Wedding make up essentials: Bridal make-up kit

My friend is getting married in a month, she asked me to go for marriage kit shopping. Although every girl loves shopping specially make up but trust me marriage kit shopping is not an easy job, you come across so many questions like what is the basic stuff to be bought and which brand to go with. Here I am going to share our shopping haul so that you can have an idea about what are the make up essentials for a bride-to-be.

Here is what we bought:

1.  Lipsticks and lip gloss:

For lipsticks we concentrated on “Colorbar and Revlon”. We kept a mix of light and bright shades mainly according to her dresses like onion pink, purple and other earthy colors. It is must to include 1-2 red or maroon lipstick in your bridal kit so we did.

2.  Nail paints:

Just like lipsticks we bought few shades that match her dresses specially one matching the wedding dress and the preferred brands were “Maybelline and Colorbar”.

3. Eyeliners:

You must pick a basic liquid liner with black or brown color. I recommended her a blue one along with black one as blue eye liner gives you a sensuous look. And the brand we chose was “Lakme”.

4.  Lip pencils:

Pick one neutral shade lip pencil and one in red in case you wear red lipstick. You can go with “Colorbar and Lakme”.

5.  Mascara:

Make sure you choose the one which is waterproof and you can pick “Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara”.

6.  Blush:

Pick up at least one matte blush and one shimmer blush and our preferred brand was “Lakme” you can also choose “MAC” (one with pearly finish looks great on camera).

7.  Foundation:

Foundation is the base of your makeup, do invest in good foundations. Go for a matte foundation exactly same in shade as your skin tone.

Note:

• Don’t buy foundations lighter than your skin tone.
• Make sure you don’t choose the one with illuminating particles as these particles would reflect light and make your skin look greasy in pictures.

You can go with “Mac”.

8. Concealer:

Concealer is a must have in every makeup kit to mask a mild redness or a childhood scar and keep you looking flawless. Again our prefence was “Mac”.

9. Sindoor:

And not to forget the most important element for an Indian bride as Deepika padukone says in a movie- “Ek chutki sindoor ki kimat tum kya jaano Ramesh babu.

The one we chose was “Lakme liquid sindoor”.

10. Eye shadow:

If you don’t like wearing too many eye shadows go for eye palettes rather than single shades. You can choose “Colorbar eyeshadow palettes”.

11.  Compact:

You will definitely need a compact for touch ups and regular use. The brand we chose was “Mabelline Whitestay UV compact”.

12.  Make-up brushes:

You can buy a travel brush kit or individual brushes (that is totally upto you), but bear in mind foundation brush, blush brush, eye shadow brush and a powder brush are must haves.

13.  Others:

• Purchase a vanity kit to keep all your makeup stuff.
• Choose a regular face wash that suits your skin and an exfoliating scrub.
• Definitely keep basic moisturizers one for your face and one for your body and a lip balm too.
• Do pick up sponges, cotton swabs, blotting sheets, make-up remover and nail paint remover.

With this your wedding make –up kit is complete.

Fashion Trends- Hairstyles:

Go Messy, Look stylish!

Hair styling no longer means just a nice hair cut. Girls have stepped out of that cliche look with straight hair. Messy look with Semi wavy hair and short layers is in vogue.

 

 Leave your hair loose (with fewer layers) for the glamorous look.

 

Tie a Ponytail (with waves) for a simple yet stylish look. 

 

Messy hair buns are in latest fashion. Just leave your locks here and there and tie up in a messy bun.

A side-swept fishtail braid/plait is a big hit for evening parties and looks really stylish with elaborate dresses ( like gowns).

Skin Care-Play with fruits:

Besides the fact that fruits hydrate and rejuvenate your skin, the very fragrance of a fruit on your face is quite refreshing. Unlike the cosmetic products fruit masks are natural and are great skin food. 

1.     Banana:

Banana is rich in various vital nutrients like potassium, iron, B vitamins, antioxidants and natural oils that remove dryness and dead skin.  A fresh mashed banana facial can do wonders to your skin.

2.     Lemon:

Lemon is a great bleaching agent that helps in lightening the skin tone and ironing out acne scars and blemishes. Mix lemon and honey and use it as natural bleach.

3.     Orange:

Orange is rich in Vitamin C that helps in improving skin texture. Orange contains collagen that slows skin aging process. Dried Orange peels can be powdered and used as natural scrub.

4.     Papaya:

The benefits of this fruit on skin have been talked about for ages. Papaya is rich in antioxidants and contains a special enzyme called papain that removes dead cells and impurities.

5.     Mango:

The King of fruits “Mango” is not just delicious but this soft pulpy fruit has an amazing effect on your skin too. Rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants, it fights against skin aging, rejuvenates skin and restores the elasticity of skin.

Food items that make you look younger:

Every one of us dreams of staying forever young and beautiful but the very thought of botox and cosmetic surgery is dreadful.

Is there an easy way out?

And the answer is yes! We can turn back the sands of time just by including certain food items in our diet. Read on to know more:

1.     Nuts:

Nuts are a power-packed source of essential vitamins and mono-unsaturated fatty acids. These nutrients play a significant role in the reconstruction of damaged skin and formation of a moist and fluid rich membrane protecting the skin from natural aging process. Keeping wrinkles at bay, our skin is left young, radiant and blemish free. You have a variety of nuts to choose from like cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and peanuts to choose from. Healthy skin is just a crunch away.

2.     Berries:

Berries provide the goodness of nutrients, packed in a delicious chamber of nectarine juices. They are excellent dietary sources of Vitamin A, C and E and are packed to the core with antioxidants that stimulates nutrients absorption for stronger immunity, keeps our blood impurities free resulting in young and glowing skin. Apples, pears, apricots, blueberries, strawberries, green and black grapes are some natural pills to stay ageless.

3.     Green Leafy vegetables:

Green leafy vegetables are excellent source of nutrients like Vitamin C, E and B12 and contain abundant quantities of antioxidants and immunity boosting compounds. These nutrients help in speedy repair of the natural wear and tear process, remove the free radicals from the system and keep the blood impurities free. Include a healthy intake of spinach, broccoli, beans, roots and tubers to reverse the lashes of time.

4.     Fish:

Fish contains essential oils that help in maintaining the elasticity of our skin. Fishes are rich source of Omega-3 and its regular intake will replenish the protein required to maintain healthy skin and hair. Taking cod and halibut liver oil supplements is an alternative to fish intake.

5.     Whole wheat:

Whole wheat is a rich source of dietary fiber and is a storehouse of proteins, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients are mainly responsible for maintaining blood pressure and keeping our heart healthy, thereby resulting in healthy and glowing skin at the end of the day.

6.     Green Tea :

Green tea is nature’s elixir to immortality. Powerful antioxidants content in green tea can reverse the effect of wrinkles (just like a magic). Drink 2 cups of green tea a day for a strong immune system, improved blood circulation and glowing skin.

7.     Water:

As 70% of our body is made of water there is no need harping on its importance. An optimum intake of water will not only sustain physical functions but will facilitate in keeping the follicular and cellular membranes moist and supple, as well. Our cellular structure will die without water resulting in dull, scaly and flaky skin. Drink at least 8 glasses of water to keep age at the bay.

Fashion Accessories: Clutches

Accessories can make or break your outfit that’s why it is really important to choose the right accessories for a perfect look. 

 

Clutches are the hottest fashion accessories in the fashion world. Nowadays bright, compact, rectangular shaped clutches are in vogue; go for shimmery or rhinestone studded clutches. This little piece of accessory can do wonders to a woman’s look! Clutches in flashy colors like orange, hot pink and green are huge hit. Be it a western dress, traditional saree or a long flowing Anarkali suit, clutches add that zing to your outfit.

Bollywood Celebrities – “who went from fat to fit”

1. Kareena Kapoor Khan: 
 

Kareena (The poster face for size zero), Critics lashed out at her figure when she did “yeh mera dil pyar ka deewana” in remake of "Don". But she set the screen on fire by flaunting her sexy and ultra slim body in "Tashan". Her incredibly shrinking figure became a national obsession.

2.    Katrina Kaif:

Well our darling Kartrina Kaif, was never fat but was not fit either. Watch her first movie “Boom” (Ofcourse! At your own risk) and notice the difference in her between then and now. That sharp and symmetrical jawline and sexy figure was definitely missing in her initial Bollywood days.

3.    Esha Deol:

Remember, this actress who flaunted her figure in a bikini? Yes we are talking about Dharamendra and Hema Malini’s daughter –Esha, who was shunned by the film industry because of her baby fat in her debut film- “Koi mere dil se Pooche”.

4.    Sonam Kapoor:

Miss style icon Sonam Kapoor, who is well known for her clothes rather than her acting skills weighted 86 kgs before signing her very first movie “Saawariya”. She shattered 30 kgs from her body to get this sexy and stylish look.

5.    Sonakshi Sinha:

Girl with “Mast Mast Nain” yes we are talking about our very own Sonakshi Sinha (Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter). She had oodles of fat on her body but she reduced 30 Kgs to become Salman’s “Rajjo” in the movie” Dabangg”.

6.    Zarine Khan:

Zarine Khan fought intense media scrutiny and was almost written off for her larger than screen frame presence by critics after her debut film “Veer”. However the actress worked extremely hard on her fitness to shed off extra kilos from her body (she took on-from 100 kgs to 55 kgs).

7.    Arjun Kapoor:

Just like these bollywood ladies some of our heroes are also struggling with weight problems. Arjun Kapoor (Son of producer Boney Kapoor) who flaunted his six pack abs in “Chokra Jawan” song in his debut movie “Ishaqzaade” weight 130 kilograms before being signed by Aditya Chopra.

8.    Adhyayan Suman:

Adhyayan Suman (ex–boyfriend of Kangna Ranaut) who made a quite big debut as a teenager with the movie “Raaz- The mystery continues”, lost 45 kgs in 5 months to get his perfect physique. Well we assume this would not have been a big problem for Adhyayan with an inspiring daddy Shekhar Suman for motivation.

9.    Adnan Sami:

Singer, Adnan Sami used to travel with a customized wheel chair because of his weight (he weighed 206 kgs) shocked the world with his drastic weight loss (over 130 kgs) in just one year.

10.   Parineeti Chopra:

Parineeti Chopra, current heartthrob of almost every man in the nation (we are still figuring out the reasons!). Parineeti has herself admitted in the media that before joining films she was not just chubby but was very fat.

Hmm… Didi Priyanka must have given her secret fitness tips to her.

11.    Jackky Bhagnani:

Jackky Bhagnani who can now confidently pose for shirtless pictures, had to under go a grueling exercise regime and strict diet plan for two years to lose 60 kgs as he weighted 130 kgs before his debut movie- “Kal Kisne Dekha”.

12.    Alia Bhatt:

A newbie-Alia Bhatt who made her debut with “Student of the year” was not always as gorgeous as she looks now. Daddy Mahesh Bhatt made this debutante follow a strict diet under his own supervision for 3 months.

Result? Alia looked gorgeous and 16 Kgs lighter on screen.

Color of the year 2013: “Emerald”

This year don’t just go green….go Emerald!

 

Lively, Radiant and Lush green Emerald has been crowned the "official color of the year 2013" and Celebrities world wide are following the trend. Have a look:

Bipasha Basu looked amazingly hot in an Emerald green Binal Shah studded dress at CCL Red carpet.

Newbie Yami Gautam dazzled in an Emrald Carmen Marc Volvo gown.

Huma Qureshi (another newbie) seen in the elegant Emerald.

An Emerald Armani Prive was the pick for the gorgeous actress Priyanka Chopra for the Filmfare 2013.

The duchess of Cambridge looked fabulous in Mulberry Emerald dress.

Hollywood star Scarlet Johansson flaunted the peplum dress in Emerald green.

 

Model Carol Gracious spotted in an asymmetrical Emerald green dress. 

Teen star Selena Gomez posing in an Emerald green dress.

Upcoming Bollywood stars in 2013:

 1.     Tamannah Bhatia:

Tamannaah (one of the leading south Indian actress), who has done several Kannada and Tamil movies will be seen in Sajid Khan’s remake of “Himmatwala” (starring Jitendra-Sridevi in 1983) with Ajay Devgan. Earlier, the film was being considered as the actress’s bollywood debut but her first hindi film was “Chand sa roshan chehra” (2005) produced by Salim Akhtar.

 

2.     Tiger Shroff:

Jackie Shroff made his debut in bollywood with Subhash Ghai’s “Hero” in 1982. Now three decades later, his son Tiger Shroff is about to set his foot into the Hindi film industry with “Heropanti” produced by Sajid Nadiawala. The film’s title has been derived from Tiger’s own character (one who plays the game by his own rules). Earlier Athiya Shetty (Suniel Shetty’s daughter) then Tamannah Bhatia was considered for the role opposite Tiger but the leading actress has not been finalized yet.

3.     Tapsee Pannu:

Tapsee Pannu- Software professional turned model turned actress (in tamil and telugu films) will now step into Bollywood with Sai Paranjpye’s remake of “Chashme baddoor” (1981). Actress maintains that her role is different from the role in the original flick (played by Deepti Naval). She is going to share screen space with Ali Zafar, Siddharth and Divyendu Sharma (three are playing the role of university students).

4.     Vaani Kapoor:

Vaani Kapoor walked into Aditya Chopra’s office with her portfolio and directly asked for a film. Aditya Chopra was so amazed and impressed by her direct approach that he casted her in Maneesh Sharma’s upcoming movie (untitled yet). She has endorsed for several national and international brands and the boys will love to watch this lissome beauty on screen.

5.     Ram Charan Teja:

Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan Teja is gearing up for his first bollywood movie Apporva Lakhia’s remake of “Zanjeer” (1973).As Amitabh Bachchan has played an unforgettable role of inspector Vijaya, Teja has a tough challenge ahead. Last year (2012) he tied the wed knot with Upasna Kamineni (Pratap Reddy’s granddaughter). It was one of the high-profile weddings in Hyderabad attended by various Telugu film stars and Bollywood stars.

6.     Priya Anand:

Priya Anand (another south sensation) made her debut in Hindi film industry with Gauri Shinde’s –“English Vinglish” in which she played Shridevi’s bubbly niece. Priya’s upcoming movies are Pridarshan’s “Rangrezz” opposite Jackky Bhagnani and Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s “Fukrey” opposite Pulkit Samrat.

7.     Sushant Singh Rajput:

Television sensation Sushant ( best known as Manav from the T.V serial Pavitra Rishta is all set to sizzle the silver screen with Abhishek Kapoor’s “Kai Po Che” (based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel 3 mistakes of my life). Later the actor will be seen in Raj Kumar Hirani’s “Peekay” and then Maneesh Sharma’s untitled movie.

 

8.     Sasha Agha:

Singer- Actress Salma Agha’s daughter Zara Agha who has been rechristened Sasha is going to step into Bollywood with the movie “Aurangzeb” opposite Arjun Kapoor directed by Atul Sabharwal. The actress is playing a glamorous role in the movie. A party bee, Sasha’s name was linked with struggling actor Ruslaan Mumtaaz.

Home remedies for blemishes:

Facial blemishes are the dark patches or marks on the face due to pimples, boils, blackheads, whiteheads or other such conditions that tend to clog the skin pores.

Blemishes are the common skin ailment but can be easily cured at home with the help of natural home remedies for blemishes.

1.     Lemon juice:

Lemon juice is an excellent remedy for facial blemishes removal. However it is recommended to mix rosewater, honey or turmeric powder with it to tone town its acidic properties as it could be too harsh on the skin.

2.     Potato juice:

Potato juice works great in discoloring skin blemishes and spots. Apply potato juice on your face or rub thin shredded slices of potato on blemish prone skin.

3.     Honey:

Antibacterial properties of honey make it a great ingredient in remedies for acne prone skin as it decimates all the microbes on the skin along with preventing skin pigmentation. Apply fresh honey on your face to get rid of blemishes.

4.     Tea Tree oil:

Tea tree oil is a very common ingredient in blemish/acne clearing cosmetics. It is a natural antimicrobial agent that combats blemishes and prevents the skin from forming new ones. It is advised to dilute it with water or mix it with other ingredients as direct application could leave a burning sensation on your skin.

To get encouraging results religiously follow these home remedies for 2 weeks.