Embrace yourself!

Read an article in the Times of India today that caught my attention... It spoke of young girls - students - who were visiting doctors to get operations done to make them look like Bollywood stars...... dimples a la Deepika Padukone, bee stung lips a la Ms. Kaif and thicker lashes.... all costing them a fat fee of Rs 35,000 and their reasons for doing this? To create good first impressions, a new look for college and .... to make friends easily!

What happened to the good ol' days when it was just simple enough to go out and get a couple of new outfits to impress that cute boy you had a crush on or be the cool kid in school.... surgery if you ask me is a little drastic... and parents are supporting this?!.......this worries Mulain I have to say.... I know its a 'look' centric world, but we don't need to take such drastic actions!!.....

.....and so..... Mulain has a solution... that is a lot cheaper... a lot more fun.... pain free.... without side effect..... and temporary should you one day get bored of it! .... you guessed it - la maquillage!

Want thicker lips? Line your lips a bit fuller (same colour as your lipstick), apply gloss focussing on the centre of the mouth, go with lighter colours for a fuller effect...

Want thicker lashes? Line you lids with a black pencil very, very close to your lash line and really work it in! This gives the illusion of thick lashes and doubled up with the amazing variety of mascaras out there ... who needs more!....

Dimples, well that one we can't create magically unless you go down the prosthetic route which you don't even want to try!.... why not instead substitute it for a beauty spot a la Cindy Crawford or Madonna ... place it on the corner of your top lip, or the lower corner of your eye a la Ditta Von Tesse, very burlesque and very sexy!

All girls love make-up, play around with it ... try a new look each time....whoever your role model.. make-up will help you achieve that look... and what's great is that you won't be stuck with it should you get bored... but remember girls.... most important thing is that you take pride in yourselves.... your individuality..... it's never just about looks... that's temporary, eventually it's the entire package that counts.

M x

Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Ok 'art lovers'....... MU-ses of the day.......many of you will not have heard of this Scottish man called Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his even less famous wife Margaret Macdonald.....this romantic, dynamic duo worked together to create incredible designs for houses, furniture, glass, panelling, paintings around ..the 1900s....yes a long time ago. Enormously talented and their timeless works stand the test of time and still 'wow' artists across the world. They started in Scotland over a hundred years ago....think Art Nouveau, Klimt.....if you 're a fan you will love these two..... Mulain visited their work recently in the wonderful city of Glasgow (once the second city of the British Empire)...... a house designed by the two but not built til 10 years by modern artisans. Visit http://www.houseforanartlover.co.uk/ you'll get an idea...and if you're in the area....THEN GO!!! Mulain also loves the fact that CRM and MM worked together and were a brilliant balance of masculine and feminine traits and talents...it really shows.....light with dark, hard lines with soft decorations.....they believed that everything designed was individual and added value to the bigger, creative picture.....and we all know as artistes how true this is.

Good night my darlings....have a lovely Friday wherever you are... M x

Summer Nails

Hot new nail colour for the month at fat mu HQ is........... 'Tangerine Fatal' by Bourjois.

A gorgeous popping coral with a beautiful glossy texture that works on all skin tones... this one speaks for itself. Very affordable at Rs 350, it's a steal. Try it , you wont be disapointed.

M x

Get cheeky and Lippy with Nars

Gorgeous new fresh sorbet coloured tints from make-up guru Francois Nars. For those of you who can get your hands on one of these..... do! Bright they may look but they go on as translucent tints on to the cheeks and lips and can be built up for a stronger look... or topped with a pop of blusher and some lippy for a bolder effect... perfect I think for that fresh Summer day look by itself... try it!

Mx

Givenchy wonder product

1 eyeshadow colour - 4 textures! genius non?!

MU Sara told me about this and so i had to look it up and my darlings it is fabulous!

With textures like matte, glittery, iridescent and intensely pearlescent... all in a single eyeshadow prism ... there's a lot of looks you can do with just one of these. Opaque, sheeny, pearlescent- combination of 2, or perhaps all 4? or maybe just a one off matte look- tres chic! and what's better it comes in 16 shades!! A must have this one....

Mx

Max Factor's new Max Colour Effects Range

Top UK make-up artist Caroline Barnes was quoted recently with regards to the range of Max Factor...... "backstage using colour is all about making a statement. So when we were asked to put together this exciting, vibrant, new range, we went for MAXIMUM COLOUR FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT. Now show your true colours". Have to say on seeing the new Max Factor colour range...Mulain practically nose-dived into the products to try them....displayed very well, the colour displays are so inviting and exciting....loved the eyeshadow trio pallette with a yellow and green and orange! Brilliant. You just want to start painting it on and mixing around with it. Must say though....you do need good tools for the application......no point having fab make-up if you can't apply it properly, um? Mulain recommends MAC blending brushes 217 and 224. Well worth the investment.

Let me know what you think girls and boys :)... Mulain x

Barry M's Dazzle Dusts....

just yum!.......

Mulain's favourite colour ..... Parrot Green....

Anyone travelling through UK mu-st drop into Boots, Top Shop, Superdrug to check out Barry M's make-up range...fun and affordable with to die for colours www.barrym.com . Young and poppy, trendy and cool....there is something here for everyone.....from nails to cheeks, lips and eyes....getting a-paintin' and a-mixin my friends. Mulain really did like the Dazzle Dusts...'ave to say, especially the Parrot Green one......what an impact for your eyes / look etc. Each shade (and there are many around 60!!!!!!) can be applied bright and bold or shimmering and subtle......each pot contains intensive reflective colour which glides on smoothly adding sparkle or sheen and costs around 4.50 GBP (that's about 315 Rs)....get shopping!

Mulain x

Guerlain in India

Luxury brand Guerlain has finally made it's debut in India. I spotted it yesterday whilst scouting for make-up with MU'S Natasha and Sara at Shopper's stop juhu.

I was so excited!.. that was until I heard the prices!! Rs 4500 approx for a foundation!!! nevermind... I did n't bother with the rest. Although despite the prices it gives me great comfort to know they are here should I suddenly feel the need to indulge and want something from their wonderful range.

An old fan of their make-up there are definitely a few things to swear by - their bronzers for instance, pretty much top of the line in the market today, great kohl, lovely tinted moisturisers for those who don't like or need foundation, fine powders, luxuriant primers and just beautiful make-up to wear AND to look at! So if you can afford it , it's probably worth the investment.

Mx

Pore minimizer by Clarins

Large pores worrying you?.... Wake up in the morning only to find they've got bigger?! Don't panic - luckily with modern technology and advances in the beauty industries there is something to tackle it all!!

I recently faced such a problem and was horrified, but a lovely Clarins salesperson on a chance encounter changed my life by recommending the pore minimizing serum, and after weeks of going thru little pots of testers the difference is remarkable!.. not only does it give your skin a smoother more flawless appearance but it prevents all that gunk and pollution lodging itself in large pores thus leading to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples... you the general idea right..... and so today I stepped out and bought my very own bottle- and I have to say I am pleased!

Another company that does such a product is Estee Lauder with 'Idealist'. I however can't comment on it as I have n't tried it, but going by their reputation and what the word on the street is - its meant to be a wonder product.

Why did n't I try it then you ask?For one it's too much of a trek to the Palladium Mall (only place in Mumbai with an Estee Lauder store).... and more importantly Clarins passed the test with flying colours!.....and so as they say... better the devil you know!

So if you're not sure about spending a whole lot of cash right away but you want to give it a go.. head down to your nearest store and get a couple of testers and go from there...

Flawless skin here we come.......

Mx

This one's for ZG!!...... base colours for Indian skins......

So for all you Indian ladies out there who can't seem to find the right colour to suit you... here are a few tips!!

Yesterday MU Natasha did a corporate session with the girls for Tata power. Whilst on the hunt for the right products to create a uniform look and still look good on all the girls, she found that she could not get hold of concealers or powders that were dark enough to suit various Indian skin tones - all too pink, too fair - end result - grey!!!

... and so off to MAC it was....

.. and so for all you ladies.. prompted by yesterday's session and a request from ZG here are a few recommendations.......

Estee Lauder double wear foundation to suit tones: canvas , shell beige, camel (light - medium - medium dark )

Bobbi Brown cream foundations: warm beige, natural, warm natural, honey, warm almond (warm beige being lightest and warm almond being warmest )

Concealers MAC- whether it's studio finish (more coverage) or select cover (not as full cover as the studio finish) choose anything from NC 35- NC 45.. (35 is lightest and colours get warmer as numbers go up)

Concealers Bobbi Brown - natural, warm natural, honey, golden (natural being lightest and golden being the warmest)

Powders loose: MAC select sheer in NC20 (suitable for most Indian skins), blot powders in medium dark, dark and deep dark

Powders compact : medium dark, dark and deep dark

Hope this helps... ZG based on what you've said I would recommend you try the shell beige as used on Ms.Pinto or for something lighter a touch of Canvas mixed with it? It's not a bad idea to have 2 shades as you can mix according to your skin tone as it often tends to change....

Powders you should get the MAC NC20 as a loose one to set your make-up at home and to carry with you go have a look at the dark or medium dark blots for compact versions. They are often not how they look so try it out - one of the 2 should work. Blot powders are great for touch up's as they don't build-up... so no excessively powdered / made-up faces just a nice clean and polished look.

Hope this helps, do let Mulain know!

Muah x

Himalayan Poppies!

Himalayan Poppies!!

Mulain has whizzed to the highlands and islands of West Scotland....people, parties ......and poppies!!! Was amazed to see such a glorious display of fauna against the backdrop of the stark Scottish landscape....the Himalayan Poppy was jumping out at me orange / red and pink alongside the delicate shades of lilac and muted greens....a-m-a-z-i-n-g and I just had to show you all....see above....that if that does n't inspire you for colour and vibrancy in your life and work I don't know what will...

Do enjoy and will let you know on Monday what the fat mu team are upto next week...happy weekend!

Mulain x

400 Oxford Street

Mulain has been doing a quick travel to the UK....alongside Mr. and Mrs. Bachchan I'll have you know......have to tell you that I will be hitting one of my favourite make-up centres...London's Selfridges....too excited about finding out what's hot and what's not! Lucky it's 2010 my friends...you also can go on-line at www.selfridges.com to also check out the beauty scene. Marvellous non? Mulain loves walking in off Oxford Street and working his way around all the counters.....it's wonderful...new colours, new ingredients, new brands! Can't wait to see what Illamasqua are up to.....will keep you posted my dears.

And do let me know if you want to test anything for you.....Mulain x

How to Corporate....

Mulain has been watchin the Mu's in action prepping for their new corporate gig. So for all you corporate ladies out there here are a quick few tips on how to achieve a polished and sophisticated look in less than 10 minutes.... on an affordable budget!

1) Moisturise skin well

2) Depending on the condition of your skin pick an appropriate concealer to match your skin tone... MAC studio finish is great for those who require heavier coverage and MAC select cover- a lighter creamier consistency is good for light- medium coverage. Apply where needed.

3) Use a powder compact to set your make-up and remove any unwanted shine.

4) For your eyes get an eyeshadow duo or quad in shades of brown. Maybelline does a great quad. Use the lighter colour on your lid, the darker in your crease and the outer corner. If a quad, use the lightest colour on the browbone to highlight. Your eyeshadow duo or quad should be able to double up into an eyebrow colour as well if needed to define brows.

5) Now taking an eye pencil- we recommend a dark brown by Revlon colorstay- line the top of your lids close to the lashline. Follow with mascara- Maybelline dial-a -lash to finish the look.

6)Move on to the cheeks- a pop of blusher on the apples swept up and out adds a lovely hint of colour and glow to the face. Try Mabelline or Ben Nye in pinks and corals for good affordable options.

and lastly...

7) Finish of the look with your lipstick.... try NYX or Lakme again for good affordable options... nothing too loud , a nude, pinky brown or a nice sienna tone would work well...

et voila there you have it.. quick and easy... and does'nt pinch the pocket!

Now dont forget your nails- you can't have a nicely groomed face and shabby nails.. so remember, trim and shape and clean with a nice coat or two of nude polish- that should complete the look. Again check out the Range at Maybelline and Lakme....

Hope this helps... muah!

Mx

The sheer creative genius of AT&T! part deux.....

Today's post is a continuation of yesterdays post.... For those of you who missed yesterday.. please scroll down and have a look at the creativity behind AT&T's new promotions.....

Mx

The sheer creative genius of AT&T!

Mulain is blown by the sheer genius of cell phone carrier AT&T. Their new promotion incorporates the idea of hand painting using the colours and themes of different countries ... and a phone.

Beautiful art work and hand painting- digitally enhanced of course - but even so... its sheer genius at the expense of repeating myself!

Take a look, get inspired and get creative!!

Mx

P.s- I will be continuing with this posting tomorrow as well as they have so many images, but each one so clever that i want to share them all with you. Hope you enjoy them as much as i have....