Kalki Fashion unveiled its SS’19 Collection, ‘ZINNIA’ – The Modern Romanticism at the Bombay Times Fashion Week last month.
Zinnia flowers are the colorful annuals that have a rich history to match their rich colors. Hence, taking inspiration from the flower’s originality, the collection showcases an array of multi-colors and hues. It is filled with modern and eclectic silhouettes in a vivid colour palette.
Zinnia Collection is perfect for summer weddings with painterly hues of summer fog blues, mighty mauves, the lime greens, the spicy mustards, the fuchsia pinks and the fiery reds putting in inventive spin to your wedding closet staples from floor-sweeping jacket styles to voluminous shararas, from the quirkiest bridal lehengas to monotone red veil lehengas.
This collection features beautiful gowns, lehengas, palazzo suits, crop tops and shararas in interesting silhouettes, frills, layers with ornate embroidery, feathers, stones, etc.
Each garment is carefully hand crafted to create the perfect outfits for your mehendi soirees, a perfect garden party, a dreamy destination theme, or a traditional summer wedding. The embroideries talk diamond shapes layered upon rich silks, flowers quilted with stripes on opulent organza, bordered with miniature geometric conception with studs and summer sequins. The playfully proportioned silhouettes are enhanced in unconventional elements with strip embroideries, thread ties, featherweight crystal embellishments and 3D flower burst.
The Zinnia collection is distinctly dainty and eccentric, celebrating the creative needs and expressions of the woman who wears it.
Some of my favourite pieces from the Zinnia Collection..
1. Malaika Arora’s red gown
Malaika Arora was the showstopper for the collection and wore this beautiful, ruby red gown accentuated with feathers and detailed embroidery.
2. French Pink Multi Embroidered Kameez with Long Flared Sharara
I love everything about this sharara, the colour, silhouette, embroidery. It’s perfect for a day wedding function.
3. Citrus Green Double Layer Palazzo with Strapless Bustier and Long Embroidered Net Cape
This green hand embroidered strapless bustier embellished with multi color resham, cut dana, sequins and zari work is paired with a double layered georgette palazzo and tassels at the edges. It is teamed with a matching long embroidered net cape with back trail. This outfit is absolutely perfect for a mehendi function.
I love the colours, silhouettes and all the designs from Kalki Fashion’s Zinnia Collection, which is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.
We are planning to cover more cities, have Chennai today and Hyderabad next. Pune, Chandigarh in the pipeline, let us know if you want us to cover any specific city in the comments below.
Coming to the best bridal makeup artists in Chennai now,
1. Ibrahim – Ibrahim is one of the well-known Bridal MUA from Chennai. He has the ability to create magic with colours and brushes and every client of his is a proof of that. Ibrahim focuses more on highlighting the sharp features and yet keeps the skin natural and glowing. He and his team of bridal makeup artists are well known for exceptional bridal makeup in Chennai. He uses products from the reputed brands like MAC, Makeup Forever, Bobbi Brown, YSL, Dior and Chanel. His complimentary hairdo is also a perfect one. He doesn’t travel to other cities and charges around Rs. 25,000 per function (trial makeup separate).
2. Akriti Sachdev – She is a M.A.C certified professional make-up artist who independently started with ‘Mesmereyes Makeup’ in Chennai. She offers high definition Airbrush Makeup and works mainly on providing a natural, minimal makeup look to all her brides. She has also been trained under Celebrity Makeup Artists like Vidya Tikari in Delhi and Cory Walia in Mumbai. Her eye makeup looks are truly stunning. She charges around Rs.25,000 per function and does travel to other cities.
CONTACT – Address: No: 17, 4th Lane, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600034
Mobile: +917550033425 or email mesmereyesmakeup@gmail.com
3. Noor Ahmed – He has an experience of over 10years in makeup and beauty and specializes in South Indian Bridal makeup mostly. He believes in using very little product to make one look glowing and dewy to highlight the features. He charges around Rs. 30,000 for bridal makeup and Rs. 7,500 for guest makeup. He does not travel to other cities.
CONTACT – Mobile :+91 9382154932, +91 9840579576. E-mail: makeupnoor@gmail.com,
noor@makeupnoor.com
4. G Venkatesh – He is a master artist of making a bride look gorgeous and natural – all at the same time. His hands weave magic through makeup and the radiance and stunning makeup look is simply dazzling. He has a glorious 27 years of experience in bridal makeup. He charges around Rs. 23,500 for bridal makeup, Rs. 23,000 for airbrush (extra) and Rs. 10,000 for guest makeup. The price is inclusive of hair styling, draping, nail polish change and makeup.
5. Siva Kumar – He is one of the leading makeover specialist and bridal makeup artist in Chennai and has an extensive experience in beauty for nearly 2 decades. He has also worked with various celebrities of South India and therefore, a through professional. He also provides free make up trials for brides and his services are
available all over south India. He generally uses the brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown, Chanel, Inglot, Faces and Dior. He charges around Rs. 22,000 for bridal makeup, Rs. 6000 per person for party makeup family and the price is inclusive of hair styling, draping, nail polish change and makeup. He travels to venue but does not offer airbrush makeup.
CONTACT – No 6a/25, Vembuliamman Koil St, Opposite to Vani Vidhyalaya School, Virugambakkam, Chennai – 600078.
Mobile +91 9840242093, 9003037338 makeupsiva@gmail.com
6. Jeya Shreevarshini – She is a certified MUA from Kryolan Makeup Academy, London and has an experience of 9 years. She is great in enhancing the natural beauty and and has worked with various fashion or photography models. She is highly passionate and specialized in fashion, beauty, editorial and Bridal makeup. She charges around Rs. 15,000 per function, travels to the venue and the prices are inclusive of hair styling, draping and makeup. She does not offer airbrush makeup.
7. The Fame Hair and Makeup by Divi Durga – She is a senior makeup artist with an experience of over 7 years. She has worked with various celebrities, performers, individuals, entertainers, or for special events such as weddings or dates. She is open to destination wedding projects and offer airbrush makeup for Rs. 20,000. Her bridal makeup charges are around Rs. 15,000 per function, travels to the venue and the prices are inclusive of hair styling, draping, nail polish change and makeup. She also offers paid trial makeup before the D-day.
CONTACT – Alagiri Nagar Main Road, Vadapalani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
8. Viji Sarath Look Gorgeous – Viji is a well-known makeup artist from Chennai with an amazing experience of more than 6years. The bridal makeup by Viji is impeccable and makes the bride look stunning. The charge for bridal makeup is Rs. 10,000, for engagement is Rs. 6000 and the price is inclusive of Hair Styling, Draping and Makeup. She doesn’t offer airbrush makeup.
CONTACT – NO: 136 AP AKSHAYA FLATS, THULASINGHAM STREET, PERAMBUR – 600011, Landmark: Opposite To Ewarts School
Email:vijisharathlookgorgeous@gmail.com
9. Prakruthi Ananth – She started off as a freelancer but her talent took her a long way. She is a MAC trained makeup artist and has an experience of more than 7 years. Her bridal makeup is gorgeous and a sheer perfection of radiance and beauty. She charges around Rs. 16,500 for bridal makeup and for airbrush, she charges Rs. 20,000. The prices are inclusive of hair styling, draping, nail polish change and makeup and she travels to the venue.
CONTACT – Email -missprakatwork@gmail.com. Phone – +91-9884843210. Address – Old No. 32 New, No.62 Veerabadran Street, Nungambakkam, Chennai, India
10. Makeup by Kavitha Sekar – Kavitha Sekar is an internationally trained makeup artist with up to date makeup skills and a trained hairstylist. She specializes in bridal makeovers and fashion makeovers. Kavitha has done several brides from South India, North India and Hindu, Christian, and Muslim communities, also have prettified Indian, Asian, and American origins. She charges around Rs. 20,000 for bridal makeup.
Best Bridal Foundations in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
Foundation is the most important base for bridal makeup and that is why you have to be extremely careful while choosing a bridal foundation for yourself. A bridal foundation must be medium to high coverage, no flashbacks and must not oxidize, melt or separate along with a long lasting formula. Also, the foundation should be suitable to your skin type, must no look too dewy or too matte and lastly a good shade range to choose from. Although the criterion look huge, we have narrowed down the best bridal foundations in India in both affordable/budget friendly and high end range.
AFFORDABLE/BUDGET FRIENDLY
1. Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – Price Rs. 550 (BUY HERE)
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation need no introduction. It is, by far, one of the best foundations in the drugstore category, not only in India but all over the world. Maybelline recently added few more shades and right now the range has around 14 shades to choose from. The foundation has a natural matte finish that adds a certain glow to the skin. It has no SPF and thus never flashbacks in pictures. It contains blurring micro powders that erase pores and absorb oil that gives a natural, seamless finish. It will be suitable for every skin type as well. The coverage is medium to buildable.
2. PAC HD Liquid Foundation – Price Rs. 795 (BUY HERE)
PAC HD Liquid Foundation is another liquid foundation with medium to full coverage and has the proper HD finish with an affordable price tag. The foundation range has 19shades including both cool and warm undertones. It gives you an amazing flawless look and yet looks natural. The foundation never flash-backs and can be used by all skin types. It is extremely long lasting, doesn’t oxidize and thus a perfect pick for the bridal foundation.
3. NYX Professional Makeup Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation – Price Rs. 900 (BUY HERE)
Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation from NYX is a personal favourite and I love how the foundation stays matte yet looks natural on the skin. It gives medium to full coverage and blends on the skin like a dream. This is a perfect bridal foundation for normal to oily skin, if you are getting married in summer. The formula is oil-free and water-based formula and it doesn’t leave behind any whitish cast on the skin. There are 11 shades to choose from.
4. Kryolan TV Paint Stick – Price Rs. 1200 (BUY HERE) Review HERE
Kryolan TV Paint Stick comes in a stick packaging and is available in 250 shades! The product is versatile and can be used as foundation, contour, color corrector, and concealer. It thick but blends into the skin really easily and gives a dewy finish to the skin. It has full coverage and best used for bridal purposes. The foundation doesn’t oxidize at all and photographs really well. The staying power is around 7-8hours and the foundation is a complete value for money.
5. L.A Girl Pro Coverage Illuminating Liquid Foundation – Price Rs. 1250 (BUY HERE)
This foundation is available in 16 shades and the shade card is extremely versatile and impressive. It has a nice texture that blends like a dream and gives smooth illumination look. It is extremely light weight in the skin and is suitable for all skin types. The formula is paraben free formula with added anti-oxidants helps hydrate and improve the skin’s appearance. It gives medium to full coverage and a great foundation for brides. It leaves no whitish cast in photos as well.
6. L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24h Foundation – Price Rs. 1400 (BUY HERE) Review HERE
L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24h Foundation is a great foundation for oily skin. It has 11 shades with adequate warm and cool tones. The texture is nice to work and it is advisable by her to blend in with a damp brush or sponge. It feels completely matte on the skin; there is no shininess or dewiness with it. It gives a nice medium to heavy coverage without blocking the pores at all. It has SPF 18 but it doesn’t give any whitish cast and also photographs well.
HIGH END
7. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation – Price Rs. 2700 (BUY HERE)
The iconic foundation of all times is MAC Studio Fix Fluid. MAC can provide you the best shade card and seldom people go wrong with the shades. The foundation has light weight silky texture, blends really smoothly and has a very good coverage. It also has certain special skin-conditioning ingredients yet looks completely matte. It absorbs and disperses oil and gives an airbrushes look to the skin. The wear time long and considered the best foundation for brides. If you have dry skin, you can also try out the MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation or MAC Face and Body
8. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation – Price Rs. 3600 (BUY HERE)
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation comes in 30 shades and has a petite packaging. It has a medium consistency liquid texture that blends generously and then sets into a matte finish. Despite having an SPF it photographs really well and hence, will work great for brides. It stays on the face for around 8-9hours without melting down or oxidizing. It gives a medium to buildable coverage and feels almost weightless. If you are willing to splurge for your wedding foundation, this is a great pick.
9. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick – Price Rs. 4100 (BUY HERE)
Apart from MAC, Bobbi Brown is another brand for amazing base products like foundation and concealers. Their finish is seamless and looks just like natural skin. A bridal foundation should be better be creamy so that it lasts long. The Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick available in 24shades that blends into the skin and gives a medium to full coverage. The foundation is creamy yet weightless texture which applies effortlessly. It is formulated with an innovative blend of emollients-like olive extracts and shea butter-help to moisturize skin and light diffusing powders and oil-controlling minerals help perfect the appearance of skin while reducing shine. Thus, it has every property a bride needs on her D-Day.
10. Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation – Price Rs. 3300 (BUY HERE)
This foundation is available in 20 shades and gives a Medium-to- full buildable coverage with a natural matte finish. However, it has hydrating and nourishing ingredients and blends effortlessly on the skin. It helps to blur imperfections with light-diffusing spheres and it also sweat-resistant and transfer-proof. It will suit all skin types and stays on the skin for more than 10 hrs. Therefore, it is a good pick for the brides.
Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous list Sanchita, you have covered all medium to full coverage foundations here which photograph well and are perfect for brides. I would only like to add one, Milani Conceal + Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation + Concealer, even that is super high coverage and good for brides.
Which is your favourite foundation? Definitely get 1-2 of these for your wedding/pre-wedding functions/bridal trousseau
Brides, let your outfit dreams come alive with Anita Dongre’s Bridal Lehengas
As a bride, choosing the perfect outfit for your big day can be stressful. Today’s brides are more experimental and open to new styles with their trousseau choices. But when you’re out shopping, it is important that you choose outfits that are wearable and timeless. There are styles available in the market that will leave you spoilt for choice. But for most brides, the timelessness of the classic Indian bridal lehenga has a special place in the heart. If you’re among them, Anita Dongre presents her spectacular collection of bridal lehengas for you to turn your dream of being an elegant princess bride into reality.
Inspired by Anita Dongre’s travels through Rajasthan, the lehengas crafted by the label brim with royalty. Beautiful embroidery and gota-patti work on handwoven fabrics such as silk and cotton that take the form of an elegant bridal lehenga gives a royal feel and appearance. Here are some of my favourites from Anita Dongre’s creations of mesmerizing bridal lehengas for your indulgence.
1. For the day bride: The Zainab Lehenga
Light hues and pastel colours are the new rage for brides who have their ceremonies during the daytime. Anita Dongre’s The Zainab Lehenga is a sage green silk lehenga adorned with gota-patti, dori, pearl, sequin and zardosi, styled with a net dupatta embroidered with motifs of trees branching out into rustling leaves and blossoming flowers with chirping birds perched atop branches. Style this elegant lehenga with a dazzling mathapatti and a choker necklace to look like the princess of a fairytale.
2. For the timeless bride: The Karnika Lehenga
The timelessness of a red lehenga is known to enhance the inner glow of the effervescent bride. Anita Dongre’s The Karnika Lehenga is a red silk choli paired with a silk A-line lehenga, styled with a net dupatta, exquisitely embroidered with gota-patti, pearl, zardosi, sequin and dori work in motifs of lush trees. Inspired by the royalty of Rajasthani art, architecture, and culture, this gorgeous lehenga will make you look nothing less than a Rajput bride. Complement this stunning lehenga with jadau long earrings, a maangtikka, a choker and polki bangles to complete your look.
3. For the experimental bride: The Amardha Lehenga
Red, pink and orange are common colours chosen by brides. If you want to try something different, Anita Dongre brings you The Amardha Lehenga. It is a royal blue silk lehenga embellished with mirror work, dori, resham and sequin work, styled with a silk dupatta with gota-patti, dori, zardosi, sequin and pearl work. Look like the star brightening your special evening in this beautiful lehenga. Pair this timeless creation with stunning pearl drop earrings, a jadau necklace and blue embroidered mojri heels to get the regal look.
4. For the forever-fashionable bride: The Niryasa Lehenga & Arsika Shirt
If you’re a bride who wants to ditch the traditional lehenga-choli look and don’t want the heaviness of a dupatta, Anita Dongre presents to you The Nirvasa Lehenga & Arsika Shirt. A champagne organza shirt and silk skirt with pockets on either sides. It is exquisitely embellished with intricate gota patti, dori, zardosi, sequin, and pearl embellishments, and is paired with a natural obi belt cinched at the waist. Complete this look with floral earrings and block heels to look like the bride of a new era.
Choose Anita Dongre’s classic and elegant designer bridal lehengas to charm your way through your big day!
