An Indian's Makeup Blog

AVEDA

At Aveda the month of April is designated as Earth Month, and since starting this even in 1999, with the help of guests and their network of salons, Aveda has raised more than $14 million for grassroots organizations that protect biodiversity and address environmental issues around the world. For the past three years they have concentrated on the issue of water – raising funds and awareness for equal rights and access.

Did you know that 1 in 7 people globally (that’s nearly 1 billion people) do not have access to clean water on a daily basis?

To help us learn of their impact on global/local water issues, they have created this water foot print calculator. Check it out here . The calculator provides great tips on conserving water and is quite an eye-opener for us ! Not to mention that for every completed calculator, Aveda will donate $1 (up to $500k) to their global partner, Global Greengrants Fund, to help fund clean water projects.

Lets do some good !

SMASHBOX

One my absolute favorite makeup brands Smashbox has opened its own blog ! I've loved all their youtube makeup videos - just fabulous !

To celebrate the launch, one lucky reader will win a $1200 beauty suitcase full of product! Smashbox is asking readers to post their favorite beauty tip on the new blog by April 12.

The aspiring expert behind the winning tip will get their name and tip featured on the blog and receive the ultimate Beauty Suitcase packed with $500 of Smashbox makeup plus a canvas beach tote from Allure Magazine. (Total Prize Value $1200).

URBAN DECAY

Its that time of the year - a favorite one ! Urban Decay has its Friends & Family event going on - hit up Macy's / Sephora / Ulta - what ever makes your skirt fly high !

BORGHESE

For Mother's Day Borghese has two super value gift sets available. Check them out to pamper mommy dearest !

Total Serenity - A $194.00 value, priced at $52.50

Sweet Tranquility - A $202.00 value, priced at $52.50
PANTENE

So, who is Pantene's First Reality Hair Star ? Check the video out !



BODYCOLOGY

Love Cherry Blossoms ? Guessin you'll be happy about the new Bodycology Cherry Blossom Collection. Prices start at $4.99
I've always wanted to check out in DC. Haven't yet...

Love,
Indian Girl

I've got a more appropriate (AKA longer) name for this product - Olay Purifying Mud Creamy Lathering Cleanser. ( I added the creamy in the pic too )

With a dry face like mine the only thing I can think of when I read Mud & Lathering is - dryness. With a creamy in between there somewhere it relaxes me a bit. Wont you agree ?

For a long time I relied on Olay Foaming Face Wash For Sensitive Skin to keep my skin happy. I've had some very good skin memories with it and this cleanser follows close behind. Its extremely foaming and foams up fast without stripping what little natural oils I have left on my face. That being said it doesn't necessarily moisturize my skin and I dont expect that of a clenser unless its a oil cleanser. $7.99 is a price I am willing to pay for it. But I'd be grabbing off the shelf if its on sale !

Its quite good at taking off foundation ( Smashbox HD). I don't use it around the eyes - the first time I did , I thought I noticed a bit of drying. Plus may be mud around eyes aint a good idea anyways. Its a very good cleanser but it isnt replacing my mud masks ever ! Those masks exfoliate and loosen up my black heads , y'all !

Have you tried this cleanser ? What was your experience like ? I'm curious to see how well it works on folks with oily skin.

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.

This is the tutorial for the Simple & Easy Wedding Eye Makeup Look I had up yesterday ! You'll see how easy it is !

More pictures here


The stars of the show are these three products :


Urban Decay Matte Primer Potion - Eden
Sally Hansen Natural Beauty by Carmindy Instant Definition Eye Shadow Palette - The Storm
Urban Decay Sparkle Dust - Bobby Dazzle

1. Apply concealer all over your lids and under eye

2. Apply Eden primer on your lid.

Keep it just on the lid . It is very similar to MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre and provides an excellent base for a champagne / soft white look like this one.

3. With a flat brush lay the soft white shade from the Storm trio all over the lid.

4. Line the apply lash line with a black eyeliner pencil. Keep it as close to the lashes as possible.

5. Follow with the charcoal shade from the Storm trio along the line with a small shadow brush like Smashbox #20

6.Line the waterline with the same black pencil. I used Julie Hewett Hue Pencil - Black

7. Follow by smudging the charcoal shade along lower lash line.

8. Gently blend the charcoal shadow into the off white shade on the outer corner of the eye. Work with little shadow at a time and use a fluffy brush like Smashbox #10

9. Wet a flat eyeshadow brush, load it up with the Urban Decay Sparkle Dust - Bobby Dazzle and pat it over the center of the lid.
This adds some shimmer to the otherwise matte look and an incredible wet look that looks spectacular under indoor , artificial lights.

10. Do your brows ( I do this first always). Curl lashes, apply mascara and you're done !

For my lips , I went with a nude color Julie Hewett - Biba. This is the shade Mila Kunis was wearing in one of my absolute favorite look of hers - here

Love,
Indian Girl

I've had this picture of Eliza Dushku forever ! Aint it simply gorgeous ! The hair, the nude lips and the dress - just perfect.

I was inspired by the eye makeup in this picture to do a soft eye make up look for brides. It is great for any other occasion too ! For a look similar to Eliza's I'd pair the champagne & black eye look with Illamasqua Blush in Create and a nude Lipstick like Julie Hewett Lipstick - Biba (swatch below)






Julie Hewett Lipstick - Biba

Lemme know if you'd like a tutorial. I'll have it up soon !

In Other News

Thanks to @phillygirl on twitter I discovered this amazing Hindi a cappella group - Penn Masala. A group of 13 or so boys err...men. They have the voice of angels...
Cant wait to go to one of their concerts !


Love,
Indian Girl

The Smashbox Double Take Lip Color Pencils are not new to us. We've seen the gorgeous gorgeous nude shades. Amaretto still remains my favorite - thank God its been made a permanent addition to their line. Its the only product I ever bought a back up for !


This shade from the Double Take Lip Color family is called Cranberry - a warm cranberry red. No blue tinge just the deep hue of a juicy cranberry. Its the red for brown girls. Like all other pencils in this line they are creamy with an almost matte finish and have loads of pigmentation - you'll notice it in the swatch.

Speaking of blue hues - I don't really get the whole blue undertones make your teeth look whiter deal - not on me. Most pink lipsticks with blue undertones make my teeth looker yellower than ever ! What's your take on it - your teeth gettin any whiter ?



Love,
Indian Girl

This should clarify every doubt we have / had about Shu Uemura pulling out of US stores, how it affects us and where can we find our Shu fix ?


1. We can still continue to purchase Shu Uemura products at www.shuuemura.com

(The only real change with the brand is that we won’t be able to make purchases at department stores or at one of the other boutiques as these locations will begin to phase out in the coming months.)

2. Shu Uemura will continue to introduce new products on the Web site.

(I will continue to update you on those products)

3. Shu Uemura Art of Hair is NOT affected by these changes. They will continue to remain in top-tier salons across the country as well as online at www.shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com

Hope this helps - no stocking up needed. We can place orders as and when needed y'all !

Love,
Indian Girl

Traditionally it has always been easy for me to find something to soothe my dry skin during winter months. I try a couple and most often if they are a bit heavy - they keep me happy. And when all else fails I just slather on some olive oil !

Summers have never been easy. And around here Summer starts in April. It gets HOT and I get irritated. To top it all off my skin gets oily and keeps me looking every bit tired as the sun makes me. Finding a moisturizer to soothe my summer skin has been a challenge. But this year I am happy I've found something way before the heat hits !

The Aveeno Positively Smooth Facial Moisturizer is going to keep me happy . I can tell .

The moisturizer is light, non greasy, non sticky, has a pleasant smell and almost vanishes into my skin. It gives me some moisture and soothes my skin. Aveeno also writes about how this product is suppose to minimize the appearance of unwanted hair but I'm not buying into it, yet. The pump model is great . You can close it so nothing drips off .

Good things aside - $12.99 is rather expensive for a drugstore product ! Its times like these that make me wanna stick with Clean & Clear - cheap & effective. Most folks look for sunscreen in Summer moisturizer - not there.

I've had plenty of readers ask me if I had tried Aveeno, many others highly recommended it ! I am happy to say I have, now. This product is good - if it were cheaper , say $7 - I'd be all over it !

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.