic with zee eyes.. Natasha blended colours using a lovely champagne colour ' Woodwinked' from MAC and colours in browns and taupes from the Screen face Neutral shadow palette .


First she applied a wash of taupe eyeshadow from the Screen face palette over the entire eyelid to create a base....
Over that a wash of 'Woodwinked' from MAC again over the entire lid , concentration on the centre for a pop of colour and brightness to bring a sparkle to her eye.... ooh la la...
She then used a medium brown to contour the crease of the eyelid and on the outer corner of the eye for a bit of a lift and to create definition.


After Natasha had finished applying the eyeshadows she used the Bobbi Brown gel liner in 'Black ink' very closely to the top lash line to accentuate and add even more definition... followed by black mascara on both the top and lower lashes and finished off a soft brown kohl pencil inside the rim of the lower lash line...


Cheeks:
On her cheeks a lovely gel blush by Screen face in 'Barely rouge' was applied.. concentration most of it on the apple of her cheek to bring a very natural flush to her face... like loves first blush... ah..! i am such a romantique 'ol fool...


Lips:
A slick of Bobbi Brown lip gloss in ' Maple tint' was applied for a very natural look whilst still adding leetle colour, moisture and shine


Highlight:
To complete the look a lovely champagne creme highlighter by Shisheido was used on the top of her cheekbones and brow bone to bring the whole look together and light up her lovely angelic face...


Voila ! 'ope theeze helps... tomorrow Rachael we will talk about your dark circles and 'ow to still look fresh and lovely ze morning after....


a demain...


Mulain x

Slumdog Lolitas

Oof ! So 'ot in melting Mumbai!! My top tip to you ladies ... and gents who love wearing make- up - in this heat, keep it simple.. a bit of gloss, waterproof mascara and a little rouge et voila we are set - oh and a pretty compact in your handbag is a must- but the most importante accessory - L' air conditioning !

Talking about the heat i am still 'ot in the head after reading about our 'leetle' lolita Rubina. Tell me who dresses up as an arab and walks into a poor man's 'ome and offers 'im a small fortune for his daughter?? But then on the other hand who accepts such an offer from a man dressed as an arab? Mulain is not here to judge but we are asking is there anyone thinking of our little darling Rubina...that is the most importante thing! Ooh i am all 'ot in the head again so back to something lighter... lets talk of our other Lolita taking tout le monde by storm in a thankfully more glamourous way- our very own Freida Pinto...

Here at fat mu we are so proud to see our lovely Bombay beauty flanked by Kate, Claudia, Mario....and holding her own! We love you Mademoiselle Pinto...so poised, graceful and dignified...fat mu have had lots of requests about how to look like you....and so...tomorrow I will reveal to everyone the Slumdog look that started the Freida Pinto rage.

One day Rubina we 'ope to see you gracing the pages of Vogue, Elle, Bazaar, not just News of Zee World.

Until tomorrow - a bientot - Jai Ho!

Mulain x

Bravo Mademoiselle Campbell!

fat mu HQ are so impressed with Naomi Campbell visiting our lovely shores to show tout le monde that India is open for business! We applaud you and your colleagues for coming here and spreading zee love.....using your time and position to help those in need in these desperate, dark times that we are living in....Natasha and Od thought you were just di-vine! You are a bright star and have left us feeling good in theeze little old town of ours.

Mulain can disclose to fans out there that Mde. Campbell loo-ves and uses make-up products by NARS, CARGO, BOBBI BROWN.....excellente taste!

So again bravo to you but Mulain is a 'leetle' disappointed with the Indian cricket world though - IPL abroad and not here...Pourquoi mons amis? What are we saying to the world?....come, visit, but we are leaving?...I am very confused....anyone out there 'oo can shed light on this...s'il vous plait?

Mulain x

Boyle-ing over!

Monsieur Rouge wants to know is anyone else going ga-ga over the talent of La Boyle?...And we the Slumdog team are not talking of a certain director Boyle - Chanteuse Mademoiselle Susan Boyle took our breath away and must say brought a 'leetle' tear to my eye as I watched her on you-tube. Mon Dieu....what a shock and what a talent - in the recent trend for the under-dog Mde. Boyle has run away with the top prize. La Streisand watch out.....of course here at fat mu HQ we would love to add some rouge, some gorgeous lashes and lips and give her the added va-va vroom she needs - once she is re-packaged ...I see Vegas - sell-out concert nights galore.

Bon Chance Mde Boyle - we are watching you and wish you well.

Don't forget that Rouge now...

Mulain........x

From Fashionista to Recessionista!

Having recently read the term 'Recessionista' in a hi-end, totally cool fashion publication (that shall not be named) .....it has made me think....we are all in the same bateau! Nips and tucks going on in every direction and we have no choice but to embrace the reality of the world economic situation and make it cool and hip - to quote a recent super-duper hit..'Jai Ho'!

So us MUs at HQ are urging all to do just this - simply open yourselves to different brands, using your slate-grey matter upstairs to be innovative, more creative - mixing your Chanel with Chambor......your Lancome with Lakme, your Bobbi Brown and Benefit with Boots, your Rubenstein with Rimmel (need I go on?).

Let's get uber-excited and call it a creative cross-over which will frankly add value to your beauty know-how!

Think outside the beauty box people and turn this 'Make-up Recession' into a 'Make-up Revolution'!

Mulain Rouge x