Too poor for make-up?

Ok...Mulain was to-tally distressed to hear someone writing in to the fat mu team and feeling that they were 'too poor' for make-up. Now obviously we all have to eat and 'ave a roof over our heads and you have to decide your own budget etc but even in hard times, times of war, depression...people have put on le maquillage! Mulain has taken a luxury brand image for next year - YSL (who have set the trend for pretty pastels)......see the lovely work...lesson one, don't get depressed, instead of thinking YSL....it's very expensive non?....look to your highstreet / mall brands to purchase and add to your kit.....below are a few eye shadow sets which are offering pastel shadows....so copy the above image using their little trio / quad set......all available in India and across our global village...cheap 'n chic!

Bourjois pastel set


Chambor pastel set

Revlon - neutral set option for those scared of pastels!!!

Lakme pastel set with purple....

So don't be shy or get depressed because your funds are low....save your Rupees and be clever about what you buy. All these above sets have a base colour, a highlighter and a shader, all you need to set off your eyes and go with the latest fashions.

So have fun and play with your Pastels for 2010.....we certainly will...

Hope this 'elps....Mulain x

Lola

Fantastic new bauble to have for Christmas.... and no I am not talking about the kind you put on your tree but on your finger... for those fantastic party nights out... from Marc Jacobs comes this lovely eye catching piece.... Lola (love that name) a cocktail ring and solid perfume in one! Genius....! With a lovely fusion of fruity and floral scents this sensual scent comes beautifully packaged in this lovely enamel ring... with its own pretty little leather pouch to boot.... definitely something to put down on your Christmas wish list...! maybe Madonna should get one for her daughter Lola...but then she probably already has one.. mmm...

M x

Lash out

Bored of your usual make up routine...? want to experiment and try something different this party season....? then why not try false lashes and re-work your make up around it!

Easy enough to apply once you get the hang of it after a few go's... but be warned.. you could get hooked!

From giving you fuller, longer lashes to something more fun and flirty... try individual coloured ones to begin with... or if you're feeling quite bold go for a strip... like some of the ones shown above.... wear them typically on your top lashes or a la Agy Deyn on your lower lash line.... and be sure whatever the look you're going for... these babies are sure to make everyone sit up and take notice! So wear if you dare....!

Visit the Shu Uemura's Tokyo Lash Bar if you get a chance...or check them out online at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/accessories/false-eyelashes/tokyo-lash-bar-09.aspx

they do have a fantastique collection!

Mx

Sirens by Illamasqua

Beautiful images of make-up art by new wonder brand Illamasqua. These pictures are representative of the colours and textures from their 'Sirens' collection... and what I love is that it breaks any preconceived notion of what make up should be worn like.... so take inspiration from this my darlings and have fun and play with colour, shape and texture and create your own designs!.... With gorgeous shimmering golds, bronzes, corals and aquamarines .. this collection in their own words - 'lets you indulge your alter ego, and ensure that your summer nights are even hotter than the days'- ....... ooh la la!

Mx

Luxury textures..

The wonderful world of Armani make-up..

Armani products

Armani Colour range....


Nars!...



Nars get creative..

Nars goodies....

Good morning my darlings...Mulain is refreshed after a great night's sleep, a little yoga session in the morning and a hearty breakfast. Just wanted to write to tell you today about a conversation Mulain over-heard yesterday while we were shooting. It was about the luxury feel of make-up brands. It was concluded that Armani and Nars were two brands which not only gave you a great product range and colours and textures but the luxury of the materials is second to none. The MUs have always heard in professional circles that Armani bases/foundations are 'the best'. The fluids, powders, cremes just have an out-of-this world texture. Nars was also talked about as just having a superb, luxurious feel in the materials.

Mulain knows there are others....Chanel, Lancome, Dior, Laura Mercier to name a few.....but Armani and Nars are slightly off the radar.....so do NOT forget them na. Your project for this weekend - go to a make-up counter selling these two brands (sorry India not here as yet)....and get a feel for them.....have fun, play and enjoy!

Mulain is off for a bridal make-up trial now and then mu-st plan his Saturday night with MUs Nat and Virg. Time to dust down the disco ball, heels and boa...it's time to dance!

Mulain x

How to be a beach babe...

Our starting point reference sunkissed / bronzed beach babe glamour

'Odd Couple' mineral eye-duo from MAC


Love multi purpose creme stick by Nars - 'Malibu'


MAC's Paint pot - 'Constructivist'

One of MAC's best buys....'Clear Lipglass'

Fabulous Benefit's 'Flamingo Fancy' - great bronzer for the skin....all over!

Shiseido's creme sticks ....they're all fabulous!

Revlon's 'Skin-lights'.....all used and brilliant to work with...

It was a glorious day yesterday my friends.....Mulain spent the day with MU Virginia at the JW Marriot hotel in Juhu by the Arabian sea, next to their amazing infinity pool creating a beach babe / sunkissed look for Neha Dupia. Luckily Neha has beautiful glowing skin, such a lovely canvas thus making the look we wanted easier to achieve. Mulain was watching MU Virginia work....so here's how she created the look - now listen up and remember good blending and no hard lines - sexy and smoldering is key!

1 - Skin prepped - Cleansed, toned, moisturized (with an SPF)...Benefit's 'You Rebel' is great for this - remember your look is glowing, fabulous skin!

2 - A Ben Nye's bronze creme was placed all over the eye-lids as a base, MAC's 'Woodwinked' was brushed on top to set the creme and add that 'je ne sais quoi'.....

3 - Urban Decay's soft and easy-to-work with eye crayons were then used on the top and bottom lash lines to put some definition in - black and khaki.

4 - Benefit's 'Flamingo Fancy' liquid bronzer, a simple moisturizer (good old St.Ives) and Revlon's darker 'Skinlight' liquid were then mixed in a bowl and with a foundation brush applied to Neha's face and body...and yes mu-st n't forget our lovely Armani Sheer Fluid which was dashed along the cheekbones. Simply marvellous......

5 - Mascara was added and slightly more black added for definition on the eyes....

6 - For lips, Virginia created her own 'nude' shade - a combination of Lancome, Revlon, Nars and MAC 'Lipglass' in clear was added on top to give a lovely, juicy pout. Mwah!

7 - Derma was used for concealor ...brightening the eye area and around the nose.

8 - Nars's 'Malibu' was added on the cheeks and eyes - a dab here, a dab there and worked into the skin...as too were the yummy Shiseido cremes....

9 - MAC's paint-pot 'Constructivist' was used to contour the cheeks slightly, lovely texture easy to use.

NO HARD LINES - all colours and textures merging into one seemless finish - no lines anywhere my darlings.

10 - A MAC 'Blotpowder' was used to remove any unwanted shine...tip of nose, chin....the t-zone 'danger' - area the rest of the area was left to shine and glow.

11 - Virginia decided to add on some MAC's 'Oddcouple' bronze/gold mineral eye shadow onto the lids to pop the look....it has a lovely, grainy / sandlike texture...which was great for the beach-side look.

Shooting outside in 30 degree heat means this look is quite high-maintenance....so be on the ball with the make-up fading, smudging etc....keeping the look freshly done is the tricky part....so be on it!

Was great fun and Neha was a super-trooper....off for an early night my darlings as think the sun has zapped all my energy today....oh la la not as young as I used to be!

Mulain x

Make-up Design

MUs Natasha and Xavier teaching make-up design.....

MU Virginia in teaching session....

Mulain read an article in The Times of India titled 'Designer Dreams'....it opens saying that there is a rising demand for designers from various fields in India...it mentions fashion....product design...interior..but alas no make-up :(...... It also states that prospects in the design industry are enormous and lucrative. "Design is a professional capability of creating and developing concepts and realising them into products and systems for the mutual benefit of both, user and manufacturer. The design of objects, services and systems requires the synthesis and knowledge of a variety of disciplines. Design thinking brings together the finest sensibilites of the arts with the logic of science in an innovative framework. While learning a craft brings students close to materials and material culture, a design attitude and methodology helps them realise larger patterns in the fabric of society".....phew....did you get that? Basically...designing is the future.....that includes make-up! Make-up design for film, for television, theatre, fashion, products.....it's a huge make-up world out there my friends....think big and out of the box.

Mulain is a leetle disappointed that make-up design was not mentioned, thought about etc (zut alore).......there is so much potential in a career in make-up and the design aspect. It saddens me people. But do NOT despair...my MUs Natasha and Virginia are hard at work 'designing' their make-up academy where they will teach you how to do it and do it well. Will keep you in the loop my darlings...it's all very exciting. The future's bright ...the future is MAKE-UP!


Mulain x

Beauty Snob?

Vogue Vogue Vogue.....

Are you a beauty snob? Mulain wants to know.....do you only check out Vogue? Will you only buy Chanel eye-shadows? Armani foundation? Dolce and Gabbana lips? Dior Mascara? La Mer skin-care?.....there is even a website called www.beautysnob.com.... is that YOU?

Mulain is asking you my friends...because he cares....are you missing out on less 'posh' brands? I am worried for you.....Maybelline, Boots No.7, Chambor, Max Factor, Revlon, Bourjois, L'Oreal all offer great products which would add some magic to your make-up kits (professional and non-professional)...fat mu loo-ve Max Factor, L'Oreal, Maybelline mascaras, adore Bourjois coloured eye-pencils and blushers, are passionate about Revlon's new hot nail colours (oh la la)...and don't knock the Chambor's Black Kohl pencil...it's seriously good!

So blinkers off...open your eyes to all that's out there....who knows what you'll discover...

Mulain x

Are you making history today?

Lady Astor - first woman in British Parliament...Mulain loo-ves her hair..

Mulain is asking...are you making history today? Posting this today to inspire you all.......On this year in history...1st December....Lady Astor got a seat in Parliament 1919, Ford motors introduced their first assembly line, Nagaland became part of India, Paul McCartney is arrested for attempted Arson ?! (random I know but it was the 60s man...anything was cool).....so wonder what is happening today across our global village that will affect the world as we know it?

The fat mu team are hard at work, meetings and arranging shoots....trying to make the world a better, brighter, more creative place.....hope you are too!

One life people...get your asses in gear...get up and go, go, go!

Mulain x

Face the truth

So I visited my favourite skin therapist over ze weekend for a leetle pampering session for my poor sunburnt skin and on talking to her I realised after all these years that what I was indeed getting was not a facial - like I have believed all this time.... but a skin treatment....! Did you know the difference? I did n't - thought they were one and the same... as long as she succeeded in getting Mumbai off my face with a wee bit of pamering...I was good... it was all one and the same to me .... but apparently mes amis there is a difference!

It seems facials dont have any long term benefits for your skin...(I'm sure many beg to differ).... yes they cleanse, and there's a mask involved and a massage... but we're not getting very much else.. so long term benefits if we do think about it are pretty non-existent.....

Skin treatments on the other hand have long term benefits and one should visit at least once a month to see results....anti-ageing treatments should be started once you're 30 +.. and even thogh I'm a fan of ageing gracefully... if we can keep those wrinkles at bay and our skin youthful and plump for as long as we can push it then why not eh?

By taking care of our skin, wearing sunscreen and skin treatments once a month (essentially all they are doing is infusing moisture deeper into the skin and holding it there.. which topically applied products can't really do ... important for keeping the skin smooth , plump and line free... and incorporating a clean up - vital to living in a city like ours..) it's definitely food for thought.... follow up at home in between your treatments with a good cleansing, moisturising and scrub routine and you're set. Try it darlings you may be very surprised at how radiant you start to look.... I know I am... remember you can always buy a new dress but you can't buy a new face...!....(well.....)

Mx

Black Cherry

Gorgoeus new 'it' shade for this season - 'Black Cherry' by Revlon. A deep dark, plummy colour- almost like a deep wine ... this shade suggests uber style and confidence. Wear it as a tint by dabbing a little colour on with your fingers or wear it in its full glory as a style statement. Perfect for this Christmas season .... the best way to carry this shade off would be to wear it alone with a stark sculpted look and gorgeous skin too boost...!.. matt or glossy.. that's your choice (the lipstick does have a shine to it but you can matt it down).. the most important thing to keep in mind is if you do wear it... wear it with confidence...! Tres sexy ... I just love it!

Let's see skin!

Garnier skin-care, make-up by Natasha....lovely glowing skin!

Benetton advertising keep it real...

Becca make-up ads showing us real glowing skin.....approachable skins...

Too photo-shopped?

Mariah looks odd...Mulain feels...

Our MU Natasha got a call a few days ago from a director saying he had seen her work for on a certain skincare ad and that he wanted to have his actress look the same for the film they were both working on. The director said he wanted that same glowing, real-skin look and not a caked 'no-make-up make-up' look.....so off she went for a make-up test yesterday to trial different 'natural' looks. Dying to hear all about it.

Mulain and the MUs were shocked the other day driving along Linking Road and seeing the new ads for Lakme....the models (all beautiful) were so worked on in 'post' that they looked like avatars....totally unreal. Mulain was left wondering how do real women relate to these ads...there is no way on earth any of us can look like that ....so what are advertisers / beauty companies up to?

Don't know about you....but we want to see skin...as though we can touch it, feel it....and feel that yes if we bought that special product, that maybe we could look like the ad....a relationship between the on-looker and the model should be there non?

Becca make-up keep it real and always use lovely skin shots.....www.beccacosmetics.com....they promote their foundations as part of their skin-care.....that's how natural their bases are...just light and beautiful.

Darlings...would love to hear what you think? Let me know....what do women want? Ok...men too.....Bollo na?

Mulain x

Mumbai 26/11

Like the rest of Mumbai...it's a sad, heavy day......one year on and we still remember the horror of 26/11/08. Today we are wearing white, black ribbons.....showing respect and remembering those who suffered so much last year ....and for those still suffering who lost dear ones.

Our Mumbai

It's too, too sad my friends. We are all at work .....Natasha MU doing a test make-up for an actress, Virginia working on the fat mu workshops....life does go on but we shall not forget. Ever.

Let's all throw love and forgiveness out there.....Mulain thinks that is the best way...we shall not let these terrorist (who sent boys to kill us) win.....so light candles, pray for our city and peace....we should all live as one non?

Mulain x

Gettin' lippy

Yesterday our MU Virginia was complaining of having dry chapped lips for a long time now.. and nothing she was using was helping.. and so our MU Natasha recommended she look into her fridge and try out good ol' 'malai' or fresh full fat cream - very nourishing and great for any dry skin conditions. Easy, cheap and natural and better than anything available in the market... try it and see those lips turn soft in no time!

Lips have no moisturizing glands and so tend to get dry and chapped much more easily than the rest of our skin and so need a leetle more tlc. Many different things dry out lips.... weather, air conditioning, de- hydration even some beauty products... all those long-lasting lipsticks are known to dry lips out...(and lipstick never looks good on dry lips)... so try and stay away from those if you are prone to dryness or moisturize well and make sure you stay hydrated - i.e. - drink plenty of water... boring I know but it works. Also if your lips get flaky... it's a good idea to exfoliate once in a while with a super soft toothbrush (a kiddies one perferably), put loads of thick 'malai' on it and gently exfoliate and see those lips turn soft and plump. Top with more 'malai' for retaining moisture when done et voila- gorgeously soft lips just asking to be kissed!

Mx

Butter me up!

I just lo-oove this creme!! I have been out in ze sun so much of late that my poor skin is crying out for help...!.... and so to provide it with some relief I used Palmers Cocoa Butter et voila- instantly better! I have been using cocoa butter for years darlings and I absolutely swear by it for dry skin and even just daily moisturizing to keep skin smooth, supple and hydrated.... much better than any expensive lotion you can get (I think...) and palmers is a top favourite.... and what's great is that it smells like vanilla... yum...! So try it out... am sure you will love it too.......c'est Super!

Originally available in white bottles, the bottles have now turned pink (love it) for breast cancer awareness and for every bottle sold a little bit is given towards breast cancer care... isn't that just lovely! Even more of a reason to buy one... not that you need one as its complete value for money. Time to stock up I say...!

Mx

A la Monica Belucci

Belucci style

Today MUs Natasha and Virginia got together after an age it seems....shooting, meetings, bridals, crazy busy ya! But it's all good....never a dull moment. Virginia had been shooting yesterday with the delightful and beautiful Sameera Reddy. What a lovely girl and face....a great canvas to work on. Darren the photographer wanted an Italian film-star look...a la Monica Belluci......clean skin, smokey defined eyes and pale lips....hair dishevelled glam, deconstructed chic! MU Virginia worked on the eyes with Benefit's Bad Gal chunky eye pencil, mixed with Urban Decay's Stash liner....a lovely find! Also she worked with MAC's Woodwinked and Vex shadows to add to the allure. Eye-brows were kept lovely and full and defined. Lips were a combination of a Ben Nye's Pale Coral and 2 MAC nude lipsticks and glass. Cheeks were very lightly dabbed with MAC's Virgin Isle.....Virginia also added this to the lips for some shots...to bring the look together.

Of course Highbeam was used....and our loyal Derma palettes.....how would we work without these two gems na?

The MUs are excited planning 2010.....academy opening....do watch this space!

M x

Waterproof make-up

So I was chatting to our MU Natasha and she was telling me about the waterproofing make-up she had to do for a skin care product recently. Of course being skin... she had to ensure the model looked lovely, fresh and totally natural whilst still ensuring the make-up stayed on even after plenty of water was splashed on to the face...

.... and so to achieve that here's what she used... good ol' Derma Colour as the base and concealor... great for covering up any spots, blemishes, dark circles and to even out skin tone..... can be worked to contour and highlight as well, Benetint by Benefit, gel blusher, Bobbi Brown gel eye liner, clear mascara, waterproof mascara and lovely lip tints by MAC.

Here are the steps she applied them in....

- First prep skin

- Then apply Benetint to the apples of the cheeks for a little colour (once the moisturiser has set in- give it a minute or so..)

-After, apply the base using the Derma palette to achieve a flawless complexion, whilst correcting, contouring and highlighting with the same

- Once finished perfecting the skin.... top up with a little gel blusher again on apples of the cheek to make it look like the colour is coming from within the skin

- Powder with a puff, press and roll on

- Spritz face with water

- Dab lightly to set

- Groom brows with clear mascara

- Line lashes at the very root with Bobbi Brown's black gel liner

- Curl lashes and apply black waterproof mascara lightly

- and lastly moisturise lips by adding moisture and colour with MAC's tinted lip conditioner in petting pink( or whatever colour is more suitable for you) for natural colour and sheen...

If you need more of a glow... a cream highlighter can be used lightly on top of the apples of the cheeks and along the cheek bones and temple area. Do this by warming the product between your thumb and the index finger and then dabbing onto the skin lightly and evenly.. gives a lovely finish...We at fat mu love sheisheido's cream sticks.... look for the champagne coloured one to give you that lovely subtle sheen...

Hope this answers some of the questions you may have on waterproofing.... if you need to know more ... you know I am always here to help!

Mulain x

Cheryl Cole's make-up look!

UK's current IT gal...Madame Cole....everyone just loo-ves her.....

Mulain likes this hard-working, gorgeous, down-to-earth lass from the North of Angleterre. She seems to be seen everywhere....everyone wants a piece of her and since her appearance on Britain's X-factor she has become even more popular...if that's possible. The belle du jour. In her latest video Mulain wants you to check out her make-up. It's quite cool....a different, edgy sort of glamour. What I like most is the way her make-up artist has used colour in unusual places on the face.....and a different contouring look round the eyes....if you want some hints to achieve this...try good ol' Lauren Luke's link below to help you on your way...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h9gjW47Pyg

So gals and guys....it's Saturday night...go for it....get your music on, pour yourself a little glass of wine and create a new look for yourself....watch her video to get inspired......don't be shy now...get your brushes and palettes and go mad....you only live once my friends....

Mulain x

Virgin Isle by MAC!

Mulain was with MU Virginia yesterday on a bikini photo-shoot (oh la la!) in Alibag, down the coast from Bombay...location was stunning...an old bungalow by the beach...surrounded by palms....blissful. But of course like most shoots...it was madly busy, crazy and hot! Our model Naina (a former beauty queen) was very patient with us while we poked, pinned, painted away. Thank god for our derma-palettes to create a long-lasting base in the heat, also the Urban Decay 'Stash' eye pencil. Wonderful products.....but Le Product of the day for Mulain was MAC's creme colour base called Virgin Isle ....which is a great multi-purpose item to have in your kit. It is a vivid coral/peach shade and looks just fantastique on Indian/darker skins.......lights up the face! Apply with a brush, sponge or fingers and blend away. Also can you use on the lips......this creme pot comes in other pro-MAC shades so pop into your local MAC store to investigate.

Rushing off to meetings galore today.....Natasha MU is shooting for Garnier again and will be doing water-proof make-up today...am sure she will write soon with tips and tricks for you all soon.

Mulain x

Rock chic

Yesterday our MU Natasha finished shooting for the new Garnier Fructis commercial where she gave the girls 'rock chic' eyes- a la Kate Moss.... to achieve this look she used Benefit's bad gal pencil (a favourite and must have...) which roughly applied and smudged with the fingers and set with black eyeshadow (or any other colour you like.. preferably darker tones of blues, purples, greens etc...) is all that's needed.

Tres simple... you can go as smokey or dark as you like.. just keep layering on colour and smudging and blending to get the finish you want.... whether its a clean smokey effect or a messier rocker effect...... with or without kohl..... rounded or slightly elongated at the corners..... that's your choice.. it's a good look either way... and the best thing about this is that it looks better as the day or night progresses... try it out... you might get hooked....

Mx