Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers India Couture Week 2014-Day 2

Ashok Goel, Kangana  Ranaut, Anju Modi and Pardeep Goel

Designer Anju Modi opted for ethnic gold from Shree Raj Mahal Jewelers for her show at the India Couture Week 2014 on day 2! Elaborate bridal chokers and kadas in modern designs and earrings in ethnic and traditional gold flaunted the dexterity of Indian craftsmanship and spoke of the lavishness of Indian weddings. Modi creatively paired neck pieces around models’ hair, which added glam to the outfits; these neck pieces can also be worn as kamarbandhs. The intricate work on the fabrics, imperial cuts and stately silhouettes made these bridal-wears a big hit!
 

Noyonika Chatterjee

Skincare for men--In today’s world, skincare for men is as important as it is for women. I bring to you a holistic guide to radiant and healthy skin

A man’s skin is just as vulnerable as a woman’s, if not more, since they often tend to spend more time outdoors. Exposure to the sun, air-conditioning, air pollutants, chlorinated water, harsh soaps and after-shave preparations, all influence their skin, making it dry and sensitive.  Looking good is not just a female prerogative anymore. “Today’s man knows the importance of appearance—that looking one’s best imparts self confidence. Today, there are many jobs in which, appearance counts, like public relations, media relations, front office jobs, marketing and sales, jobs in hotels, tourism, television (anchoring, news reading), the fashion industry and so on. This has also contributed towards the desire to look good,” says Shahnaz Husain, renowned beauty expert and entrepreneur. Men’s grooming products and salon care have grown at a phenomenal pace over the last decade. Men are going in for beauty treatments, facials, and etc. 

Daily care

Men require skincare routines that are simple and not too time consuming. A light cleansing gel or face wash can be used for cleansing in the morning. Rinse well and apply skin tonic, using cotton wool. This can be a pre-shave routine. If the skin is oily and prone to blackheads, a cleansing scrub should be used at least twice a week, rubbing it gently on the skin and washing it off with plain water. Cleansing at night is important to remove pollutants and impurities that have been deposited on the skin during the day. Men spend more time outdoors or in the sun. Hence, application of sunscreen lotion before stepping out in the sun plays an important role in preventing UV ray damage. For shaving, choose a gentle, creamy, emollient product.  This softens the hair, making shaving much easier. It also leaves the skin smooth and supple. Most after-shave lotions are alcohol-based—this has a drying effect on the skin and has also been known to cause rashes later. A non-greasy after-shave cream would be ideal.

Post-shaving woes

Itchy skin or rashes are common skin problems faced by men after shaving. Rashes are a consequence of dull razors, dry skin or skin sensitive. One should follow some basic steps to avoid rashes. Always use a shaving cream to soften the hair before shaving.  If rashes occur, rinse the irritated area with cool water. Never rub as scrubbing inflames the skin and makes irritation worse. Avoid alcohol based products; instead apply a cool tea bag to soothe your skin. You can also soften the skin with aloe vera, tea tree oil, or a mild astringent, such as witch hazel. Avoid cologne, aftershave or other scented products that are harsh to the skin. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or cream once a week if the irritation is severe. Use the product according to label recommendations and avoid overuse, which may cause stretch marks and thinning of the skin.

Homemade remedies

For oily skin, mix three teaspoons of oats with rose water and egg white. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 minutes. For dry skin, mix powdered milk with aloe vera gel and orange juice. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. For acne prone skin, mix multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with sandalwood paste and rose water. Make it into a smooth paste, apply on face and wash it off when it dries.

Homemade fuller’s earth face masks are very good in soaking dirt and oil from oily skin surface. It’s an effective cleanser that can prevent breakouts. You can get rid of extra shine, greasiness and oil with clay masks as they have oil reducing properties.

P.S--Take two tablespoons of fuller’s earth powder and soak it in water for half an hour. Add a tablespoon of rose water and few drops of lemon juice. If the mixture is still thick, add some water to it. A tablespoon of milk can be added to avoid over dryness. This face mask will clean up your face, improve blood circulation, and remove excess oil and dead cells from the skin. You can apply this mask twice or thrice a week.

Try some homemade packs to suit your skin tone. Use fresh tomato juice as a base for your face wash and if you have an oily skin, add lemon juice to it. If the texture of your skin is normal, add equal amount of honey to the tomato juice but if your skin is dry then add equal amount of honey and coconut milk to tomato juice.

Toning is very crucial for both men and women, as it keeps your pores clean, and leaves the skin healthy and breathing. For extra oily skin, use astringent lotion instead of a toner. Moisten a cotton ball with toning lotion and put it on the chin, cheeks and neck. Tomato juice is again a good skin toner. Use mineral water with rose water on dry skin. Rub cucumber slices over the face and neck and wash off after 15 minutes. Also, a mixture of honey and milk or a papaya and banana paste makes for excellent homemade moisturizers.

Dark evils

Dark circles around eyes are caused due to hereditary factors, nutritional deficiencies, stress, inadequate sleep, sun-sensitivity, etc. So, along with external care, men should check these aspects too. As a home remedy, one can daily apply pure almond oil sparingly under the eyes and massage it lightly on the skin, using only the ring finger, for one minute under each eye. Massage in one direction only. Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe it off gently with moist cotton wool. Mix cucumber juice and potato juice in equal quantities and apply under the eyes daily for 20 minutes. Wash it off with water.

Dark circles can also be treated by using proper under-eye creams, avoiding extra salt in the diet, and keeping oneself hydrated. One can also put cucumber slices, cold green or chamomile tea bags. Also, make it a habit of wearing dark shades in the daytime; it shields the eyes from being victim to dark circles. Rest well because inadequate sleep often triggers this unnecessary devil. Opt for mild chemical peels or creams that contain lightening agents that can help to reduce dark circles.

  

Men vs women

Men’s and women’s beauty regime is nearly similar in today’s world except that a man’s skin is thicker and tougher. Sebum oil production in men is higher than women but men have more collagen production than women, hence their skin looks more youthful than a woman’s.  Also, men’s cleansing products should contain exfoliating ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids, which are very important for them, since their skin tends to have larger pores, which means they can accumulate more dirt and oil. The moisturizers should contain alpha-hydroxy acids too.

So, gentlemen manage your skin well before it gets too late. Eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, learn to de-stress and stick to your daily beauty regime for an ever-elusive healthy and glowing skin. 

The Mood Dresser--Glam icon, Shibani Dandekar has been the talk of the town for her gorgeous sense of style and grace

Shibani Dandekar

What is your biggest fashion asset?

I’d have to say my huge assortment of accessories. I have a huge fetish for collecting accessories; wherever I travel, be it Australia, London, New York and so on, I make sure I pick up funky, vintage stuff.

What according to you are the five wardrobe essentials for women?

Honestly, there is no specific answer to this question; however, I feel, wardrobe essential is an individualistic approach – it defines one’s personality and style quotient. For me, my wardrobe should always house the classic black and gold combination, lot of accessories, prints, and boots and off late I am very much into carrying smaller hand bags. Also, you will always find chic vintage pieces in my wardrobe, which I continuously keep collecting. Wardrobe essentials keep changing with varying trends.

What kinds of makeup do you usually like to wear?

I usually like to use a very light base followed by bronzer, which brings out a tanned look. I really don’t like to look too fair and pale because Indian skin is usually on the duskier side and I love flaunting it. Mascara is a must for me and finally bold lip colours finish my look. I have a huge collection of bold-coloured lipsticks, from different hues of reds and oranges to fuchsia and pinks...

Tell us about your favourite Indian and International designers...

On the international front, I love Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney. Amongst Indian designers, I admire works of Sailex, Payal Singhal, Masaba Gupta, Rina Dhaka, Rocky S and Namrata Joshipura.

What is your most expensive buy?

I collect sunglasses and I think I own almost every existing brand. From Tom Ford to Gucci, Prada, Victoria Beckham – I have it all and collectively I spend the most for my shades.

What are your favourite shoe and bag brands?

I don’t necessarily work by brands; I mostly pick up stuff that looks good. However I am a big fan of Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo when it comes to shoes. As far as bags are concerned, my current favourite is a black leather bag from Chloe.   

What is that one thing that completes your look every day?

I know it sounds clichéd but I have to say its personality that makes or breaks a look. You can go all edgy or classy, elegant or perhaps casual but unless you own that look you can’t pull it off. I dress according to my mood. On a lazy day you will find me in rip tees and baggy jeans; on days when I feel classy, you will find me in black and gold.

What do you do on a bad hair day?

I have figured out this new technique that always works wonders. A high, chic bun with one section of the hair braided around it is the best way to camouflage a bad hair day. Otherwise just put on a hat (smiles).

Who is your favourite fashion icon?

I love Sienna Miller because she dresses for nobody but herself. I find her extremely classy, trendy and fashionable. She doesn’t blindly succumb to trends and she looks effortlessly stylish.

Who is the most fashionable person in your family?

All three sisters are fashionable (laughs). Apeksha is a little bit casual; she likes quirky and grunge. On the other hand, Anusha is very boho chic all the time.

Who are the best dressed actors in Bollywood according to you?

When it comes to fashion scene in Bollywood, it has a long way to go. People here are too boxed into one-dimensional dressing and looks. Fashion has just started to get serious here. However, I like Sonam Kapoor and Rahul Khanna’s dressing sense. They do it fabulously!  

Any fashion confessions?

Everything was trial and error. I have no regrets because you do what you feel at that moment. Fashion is a medium of self expression for me and it will always be an individual choice.

What will you be wearing if you had to go on a first date?

If it’s a first date then I will be really casual – jeans, off shoulder tee, some accessories and natural makeup. Too dolled up often takes away the real personality and on a first date I would rather be myself.

Do you like following trends?

I like to take things that work best for me from trends. This season, I am all gaga about Aztec prints and my wardrobe is filled with them.

What according to you is the most fashionable city in India?

It has to be Goa. This place is all about colours, livelihood and vibrancy.

Where do you like to shop from?

I shop from all around the world. Whenever I am travelling I end up shopping a lot. But Masaba and Zara are like staple.

Tell us about your favourite makeup brands...

Hands down – it is MAC! Always.

The Fashion Goddess--Sonam Kapoor has been charming hearts of millions across the world with her wonderful sense of fashion and style. She calls herself a ‘dramatic dresser’ but it is blanketed elegantly in cloaks of sophistication

In the kingdom of showbiz, actor Sonam Kapoor has been crowned as the queen of fashion. It’s been a phoenix-like rise for her in the Indian film industry--starting from her first appearance in Sanjay Leela Bansali’s Saawariya to films like Aisha, Raanjhanaa, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and more. Her sense of style is eccentric, rather she personifies the quintessence of experimental fashion. “My sortie into the industry of fashion and glamour has been quite an amazing one. I worked with many designers but so far I have loved most working with my very dear friend Pernia Qureshi. I was introduced to her by my sister and ever since then it’s been a fashion galore for me. Our aesthetic values and understanding of fashion is absolutely in sync; I trust her sense of styling with all my heart,” avers Kapoor.

The diva believes in dressing for nobody but herself. “In the end, it is not for the sake of being ultra-glamourous but being comfy,” she says with a sparkling smile.

This pretty lady is a regular at Cannes and she sets the paparazzi on a roll with her larger-than-life presence. She overwhelms the international media with custom made Dolce and Gabanna gowns; brands like Armani, Prada, Ferragamo, Cavalli and Burberry have become the fashion of the hour with the sultry goddess making them a regular deal.

Fashion quotient:

Being the most adoring connoisseur of fashion and beautiful things in life, Kapoor is a dramatic dresser. “I admire beautiful things and beautiful people. It is such a visual delight to see well-dressed people. Fashion and style is something that I love to cultivate; I read lot of books and magazines; I watch many movies and try to be part of fashion shows to keep myself hooked on to the latest happenings in the world of fashion. Over the years, my sense of styling or shopping for that matter has changed in a much refined way; the more the exposure, the better is the consequence. But what I really believe is that looking beautiful is profoundly related to being fit,” she ushers.

Fashionista’s muse:

“I am pretty gusty when it comes to following trends. I rather set trends and not fit myself into something just because it’s in vogue,” informs Kapoor. Her fashion sensibilities are stimulated by the archetypes of fashion, like, Audrey Hepburn, Alexandra McQueen, Katharine Hepburn and Coco Chanel. “And in India, I love the way Meena Kumari, Madhubala and Sharmila Tagore have expressed themselves in terms of fashion. In contemporary times, I love the way Kalki Koechilin dresses up; she is bold and at the same time she dresses for herself,” she adds.

The shopaholic:

Kapoor loves shopping! And her favourite designers are, Anamika Khanna, Anuradha Vakil, Rohit Bal, Chanel, Alexandra McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier and John Galliano. Not only clothes, the sexy siren has a major fetish for accessories too. “I adore accessories, be it jewellery, shoes, watches, bags, anything at all!” 

She shops from across the world--London, Paris, New York and more. “But my favourite shopping destination is Dilli. You get the best stuff here,” she affirms. When in Mumbai, she loves digging vintage from Bungalow 8. However, Kapoor also indulges in the pleasures of street shopping, especially when in Delhi. “I love buying jewellery and sandals from Delhi,” she states.

Her closet:

The lady says, “My wardrobe is my temple.” She has a walk-in closet, wherein she keeps her most expensive buys to the simplest of stuff with much love. “I cherish my clothes and accessories from the bottom of my heart,” she gushes. However, being the perfectionist that she is, when it comes to proper dressing and maintenance of her ensembles, Kapoor re-shuffles her wardrobe twice a year. “My wardrobe is my haven. But, I don’t like to stash everything together; so I neatly pack stuff and display it in such a way that I can peek at them,” she signs off.

Smudge It Away--Black casts a delightful charm to the eyes. Read on to know more about the mysterious yet magical impact of smokey eyes

Be it at a party or an official meeting, smokey eyes are taking the cake in the beauty industry and how! It’s quite simple to attain this gothic yet extremely chic look; oodles of eyeliner blended with dark eye shadow can create this glamorous look. Nonetheless, as trend-watchers have witnessed, there are multiple variations to the classic.

What’s been trending?

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan sporting the smokey eyes look

Smokey Eyes are very dark eyes, with extremely well defined eyebrows, contoured face and whipped out lips. One of the most popular trends is to apply lighter shades. Use grey eye shadow of lighter tone, and to create depth, fill the gap and contour the corners with black. And if you like it loud, use darker shades of smokey tones like ash grey and curve with more of black eye shadow and put lots of kohl and mascara. Post that, apply silver highlighter on your brow bone.

But, if you like to bend genres then lay your hands on some stunning alternatives! For instance, experiment with colours like navy blue, violet, plum, brown and bronze. However classic never goes out of fashion – the mystery of black and grey has its own charm.

Smokey eyes vs. rest of the makeup:

With smokey eyes, one needs to be very careful with the rest of the makeup. The mantra is to keep the rest of the makeup simple. Use a nude lip shade or perhaps a matte-finish red lip colour for that perfect pout! Go for brick-coloured cheek bones to make heads turn.

How to experiment with smokey eyes?

Smokey eyes can cast quite an amorous yet ruse look. To create this mystical look you should always use well-blended eye shadow; also use medium colour eye shadow on the brow bone and smudge it upwards to look peppy yet much in poise.

Black and Grey combination: Apply eye primer first on your eye lid; the next step is to line the inner lids with smooth black eye pencil. Put black eyeliner on the top lid and remember it should be thicker than the bottom. Make the inner corner of the eye pointed. In this combination one can put ash grey eye shadow and contour it with black eye shadow and put lots of kohl and mascara. Post that, apply silver highlighter on the brow bone.

Out-of-the-box colours: To add an edge to the look, use colours such as deep blue and emerald green but blend the two colours in equal proportion; it will turn into an ash colour and then shape it with black hues.

Cat eyes: To get cat eyes, darker toned eye shadows are used. With half eyes black, one can extend the kohl towards the outer corner; however the outer corner of your eyeliner should be angled out further and curved slightly upwards. Lastly, add a light frosty shade on your brow bone. You can also make a small upward angle; lastly, take a lighter shadow and apply under your eye brows.

In your comfort zone--Indulging in the subtle joys of a spa at your own abode sounds not only relaxing and soothing but convenient too!

Amidst the hustle-bustle of our hectic lives, we often tend to ignore the well being of our skin and hair. Blame it on the sedentary lifestyles or just being lazy, we take ourselves for granted! And with all the dust, pollution and humidity that we have to deal with everyday, I suggest, you better wake up and smell the coffee-our skin and hair needs regular nourishment to remain healthy and radiant.

So what if you don’t get time to hit the spa or salon for beautification; today you can create your own spa at home. Indulge in some self pampering as I guide you on how to get spa treatments done at home with some simple steps.

To emulate a spa at your own home you should keep some basic ingredients, oils and tools ready. For instance, tweezers, sponges, face steamer, etc. Steam helps to open pores and oxygenate the skin; it also works wonders for blackhead extraction and dead skin removal. Also products like cleanser, scrub and moisturizer are a must-have. Indulging in a good body scrub comes handy too but don’t forget the pair of exfoliating gloves!

Also oils like apricot, almond, olive and sesame are good to have, for they bestow glow and smoothness to the skin in abundance. Curd, gram flour, rose water and lime coupled with walnut powder and fuller’s earth are of great help when it comes to exfoliating the skin. Make sure to have cotton pads cut to eye’s size to treat dark under eye problems or puffy eyes problem; these pads can be soaked in fresh cucumber juice and water before application. Furthermore, some good aromatic oil like jasmine, lavender and eucalyptus can be of good use too, with their own set of therapeutic properties. Also sea salts can work magically on sore feet and hands. Also, do keep some good incense sticks or diffuser to make the whole experience more vibrant and aromatic. Using some good fragrant candles can be a brilliant idea!

Now, when it comes to facials and massaging, one should take extra care. Consult an expert before you start your own thing; the pressure stimulation process should be precise because excessive pressure can lead to sore muscles and spasms. Undue pressure can also lead to triggering of pain.

Know the basics:

Secret Ingredient: One of the best skin-smoothing ingredient can be found in the dairy aisle, at your nearest supermarket. The lactic acid in milk softens skin better than most super-fancy potions, which is why spa-pros recommend pouring a few cups of milk in your bath. After a long soak, your body will feel buttery soft.

Quick spa recipe: Mix coarse sea salt or brown or white sugar with enough olive oil or grape seed oil to easily spread it on your skin. And always scrub after washing your body with soap; the oils will sink into clean skin and hydrate it.

Three steps facial: To begin with, microwave three damp washcloths for 30 seconds, and  use one to clean your face after each step. Firstly, run hot water in a sink and stand over it with a towel draped over your head for a few minutes (the steam softens your skin) and then wash your face. Next, scrub your face with a product containing both round beads and a chemical exfoliant like, salicylic acid or lactic acid. Lastly, slather on a hydrating face mask, or use a couple of teaspoons of raw honey, which locks in moisture and has antimicrobial properties. Wait for fifteen minutes and wipe it off.