Makeup Is Art ~ The Best Makeup Book!

"Makeup is art. Every face is a blank canvas and every brush stroke creates something magical. Makeup enhances natural beauty but also builds confidence for everyday life. This book intends to inspire makeup artists, those wishing to enter this exciting career and those who want to experiment with, and develop, their makeup looks."

I have never read a makeup book like I would a novel. That was until I found 'Makeup is Art' By AOFM (Academy Of Freelance Makeup). I was blown away and fell in love with makeup all over again.

This is, by far, THE BEST makeup book I have ever bought. If you are a makeup artist or you are a fan of creative makeup, then this is THE book to buy. Everything you need to know about makeup is right here. It takes you through the A-Z of makeup- from Understanding Face Shapes to Makeup Textures to Natural Makeup to Editorial Makeup to Iconic Eras to Lighting to Body Art to Catwalk & Backstage to Tools & at the end, "How to get work in this competitive industry?"

I tried to find a flaw in this book, but I couldn't find any. The writers gave their 100% while creating it. The pictures are beyond awesome, the writing is to-the-point and very easy to imagine, and the tips & techniques shown could have only come from some of the most experienced & 'true' makeup artists. The one thing that makes this book different from other makeup books I have read is, it mentions & gives examples of the products used. They used high end/street brands (Chanel, MAC, Bobbi Brown) to drugstore brands (Maybelline, L'Oreal etc). It seems they love using Dermalogica for the skin.

Haul From VioletBag.com

When I came home, there were a lot of packages waiting for me (wheee....!!!) and this one from VioletBag.com was the BIGGEST box out of all, I couldn't wait to rip it open! VioletBag.com is an online store, based in India, which sells beauty & personal care products. 

About VioletBag.com:

• The website offers free shipping within India on all orders above Rs 250. All orders below the amount are charged shipping at a flat rate of Rs 50 per order.
• Delivers within 3-5 business days.
• Provides a tracking number.
• Payment options: 1). Credit Card – Visa, Mastercard, Diners Card. 2). Debit Card – All major debit cards. 3). Netbanking – Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, J & K Bank, Citibank, Federal Bank. 4). Cash Card – ITZ Cash. 5). Cash on Delivery (COD)
• Brands available ~ Pond's, Olay, Neutrogena, Nivea, Fabindia, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Lakme, and a lot of perfume brands. Complete list of brands HERE

Key + Crystal Pendant for $1.99 (Rs.98.00)

I've wanted a key pendant since forever, but I'm aiming for a Tiffany and nothing else. I was browsing Ebay and came across this cheap inexpensive little thing. $1.99 + Free Shipping sounds too good to be true, no? Of course we had to purchase it. Tiffany will come in good time (hint hint!)

It reached within 2-3 weeks. Can't complain about customer service here, considering shipping is free.

My Vanity Organizer

Most times when I'm getting ready, about 5-7 minutes are wasted on searching for the products I need. I don't find my eyeshadow primer...my mascara...my black gel eyeliner (you tend to want the one that's not in sight)....my brow pencil...my everyday nude-ish lippie...you do the math.

Then my eyes saw this Vanity Organizer 2 weeks ago while I was looking for a wedding gift. My heart literally skipped a beat, and I gasped. You'd think that type of feeling is exclusively for diamonds & man candy, but not for me- I feel that way about utensils too...shhh.

Ohmigosh, this thing is like a pacifier! It has made my getting-ready time a whole lot calmer. It can hold all my everyday makeup products. I now call it my everyday makeup station....and it is mobile too- I can easily carry it from one room to another (not to mention the terrace, balcony....hospital?) Yes, it shall be with me on a deserted island- after I load it a leetle bit more, of course :)

It has 6 sections:

Top left ~ Foundations, foundation primer, BB Cream.

Top right ~ Brushes, eyelash curler, eyeliner pencils, mascara.

Middle left ~ Eyeshadow Palette (Too Faced Naked Eye), TFSI, Bronzer.

Middle right ~ Compact powder, Blush.

Bottom left ~ Buffer brush, Brow kit, Gel liner

Bottom right ~ Concealers, Lip products

Black Crackle Nail Polish

Hi everyone,

I'm so sorry for not blogging or replying to comments/emails for so many days. I'm still out of town & was so busy with my friend's wedding plus didn't have internet....blah blah...excuses excuses, I know =D

Anyways, today I woke up kinda early so I can post something. Something easy-peasy & quick like...well, nails. I've been wearing this Laushine black crackle nail polish from Born Pretty Store since last week and I'm sort of addicted to it. I wore it on top of a fuchsia nail paint last week & on top of Samantha Jones the week before that. Bless the genius who came up with this fab-tastic idea. Is anybody else wondering what crackle eyeshadow would look like? ;)

Here I'm wearing it on top of Colorbar Nail Lacquer #70 and I used clear Elle 18 Nail Pops as a top coat.

End Of 1 Month Challenge LOTD's, New Blog Look & A Message

Long title! I just have so much to say before I go-go. First, it is time to officially end my 1 Month Challenge. I know I know, I fell short and could only do 7 instead of 10. I wanted to do 3 more specific looks, but will have to do them later since last month flew away too quickly (can you believe Christmas is in 2 & 1/2 months?!) . Anyways, I had a lot of fun doing them and I really did use a lot of ignored products. I also learned a few new things about makeup- particularly color coordinating & a thing or two about darker skin tones. More on that later, perhaps.

Here are all the 7 LOTD's:

•  Modern Mumtaz Mahal (Queen of the Taj Mahal) ~ Post here
•  Unpredictable ~ Post here 
•  Arabic ~ Post here . I changed the title after so many of you said it looked more Arabic than Indian :)
•  Sleek Paraguaya ~ Post here 
•  Smokey Green ~ Post here
•  Make Up For Ever Très Vichy ~ Post with eye makeup pictorial here
•  Autumn Look On Darker Skin Tone ~ Post here  . I'm planning to be tanned this winter ;)

Which look did you like the most? 

Forever New Bracelet Set ~ Week's Best Buy

So, I was at Forever New the other day (2nd visit,same day) looking for a clutch. I tried this bracelet half-heartedly and put it back. Then this happened:

Mr.CZ : That looks nice. Take it and let's go *impatiently* (it was almost closing time.)
Me :  Really?! It's cute? Nah...I don't want.... *picks it up again*
Mr.CZ : Take it. Let's see, how much is it? *checks price tag* Not bad for this *nods head approvingly* Hmm....quite reasonable for this.
Me :  Oh, okay. I'll take it. Ya, I'll take it....

....and I'm so glad I did :)

Moral of the story: When a man says the product looks good...the price tag is good, you take it!

Sigma Cleansing & Polishing Tool

I'm trying out the Sigma Cleansing & Polishing Tool, the dupe for Clarisonic- which costs 3 times more. I have always wanted a Clarisonic, but the price scare the bejesus out of me (You can imagine what Mr.CZ thinks!)

I am loving the pink-ness against the white....very girly.

Colorbar Jewelry Box

Shop for over Rs.1500 and get this cute read suede jewelry FREE! I think it's a Karwa Chauth offer.  I think it looks adorable! Great for travel too.

Size: 5" width, 3" depth.

Smokey Eyes For Karwa Chauth ~ Tutorial

Here is Karwa Chauth step-by-step eye makeup tutorial some of you requested. I am using some random colors, so feel free to use any other colors for this look. You could use a shade that matches with your outfit. The main colors I used are pink & purple from a Revlon palette I have been ignoring for a long long time. 

Let's begin:

Part 1:

• For a smooth application & to make eyeshadows last longer, I used MAC Painterly Paint Pot

• Revlon Illuminance cream black shadow as eyeshadow base. This will intensify the look. Blend the black on your hand first before applying it on your lids, this will prevent mistakes & make blending it easier.

• Apply it all over you eyelids up to the crease line. I have droopy lids, so I like to take color over my natural crease line.

• Blend the harsh edges with a blending brush.

• With my ring finger, I mixed purple & pink eyeshadows together & patted them on top of he black base. Again, blend the edges.

• It should look like last pic.

Garnier Light Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roll On Review

Finally! I have got to try a product which I have been wanting to try for more than a year (remember my crazy wishlist post here?)

Garnier Light Anti-Dark Circle Roll On with Pure Lemon Essence, Caffeine & Mineral Pigments claims to refresh eyes and brighten dark circles. It is also fragrance-free and dermatologically & opthalmologically tested.

Shade ~  Medium

Texture is liquid-like and runny- like thin water color. On my eyes below. Please excuse the lash glue stuck on my lashes. It's a pain to remove!

Glitter Gold Nails (Now Named 'Samantha Jones')

This nail lacquer reminds me of Samantha Jones, Sex and the City. She's blonde, she likes wearing gold & yellow, she glitters (to put it delicately), and she'd wear a canary diamond ring. I pair cosmetics with celebs/people and I wonder why people get mad at me when I zone out while they're talking to me.

Anyhoo, this is the answer to those of you who have asked about OPI glitter nail polishes in India. I can't bring myself to buy OPI's (YET. I know they're addictive), so I jumped when I saw these at a store in my city. 

Bourjois Paris Lighted Compact Mirror ~ Free!

I have always wanted a lighted compact mirror! Even if I'm rarely applying makeup in a dark place (thanks to generators), I wanted one. Novelty always has me hooked. Maybe I'll turn off the light in my dressing room tonight to test this mirror. Actually, no. Damn horror movies!

Bourjois' free gifts are always my favorite, and this mirror oh-so-cute!

When you open it, both sides light up