Leighton Meester Looking Gorgeous !
Love the smudged eyeliner eyes, the glossy pink cheeks and the deep pink lips.
When I do something similar on me ( MAC NC 40), I use one of my two favorite pink blushes & pair it with Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Raspberry / Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Tint in Popsicle on my lips. The cheek tint works great for cheeks as well (duh) !
Either Leighton scrubbed her face very well for the shine on her cheeks or she probably used a creme blush. For a similar effect with a cream blush try Illamasqua Cream Blush - Dixie.
Love,
Indian Girl
LORAC Starry Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio - Rock Star : Eye Look
Forgive the low quality of pictures. We've had no sunlight and it snowed today again. The lighting indoors coupled with the flash makes everything look pale in pictures. So, just add a hint of brightness and warmth to all the pics and you'll see how pretty everything actually is ! I almost didnot want to post it but I know its gonna be long time before daylight shows up ...
This is a look I did today using just this shadow and the Urban Decay Glitter Eyeliner in Silver.
Love,
Indian Girl
Indian Girl At Chickasaw National Park
Little did we know a huge snow blizzard was on its way ...
After planning and unplanning several times we finally decided on Chickasaw because it was only a three hour drive from TX. This was important just in case the weather didn't permit camping and we had to get back home. Driving 10 - 12 hours for a day trip did not make sense. And if we couldn't camp , there was no fun staying at motels.
So, Chickasaw it was !
We started at five AM on Christmas day on our drive to Oklahoma. The night before we had a snow storm of epic proportions - well for us it was epic.
The roads were bad.
Terrible actually.
Slippery, icy and freezing cold.
So we drove slowly...keeping our eyes OPEN and driving with all the concentration in the world because one wrong move and the car would slip and slide into the shoulder or guard rails.
The roads we drove on...
Once we crossed TX and entered OK, we realized the snow was even worse here. I'd lost count of the number of vehicles that had crashed , lost its grip, swiveled and hit the concrete rails, crashes. We didn't see any but apparently many people were stranded in their cars all night long. There was at least one car or truck at every mile on the side of the road.
Scary to say the least.
Few of the abandoned cars
Snow everywhere
Cattle chilling on their ranches
And we continued driving slowly. By now the sun was on its way up and the tireless cleaning crew were on the roads clearing the snow, adding saw dust , bettering the road conditions. Big Thank You to them.
The snow clearing crew hard at work
Finally we reached Chickasaw.
Our car also got stuck in the snow. A fifteen minute push, pull accelerate got us out. Needless to say we were the only people in Chickasaw that day other than the park workers. Even the administrative office was closed but we knew it would be.
Thanks to a park worker Frank , we got to know about the safe hiking trails, roads that were cleared, bridges to avoid and icy hazardous areas to avoid. I really liked Frank. He gave us clear instructions and didn't scare us about being over careful. He made sure we used the right trails, told us it would be beautiful and made sure we made the best out of our trip. We followed his words and started on out hiking trail.
I bundled myself in several several layers of thick sweatshirts, woolen hiking socks, hiking boots, couple of gloves and the Cold Killer Mask .I couldn't have done it without the mask - it really kills the cold. Keeps your head, ears, nose warm. Of course the mask also makes it hard to breathe but I took breaks removing it so I could breathe through my nose & mouth.
The trail was the most pure, pristine thing in the world. Fresh white snow everywhere. Bright sun shining over our heads making the snow glisten like tiny tiny diamonds. Deers running around, digging their deep hooves into the fresh snow, birds jumping making their own tiny, shallow feet marks and us the humans dragging our feet along the thick blanket taking in the wonders of nature.
This was our trail...a beautiful white blanket of snow
Deer foot prints on the fresh snow
We only completed half the trail because the sun was coming up , melting the snow. The trail was getting icy & slippery. So we decided to get back.
After hiking we reached the camp grounds - snow everywhere. We cleared a small area set up fire and make camp food - Sausages & chili.
This was without a doubt one of the best Christmas ever. I so look forward to visiting Chickasaw again this Spring. Will be fun to compare our snowy pictures with the warm green ones in the spring. If you are interested check out pictures from my trip to Big Bend National Park this past Summer here
Don't mess with the bison !
Naa...they seemed pretty docile. That doesn't mean you can mess with them.
Camping in summer is great but in winters, its more exciting and thrilling ! I wish we could have camped but the snowfall was too heavy and more was expected.
This is what I did this Christmas ! Hope your Christmas was warmer !
Love,
Indian Girl
Shu Uemura Essence Absolue : Review ; Truly An Elixir For Dry Hair
Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas ! Did you get all the gifts you wanted ;)
Mine was UNBELIEVABLE. Unbelievably good. I'll share some pictures with you soon and you'll see what I was up to on Christmas day ! I also got a jacket that I have been in love with forever. Just *so* happy and thankful for it all !
Essence Absolue - Absolutely Essential !
A while back we were all introduced to Essence Absolue, the nourishing protective hair oil from Shu Uemura. Remember ? It is the secret behind Jennifer Aniston's flawless hair and all ?
For a month now I have been using the product after every wash and I cant seem to be getting enough of it. Every time I remind myself that I must save it for special occasions but then I don't.
I have never been good at saving good things for special occasions.
When we were young my sister would save all expensive chocolates that we received as gifts and ate them one a week. I'd just eat it all up in a week. Saving good things for later just isn't my thing....
The hair oil has several uses like
1- Intensely hydrating leave-in conditioner for very dry/damaged hair
2- Pre-shampoo treatment for deep, nourishing care
3- Protection during color application, adding shine, moisture and elasticity to processed lengths & ends
4- Use in summer time as protective oil against the sun's harmful rays (UV filter)
5- Ultra-shine finisher along lengths and ends
I've used it only as a post wash, hair nourishing conditioner. Once I've washed and dried my hair (80% dry) , I pump the bottle once and use that small amount all over my hair. Just mess my hair around so the product spreads and them brush it.
Verdict
Hands down the softest hair I've ever had. My hair feels softer than a really really expensive Cashmere sweater. And it also has an incredible shine to it. No hair clip keeps my hair in place. It just slides off and I don't seem to mind it at all ! Its that soft and shiny !
There is absolutely no oiliness or stickiness from the product. It almost disappears into my hair but I do feel the hydrating effect that it gives once I brush my hair. All the fluffy volume I have after a wash gets tamed and softened.
And it does look like liquid gold. If it didn't have a pump on it, I might have used it as a table centerpiece - so pretty !
Overall it is worth every $ of the big big $65 that it costs.
But $65 is a lotta $$.
Lotta Lotta $$
Love,
Indian Girl
This article contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR. For more details on the disclosure policy please refer to it at the bottom of the page.
Best Of 2009 - Beauty & Makeup Favorites
This is not an easy thing to do , at all ! So hard to tell what I love the most especially with lipsticks and eyeliners. After much thought, I put together a list of my most favorites products from this year. These are mostly products that I used the most, longed to wear everyday and ones that I look forward to using next year ! To me, they are THE BEST !
Go on and tell me - What Were Your Best Beauty Finds This Year !
Best Face Primer
SKINN Orchid Gel Mattifying Face Primer
Rock & Republic Tinted Face Primer
Best Foundation
Clinique Super Balanced Powder Makeup
Smashbox Healthy FX HD Foundation ( Its a brand new favorite. Will write about it soon)
Best Concealer
Julie Hewett Cream Concealer - Omit
Conceal FX by Cover FX
Best Eyeliner
Julie Hewett Too Good To Be True Eye Pencils
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner Pencils
Clinique Cream Shaper For Eyes
LORAC Front Of The Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner Pen
Best Eye Shadow
LORAC Starry-Eyed Baked Eye Shadow Trio in Starlet
Clinique Bamboo Pink Eye Shadow Quad
Julie Hewett Twilight Palette
Best Mascara
Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper Mascara
L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara
Best Eye Brow Fillers
Milani Easy Brow Automatic Pencil - Natural Taupe
Julie Hewett Eye Shadow - Vita
Best Blush
Cream : Julie Hewett Cheekie - Rosie, Clinique Blushwear Stick
Powder : Illamasqua Powder Blusher - Create, LORAC Baked Matte Satin Blush in Velvet Rope, Smashbox Fusion Blush - Regal
Best Highlighter
Estee Lauder Opulent Shimmer Powder
Best Bronzer
Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder
Illamasqua Bronzing Duo - Glint & Writhe
Best Makeup Brush
Smashbox Blush Brush #16
Best Lip liner
Urban Decay 24/7 Lip Liner - Wall Flower
Best Lipstick
Smashbox Photofinish Lipstick - Captivating, Exquisite
Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick - Baby Baby
Smashbox Double Take Lip Pencils
Lipstick Queen Chinatown Lip Pencils
Revlon Matte Lipsticks
Best Lip Gloss
Julie Hewett Lip Lush
Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Gloss
Best Moisturizer
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Korres Materia Herba Moisturizing Cream
Kenzo Cream With A Sheen
Best Eye Cream
Biore Skin Preservation Fortifying Eye Cream
Kenzo Ice Cold Eye Cream
Best Cleanser
Korres Materia Herba Toning Cleansing Foam
Biore Skin preservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator
Best Body Lotion
Jergens Sensitive Skin Relief Fragrance Free Daily Moisturizer
Love,
Indian Girl
All You Ever Wanted - Inspired By Demi Moore
Haha. Rachel Zoe is cute ! I used to love mascaras with big brushes too until I met Maybelline Lash Stiletto. It taught be that thin ones can be great too !
Love,
Indian Girl
Last Minute Gift Ideas
Make your own Day & Night Smokey Eye Kit for a gift !
Get a purple / taupe shadow trio ( Smashbox Panorama) and a gray/black shadow trio ( Smashbox Twilight). Add in a fluffy brush , an eyeliner and its a smokey eye kit to love !
RODIAL LA Face Lift ($99)
Give your complexion the celebrity treatment with these luxe lifting formulas: a-list cleanser, glamtox peel, SPF 15 glamtox eye light, SPF 18 glamtox and glam balm.
I've tried the glam balm - its amazing !
The Ultimate Blackhead Survival Kit
Another make your own kit with simple but effective drugstore products like the Biore Anti Black Head Cream Cleanser + The Super Popular Deep Cleansing Pore Strips.
Philip B Travel Kit ($30)
Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing & Clarifying Shampoo
African Shea Butter Gentle & Conditioning Shampoo
Nordic Wood Hair & Body Shampoo
Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse (available in Classic and paraben free Formula)
I am going on a small trip soon. I wish I had this one !
Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System Starter Kit $32.50
A great gift for adults or for younger teens ! The kit comes with a
Cleansing Foam, Clarifying Lotion & a Moisturizer all
designed to treat Acne.
Love
Indian Girl
Rani Mukherjee Makeup Breakdown
Rani Mukherji is a popular Bollywood actress.
Gosh the lady looks positively radiant in this picture ! Love the blue Saree and the clean simple makeup !
Face :
A clean even looking face is an absolute must for the rest of the makeup to look good. This look especially has a satin finish with zero shimmer other a little bit in the gloss.
Start with a primer (SKINN Orchid Gel Mattifying Primer) and apply all over face. Follow with a tinted moisturizer / light - medium coverage foundation. Set it with powder foundation / translucent powder.
Eyes :
Rani has been doing the smudged black liner + brown shadow look for quite a while now. It works great on her and will on almost anybody. Its easy fool proof and brings attention to your eyes.
Apply concealer all over your eye lids and under. Apply a matte brown shadow ( Thevi Matte Shadow - Dark Brown) all over your lids and blend it upwards and outwards at the crease to create a soft brown eye look.
Using a black pencil liner, line upper lash line, lower lash line and lower waterline. Now using a smudging brush or your ring finger smudge out the pencil liner so the black shade gently frames your eyes. You can also go over the liner with a black shadow ( Thevi Matte Shadow - Charcoal) and delicately blend it so the black looks soft and not sharp.
Smudge the same brown matte shadow along your lower lash line. Do your brows and apply mascara.
Cheeks
For fair to medium skin try Thevi Sheer Matte Blush - Whisper Apricot. For Medium - Deeper Skin tones the Thevi Sheer Matte Blush - Hint Of Red is a great choice !
Lips
A nude shade with a hint of pink like Urban Decay 's Naked Lipstick or Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Lip Gloss - Mystical Mauve
Love,
Indian Girl
Holiday Beauty Tips : Gimme More !
Metallics are golden – no matter what your color scheme, a shimmery gold, silver, or bronze will finish the look.
Here are a couple of my favorites.
For Eyes : Silver , Gold , Bronze
For Face : This Opulent Shimmer Powder adds glitzy glamor sparkle for the holidays !
Or go the Golden Bronzer route with this one here from Tarte - it never gets old !
For Lips : I have two shades that will be perfect for a golden lip look - Smashbox Lip Gloss in Luster and the lip lush - Tish from Julie Hewett. Both are sparkly golden shimmers done Oh So Tastefully ! I promise it looks like nude golden sparkle and not like a strip of metallic goop.
Cool tones are perfect with the chilly weather – don’t be afraid to strut darker colors.
If we don't get out the darker lip colors now, we might as well bury them and never look at it again. A few days back I reorganized my makeup drawers and arranged them in such a way that I see wintery shades up front and the other ones are at the back. Of course few days later its all a big mess again ! Must go digging again...
There are few cool toned oldies that I love ...
There is the Stay Mauve from Estee Lauder the only time I loved purple.
A couple of pretty cool ones form Urban Decay - Confessions for the daring soul and Vinyl for the not so daring souls.
And then for the uber cool, uber dark vampire inspired looks there is this sexy thing
When in doubt, nudes are always your safe bet – classy and sophisticated, they never go out of style.
Nudes nudes nudes. This has been a decade of nudes. I don't think the word nude has been repeated as many times with respect to makeup. There is a nude for everybody !
The Smashbox Lip Pencils have been my most favorite things this year for a nude look . Such pretty shades.
Then there is the Bollywood inspired nude shade.
And the Kim K / Mila Kunis inspired nudey nude nude shade.
So there we go ! A bunch of things from this year and past but Holiday worthy ! What Holiday Beauty Tips Have We Missed out On ? I cant think of the red lips ! What is on your mind ?
Love,
Indian Girl
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Rum Raisin : Review & Swatches - The LBD Of Lipsticks
An old fav that never retires.
An old fav that I will never get tired of.
An old fav that I have recommended 1667843.5 times.
The Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Rum Raisin ($7.99) is the most flexible shade of lipstick . Its a classic but not in a retro way. In a will-stay-relevant-forever kinda way.
The shade Rum Raisin = soft burnt red + nude soft brown with some deep deep red-wine + amped up rose brown .
This is the LBD of lipsticks. Its a shade for everybody to wear everywhere.
To me, there are two kinds of everyday lipsticks. The regular kind and the special kind. The regular kind is like cereal - the one I eat everyday for breakfast & like.
Then there is the special kinda everyday lipstick which is like the breakfast I really really would like to eat - eggs, bacon, pancakes, warm syrup & the works. This shade is like that breakfast. Something that will make everyday feel like its special !
It looks great on women with pale / fair / light skin too but I'd especially recommend brown girls out there to give it a go. It is on BOGOF at CVS right now.
The flash washes the color out a little bit. The shade itself is little more deeper. You'll see what I'm talking about when you check it out at the store.
After you've tried it and fallen in love, don't forget to send me a letter telling me how it changed your life.
Or you'll probably put it on your Annual Christmas Letter !
Love,
Indian Girl
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