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#MACxMickeyContractor Indian Beauty Essentials Natural Makeup Look, Tips & Tricks

#MACxMickeyContractor Indian Beauty Essentials Natural Makeup Look, Tips & Tricks

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#MACxMickeyContractor Indian Beauty Essentials Natural Makeup Look, Tips & Tricks

Hi guys,

So towards the end of March, I attended a session with MAC Cosmetics where Mickey Contractor, Director of Makeup Artistry, MAC India and celebrity Bollywood Makeup Artist, taught us to create a flawless base and a step by step Natural Indian Look!

I was so stoked and happy, I had no idea till I reached the venue that we had to do it step by step with him and he would be teaching us. I thought it was a regular event where the video will be unveiled, etc., but no, we saw the video and we created the whole look on ourselves with Mickey checking each step and teaching us how to do it correctly.

The video came out today and hence I wrote this post half way through earlier and saved in my drafts, because many of you asked me to share the tips and tricks and I thought I should jot them down quickly.

Here is the video..

So here are few tips and tricks Mickey taught us:

  • Always moisturise your face and undereyes before starting with your base. Mickey recommends MAC Studio Moisture Cream. He even mixes it later with the foundation when he needs a sheer look.
  • Spray MAC Fix Plus after the Moisture Cream and then start with concealer/corrector.
  • Everyone has dark circles and that is completely natural. If you try to layer too much of concealer and powder, it will only look ashy and settle in fine lines and crease. So correct and conceal once, go over the concealed area with a foundation and set with powder.
  • We used the MAC Pro Conceal and Correct Palette and he made us mix the concealer and both correctors on our hands to get the perfect match first. And then apply it on the dark circles. It made world of a difference. I mixed the corrector and concealer directly on the under eye area and applied it on one half and it was still looking ashy. I used the Medium palette which had shades close to and lighter to my skin tone. And the lighter concealer was making the dark circles look ashy. He made me take the yellow and orange corrector and the concealer shade on the back of my hand from the Medium Deep Palette, mix it in and add more untill I got the perfect peach. And then I applied it to cover dark circles, it was a perfect match!
  • He usually goes for the same color or a darker concealer for the under eye area and then covers that area with foundation for a seamless, even toned base.
  • Always match the foundation to your neck and body and in natural light only. Wear it through the day to check if it oxidizes and then go ahead and buy your perfect match.
  • Dab powder with a sponge on the under eye area and the T zone and take excess off with a brush. Never swipe concealer/powder. Always dab!
  • Take your eyelash curler till the base of the lashes and press and release the curler till count of 10, hold for 3-4 seconds and leave. Voila, you get amazing well curled lashes.
  • To define your cheekbones, apply blush in a slight slanted upward motion and just for a flush of colour, on the apples of your cheeks.
  • Dab the sponge on your highlighter to blend it in with the skin and take it slightly around the under eye area as it should not be a stark slanted highlighted line on top of your cheekbones and look seamless.
  • Always apply foundation on the neck if you are doing your whole face or just apply foundation partially like only on T zone and problem areas. There shouldn’t be a stark/visible difference between face and neck.

Clean and natural base using minimal products is his USP. He doesn’t like sharp contouring and highlighting, bold brows and all that you see on YouTube and Instagram these days.

He has done numerous Bollywood movies and magazine covers especially Aishwarya Rai, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee’s makeup and you can see how he loves a clean base, natural look and dark kohled eyes. He is a master of the Bollywood Smokey Eye.

In this video, he teaches a Natural Indian Look with a light smoke of kohl which is perfect for summers.

I used these products to create the look, as shown in the video..

  • MAC Pro Conceal & Correct Palette in Medium Deep
  • MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC37
  • MAC Cream Colour Base Hush
  • MAC Eyeshadow Embark
  • MAC Modern Twist Kajal Cat’s Meow
  • MAC In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara Volume
  • MAC Mocha Blush
  • MAC Lipstick in Half n Half
  • MAC Brushes 217 and 168

The Conceal & Correct Palette helps you mix and match the exact amount of concealer and corrector till you get your perfect shade. This palette is also a must have if you are a makeup artist or do your friends and family’s makeup.

MAC Conceal & Correct Palette Medium Deep

Embark is a matte deep brown eyeshadow with red undertones. It is a perfect shade for a wash of colour like we have done here or for a soft smokey day time look, smudging it with a black kohl pencil underneath. We have used the Modern Twist Kajal in Cat’s Meow, which is the black shade as kohl on the waterline. If you like jet carbon black kohl, you can go for Squid. Gently smudge Embark on the lower lash line to merge the kohl and shadow. Flick the kohl slightly to create a wing like effect. Tightline with Cat’s Meow

Mocha, Hush, Embark

MAC Blush in Mocha is a matte soft peach colour which is very flattering on Indian skin tones, fair to medium especially. MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush gives a very soft and subtle highlight and can also be used all over eyes as a base or to highlight brow bone and inner corners.

MAC Half n Half Lipstick is a satin finish nude brown, I absolutely love this shade. It reminded me of Maybelline My Mahagony which was my favourite nude and was discontinued later on. But I highly recommend Half N Half if you are looking for a good, everyday wear nude shade.

MAC Half N Half

I love how simple this look is, and yet pretty and polished. Clean base, neutral tones and kohl rimmed eyes, suitable for any occasion and works for everyone.

I hope you liked this post and found it helpful. Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Try This Overnight DIY Serum For a Translucent Glow

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TRY THIS OVERNIGHT DIY SERUM FOR A TRANSLUCENT GLOW

By Ankita

With the changing environment and lifestyle, there is no escaping from skin issues. The good old CTM works, no doubt. However is it good enough? I won't agree to that. Hence, serums came into being. The usual cleansing-toning- moisturizing regime is now better replaced by cleansing-toning- TREATing-moisturizing. This is where the serums come into action. You can pretty much say in an Army of soldiers, they are the marines, employed for specific target oriented operations. Let’s have a look at them,

WHAT IS A SERUM

Face serums are lightweight moisturizers with a gel or light lotion consistency and have a higher concentration of ingredients meant to provide more effective and focused results.

HOW TO USE

These are used after cleaning and toning then face. Pat on the serum on with the help of your finger, gently dabbing and pushing it into the skin

SO…I CAN SKIP MY MOISTURIZER RIGHT?

Absolutely not. Serums are an addition to your CTM (Cleansing-Toning- Moisturizing) and no way substitute a moisturizer. They have targeted action and address a specific skin issue such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, aging etc.

There are tons and thousands of serum available in the market, and I won’t deny they don’t work. They definitely do. But, wait for it!!!What if I told you, you can make one in a jiffy, that won’t cost you gazillion bucks and works just as fine as any other serum? Actually more than fine. Shall I say….works BRILLIANT.

Ready? Ladies and Ladies, I give you my magic potion

DIY OVERNIGHT GLOW SERUM

YOU WILL NEED:

-4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil

-4 drops of pure rose water

-a pea sized amount of pure aloe vera gel

PROCEDURE:

1. You do not need a bowl for this as it is better to use it fresh every day. Take 4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil on your palm.

2. Add in a pea sized amount of aloe vera gel

3. Now finally add in 4 drops of rose water and mix all the ingredients with your fingers till they become an emulsion.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Dot it all over your face and neck and massage with very light hands in upward-outward motions, till you are satisfied that the skin has completely soaked in the product.

2. Follow up with a very light weight moisturizer and have off you go to bed Sleeping Beauty.

IS IT EFFECTIVE?

1. This serum works greatly towards brightening the skin and especially fading away dark spots.

2. Gives you healthy illuminating glow.

WHY THESE INGREDIENTS??

Virgin Coconut Oil: Cold pressed Virgin Coconut is a boon for the skin as it helps to improve certain skin conditions by healing wounds and reducing rashes. Its anti-inflammatory effect works wonders for soothing skin ailments. VCO contains Lauric Acid that helps to combat acne and even is a great whitening agent.

Priced at: 350 INR for 500ml (Buy HERE)

Rose Water: With its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties, rose water is the life saver for irritated skin. Apart from being an excellent skin toner, it also brightens up the complexion and makes the skin more radiant and even.

Priced at: 150 INR (Buy HERE)

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that work wonders for the skin. Application of aloe vera speeds up the process of healing of burns, lightens blemishes, reduces acne and also prevents wrinkles. It even acts as a great natural moisturizer.

Priced at: 250 INR for 100ml (Buy HERE)

HOW OFTEN AND WHEN DO I USE IT

Use it once a day, before you go to bed. You have to be consistent with the use to see great results, in less than a month.

IS IT SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

It is 100% safe for any skin type, however, it is always wise to go for a patch test first. In case you experience any irritation (which most probably you won’t), do not use it further.

Here is a little after picture of me. Unfortunately, I don’t have any before picture as I had never planned to write this piece. After a month of usage, it has reduced my marks and scars to a good extent.

In this image, I have washed my face with cold water, put on some lip gloss and tight-lined my upper lash line.

Why spend a portion of your kidney, if you can have it done at the comfort of your kitchen? Without a question of doubt, I honestly ask my dear readers to give this DIY serum a try and see the results for yourself.

However, you must not forget these few pointers:

1. Cut out processed food as much as possible from your diet.

2. Stay hydrated and stay away from aerated drinks

3. Nothing!!!!!can substitute a good beauty sleep of 6-7 hours.

Please come back and let me know your experience with this serum. Any suggestions, comments, and ideas are always welcome 🙂

Editor’s Note: You have amazing and flawless skin Ankita. I love DIY’s and would be surely trying this too.

Do you love trying DIY’s? Will you try this?

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NC42 Review, Swatches, Buy Online

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MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NC42 Review, Swatches, Buy Online

By Sanchita

INTRODUCTION – I have been planning to buy this concealer for a long time and when it was available online, I immediately picked this up. I once tried this concealer at a MAC store and loved the consistency and coverage. MAC is known for their extraordinary base products with an array of shade range. Having used the product for quite some time, here’s my review on the product.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION – A lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a comfortable, natural matte finish. Colour-true formula lasts up to 15 hours. Helps conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations. Comes in a clear glass vial with a matte black pump.

PRICE – Rs. 2100/ $22.00 for 9 ml / 0.30 US fl. oz. (Available on Nykaa)

MY REVIEW

The MAC Pro Longwear Concealer has a convenient packaging for travelling. It comes in a transparent bottle with a black opaque pump and the packaging is really sturdy. Although, it is hygienic and travel friendly, it has downside too. The pump dispenses a lot of product in a single pressure and sometimes you need end up wasting it. And honestly, you don’t want to waste a product from MAC. Therefore, the packaging fares well but nothing something I prefer.

Coming to its consistency, I would say it is medium. The texture is slightly runny but the moment you start blending, it kind of turns creamy. The best thing about the product is that it gives a medium to full coverage. Every liquid concealer I have used so far sheers out and we just end up wasting money. Therefore, I was very careful while purchasing this one. The concealer is also water proof and smudge proof. Once you have set the concealer, it is not going to smudge or spread at all.

I use this concealer mainly for under eyes and I have extreme dark circles. I simply apply a faint layer of orange corrector and apply this concealer with the help of my fingers. And using a blending sponge, blend the product. It completely hides the dark circles and gives a fresh, awake look.

Now, the shade range of MAC is outstanding and one can’t complain about it at all. I chose the shade NC42 because it matches my skin tone. I didn’t want the highlighting effect at all therefore went with something natural. For minor discolorations, pigmentation and acne cover also the concealer works like a charm.

The blending is really easy and it doesn’t cling on the dry areas of the face or eyes at all. Since, my eye area is extremely dry, I use an eye cream prior the application of product. The concealer gives a natural matte finish and would work great with oily and combination skin. It causes little to no creasing of under eyes if you set with a translucent powder. However, if you have dry skin, make sure you use the appropriate hydrating emollient to make the concealer work smoothly.

The concealer gives no flashback at all and I simply love that. It looks as natural as possible and would bring a huge difference to your look. It is surely long wearing and stayed on my eyes for about 8-9hrs with minimal fading in a moderate climate. I can also use this concealer for full face too. There are time when I mix it with sunscreen, moisturizer or any BB/CC cream to perfect a perfect natural coverage. The only downside of every MAC product is that they are unapologetically expensive. However, the quality is undeniably good and the product would last a long time.

WHAT I LIKED

1. Hygienic and travel friendly packaging.

2. Perfect shade range.

3. Medium consistency with slight runny texture.

4. Very easy to blend.

5. Medium to full coverage.

6. No flash back in photos.

7. Can be used with tinted moisturizer or any BB/CC cream.

8. Natural matte finish.

9. Water proof and smudge proof.

10. Long wearing.

WHAT I DISLIKED

1. Pump dispenses a lot of product.

2. May be little dry for dry skin.

3. Expensive.

RATING – 4.5/5

OVERALL – The MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is a medium to full coverage concealer with an extensive shade range. It has a liquid based formula, slightly runny and sets in easily to give a natural matte finish. It is easy to work with and if you have been looking for a full coverage liquid-cream concealer, this excels in its wonderful quality. I am really happy with the product.

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good! I wanted to try this, but right now I have the MAC Pro Conceal and Correct Palette and quite happy with it. As you can mix and match with the correctors and create your custom shade

Have you tried MAC Concealers? Which is your favourite?