Double up!

A quick guide on how you can make some of your products multi task...

Lip tints and lipsticks = cheek stains and blusher

Brown/ black eyeshadow = eyebrow filler

Pale sheeny/ shimmery eye shadow = highlighter

Kajal / Kohl pencil = black smudgy smoky eye

Soft coloured eye pencils = coloured eyeshadow

Mascara = eyeliner ( applied with a brush)

Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream = hand and face moisturiser / lip balm/ lip gloss

Liquid foundation + moisturiser = tinted moisturiser

Hope this helps for quick fixes.....

Mx

Go Natural

Earlier I had written about a lady called Bharti that I had met at the organic farmers market in Bandra .... Bharti does a range of natural cosmetics and skin care called 'Waterline'. What I remember from my conversation with her was her mentioning natural cleansers... here's what she said..... to cleanse your face morning and night use milk- not the tetra pack kind but fresh milk.... for those of us living in India... boil the milk first and keep in the fridge so it lasts longer. Using a cotton pad soaked in cold milk clean the entire face.... this works for ALL skin types, so for all you people prone to breakouts you will not erupt!

Milk also contains a natural bleach which will gradually lighten/ even out your complexion- don't get me wrong I am not into fairness at all, all this will do is help you achieve a clear even creamy skin tone.

To remove eye make-up she suggested olive oil... once eyes are clean, go over with milk to clean entire face and then finish off by rinsing with water.....

Results- lovely clean skin. Try it... I know I am!

Mx

Too much make-up?

Christina on X-factor UK

Brit gal Cheryl on the X factor show....

A close pal of Mulain's commented recently on celebs wearing too much make-up!? Is this possible I ask you? We are living in the times of Lady Gaga non...what is too much in this Gaga land? The situation that my friend was talking about was Britain's X factor talent show. It seems that popstress Christina Aguilera was on last week and appeared next to one of the hosts, Cheryl Cole, both seemed 'plastered' with make-up. I had a sneaky peek at the show in question....and thought is it the lighting? Is there too much? We are so used to celebs sporting different looks and really pushing creative boundaries so I think it's not so much the 'too' much it's the way it's applied. It's all in the art! If it looks disagreeable / bad / not happening...look at the whole package too...the hair, make-up and clothes....sometimes celebs make mistakes ...we are all human afterall. It's good to notice these things my darling as it makes you think about your own work. The make-up you do must work alongside many factors...situation, lights, clothes etc.....always take this into account.

Today is Monday and the MUs are reflecting on the year gone by....Christmas, New Year and of course 2011. Have been shooting like mad....on beaches, under palms, in studios, in airplanes (?!)...make-up artists do get around you know...:)....do tell us your funny locations!

MU Prajakta is running our hairstyling workshop this week and MU Sara gearing up for her makeovers today. Whatever you're doing today Mulain hopes you have a great day!

Pink Friday

Nicki Minaj....Lady Gaga meets Barbie?

MAC's lipstick especially custom made for Nicki Minaj....

MAC make-up have teamed up with cool hiphop songstress Nicki Minaj to give us a super cool pink lipstick for the party season. It's called Pink Friday (like her album) and is totally traffic-stopping and out there to say the least. Apparently Nicki helped create the shade, wanting a head turning, wow factor pink. It has a creamy, satin finish and is super comfy on the lips apparently. Mulain can't wait to get his hooves on this one! Lady Gaga has someone hot on her (very high) whacky heels methinks....Nicki M is totally pushing creative boundaries too. Mulain's tip if you like the look of this lippie...make sure you go for it with your hair and nails too, plus your outfit...push your look as far as you dare go!!!

Let Mulain know how you've got on!

M x

Highlight 2011!

For 2011 make-up artistes across the globe will be focussing on highlighting the inner corner of the eye but with a modern twist. We all know a little dab of highlighter in the corners makes the eyes wow! ...but take it to a new level. Try different colours, different textures...have fun with it and get creative.

MUs super busy right now....shooting in Goa, Alibaug....MU Xavier back from shooting in Rajasthan ...good to have you back Xavi...Mulain missed you so! Also gearing up for Christmas and New Year. 2011?! Can you imagine my friends? Time surely flies.....

Have a great day my darlings...M x

Dip and dye 2011!

Nicki Minaj giving Lady Gaga a run for her money...

Bohemian pink streaks.....

Edgy dip/dye look with Drew.....

Bouncy blue.....

Pink tips...too cool for school.....

Purple ends...love it...

Mulain was checking out all the trends for next year and came across Hiphop singer Nicki Minaj's hair. Absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this look....dip and dye your hair...just how cool and different....what fun! Wonder what Gaga makes of this.....such fun and so colourful and edgy. What's great is that you can pick a colour and look to match your personality. Pink and playful, blue and cool, rainbow and fun...Mulain wants to try! Look out Bombay here I come!

Manish Acharya

R.I.P. Manish.....from fat mu

MUs Virginia and Natasha were shocked to hear that their friend Manish Acharya had passed away on December 4th. All our thoughts our with his family at this time. Such a funny man Mulain can't tell you....extremely hardworking, bright, giving and inspiring. We met him on his film 'Loins of Punjab Presents' in 2005 and have been in contact ever since.....great movie (do see if you have n't) and so much more to give. Gone far too soon....we will always hear his laughter and see his wicked smile and admire his sharp life observations.... why he has gone...nobody can explain...life Mulain says with a big sigh.....what a heavy heart I have.....

Mulain x

TVC in the making...

On set checks with MU Virginia and 'God'...

MU Sunita with MU-ette Bianca creating tribal make-up....

MU-ette Loveleen creating tribal looks in the make-up van....

Japanese family .....soft delicate look

African tribe....

On set checks with the Eskimo family....

Mulain thought you would like to see behind the scenes of an ad film we worked on recently.....it was for Dominoes Pizza and involved creating 'God', an Eskimo family, an African tribe and a Japanese family at home......so for anyone who thinks make-up is just beauty centric....think again please! It's all about creating characters. We worked with a wig for this, body make-up, Japanese hair-styling looks and sfx for the Eskimo family.....want to be a versatile artist...think creatively...do your research....play around to get the looks you want....it's great fun and all the MUs and MU-ettes really enjoyed themselves....afterall as Mulain always says...variety is the spice of life!

Mulain x

'Nets Instead'

Let's take a wee break from the world of maquillage and end the week instead on a charitable note shall we?....

I got an email from a friend who's brother started this charity on the 'nets instead' idea . What's that you may ask.... and so... to quote him, here's what he said...

'My brother set up a small charitable venture a couple of years ago aiming to help tackle malaria around the world. The 'nets instead' idea came into his head as he witnessed the astonishing waste of money he was seeing at kids birthday parties in the UK where kids were discarding goodie bags at $15/ $25 a time. Why not instead of wasting this on kids who have everything-spend it on malaria nets to help kids who have a whole lot less.'

What a great idea! Mulain loves it and is going to do his bit with the fat mu team and hopes you will too.... and please pass on the word. The more people that can help... the more children and families can be protected from this dreadful disease.

To know more about the work and how to donate please visit their website www.againstmalaria.com

Mx

YSL Spring 2011 Boheme Libertine make-up collection

We at fat mu love YSL make-up and its gorgeous textures. Below are some images from their new spring collection for 2011, not entirely impressed i have to say. I do love the fact that they have some pastels and muted shades as part of the collection, especially love the nail colours, the mint green eye shadow, the highlighting powder compact ( especially now that Shiseido have discountinued their S3 highlighting creme stick-sob!).... and the 3 new vibrantly popping shades of creme blush (these are particularly lovely...). Other than that it all looks pretty standard to me , but have a look for yourselves......

YSL is available at Shoppers Stop in Mumbai.

Mx

Organics

Mulain recently found out about an organic farmer's market that takes place every sunday in Bandra at Windchimes school. I was super excited and so trotted along... and found stalls selling fruits, vegetables, plants, grain, cereal, even stones...ummm..... but what particulary stuck with me was that everyone there, farmers and entrepreneurs alike were all working together promoting wellness and helping each other out... and everyone was SO NICE!

It was a particularly lovely experience...

The market is the brainchild of eco-nutritionist Kavita Mukhi who founded the organic brand 'Concious Foods'. Along with her was Lovely Jenni who runs the 'Metta' foot spa( previously written about) where you can get a foot massage or a back rub by blind people that she trains and a lovely lady called Bharti who makes natural cosmetic, skin and hair care products( lovely natural lip and cheek tints- watch out benetint!....). This is where I thought you all would be particularly interested.

Her range is called ' Waterline'. Everything is chemical free, and she promises that you start seeing results within 2-3 days of using her products. How did she start I asked- she was a swimmer she said and her skin was ruined by the age of 19. Living in America she tried all the big cosmetic and skin care brands, but nothing worked and so... she started her own... and as they say the rest is history.

Bharti is a beautiful 52 year old woman with a peaches and cream 'taut' complexion. Guess her products really do work then....

To know more about her do visit her website www.waterlinecosmetics.net or stop by the organic market sometime and pay her and all the other lovely people a visit.

Mx

MAKE-UP IS ART

Books ( 2 editions ) with images of inspirational make-up art and techniques to inspire and bring out the creative artist in you! Worth checking out!

Mx

The Genius of Heston Blumenthal

Mulain is addicted to Masterchef Australia.... recently there was a challenge for the contestants and it was to recreate the masterpieces created by one of the world's best chefs 'Heston Blumenthal'. I was blown away by his creations... he takes the world of food to an entirely new level, one that I never thought possible and each of his dishes are like works of art.

I was so inpired by him and his out of the box thinking, to think he could do that with food.... I had to share it with my MU-ettes and all of you to say.... don't be limited... explore your creative sides and constantly push boundaries.... try doing something different with things that have been done the same way for years.... experiment experiment experiment!!!

Here are some images of his work... the best that I could locate online for you all to see what he does..... take a look at his colours, textures and shapes and get inspired!!

Mx

Congratulations Batch 3 MU-ettes!

What a lovely cake!!!! Did n't last long :).....

Our lovely MU-ettes Deepti, Reshma, Apoorva, Melanie and Nikita!

MU-ettes with Vijaya and Aswathy...

MU-ette Reshma with MU Sunita....

Proud mummy MUs Virg and Nat...ah bon chance my darlings....

Checking out face charts from Batch 3 - love them!

So big congratulations to our Batch 3 MU-ettes....we wish you all the best for your futures in make-up and all else....Mulain had great fun with you all yesterday...so sad to see you all go!! 8 weeks goes fast na?

MUs gearing up for December shoots and Batches 4 and 5 in January 2012....

Have a great weekend - M x

Batch 3 final projects...

MU-ette mood board

Another MU-ette mood board!

on set checks during Batch 3 final photo shoot....

Palette in action...

MU-ette Deepti getting her design on

Reshma and the B:Blunt students in action...

Our Batch 3 students did a fab job on their final projects...all of them prepped and practiced beforehand and so came straight in and got stuck into their designs and all finished in their allocated time. Photographer Chang was impressed as was Mulain! Will post their final pics asap...Mulain very proud of you all....you each took an idea and then developed it and designed it onto the face (and body in some cases). Bravo!

Make-up is not just open your kit and start....put your thoughts and creative ideas in and see how your work improves.

M x

The colour purple

Mulain was skyping to his mama....currently holidaying in the Carribbean.....when noticed on the screen that she was wearing the most fabulous colour on her nails....purple! So chic....holiday nails with a pop. Of course OPI does a fab purple but Mulain was thinking in Mumbai where could he buy a lovely shade of this colour? Going to head to New Beauty Centre and DandB to see what they have.....Chalo...

Last week of batch 3...graduation day on Friday!!!! We will be so sad to see our MU-ettes leave our academy but so happy for them knowing they're going off into the world to create make-up magic!

Ahhhh - bon chance my darlings...Mulain x

How to look like Taylor Swift!

this Lakme Red 'red hot' lipstick is a great place to start!

This singer / songwriter is uber hot and totally talented and RED CARPET GORGEOUS!

The infamous Kanye West moment....what a bad man!!!

MUs Virg and Nat were watching Taylor Swift perform at a recent music industry award function and in between OMG-ing with Usher and toe-tappin' with Katy Perry and lil Justin B
they could n't help noticing just how good she looked. She usually goes for a very feminine, girly, soft look ....this night she went for old Hollywood glam..from hair to nails to lips to eyes! Just fantastic and shows how versatile she is...and what a great style team she has! Recently Mulain has noticed Mademoiselle Swift wearing flicks on the eyes and a red, statement mouth, instantly giving her a more adult, glamourous look and appeal. Love it!

So...want to look like Taylor Swift but without the surgery :)....the below products will help!

MU-st prep skin!!!! Get skin care to suit you.

Groom those brows and keep them in place.

MAC's Blacktrack fluid eyeline gel / Lakme liquid eyeliner for the eyeline flicks.

Max Factor volume mascara - 2000 caleries is great for va-va-voom red carpet glam.

MAC's Dollymix powder blush for girly glam.

and finally the statements lips...icing on the cake!

LAKME'S "RED HOT" LIPSTICK - it's a fantastic shade of red...huge impact and just lovely!

Also keep the hair soft and tonged and maybe pin back....nails red to match lips! Voila....let me know how you get on my loo-ver-lies......

So my darlings....am whizzing off for a meeting...MU Natasha in academy today...intro to sfx...can't wait to see pix!

Mulain x

fat mu's 8 week pro course!

It's batch 3's final week in the academy this week....can you believe it?...Our little MU-ettes are leaving the nest on Friday...off to spread their creative wings across Mumbai. Bon chance my darlings! They still have to get through character week though and intro to SFX, so still work and learning is on.

Bookings are now open for January 2011 for batches 4 and 5, a morning session and afternoon session now available! So do email or call us...numbers and details at the top of the blog...come in and meet the MUs and see if this is the course for you!

MU Virginia is prepping for an Excel film...the fat mu team are completing the last schedule for the fabulous Ms. Akhtar....so all go at fat mu HQ plus other shoots on and of course...lots of wedding belles!

Caio for now....Mulain x

Dior's Cruise look for 2011

Flicks of eyelines - popped with bright current colours...

60s Paris inspired....thank you Ms. Mcgrath......

John Galliano at his best.....

Mulain saw images from the Dior Cruise show in Shanghai yesterday and so wished he was there to help create those flicks and pops of lip colours...lovely! John Galliano's show for Dior saw him bring the streets of 1960s Paris to the current 'it' city of Shanghai!!! 60s hair and eye flicks teamed with bright, poppy colours from the 80s....bringing the look into 2011 courtesy from our fat mu MUse Pat Mcgrath. She wanted to capture the energy from the Parisienne streets of the time adding a contemporary twist...she again not only succeeded but wowed us all as usual.

Have a great Friday night my darlings....Batch 3 final photo shoot tomorrow...so early night pour moi!

M x