Serge Leutens Lipsticks

Recently I tagged along with my MUs to meet Natasha's tutor from the London College of Fashion... what really struck me was how lovely the lady looked at first glance and besides the ultra chic haircut what stood out most and flattered, was her lovely ruby red lipstick!... Of course I had to ask what she was wearing... 'Serge Leutens' she said... at 53 GBP a lipstick! WHAT!! Since then I have been thinking at how outrageous make-up prices have got and how much more outrageous it is that people are willing to pay for it!!! Oh well.. to each his/her own I suppose... and if that's something that makes you feel beautiful and good then why not eh?

So for those of you who can afford it... check out Serge Leutens make-up line... and for those who can't like myself... check it out anyway.... no harm in a leetle window shopping eh?...

Mx

India's 21st Century face.....

Lakshmi Menon for Givenchy....stunning....

Our MU Natasha's Make-up for the Taj Calendar.....

At ease, natural beauty....classic and timeless...

Mademoiselle Menon for Maxmara......

Fresh-faced with no Kajal.....

Maxmara campaign again for LM....

At ease on the international runways....

Vogue love LM!!!

Sultry and sexy...exotic beauty....

London's Dazed and Confused picked up on the Menon magic....

Vogue again.....

Ask any economist and they will say that the 21st century will belong to Asia. Now Mulain knows Asia is a big, big land mass....and consists of different looks, cultures, skin types, aesethetic tastes and beauty ideals.....we are in for an interesting time ahead my friends.... It seems 'the West' have picked up on the beauty of Bangalore's home-grown Lakshmi Menon as THE international face to front their different brands and be the face of 'new India'. Hermes to Givenchy to MaxMara....Menon is hot property and her look is totally accepted and loved on an international platform. When you see her in her different get-ups...you can see her versatility.....glamour, natural, Kajal and no Kajal, sexy, innocent, barefaced, lots of colour...she fits into all, quite effortlessly. Born to be a star it seems.

Mulain loves the fact also that her 'dusky' beauty is not only appreciated and accepted but truly loved and adored. She wows everyone and no sign of 'fair and lovely' anywhere. So all you dusky beauties out there take note. Love your skin! This is your time to be Indian and be proud of your skin colour.....it's your century...don't try and be white! That is Mulain's view anyway....

So artistes out there...ask yourself...can you work without Kajal? Less eye definition? Mulain says try it! Are you using different lip shades, cheek textures, base textures? If you don't you are limiting your creativity and work. We know Indian women are born with Kajal in their hands....and you have to prize it off them....but sometimes it's well worth the struggle.

So go celebrate Lakshmi and be proud of her......and then be proud to be a fabulous Indian woman (and man)....don't let beauty companies and traditions stop you from liking and being and exploring yourself. Remember it's your time to shine!

Mulain is off to pick up some more technical make-up tips from the MU academy today.

Hope you are surviving the heat.....Mulain x

Art for make-up artistes....

Matisse......

Andy Warhol does Pop-art....

Gustav Klimt....


Picasso....



Dali and Surrealism.......




THE Mona Lisa....Da Vinci.....legendary and infamous....


India's Dhruvi Acharya.....wonderful talent....

Kandinsky....

Ajanta cave paintings.....

Art from Japan...

Jackson Pollock.....

Vincent Van Gogh.......Expressionism...

15th century Italian art...Van Eyck...

India's Ravi Verma....

One of the first things we try to introduce in the MU academy is art knowledge...we want to encourage the love of art...understanding of art.....the techniques of art. Art is a little word my friends and is such big subject......under the art umbrella come paintings (as seen above), sculptures, pottery, photography etc etc......and there is a whole wide world out there of it and a huge history.....don't know where to start.....? Try New York's Metropolitan Museum's following link..... www.metmuseum.org/toah/

The most famous paintings in the world today are done by Western, white males.....the Mona Lisa, The Sunflowers, The Kiss..... by going on the link above you can find out about art in any region of the world....plus you can view female artistes too!!! You thought only men were creative? No my friends...open your mind to ALL art and see what you discover.....there is no turning back. Enjoy and explore, notice the shapes, textures, colours, lines, use of light and dark...... and watch how it helps your work.

Mulain is off to the academy....toodle-oo!

M x

fat mu mu-se...

Pat McGrath make-up design for Prada S/S 2010......

Pat McGrath make-up design for Mulberry S/S 2010....

Pat McGrath make-up design for Dior S/S 2010....



Pat McGrath make-up design for Italian Vogue Cover April 2010

Pat McGrath make-up design for Russian Vogue April 2010....

Mulain is always looking to see what all his MU-ses are upto.....Madame Pat Mcgrath has been a busy bee lately it seems.... with 2 Vogue covers in April.....plus have designed make-up looks / products from Max Factor to D&G to Cover Girl to SK-II and Armani and around 35 catwalk shows!!!!!! This woman is a creative force to be reckoned with. Everyone wants to work with her and we at fat mu hq can see why.......she jumps from genre to genre with such ease....classic to current....high drama to subtle chic......the MUs would love to meet her.....Mulain is on a mission.

Do you have role models / mentors my friends? Do let us know who they are.....

So what news from the MUs...the fat mu academy is in full swing....students working very hard, getting their bases right and learning to use their common sense in class...(tres importante)......Anthony Girdlestone is really wow-ing everyone with his amazing hair styling work....Mulain is very excited at seeing all this creative activity.....Mumbai today, India tomorrow....

Chalo fat mu....Mulain x

The Green Make-up Artiste!

Hello my dears...another super, super melting day in this metropolis we call Mumbai. Can it get any hotter? As it is this hot...Mulain is reminded of global warming and have to say I am thinking of the future of us and our lovely, leetle planet. Therefore it is up to all of us to be 'green' and save the world! Personally and professionally! Not sure where to start? Head to http://www.greenmakeupartist.com/ to get started. This site will give you important links to do with work, green recommendations for products, ways of working, tips from other make-up artistes...keeping tuned in and up-to-date is uber important...even Leo Dicaprio has his link on this site....see everyone is getting involved and doing their bit. Exploring the world of mineral make-up? Let Mulain and the MUs know if you find a good brand / product out there. Share knowledge my friends...knowledge is power etc etc.

So go green my friends....a 'Mineral-ed' Mulain x

Putting the wows into your brows!!!

Mulain was brow-zing on the net and looking at Benefit's loo-verly website... www.benefitcosmetics.com ........ loved the new tweezerman contributions going on! All make-up artistes love the tweezer man products...so to have them combined with Benefit's superlicious packaging is a dream come true...to go on-line and check them out...or better still head to a Benefit shop near you! We here in Bollywoodland and India will have to wait until Benefit decides to come to India.....we are waiting!!!!!

We know that you know how important les brows are on the face my darlings....we will keep reminding you though and of course telling you of products which will help you keep them in place, groomed and lookin' gor-gus!

Mulain x

Victorian Hairstyling with the lovely Anthony Girdlestone...

Mulain is in the middle of fat mu's first class with the wonderful Anthony Girdlestone! Having finally joined us in India, through a cloud of volcanic dust...all the way from London's West-End. Tonight he is demo-ing early Victorian styles.....so middle partings, delicate rolls, twists and plaits going on....all the students working very hard. These styles are over a hundred years old but are great to know for you work...add these styles to your fashion shoots, bridals, event hair...for make-up artists too.

The more you know my friends, the more your work keeps on improving and you will grow as an artiste!

Will put some photos up soon so you can see...great fun and a lovely class...which is always nice.

Mulain x

P.s - not sure of the period?...watch 'The Young Victoria' to get yourself in the mood...quite fabulous.

Body Electrics

Whatever will they think of next?.... http://www.illamasqua.com/ .....their first make-up collection for the body inspired by Kinetic energy and the fluidity of the body. They truly are 'out there' as a brand and Mulain is always curious to know what will they think of next...do have a look at their site and their fab images. They are taking body make-up to a whole new level...this collection promises creams, dry oils, lotions and potions to highlight and contour to a dizzying level...Mulain is dying to get his hands it.....anyone travelling to London?

Day 3 of our academy today....our poor little MU-ettes are getting their heads around colour theory and facial anatomy...it's not easy but is essential for being a good and confident artiste! Don't give up my darlings...Mulain is always with you.....Mwah!

Til tomorrow...Gut nacht!

M x

Make-up for children.....

Like...OMG!!!!!

This poor little beauty queen was sadly murdered.......so wrong!

Mulain has no words for this......

Ok...a difficult question to answer my friends...at what age should girls start wearing make-up? It's very tricky....little children of 2010 are much more sophisticated than say children of the 60s, 70s, 80s.......As a child of the 70s Mulain loved the idea of face-painting at birthday parties, wanting a butterfly with lovely colours or a tiger face with fabulous stripes...I certainly did n't want to look like Britney Spears or Pamela Anderson or Barbie even! Oh how times have changed.....feeling a little sad about that. Mulain believes that a child's innocence should be protected for as long as possible. Very difficult in this day and age where kids are exposed to modern icons on the TV, internet 24/7. Basically they're growing up too quick. Plus beauty companies / toy companies want to make money....kids are big money my darlings, sitting ducks in the marketing world. It's tough being a modern parent...instilling good moral values...the kids want EVERTHING....fast.

MU Sara visited the new Hamley's store in Mumbai and was astonished to see professional make-up artists there doing makeovers on young girls....Ummmm.....we at fat mu were a little disturbed by this. Girls are too young to understand the consequences of wearing make-up and the powerful image it conveys. What are the yummy mummies doing?....I really would love to know.....surely bringing up kids so fast is not good for the well-being of society....it has the potential to breed neurotic, self obsessed, vain individuals...too superficial! Mulain is taking a moral stand on this one darlings.....teach your kids to paint, sketch, draw, create in different ways before giving them the tools to paint their faces.....they have to understand what they are doing non?

I may sound harsh and not fun...am not against little girls trying on mummy (or daddy's) lipstick from time to time...exploring.....but little by little......look at the big picture my friends and protect the young of today....they know not what they do.

Here endeth the lesson....Mulain x

fat mu academy opens today!!

Mulain is uber excited today as it's the first day of our fat mu academy...woo hoo! Yes, our 8 week pro make-up course starts today, so looking forward to seeing all the new MU-ettes later. For those of you who could n't make it this time, there is always the next batch. So looking forward to discussing, demo-ing, designing in class......... make-up is such fun!

So wish us bon chance my friends.....off to pack up our make-up stations, brushes and tools.

Caio, Mulain x

Bobbi Brown concealers

Mulain absolutely loves the creme concealers and correctors from Madame Brown's collection. Great texture for under the eyes that does not attach itself to all those leetle fine lines, this product is wonderful for any degree of coverage required.

Dark circles too dark- fret not mes cheries as 'er corrector applied under the concealer will erase away any signs of fatique or darkness and brighten the eye area and your entire face.

Good colours for Indian skin tones are:

Correctors: Bisque, Peach, Dark peach

Concealers: Honey, Natural and Warm natural.

To apply just pat on the correcter first around the under eye area, this will cancel out any greyness or darkness you have, and then go over it with a yellow toned concealer et voila!

Try it!

Mulain is also super excited as tomorrow the fat mu academy kicks off!! can't wait!!

Mx

NYX Giant Glitter Creme Palette!

Ok...Mulain is in loo-ve......am to-tally getting into cosmetic brand NYX.......was with MUs Natasha and Virginia today in New Beauty Centre, Khar checking out some new products and we were shown some the latest ones just in from NY.....Like 'OMG'!!!! Wow....saw the the Giant Glitter Creme Palette and fell...hook, line and sinker....for approx 1500 Rs this palette of 21 creme glitters is yours....a rainbow of glittery delights that you can use for your brides, your events, yourself....just brilliant. There are also smaller glitter palettes also available but just could n't take my eyes off the giant one!!!! So voila...it is now in the fat mu kit and the MUs are taking it on a shoot tomorrow!!!!

Will let you know how we get on with it......Mulain will definitely have a glittery-filled weekend....painting the town...all the colours of that palette....do look out for me my friends...shall be lighting up Bombay! Woo-hoo...

Mulain x

Get lippy....

Yo my friends....wanna get lippy? Put some vroom-vroom into your Thursday my friends....get a Ben Nye lip palette and get painting. Whatever your mood there's a shade for you. These cute little palettes will open up your world...professionally and non-professionally they are fab to have with you. Plus you can mix and match and create your own colours....what fun!

In Mumbai you can pick one up from New Beauty Centre, Khar....affordable and fab!

Mwah - Mulain...x

The power of Make-up

Make-up has the ability to evoke another world... you could take a naked woman in a pair of shoes, do her make-up and everyone would instinctively know what decade she was from, whether its the twenties, thirties, sixties or seventies.... says Tom Ford, the man who has done everything from fashion to fragrances to direct a movie. We love you Mr. Ford for appreciating our art, and hope you gave the make-up designer on your film a well deserved title credit!

And now if you think he's done it all.. think again... fresh off the success of his film ' A Single Man' .. Monsieur Ford has launched his lipstick line. The collection features 12 shades with gorgeous colours like True Coral, Pure Pink, Moroccan Rouge and his signature Black Orchid.. to name a few... and it boasts a luxurious long lasting texture too......but you'd have to be a serial lipstick wearer or a serious Tom Ford fan to purchase these as they may leave a slight dent in your pocket with a price tag of GBP35 each!.... Ummm.... but since monsieur Ford is so good at what he does... am sure this won't fail to impress either and may be well worth a try... lets see....

Mx

Time to get Reel!

Mulain was told by the cameraman on a recent TV commercial that the 'stubble look' that the MUs created was so real that he wanted to know what we used. So we let him in on a little secret of ours..... Reel Palettes..... http://www.reelcreations.com/ ....... We at fat mu have a selection of their palettes but the one above is the most popular and versatile one available.....you can create bruises, black eyes, cuts, stubble, cover tattoos, scars etc.....quick easy palette to work with and lasts! To create the stubble look that was complimented....we had a black stipple sponge, some Isopropyl Alchohol and mixed the black, green and blue together to get the right effect and colour. Remember never just make stubble black in colour....this will look fake. It must look real, work slowly and carefully following the natural beardline of the artist...stippling carefully. If you go too heavy, don't panic my friends...just get a cotton bud, dab it with the alchohol and stipple over the part you want to correct. Ben Nye do black stipple sponges at New Beauty Centre, Khar. Available also at any professional beauty shop in the USA and UK.

Mulain suggests you check out the Reel Creations site to see which palette you need. A definite worthwhile investment sadly not available in India yet....the MUs are working on it.

M x

Make-up news live from the MUs...

Good morning.....Mulain is with MU Virginia at Mehboob studios, shooting a commercial for an airline company and is watching the MU army create some lovely, fun, modern retro make-up and hair designs.....we have a factory line of lashes, eye-lines, lipsticks, bases happening.....what fun...but hard work my darlings...it's not all glamour....a sneaky insider tip.......MAC's Blacktrack fluid liner is the hero of the shoot...an intense black liner, easy to apply, gives great definition and best of all lasts...ALL DAY!!! Thank you MAC! We also going with MAC's Morange lipstick, which everyone has fallen in loo-ve with......

Right....back to work....there is much to do :)...lights camera action!....Mulain x