Flutterbug

Our mu Natasha has come back from London with a bag full of make up goodies... one of them being the new 'mini' Shu Uemura eyelash curlers! (she can't stop raving about it )

If any of you are like me.. these things would frighten you....mini or not.... personally they look like torture tools to me, why would I want them near my eyes ... but after hearing Natasha(who even as a make up artist was not a big fan ...until now!) raving about them I had to give it a try and so I did... very reluctantly... et mon dieu... people I am now a convert !!

Thank you Mr. Uemura and the fabulous Japanese technology for giving us this amazing tool that can curl your lashes and literally take them to the moon..! and you don't feel a thing! I think I am in love.....

So what sets these apart from your regular curlers you may ask, well apparently the hinge is based on special japanese technology which gives your lashes a curl with the absolute minimum press... which in turn means your lashes dont take a beating and fall out after long term use (which I guarantee you will be doing once you try these) as you just have to press down gently for literally 1-2 seconds et voila!! Simply swooonderful lashes!

Besides the mini ones are great to work magic even on the smallest of lashes and really work well to curl your outer lashes or any specific areas that might need that little extra oomph... much more precise with better results if you ask me...

They are certainly not the cheapest .. 17 GBP for the mini ones, with one extra silicon rubber pad provided (be careful with those as once lost you can't buy more pads- its a new curler or nothing I'm afraid- one drawback yes, but a small price to pay for the sheer genius of it)...

... and for them to be effective, if you are using them regularly they need to be replaced once a year as the hinge wears out. Worth it mes cheries... trust me on this one... I have not swooned over a product like this for a long time...perfect for those romantic nights with long gazes into each others eyes... sigh....

On that note I will say adieu for now and encourage you to go flutter 'flirt'er ;-)

Bisoux

Mulain x

Shameless Plug

Mulain is again encouraging all Mumbaikers / Bombayites...whatever it is you call yourselves to come and see Anuvab Pal's play - the fat mu gang will be working furiously back stage putting on wigs and moustaches and la rouge of course...... while you laugh and enjoy yourselves out front.

So much rain and flooding last night - Zut Alor! And the monsoons have just begun.....what is to become of our leetle island...a sophisticated swamp? Mulain is off to dry his two mobile phones which drowned in the water......so sad. On a happier note our MU Natasha has returned from London laden with make-up goodies and new devices - you should see the new Shu Uemura lash curlers! Will get her to tell you all about it.

So again...Monsieur Pal ...Bon Chance, Break-a-leg and Mulain sincerely wishes the rains don't wash away your audience!

Mulain x

The Return of Twiggy!

Mulain loves Twiggy!

Everyone's favourite supermodel is back on the beauty scene. Nearly 25 years after she first appeared as the face of Olay's TV advertising, Twiggy will resume her contract to front a new campaign for the brand. It seems she is an inspiration to millions of ladies over 40 for looking good and still fashionable! Well done you Ms. Twiggy......We look forward to seeing your lovely face again.....Bon chance.....

Mulain x

Glamour Noir

Mulain's favourite Vampire flick.....

Mulain was reading the New York Times this morning and an article about Dark Glamour caught my eye. The fascination with Vampires was discussed from recent teenage glam-doll Buffy to old Bela Lugosi, the theme keeps re-running - we never seem to tire of it.....

Bram Stoker's 1897 Novel on Dracula started a trend in film, tv and comic books for these blood-sucking creatures that keeps on going. 

From the 80s classic The Lost Boys to Interview with The Vampire, Van Helsing, the Blade trilogies, Underworld, Salem's Lot, From Dusk Til Dawn, Bram Stoker's Dracula to Dance of the Vampires - going back to the start of filming making to 2009, everyone loves to dabble in the theme and tap into their dark sides - Pitt, Tarentino, Mulain's Keanu, Cruise, Christopher Lee, Hugh Jackman .....it crosses la couleur too....Wesley S in the Blade series and even 1972's puts an African spin on things in 'Blacula'.

My personal favourite however is Monsieur's Roman Polanski's 'Dance of the Vampire' (also called The Fearless Vampire Killers) in 1967 with the tragic Sharon Tate - before she was slaughtered by Manson....just awful!!! But it's 60's glam, Dracula Kitsch at it's best....Mulain recommends this one as a good place to start if you want to tap into the Vampire world and 'ave a giggle at the same time.

On a personal note - if you like the idee of Le Glamour Noir....Go for dark smoldering eyes, dark exotic lips, deathly pale skin, glam it up at night...enjoy your sleep in the day and remember to stay away from garlic!!

Mulain x

For the love of theatre!

VJ Sophie Chaudhury's theatre debut in India with Mulain's darling Kunal Roy Kapur

1-888-Dial-India is the new play by talented writer and all-round comic genius Anuvab Pal. Just loo-ve his work and the fat mu team always 'ave a great time working with him. We have collaborated on 'The Loins of Punjab Presents' (with the equally funny Manish Acharya), Mumbai Calling with Sanjeev Bhasker, his last play with Rahul Dacunha 'Chaos Theory' and now his next offering is opening at St.Andrew's Auditorium on 5th July - you mu-st come people as it is just too funny.....and of course to support the fat mu team - Mulain and gang will be rushing behind the scenes, backstage - putting wigs on and moustaches and extensions and lots of rouge - too much fun!

J'aime the theatre!

So 'be there or be square' as the saying goes.....break a leg my darlings!

Mulain x

Ultimate Multi-tasker

Mulain knows we are all still being Recessionistas so is passing on tips on products and techniques to help you all in these trying times..... Madame Arden would be delighted to know her 8-hour Cream creation is a mu-st have in any make-up artiste's bag and is a great product to invest in. It's great for sunburn, glossy lips, repairing dry lips and dry skin anywhere on the body. Use it to keep unruly brows in shapes, to create a sheen on the cheekbones. A fabulous gloss on the eye-lids.....it is also great for 'posh sweat' when filming....run out of sweat jelly? Try 8 hour Cream instead! Works a treat, stays in place and is kind to the skin. It's an all-round winner, mu-ch like myself........Any other uses you have.....let Mulain and the fat mu team know.

Off to set I go...Mulain x

Burlesque Beauty

Ok - the fat mu team are just so enthusiastique about Burlesque Beauty - in our Disney Bollywood dance number we are designing at the mu-ment, we 'ave thrown in a 40s style showgirl look - a Moulin Rouge / Burlesque inspired creation which we all just loved. Mulain is telling you all to try this look at home, get the confidence to wear it and then take the world by storm. You'll need 1) a strong dark mouth - fat mu have created their own colour for this, a retro red with a matt finish, 2) a lovely liquid black liner - we used Bobbi Brown eyeline gel in Black just on the top lash line, 3) a BIG mascara with lots of personality (L'Oreal Shocking Volume) and finished with 4) MAC showgirl rouged cheeks et voila...all set to go! Blonde, brunette, black or red, it does not matter, watch Moulin Rouge or see Dita Von Teese to get excited.

Mulain also thinks an added beauty spot is the icing on the cake - go enjoy and discover the 'sparkling diamond' within....Mulain x

Cargo-tastic!

As you know the fat mu team are always on the look-out for the next best thing in the world of La Maquillage.....Mulain is keen on trying Cargo's latest offering. This summer, CARGO unveils LashActivator™, a nourishing boost for your lashes which will visibly increase the appearance of natural lash length and fullness, while promoting lash vitality and reducing lash loss. I know, I know...sounds too good to be true.......Cargo claim that in just 30 days, new CARGO LashActivator™ helps boost the appearance of lash length by more than 2 ½ times, compared to regular mascara. With a multitude of award-winning products, cutting edge packaging and ground-breaking formulations, CARGO has gained recognition around the world as the most innovative brand on the beauty scene today. CARGO's super-portable products are found in the most prestigious goody bags – from the Oscars to the Emmys to the Golden Globes (not quite sure about Film Fare yet)......and have become must-haves in the hands of professional makeup artists, celebrities and everyday women femme fatales. Natasha can vouch that Naomi Campbell loves Cargo and carries it in her beauty bag. Mulain loves the Cargo tag line too....."It's all about the modern tools for the timeless art of self-expression."

Cargo say that LashActivator™ is the next generation black mascara - love that catchy line..... our MU Natasha is currently in London town itself and hunting out some goodies for fat mu....too excited for her return. Mulain will get ask her to pick me up one and I will try it out. I know I have fabulous lashes but we can always do with a leetle 'elp. Non?

Hoping you are enjoying your Sundays my lovely lash queens....a demain....Mulain x

He is gone....

we all loved 'im.....

My dears - am still in shock but the fat mu team are stoically carrying on with their shoot 'we are not alone'......work mu-st not suffer - we are playing MJ in the make-up van, the choreographers on set did us a tribute dance on set, some wearing black ribbons - everyone is sad - yes we did not know this man.....but his music and dancing touched so many of us in so many ways.....he gave so much pleasure to millions all over the world, all ages and all races - a legend is gone. But Mulain says we mu-st celebrate his life and let his spirit carry one......get your MJ mu-sic out, play it loud and proud.....Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat it, Bad, Don't stop til you get enough, Rock with you, Blame it on the Boogie, Blood on the dance floor.....shake it people and throw your shapes....he would be proud.

Ok - back to work - today we are making our heroine look like a hero.....great fun.....moustache, sideburns and lovely big brows.....Oh la la....great fun!

Love and peace from a moon-walking Mulain.....x

Michael RIP

Mulain is just too sad to write today my friends......'ope you understand.......MJ RIP.....x

Farrah Fawcett

The fabulous Angels........

Mulain is sad today as one of 'is favourite Angels passed away - the lovely Farrah Fawcett......we will never forget your legendary locks - only today we were looking at your wonderful hair as a reference for our heroine we are making up.....70s inspiration at it's best......Farrah your flicks will live on.....now....back to lashes and liners.....

Mulain x

Helen!

Mulain's Bollywood favourite - Helen!

Mu-st be quick today as am in the middle of re-creating a 'Helen' inspired look for my lead actress - wonderful hair, feathers, tiara, lashes and eyelines!!! What a performer she was, what dancing, what mu-ves. So much fun.....shooting is secret so can't tell who, why, what, when - but just thought I would share a 'Helen' mu-ment with you so we can all celebrate her unique cabaret and kitsch style. Mulain is in loo-ve! Sigh.......back to work.....

Mulain x

Education!

We all know a good education is a mu-st - and for make-up artistes my friends it is no different. To gain a solid 'foundation' of knowledge to build upon plus choosing the right college, school is vital! Of course we all know you never stop learning and growing in your craft but we cannot emphasize enough that you mu-st learn thoroughly and properly to make you a confident, creative and robust artiste - Mulain only wants the best for you.

MUs Natasha and Virginia both attended schools in London - The London College Of Fashion and Greasepaint - as well as the good old 'university of life' to add that va-va voom to their work.

http://www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/snapshot/2009/02/natasha-nischol-styles-slumdog-millionaire/

http://www.greasepaint.co.uk/

Of course there are many more and more to come..London, Paris, New York, Tokyo........but make sure you choose correctly for you and shop around first and please let us know where you went to school.....always good to know.

Mulain is off for a Bollywood song and dance rehearsal - 15 looks to create in 4 days - mon dieu! Wish me luck...

Mulain x

You want smokin' eyes......

...and don't 'ave time to call Mulain and the fat mu team? Well seems our wonderful Benefit 'ave done it again, with another mu-st-have for your beauty bag Benefit's Smokin Eye Kit! My friends, most of us want sexy, smoky, kittenish 'Bardot eyes' avec wonderfully groomed brows - so Benefit 'as come up with an all-in-one kit which provides everything to make your eyes smoke! With 3 shadows, a black eyeliner pencil, a brightener, 2 brushes, mini tweezers and a complete lesson packed in 'ow can you go wrong!

For Mulain it's just another day looking gorgeous and glossy with admittedly a slight glow to my cheeks....(it's the 'eat!)........but darlings I am too excited for ALL of you as now you too can look as good as me - so go smoke it up, look like a kitten and act like a movie-star!

Meow....Mulain x

P.s - available in the UK and USA and any other distributer who you can find selling our lovely Benefit goodies.

June 21st - 2009

Laxmi Menon for the month of June in the Taj Calendar 2009 - Natasha's make-up!

Half way through the year and Mulain is just reflecting on what 'as been....good, interesting, the glamour, the non-glamour, the 'ard work, the rewards......what a year so far.

We started with the success of Slumdog - and it's fever gripped the world, catapulting La Pinto and La Patel into the stratasphere, my MU's Natasha and Virginia celebrated the Oscar success with the team in Hollywood......they returned and went straight back to work! No rest for the wicked my friends - Natasha working with the Paa prosthetics team and the Big B and Virginia on a Disney film (releasing December 09) plus our usual shootings and teachings and bridal creations happening too. From the Taj Calendar to Shekhar Kapur's Schweppes Ad to making up Naomi Campbell to 'brightening' John Abraham - it's all go here and we are looking forward to the rest of the year.

Mulain is 'appy if not a bit hot in Bombay and may whizz to London and Paris in a few weeks to gather some inspiration and those all important creative updates for 2010 - oh la la - 'ow times flies.....So fat mu wish you all the best for the rest of the year, we are praying for world peace, a weekly massage for the team, for Benefit to adopt us and give us free make-up products, a date with Leonardo Dicaprio and some good movies to come our way! Not too much to ask for......?!

So bon chance my darlings and to quote Dave Allen....'May your god be with you!'.....Mulain x

Men in uniform!

MU Virginia surrounded by her lovely, uniformed Junior Artists on location in Jodphur, for Vanity Fair

Mulain read today about a World War I veteran who is now considered to be the oldest man alive! Henry Allingham was named the world's oldest man after the death of the Japanese record holder. Guinness World Records said 113-year-old Allingham, who was born in Clapham, south London, on June 6 1896, took over the mantle after Tomoji Tanabe died at his home in southern Japan earlier in the day. It is truly incredible to think he 'as lived in three different centuries, seen six British monarchs on the throne, and has five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild! Phew - can you imagine my friends? He is also one of only two surviving British veterans of the 1914-18 conflict - the MU's always like a man in uniform.....oh la la.....

It seems in March he was awarded my country's Legion d'Honneur award and said heartfully...... "There will be no more wars, I hope. There will be one big nation." How we all wish for that Monsieur Allingham and good luck to you sir.

Mulain asked the mighty search engines of the net.....'oo is the oldest person alive?'....lots of answers came up, from all over the world claiming the title....a Gertrude from LA, a Cuban great-great grandmother born in 1890, lots of 113, 114, 115 year olds!!.....It does not matter, Mulain still thinks it is amazing for all of them.

Someone had written Barbara Bush.....meow.....a leetle cruel don't you think?

Congratulations Monsieur Allingham enjoy your mu-ment......Mulain is also feeling 113 today so off for a spot of Yoga to keep himself looking young and 'andsome and if you read this blog....any tips on living the long life would be greatly appreciated.

Mulain x

NYX colours galore

A trio of NYX bleu!

Mulain was doing some shopping in New Beauty Centre, Mumbai and checking out all the new products, colours, textures and brands that are out (anything to escape the doom and gloom of the world my friends!)....... Some new international brands are now on display, from all over the world.......Beauty is such a big biz non? A certain USA brand, NYX display caught my eye and I was quite dazzled by the colours I saw.......I took a brave move, jumped mentally out of my comfort zone, and taking on-board Nar's 80s inspired make-up designs for Marc Jacobs - I bought a blue eye-shadow palette and a lovely mosaic - coral / orange blush!

Oh la la.....it's time to experiment and 'ave some fun and give myself a new look - am thinking Abba's Agnetha meets Boy George! Also invested in a NYX invisible mascara to keep my brows in shape. Very excited now in trying out my new palette of coleurs. This is my first time with this brand so let's see how I get on.....quite reasonably priced.... and neat packaging.....watch this space.

Mulain x

Max Factor 1909 - 2010

Gisele - the new and last face of Max Factor

My darlings...I told you a few days ago that I heard a very ugly rumour that one of the victims of this recession, depression period that we are going through is our very own Max Factor. Oui, c'est vrai..... our Great-grandfather of La Maquillage is being phased out in the US next year....one hundred years of make-up. Makeup! The term we use so commonly literally does mean, “to make up (ones face)” and was first used by Monsieur Factor. He has given us lip gloss, he created the forerunner to cake makeup, he developed the first foundations for different skin undertones, he also created the first smear-proof lipstick and worked on countless sirens of Hollywood - creating looks from Garbo to West to Dietrich.....Wunderbar! Really he was our pioneer and the world of make-up will have lost a good dependable friend and brand - Mulain is wondering how he will survive without his 'Max Factor waterproof mascara'....it truly is....like Monsieur Factor....world-class.

Au Revoir Max Factor and thank you......for everything....

Mulain x

The Caring McCartneys

How can we contribute to saving our planet? Well it seems the McCartney tribe 'ave come up with un bright idee of having a 'meatless Monday' to save the world - cut back on your steak tartare, your caviar, your black sausage, your crispy bacon bits, your piggy trotters, your tripe for one day a week and you will help climate change - makes sense non? We all 'ave to help in some way and this it seems everyone can do.

Stella M even has her own skin-care range now 'Care' by Stella McCartney....totally natural and organic, making us aware of what we are putting on our skin and encouraging us to think in an organic way. http://www.stellamccartneycare.com/UK/

MU Virginia's brother is currently crewing on Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior and doing 'is bit for the environment, sailing on the high seas and risking life and limb for a good cause - personally I think he's in it for the chicks and the T-shirts, but 'oo am I to judge? Bon voyage monsieur and bon chance to all the eco-warriers out there.

Anyone for a veg-cutlet?

Mulain x

La Courage!

My friends...all over the news we are seeing demonstrations in Iran, with the people angry that perhaps the voting has been rigged.....in an increasingly apathetic world Mulain applauds these people for showing la courage and taking action for something they believe - we should all learn a lesson from this. 'Ave attached my favourite YouTube clip, which still takes my breath away, please see below.....the courage and conviction that this man showed - complete selflessness......Mon Dieu!

Tiananmen Square demo 1989

What does this 'ave to do with make-up you ask? Well....I feel we can only enjoy our lives of liberty, lipstick and lashes because of people like 'im. So we should all be thankful, thoughtful, grateful. We are lucky we live where you can be anything, wear anything, say anything.....

So Mulain is off to practice his luxurious life of liberty and paint his nails rainbow bright, coat his lashes like a Broadway star and gloss-up for lunch while quietly wishing all in Iran goes well.....

Mulain x