The Perfect One-step Facial Cleanser?

Friends - we know the world is falling apart as we speak, bomb testing to our right, missile testing to our left, bankruptcies galore not to mention diabolical human rights atrocities not far from our very shores....but amidst all this boom, doom and gloom Mulain has made a wonderful discovery!.....Please don't think of me as shallow my darlings but Mulain is so happy to think he has found the perfect facial cleanser and is to-tally excited by his find....Oui this little beauty I swear removes Bombay from my face everyday, leaving my skin looking and feeling fab-ulous! It suites all skin types, smells yummy thanks to the extract of orange ingredient and is a 2-in-1 delight so saves us on time, effort and money.....brilliante, brilliante and brilliante. You just need some soft cotton-wool, shake the bottle and off you go 'chalo'....urging you to try as it's too good. It's name is Clarins, Demaquillant Tonic Express available all over the world from Paris to Shoppers Stop, Mumbai!

Do let me know what you think - Mulain x

We love Bobbi B!

One of my favourite make-up designers Madame Bobbi Brown says "Platinum instantly highlights and gives the face a fresh, modern edge," and Mulain totally agrees. With this in mind, seems she has designed a new selection of summer make-up called The Platinum Collection. This includes velvety, long-wearing cream shadows, some luminous lip glosses and the gorgeously shimmering, fragranced body oil which is packed with pink and platinum pearls, can you imagine my friends? Just de-lightful! And the icing on the cake for me is the Platinum Pink version of Brown's ever popular Shimmer Brick - featuring five bars of softly sparkling colours from golden coral to pretty rose for a subtly radiant glow. Available at Bobbi Brown counters and http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/.

We love you Bobbi!

Mulain x

Toxic Beauty!

Lip watch....

Mulain is aware he keeps you up-to-speed on what's hot and what's not....but it is also my gentleman-ly, ethical duty to keep you in the loop with the safety aspects of la macquillage. Oui...again the 'too much lead in lipstick' levels are being discussed and thrown in the air. Most big beauty houses do follow the guidelines of what is allowed and noone is out there to knowingly poison you my darlings...but it is tres importante to be aware of what you are putting on your skin at all times....everything gets absorbed into you - weird and strange notion I know. So when you buy....ask your sales person questions...they should know about ingredients of their make-up, it is your right as a consumer. Mineral make-up is trying to be as natural as possible so that is a good route for you to explore if you are concerned with toxic make-up. Don't panic though....make-up has never been 'safer' I feel.....just do a bit of homework and try before you buy.

Be sexy and safe....Mulain x

Be happy...

What faces! characters! expressions! I love! Ok - today the lesson is short and sweet so listen up! Mulain is concerned.......are you all happy? Do you like yourselves?....Think I am having an Oprah moment here but my darlings.....everyday I get asked....How to look beautiful? How to be beautiful? How to feel beautiful? Mulain always has to remind people.....you ARE beautiful.....Such a cliche my dears but so true.....don't fall into the trap of not fitting into the conventional beauty box....we are all different and that is just wonderful....imagine how boring life would be if we all looked the same....Mon dieu!

Don't focus on the negative and don't be fooled by the mazazines that photoshop people into plastic dollies and unrealistic puppets, read the following link on the retouching of celebrities from the New York Times.....http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/fashion/28RETOUCH.html?ref=style....it is all plastic my lovelies and a big business.....so don't get swallowed in! Love everything about yourselves - your nose, your hair, your hips, your tummy, your character lines....keep fit, be nice, don't focus on yourself and the rest will fall into place....Make-up is there to enhance what you are....not mask you.....Live life, love life, laugh as much as you can, dance like noone is watching and please keep your perspective on things....Mulain is truly preaching today n'est ce pas? Just want you to be happy....that is all....and there endeth the lesson.

Mulain x

The laughing MU's on Hallmark's King Tut!

On-line tips and tricks

Confused by make-up? Too many colours and textures and trends....don't panic people - with the assistance of the fat mu gang, moi and people like Lauren Luke on-line - you will be able to design your own make-up and personal kit like a true champ. With Mademoiselle Luke there is the continuing theme of the year - the under-dog rising against all odds and succeeding. Hurrah! Mulain thinks this 27 year old, single maman from England is to-tally inspiring.......Lauren Luke is the most popular site on YouTube UK and it's all about make-up, looking good and making the best of yourself - log onto www.bylaurenluke.com/ to check her out - Lauren seems like a lovely, normal mademoiselle 'oo does make-up tutorials on-line and tells you how to do different fashion and beauty looks. Now she has her own line of make-up too and is set to take-over the States. Well done Ms. Luke, we shall keep watching you at fat mu HQ - just shows that anything is possible if you try my friends.

fat mu HQ will also be doing some fun things on YouTube - fun tips and tricks will be coming your way soon.

Mulain x

Lashes like Ash's....

....... Lashes are the icing on the cake for your eyes my friends, and we all could use a little help and advice on design and application. So you will all be pleased when I tell you that one of my good friends, a certain Monsieur Uemura is introducing a pop-up make-up bar in London's Selfridges throughout the month of December as a preview to its official launch in the department store next year - now how cool is that? If you want your lashes to look like Ash's then The Tokyo Lash Bar is the right place for you....it will be offering make-up sessions using the brand's trademark avant garde cosmetics and false eyelashes, ranging from a lash application lesson right through to a full makeover with one of Shu's senior make-up artists. Starting from £10, it's available at Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London. Call 0800 123 400 to find out more. Get with the programme people and get yourselves booked in and check out his world http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/ .......don't forget to tell Shu I said hi!


Mulain x

India's Weird and Wonderful!

Isn't he a delight my friends? You know in India - one just never knows what is around the next corner. It's a mix of the mad, the bad, the sad, the weird, the wonderful, the exotic, the kitsch, the whacky, the rich, the poor, the 'in-betweens', the holy men, the cows (MUU!), the old, the new, the forgotten, the discovered, the good, the glamorous, the forts, the palaces! All in all - it's just fab-ulous! A sensory treat for all and a constant kaleidoscope of inspiration for all at fat mu HQ....... I just LOO-VE it.....never a dull day in Mulain's Mumbai world.

My lovely MU Natasha spotted our friend above while filming for Salaam-e-Ishq in Rishikesh. Just wonderful!

Speaking of wonderful - I am having a super-relaxing Sunday in the city - watching my mango tree sway in the breeze and watching the Monsoon clouds slowly building up - thinking that the rains are coming soon my lovelies and also of all my MU's up to their eye-balls in air-brushing, prosthetics, facial hair, making up hundreds of extras....busy little bees.

Mulain is exhausted just thinking of it all, so off for a masala chai and a much needed little cow-nap.

Mulain z z z z z z z x

Michelle ma belle..

Michelle has brains !

Tout le monde is having a love affair with Mrs. Barack Obama, Michelle...Mulain's belle of the day. I think this loo-verly lady has got all the boxes ticked my friends - she is her own person, has her own style, seems to be kind, compassionate. Quietly confident, understated in her style and an impeccable decorum to boot. I applaud you Michelle...what a wonderful role model you are for us all.....and of course 'oo can forget you hugging the Queen at the G20....you and only you could have pulled that one off....and seems Madame Windsor was won over too.....

Michelle has compassion !

So carry on the way you are and we will hopefully watch you and your loo-verly family blossom in that big White House of yours....Mulain would love to come for tea?......

Michelle has style -her own!

So Mulain will take inspiration from today's mu-se and try and tick all his boxes......charm, finesse, style, kindness....charm, finesse, style, kindness...let's see how I get on....rushing off for a wedding by the Arabian sea with dancing and cocktails - and then off for a leettle partying in a sizzling hot Mumbai.

Enjoy your Saturday night people and tick those boxes too!

Til next time...

Mulain x

Let's b:blunt

Mulain asks are you hiding behind your hair?

Photo: Arjun Mark / Make-up & Hair Design fat mu

Mulain was 'appy to see his fellow MU with a fabulous new hair-do. Virginia had her hair cut today by the fabulously, talented Adhuna from b:blunt.......she cleverly and deftly snipped away her tired, Bombay-withered locks to achieve a sexy bob with an edge. Today my friends I am simply underlining to you the importance of you and your hair.

The power of hair - amazing what you can do - use imagination my friends! Mulain x
Photo: Arjun Mark / Make-up & Hair Design fat mu

Make-up and hair do not work in isolation - certainly not! No use getting your make-up right if your hair is terri-ble. And ladies - we know you hang onto your length as it feels safe....but ask yourself honestly ....what is it doing for you? Are you hiding behind it?...... Face your fears and get a style that suits you!.....Let the confident you inside break out......as my dear friend Hubert de Givenchy said..."Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself". Think about it people ....C'est vrai!

"Get inspired I say" - Mulain x
Photo: Arjun Mark / Hair & Make-up Design fat mu

Mulain says if you're getting snipped or styled in London try Adam and his team at Cobella, High Street Ken +44 20 7937 8888. In Mumbai we love Adhuna and her team at b:blunt in town 022 65980370 or Juhu 022 26285309.

Hope you have a hair-raising week-end my darlings - speak soon....

Mulain x

fat mu's 2-in-1 delights!

Mulain just loves Benefit!

Right Gals and Guys - listen up....the fat mu team trawled the shops and world wide web yesterday - facing the sweltering Bombay heat for all of you, searching for products that will make your lives easier in these busy, recession hit times.

So the word on the street is...

The new Stila website is up and running http://www.stilacosmetics.com/ with some fantastic 2-in-1 delights....Stila's Convertible Colour fab lipstick and blush-in-one is a must-have in your handbag for a quick fix, it brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent colour...and with a couple of dabs and taps of your fingers you have rouged your cheeks and popped your pout - great colour range too.

And there's more....Stila's Contouring Trio - enhances, defines, shapes and soften your features - Mulain is convinced this little show-stopper is a make-up artist in one little box! Each compact comes with 3 shades, light (a high-lighting powder), dark (a low-lighting powder), flash (a soft neutral shimmer), and simple instructions on how to paint / structure your face. To quote Madonna 'strike a pose'!

An all-time favourite brand at fat mu HQ is of course our fabu-lous Benefit! www.benefitcosmetics.com. We always say that Benefit's Benetint is a marvel in a bottle - a beautiful tint for your cheeks and lips - so natural, one resembles a work of art...the Posie tint is also de-lightful and a pleasure to have around.

When on-the-go or in a mad rush you can also always rely on Benefit's Bad Gal black liner.....it is ahead of itself people.....you can get lots of looks out of this steal....slight smoke, sexy smoke, indulgent smoke, 60s smoke.... inside our eye or outside....also draw it on your lids for a cheat to shadow, smudge away and you can transform from Schiffer to Bardot to Alice Cooper! Meow.....Also great is the Benefit's No.10 - cheek bones in a box I tell you....'ighlighter and shadow in one little package - two sweeps with the enclosed little blush and you are chiselled to glory - Naomi eat your heart out.

For a rather topical 2-in-1 option.....there is a Bronzer + flu beater all in one!..Yes my friends seems they 'ave thought of everything - for those of you who are concerned with piggy 'flu and want to look 'Cannes-tanned ' at the same time then this may be the product for you.........Alva Couleur bronzer..... It contains a natural powder derived from yeast called Wellmune, found to help support the immune system. So while you're glowing on the outside, this will be absorbed into skin to protect you on the inside, too. Mu-st try that one.

So for you busy people of the world - hope our 2-in-1 product tips help you and keep you ready for action - wherever you are globe-trotting.

Mulain x

Happy Birthday Eiffel Tower!

Photo courtesy of Picapp

Mulain has been celebrating as his lovely Tour Eiffel is 120 years old, Champagne, balloons..... but how I wish I was in my home city to celebrate!

Not to worry will spend time with the fat mu gang who are gearing up for their shooting schedules...busy time for all...I am off to shop now and check out what loo-verly make-up is out at the mu-ment - we are heading to Clarins, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden, Chanel and more...Mulain will let you know top tips for tomorrow - how to double up your products. Let's be clever people.

So til then my friends....bye for now...Mulain x

Monday's Child Is Fair Of Face!

Mulain woke up early today and thought...Voila!...it's just another manic monday......which then got me thinking about that old 1838 English Nursery Rhyme called 'Monday's Child'. If you remember....Monday's Child was fair of face....means what exactly.....? I do not know.....Tuesday's Child was full of grace....and the poem continues tra la la la la....but seeing as today is Monday it seemed apt to ponder about the 'fair of face' observation...especially since it seems to be a real obsession with people here.....

Victorian fair and lovely look from the fat mu film portfolio 2005

Do you think in 1838 that it was important to look fair?....Well in England at that time it was definitely a pre-requisite for beauty - it was simple, if you 'ad a tan you worked in the fields, if you did n't you were 'igh society and stayed inside sewing and painting and enjoying afternoon tea, ladies of leisure.

Now it's 2009 and we can achieve a much sort-after 'field-tan' out of a bottle (St. Tropez still seems to be the hot favourite), by sitting on a sun-bed or soaking up the rays on the beach (pleeze use sun-cream!). The west wants to be bronzed (think Gordon Brown!) and the east wants to be pale! Go figure... but guess the saying ' the grass is greener on the other side' is apt here...

How fashions come and go my darlings.

In India and Asia .....'white still seems to be right' and fairness creams are marketed in a 'uge way and sold to the lovely, dusky, golden masses.....Bollywood heroes and heroines - King Khan, Saif, Priyanka all endorse these products. Ummm, the fat mu team I know have always been sceptical of advocating these lotions and potions, thinking that you should embrace your natural skin type whatever you are.....India has a vast array of skin colours - it's a complete Benetton Ad...a little bit of everything......From dusky, golden, terracotta, fair, honey-dipped, hazelnut, caramel, teak - it all exists within India's borders and it's beautiful.

Is it a colonial hang-over you think?

We at fat mu are of course pro-choice - buy what you want, but people ....just think about what you are buying and what you are buying into.....variety is the spice of life and we should celebrate all our wonderful colours from fair and lovely Isha Sharvani, to honey-combed Freida Pinto and dusky beauty Konkona Sen.

Our lovely Indian beauty from Slumdog Millioinaire - fat mu designed Hair & Make-up - photo by Celador / Ishika Mohan

And we say follow make-up brands who allow everyone in on the creative fun - whatever colour you are - Bobbi Brown, MAC are examples where everyone is welcome to be who you are....and be the best you can be....

So......back to our poem...we are not sure why Monday's Child is fair of face....could be sickness, fright, fatigue..post weekend 'angover perhaps? ...'oo knows? But Mulain's adds his favourite tip du jour.....there is always the good old rouge to warm the child up... and that goes for all of you too....my last name is not rouge for nothing you know....

Ciao for now....Mulain x

Love thy city

Today Mulain is writing about love... not the romantic kind of love but love thy neighbour kind of love... sounds like a cliche? Perhaps.. but it is true.. love conquers....love is a many splendoured thing...and like the Beatles so rightly said - 'All you need is love'... and living in Bombay it is definitely a mantra to follow!

We here at fat mu HQ have a love - hate relationship with Bombay... why you may ask..?..Because it is a city that can eat you alive... chew you up and spit you out - the heat, the noise, the crowds, the traffic....mon dieu...the city can be a battle field for your senses and it can really test your patience not to mention how much one has to filter through everyday... but on the other hand it is also addictive, enlightening, awakening and so here at fat mu HQ we choose to say we LOVE Bombay....!

Yes it tests your spirit, but we have found the answer is love, love, love people....

......So if that rickshaw driver takes you over a huge bump at high speed or into a big pit in the road and throws you in the air... or that customer care executive isn't quite customer-caring enough...or if something is meant to get done today and still does not happen tomorrow or the next day and so on - don't despair......deep breathe, have zen thoughts and fill yourself with love....we may be sounding very Oprah-like here.....but we feel it is true.....it really is the only way eventually ....be kind to people, be patient with people, and laugh people laugh! - tres importante.... it will make your day much much better....especially if you're in maximum Bombay....

Why all this love talk...? Well....Mulain has been 'aving a rough few days.. as I'm sure you 'ave guessed... and through experience is telling his way of getting through the tough times....also trying to make the world a better place - oh god I sound like a Miss. World contestant... but you 'ave to spread the love non?

I know the MU's are falling in love with Bombay all over again.... and are discovering hidden parts and little gems...so they will keep you posted on what they see and find....people and places... so stay tuned.....! ...

... and in the meanwhile remember...' all you need is love.... all you need is love, love...love is all you need'

Have a love-ly weekend!

Mulain x

Budget Bronzing

This one goes out to our anonymous friend.  So the Guerlain bronzer is too expensive....pas probleme....here's what the MU's found as good cheaper options and available in India.

Affordable brands available in India are- Revlon, Maybelline, L'oreal, Lakme, Onyx and The Body Shop.

fat mu like:

Revlon: 

Mineral bronzer - Bronze intense colourstay - has a nice shimmery sheen to it.

Bronze blusher in ' Show Stopper Copper'- also quite sheeny

Skinlights face illuminator - in a loose powder form- bronze light- quite glittery for those disco moments... 

..but we LOVE the Skinlights lotion for face and  body- available in a variety of colours.

L'oreal:

They do nice Bronze duo compacts for 2 differents skin tones- Virginia loved the 'Blonde' et Natasha loved the 'Brunette'- it gives a nice sheen.

Onyx:

Its a lovely Indian brand with an international touch with great texture and shades. They do a range of bronzing options like Bronze blush bouquet which is a mosaic of bronze shades all in one compact, in addition they have some lovely liquids and shimmers and powders all in gold/ copper tones which add just the right touch and glow thats often needed.

 http://www.onyxbeauty.com/index.php

 

The Body Shop:

Again they have lovely bronzing beads, gels, powders - something for every one - male and female.

So 'ope this helps... please tell us your names all our anonymous friends... and do stay in touch!

Mulain x

Gordon Brown-zed

Photo courtesy of the on-line Telegraph UK

Poor Gordon Brown. It's not nice for anyone to have their personal life or things probed into. Not cool...!! Mr. taxi driver should have handed over the bag to the police station not the U.K.'s biggest selling newspaper - 'The Sun'... but I guess everyone is out to make a quick buck! I am disapproving of this but Mulain is pleased to see he has very good taste- with his 'Terracotta' Guerlain bronzer- which is one of the best ones on the market.

So you see make up is not just for the metrosexual man but even the big political players of the world sport le maquillage! Whether to go in front of the camera or just to look good.

To be fair to Mr. Brown, England is not the brightest place on the planet and even less bright in this economic climate... so lets not poke fun at the poor man... a little bronzer et concealor never hurt anyone...we are with you Mr. Brown... viva le maquillage!

.. and talking of make up and famous people... if you want to know the secrets of any more stars or how they achieved their famous looks... visit http://makeup411.com/breakdowns/id/413/ ...... our very own MU's are on their with their version of the Freida Pinto look from Slumdog .. which some of you have already read here.... more to follow....

Mulain x

p.s- here is Mr Brown's make up routine:

The make-up instructions were as follows:
1. Transparent Brush. Foam all over.

2. Small pot under eyes, dimple, creases, blend in.

3. Clinique. Super balanced make-up. All over again, like painting a wall, and ears. Shut eyes over lids then with make-up pad smooth over liquid.

4. Powder (dark brush) terracotta Guerlain, all over.

Stress and the City

Ajay Naidu and Kory Bassett de-stressing in fat mu designed Loins of Punjab Presents with thanks to Manish Acharya for photo.

Mumbai....The Maximum City.... maximum stress too...I tell you!!

What a week I've had...mon dieu! I've realised how very important it is to take time out for ourselves from our hectic lives and to learn to relax and de- stress in this city to stay productive.....AND SANE !...

... and what better way than to go and pamper yourself...!.. for some that may be retail therapy... for others an indulgent meal...but for me its spending time at a spa and getting wonderful relaxing facials and body massages...

Like a wise friend said to me ... 'ten years from now you can always buy a new dress but you can't buy a new face!' wise words I tell you... some might beg to differ... but for those of us 'oo want to grow old gracefully we better start looking after ourselves and invest in our skins and our faces while we still can......

... and so I have discovered a few places that 'elp me do this and I love to visit when I can....

Venu's Hair and Skin centre in Bandra has lovely facials and hair treatments with something for everyone... whether its a simple clean up, or anti -ageing treatment or working on stressed skin and dark circles.. or even if you just want to glow and look gorgoeous for your 'ot date that's around the corner.. she's the woman for you... with up to date techniques, equipment and products from Europe, America and Canada... you will be a satisfied customer... Mulain is a loyal follower and sends many of 'is friends there...

If you 'ave something of an 'ippy in you and want something more natural- I have recently discovered and loved Nirmal Herbal. They use 100% natural products- things you can eat!.. I kid you not... freshly made and ground before going on to your face, body and hair - and the massages ... mmmm.. makes me want to book another appointment right away....

From wheatgerm and saffron facials to oatmeal and aloe vera packs .. the list goes on and on.. and sooo fresh .. its lo-ovely... just the way mother nature intended...

http://www.nirmalherbal.com/nirmal/index.html

A few of my other favourite places to relax are The Spa at the Grand Hyatt http://mumbai.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp the SVA spa in juhu http://www.svaspasalon.com/home.html - the hot stone massage there is highly recommended...

That's it from me... but if any of you have any little hideouts or places you love that you would like to share with us please feel free to write and tell us .. am sure my friends... my mu's and I would love to give it a try...

Until then, look after yourselves my cheries and think about spoiling yourself so you can feel all fresh, relaxed and rejuvinated to face this maximum city again and again...

I'm off to put my saffron mask on...

Kisses

Mulain x

Mango mania!

Its time to tango with the mango people ....we just love this fruit as do most of this city! The colour, the taste, the juicyness - you just cant beat it- truly is the fruit of the gods! Eat it wherever you are and promise you will instantly feel magnifique! Time to indulge darlings as my two lovely Mu's Natasha and Virginia did today - lunch with a favourite Mu-se - Loveleen Tandon. The girls all met at Mangi Ferra and devoured a Mango cheese-cake and caught up on all news.

The MU's are to-tally inspired by the colour of the mangoes - we are seeing it in lipsticks, glosses, blushers, eyeshadows - mango tints, sheers, powders -you name it!

A few of our favourite picks are.....

L'oreal- Colour juice stick in 'Mango Tango'

The Body Shop - Mango lip butter ('ave you smelt it?mmmm....)

Estee Lauder - Pure colour eyeshadow in 'Mango Cube'

Christian Dior -Dior addict ultra shine lipstick in 'Shiniest Mango'

and last but certainly not least....Stila - lip and cheek stain in 'Mango Crush'

It's a fresh, bright and confident colour my darlings! So enjoy the season and go Mango mad!

Mulain x

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