Beautiful....

..... Is a little store located on Ambedkar road in Khar, Mumbai... and a make-up haven for all you girls and boys!

I happened to go there today and was surprised at all the wonderful make-up they stock! They have been around for a long time but I think the choice of the products available there is far, far better than its ever been. So any Benefit.. Laura Mercier.. Make-up for ever...Bobbi Brown... La Mer...Bumble and Bumble... you name it ... it's all now available there! And there's more good news.... don't see a product you like? Ask them to order it in... they take a maximum of 15 days to get it... all depending on which part of the world it's coming in from.

I of course am very excited with this and think it's great to know that we can now get anything we want from tout le monde in our very own backyard!

So stay tuned for up-to-date product info on what's hot and all the current trends from around the world brought to you right here from the fat mu HQ!

Mx

Lady Gaga does it again....

Gaultier Ga-ga

Bride of Frankenstein Gaga

Fright night Gaga

Mulain thought that he likes to change clothes alot but seems he has stiff competition with Lady Gaga. The MTV music awards (the same one that Kanye West was very rude to Mademoiselle Swift - terrible!) saw her in about 5 different outfits....not sure what's going on with the blood on the stage part though.....is it an influence from prom-horror movie Carrie? Not sure about this look Mademoiselle Gaga...but do love the Jean-Paul Gaultier black creation with the Phantom of the Opera mask. Crazy but cool....your one eye showing was done very well I must say, complementing your look, so theatrical and dark....gothic glam for sure.

So it's a cloudy day in Mumbai (not Bombay!!!) - have to be careful what we write, people are watching. Mulain is going to paint the town all the colours of Lady Gaga tonight.....god help this city...definitely going for the dramatic eyes and big lashes as have a bevy of Bollywood beauties to compete with. Mulain is celebrating a few things ce soir......fat mu's 3 year birthday, Rio getting the 2016 Olympics - how exciting.....and.... just because I can dress up if I want to, no excuses needed, let's live it up.

Enjoy your weekends my darlings, I know I will....Mulain x

Go Green!

Rihanna proudly sporting green nails!

New Brit beauty brand showcasing their green polish


One of Barry M's brighter shades.....Ummmm

Mulain's favourite green shade from Nars....dark, dark, dark



Another Barry M colour - mint!




...and the most famous is of course .....Chanel's Jade.

Mulain knows the whole world is going Green, including nail shades, but I am just not keen on green nails. Yes I know it's Chanel who 'ave set the latest trend.....and Chanel is Chanel is Chanel plus it was all over the ramps this year but am just not convinced by it my friends. Selfridges apparently have a huge waiting list for this polish.....for me it just reminds me of my childhood and getting ready for Halloween. Just not into any shade of it....mint, jade, emerald, fluorescent, pastel. However if you do like it but can't wait / can't afford Chanel's Jade no......then there are always the trusty highstreet brands......Barry M, Rimmel, No.7, Revlon....not sure it has hit the Indian shelves yet....am sure MAC Mumbai have some in stock.

Gandhi's birthday today people - so 'appy birthday Gandhi-ji - people are celebrating and remembering all over India and the world, even Obama! That makes Mulain happy.

Mulain x

80s is on!

No escaping it my friends.....80s fashion and hair and make-up is still taking over the ramps worldwide, the mannequins in the shops and the teenagers on our streets....80s hair, shoulder pads, leggings, quiffs, blues, pinks, leggings, ski-pants, batwings, jump suits. So let's embrace it....Mulain had bought a NYC blue trio eyeshadow palette a few months ago and is wearing the blue colours on my eyes...Boy George would be proud! Colour can be hard to wear, but it's really just confidence my dears......wear a nice blue on your lids, a navy eye pencil around the eyes and lots of mascara. You can also add a pink or purple to your eye if you get really adventurous.

All the MUs are busy, busy.....Virginia in and around Juhu, prepping for an ad next week, Natasha and Xavier in the Taj working with Design Temple. Mulain met an artist who is doing a four day performance art skit in New York and Bombay and is going from himself to a Louise Brook's flapper look.....fantantic....so meeting him next week to show him how to do a 20s make-up! Great fun and strangely bizarre.

M x

The Wizard of Flaws!

Mulain has been trying out UK Beauty Brand Soap and Glory's 'Wizard of Flaws' - a light-reflecting concealer that is easy to apply and is lightweight on the skin. Mulain is a slave to Benefit's Highbeam and has been closed minded to trying out new highlighters.....but....actually I did like this product....for a day-time, pick-me-up glow it's good. Great on the cheekbones and brow bones - but not for undereyes as it has too much glitter.....Mulain loves Le Glitter but at really only at night, parties or fancy-dress not necessarily for a 9-5 look. Great packaging, like Benefit...good retail therapy not sure it actually promises the world though....as it says on the box.

Love the name of their lip-plumper - mother pucker! What fun...now I mu-st try that.

Mulain x

It's calendar time 2010!

Natasha is busily prepping for the Taj Calendar shoot 2010! Above is the September 2009 image that MU Natasha did last year - fabulous locations, great creative team - a good time was had by all in the Maldives and Rajasthan. This year she is teaming up with super-talented Adhuna (from B:blunt), super-stylish Arjun Bhasin (GQ's Fashion Editor) and over-seeing it is Design Temple's Divya Thakur...am sure it will be an awesome shoot! Mulain is melting in the Mumbai heat.....watching the MU's prepping, shooting, teaching.....desperately trying to get my hands on that new vibrating Maybelline mascara too. Maybelline are damn good for sure....off on a mission to find it.

Ciao bellas......Mulain x

Carine Roitfeld

Vogue Paris's Editor....fashion A-lister Carine Roitfeld

Mulain was checking out the fashion A-listers from the London and New York shows the other day, who gets the front row seats at all the shows? Who are the big players? Obviously Anna Wintour was there but Mulain feels she gets more attention and is more 'infamous' in her reputation than Editor of Paris Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, who is equal in power and prestige and slightly more approachable to people. Both women are extremely successful and powerful in their positions and have legions beneath them dying to be in their Manolo Blahniks. What Mulain likes about Madame Roitfeld is her trademark sexy, smokey eyes and a sweeping of hair always falling on her face, day or night....sexy. Again my dears....helps being French helps, simple and chic. She keeps it simple and sexy and I think as we get older and more comfortable in our skins we all have our little trademarks in our make-up, clothes, hair.....it shows a coming-of-age I feel, a comfortable acceptance and confidence that you know who you are and that you are proud of it. Mulain thinks Carine Roitfeld exudes this....Bravo madame.....you think she uses Benefit's Bad-Gal liner to achieve her look, it's tres cool.

So Mulain is asking today.....what is your trademark people?

M x

How to steal a million....

Madame Hepburn getting on set checks

While flying back from London to (a melting) Mumbai last night Mulain happened to catch comedy classic 'How To Steal A Million' with the lovely Audrey Hepburn. Super film, shot in my favourite city, Paris, and full of the most amazing hairstyles, costumes and make-ups. Every scene sees Madame Hepburn in an array of 60s delights....shoes, hats, sunglasses, eye-lines, beehives, glittered eyelids, pale coral lips. I was in heaven. Classic film and totally inspiring on how to wear outfits with accessories.....please see the trailer from 1966 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPStHOzjQWU ....it really encompasses the 60s style so well, a tremendous show case.

Mulain recommends Bobbi Brown's Eyeline Gels (in black or sepia), MAC's Fluidlines (in black or dark brown) to achieve those feline eye-lines....also invest in the right brush to get the shape of line correct....full-on lashes are also required for this glamour look....available from good old Boots to MAC to Selfridges.....no excuse for not finding....just practice the application....

So the retro-chic look of eye-lines and lashes is still rocking it seems....perfect for giving you lots of time to get those lines / looks down to a tee. It's all in the flick of the wrist action sweeties....."Chalo" my dears, "Chalo".

Mulain x

Deepika P

Mulain has seen a lot of nude fashion faces in London town this week.....nude is the 'new nude' it seems......fresh, flawless skin never seems to go out of fashion but it's not just London that is showing skin. Mulain has noticed that Bollywood A lister Deepika Padukone likes to always wear a very fresh look.....optimizing her complexion with a flawless finish and giving a natural feel rather than going for a more typical 'filmi' look...ie heavy liner, sharp contouring, pinks on the eyes. Mulain likes her gentle, understated glamour and how she does play with different looks on her eyes....bravo Mademoiselle P.....looking forward to seeing what your next project is and the fat mu team would love to one day 'paint your canvas'.......but we know you like your guru Monsieur Contractor.

Mulain would definitely love to use Benefit's High Beam or Moon Beam on you just to give you a glow and highlight to enhance your look...with possibly a touch more rouge of course.

Mulain

The Dandy is back!

Mulain hopes you have been checking out La Roux....latest kids on the pop block....we at the fat mu hq love the mu-sic...influenced by 80s electro / synth sound....too cool for school....watch out Madame Gaga this duo are hot on your platformed heels. Mulain especially loves singer Ellie's look - hair and make-up....an androgynous dandy. Mulain was observing the return of the dandy....(possibly thanks to Russel Brand?)....on the New York ramps .....great quiffs of hair for lady dandies too....so hope Victoriana is heading our way. How much fun. Do watch this space...

Mulain x

How to age well.....

.....we should really ask Madame Leslie Caron...Mama Mulain is off to London town tonight to see a special screening of 'An American in Paris' and the star of film Leslie Caron will be there in person doing a Q & A, so exciting. La Caron is most remembered for her role as Gigi. She is the most amazing dancer and has remained one of the world's most beautiful women. She also starred in Chocolat with Johnny Depp. Lucky lady, always had lovely leading men. She is elegant and stylish even into her 70s...Mulain thinks it 'elps being French. We should all learn a lesson from her....her make-up is light, simple, well-balanced and compliments her age. She uses lovely lip colours and glosses to enhance her mouth, some rouge in her cheeks (of course) and as always smiling lights up ones face and takes years off.....so please do my darlings.

Mulain sadly missed the London Fashion Week due to a terrible super-bug...Oh la la....just terrible.....not to worry catching up with the latest trends from the ramp and will keep you posted.....did hear the description of a 20s blue-smokey eye look from the Charlotte Tilbury camp....sounds interesting non? Off to investigate.

An 'on the mend' Mulain x

360 degrees

A quick tip today from Mulain....how many of you look at your face or front when you leave the house and don't take in your back-view? Just checking my friends.....as so many of us check our faces....are our lips on ok? Is my mascara looking good? Shine under-control? ....Easy to forget there is a back of us too......do check the back of you aswell my dears. Not to encourage self-obsession and paranoia but what is the point of going to so much trouble on the face if the rest does n't compliment and support your look? So quick check is all it takes to ensure that you look good 360 degrees......not just at 45! You can be your own super-stylist!

Mulain x

Big, bold and beautiful at London Fashion Week!

Big is beautiful with Beth Ditto!

Mulain loo-ves a bit of gossip.....seems that after knit-wear designer Mark Fast used size 12-14 models at the London Fashion Week, some stylists walked out and complained they were too big. What a mad industry.....I know for a while the fashion folk 'ave felt bad at sending literally girl-twigs down the ramps and they know it's causing illnesses to be that thin and sends out a bad message to the non-fashion folk...so now a minority group are trying to break that mould and putting their clothes on curvier women.

Mulain loves the nerve of high-street clothes shop Evans by casting 'large' Beth Ditto to launch their new collections.....funnily enough Mulain heard it was Kate (I was born beautiful) Moss's idee.....ummm brains and beauty for you Mademoiselle. Bottom line is we are all shapes and sizes so let's be cool and accept our lot in life.....you are all loo-verly in God's and Mulain's eyes.

Mulain is off to London Fashion Week tomorrow to check it out for himself and also plans to drop into some exhibitions and make-up shops.....so much to look out for.

Mulain x

P.s - after seeing the Ukraine's 'Got Talent' winner Mulain is thinking he wasted so much time in his sand-pit as a child.....how tragic......maybe we are all super talented in that way just blocked upstairs......let's get unblocking non?

Ukraine's Got Talent!!!!!!!

WARNING: Watch at your own risk... you may feel completely talentless after watching this.... I know I do....!

Kseniya Simonova has just won Ukraine's Got Talent and it's no surprise. This beautiful 24 year old girl has a talent for sand animation and nothing I could say could do it any justice... Using sand as her medium... a light table and dramatic music to match..... she chooses to tell a story that unfolds as she draws (and flawlessly I may add....!). The combination of this results in a narrative that manages to touches every nerve and emotion... and leave you reeling after....AMAZING... like I said I cannot do it enough justice so please watch for yourselves...Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOhf3OvRXKg

Mx

The Age of Stupid

The world is getting ready to roll out the green carpet for the global premier of 'The Age of Stupid'. Climate change affects and involves each of us and the only way we can combat climate change is by taking responsibility for it and by each of us doing our own little (or big..) bit... so let's start by showing our support and seeing this film where ever in the world we may be. The premier will be held at the same time across the globe between the 21- 22 of September. In India the premier will be held in Delhi (refer to picture above for details) and in Mumbai it is being screened at the Blue Frog at 7 pm and admission is free.

Hope to see you there!

Mulain x

Cause for a celebration...

A double whammy today....!... Not only is it the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week but also one of my favourite cosmetic brands - Make Up For Ever...!

A great time for all you artists and fashionistas out there to gain tons of inspiration from... London has always produced some of the best and most cutting edge designers in tout le monde... so Mulain cannot wait to see their creations on ze catwalk and also what trends they predict for spring / summer '10...(mon dieu... where does the time fly...! ).

Also to celebrate the silver Jubilee of London Fashion Week... on display at all London undergrounds are 25 works of art that have been commisioned by people who have helped shape British fashion.. what a great idea... I love ze British for this.. (even tho i am french...!)... so if you are in London make sure you don't miss it....(actually highly unlikely that...)

... and in the meantime here are some uber inspiring works of art from the experts at Make Up For Ever to get your very own creative juices flowing....(I know mine are.....!)

So get inspired and start creating..... M x

Pat McGrath

Mulain loves her use of colour!

Final touches on a Pat McGrath design

A McGrath face on the ramp

Pat McGrath in action!

What a talent......Mulain is in total awe of make-up artist Pat McGrath. Called the most influential make-up artist in the world by Vogue she leads the beauty and fashion packs and creates influential looks that totally wow and inspire other makeup artists to launch trends. The McGrath way is to combine radical innovation with expert makeup artistry, which makes her a favorite among today's top designers, models and celebrities.

She is avant-garde, has a creative vision second to none, unparalleled. She began 17 years ago, and since then her renowned, cutting-edge work has been showcased in international fashion magazines and runways. The world fell in love with her as did Mulain. Her defining moment occurred in the mid 1990s when she signed on to create the makeup concepts for Prada and Miu Miu, a collaboration that continued for 10 seasons. Her hallmark has been dewdrop skinned faces, irradiated with light and moisture and now, today, La McGrath designs catwalk beauty looks on anybody who is anybody, working with the most sought-after designers and is a favourite among Hollywood stars, like J-Lo, Oprah and Madonna.

Have posted some of her work - so amazing and so much fun - hope you are as inspired as I am.

Mulain x

It's Telluride again can you believe it?

Slumdog's La Pinto - Make-up and Hair by our very own Mu Natasha Nischol, for fat mu

Virginia and Natasha holding one of the Slumdog Oscars!

Mulain just can't believe a year has passed since Slumdog was 'discovered' at the Telluride Film Festival.....the 36th festival has just passed http://telluridefilmfestival.org/show/program_guide and just don't think there was the same buzz as last year with La Boyle's hit-film. Mulain still remembers how excited all the MUs at fat mu were when the Oscar buzz started.....Oh la la! Just so much fun. Can you believe the Oscar band-wagon starts now.....all the festivals will be rolling out films galore and we will wait excitedly to see the new releases.

Mulain is still so proud of La Pinto and La Patel still wow-ing the planet and working hard on their up-coming projects. All the fat mu team wish you well my dears - and let's catch up soon....

Do let me know any new films you see my darlings - sharing is caring...

Mwah Mulain x

The year was 1987....

.....and a little American dance film hit the screens world-wide and teenage girls went wild!!!!!!!!! Mulain remembers it well....all the girls wanted to have 'Johnny' as their own boyfriends and truly believed that if he could fall in love with 'Baby', and forgive her for saying 'I carried a watermelon'....then dreams really do come true. Patrick Swayze....R.I.P.....we will miss you and thank you for making dancing cool, for making such a fantastique film.....we had the time of our lives just watching you.
Today people is Patrick Swayze day....put on the DD soundtrack and dance away.....if you have a partner fabulous, but even if you don't.....pas de probleme....just dance and celebrate him, the film and yourselves.....'I'm a love man, oo baby I'm a love man'......



Monsieur Swayze there was n't a girl alive who did n't want to be doing this.....(see above).... lifted high with your fabulous, strong 'Johnny' arms.....and the 'nobody puts Baby in a corner' line had us just lost. Then came 'Ghost' and your iconic status was cemented!

'I carried a water-melon!'

Mulain is off to fat mu HQ this morning, meeting the lovely Natasha and Virginia. There are scripts to be read, looks to create, emails to read, emails to write and full designing of our make-up courses is on. Do watch this space.

Mulain x

New York Fashion Week!

Traditional Alice

Disney's Alice

'Alice In Wonderland' inspired make-up at the NYC Fashion Week Sept 09

As Mulain has already told you my dears, Tim Burton is releasing his version of 'Alice In Wonderland' next year (cannot wait)....in the meantime looks like the NY fashionistas are also grabbing Alice's looks for the ramps of 09/10. Make-up artist Tina Turnbow, using NYC make-up, brought a doll-like look to the models focusing on pink cheeks, pearly white eye-shadow, a black eye-line and lots of lashes! Lashes are big for next year...(check out the new Tokyo lash bar in Selfridges, London courtesy Mr. Uemura). Other film influences observed was the 'Sherlock Holmes' look for guys...will this spark a trend for Victoriana make-up, facial hair for men? Ummm..... Let's wait and see. Dying to see Guy Richie's film version too....without wishing our lives and the rest of 2009 away my friends, there are some fantastique things coming our way for 2010.

Mulain thinks...knows..... it's going to be a great year.

P.S - To brighten your Monday morning....has anyone seen 'Tajik Jimmy'.....a man who since his childhood has sung Bollywood film songs....quite heartwarming.....the next Susan Boyle from Russia....please see and smile....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7azBYOHQooE