lifestyle living

COSMETICS MINERAL MAKE-UP

secrets from the earth

The world over, minerals are the hottest trend in make-up, with fashion divas and Hollywood stars swearing by it RADHIKA RAVI RAJAN SKIN SPECIALISTS are smiling. Finally, comes a make-up that does not contain chemicals like perfumes, alcohol, colouring agents or preservatives. It’s known by the name–mineral make-up. Mineral make-up is based on a hypoallergenic loose power that lacks harsh chemicals or derivatives, which make it softer and lighter on the skin unlike its chemical counterpart.

Naturally, therefore, for actors and models, whose profession revolves around using a lot of make-up, mineral make-up is the best news.

Mineral make-up being lighter than traditional make-up, doesn’t mask the skin, letting it breathe even when one is wearing the makeup. The beauty products available in the mineral make-up range include eyebrow pencils, nail paints, mascara, moisturisers, foundation creams, lipsticks and concealers. ''Make-up so pure you can sleep in it,'' claimed Bare Escentuals, a leading international brand, speaking about its bareMinerals product line. It is a fact that many women are allergic to different skincare products, and it takes some hits-andmisses to choose what suits you when it comes to make-up. Enter: Mineral make-up, which, cosmetic companies claim, has no such side effects, thereby helping one remain naturally lovely.

The claims even include that the products last longer than ordinary make-up, provide a natural sunblock and help reduce wrinkles, as they contain vitamins A and E. Whether

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dermatologists approve or not, brands like Neutrogena were among the earliest to jump on to the minerals’ bandwagon.

Mineral make-up is made from naturally occurring minerals like zinc oxide, ultramarine (derived from lapis lazuli) and titanium dioxide. These are mined from the earth and ground into fine powder. The natural minerals are mixed with inorganic pigments, rather than dyes. It’s the pigments which make the minerals richer and longer-lasting.

Such make-up shot to prominence in the early ’90s, when patients turned to mineral products to cover up the red sores caused by laser treatments–the emerging option at that time. The non-reactive nature of mineral make-up helped heal the scars and wounds.

As with everything, there just might be a downside to using mineral make-up. Its powdered form makes it difficult to travel with. But brands like Urban Decay fixed this problem by selling it in a bottle with built-in puff, while ColoreScience's loose powder foundations are packaged with a retractable make-up brush. Secondly, when you apply the make-up, it might seem you have applied too much, so remember, a little goes a long way in this case. Lastly, mineral make-up definitely costs a pretty penny, costing as much as luxury brands. Plus, not all minerals are harmless–mica and bismuth oxychloride may be a little rough on facial skin. And special brushes are required to apply such mineral cosmetics.

But hey, see the bright side: It is a concealer, foundation, powder and sunscreen all rolled into one; and the best news: It lasts all day long. Salons have it, so do spas. But you can check out your favourite mall.

Mineral make-up comprises over 15 per cent of the face make-up category. L’Oréal Paris, for instance, has created a range of 100 per cent natural mineral products to suit every woman’s needs. True Match Minerals, considered the original mineral product, has a mineral powder that offers foundation-like coverage in five different shades, while simultaneously improving the quality of the skin.

L'OREAL BRINGS MINERALS TO INDIA Blush Minerals are mono blushes in the popular mineral format–a loose powder that is natural and skin-friendly. The blush cleverly camouflages fine lines or wrinkles. Blush Minerals are designed for all skin types, includes SPF 15, thus working as sunscreen as well. It is available in five soft colours that build up with repeat buffing and impart a healthy glow. Blush Minerals leave the cheeks looking subtly flushed. A specially developed applicator brush allows the powder to be buffed uniformly over the skin.

Blush Minerals are available in various shades to complement varying skin tones: 20 (Soft Mauve-Peach Pink); 50 (Soft Rosewood-Rose Brown); 60 (Soft BrownBrown); 70 (Soft Coral-Soft Coral) and 80 (Soft Sienna-Orange Bronze).

February 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere” — Vincent Van Gogh

February 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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PROFILE HUGO BOSS

the boss rules Hugo Boss apparels have become synonymous with high quality, versatility and perfect fit, which is why celebrities want to be seen in them‌

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INDIRA LAUL HOLLYWOOD STARS George Clooney and Gwyneth Paltrow have been sighted wearing the designer label, both on and off the red carpet, while our very own Deepika Padukone wears the perfume from the fashion house. Numerous other celebrities the world over have chosen to wear the clothesline to prestigious events as well.

Welcome to the world of Hugo Boss, the incredible designs of which are spotted at many a starstudded event. That’s because the designer house is constantly setting out to improve the style quotient of men and women everywhere, with their clean-cut, professional suits for men and their elegant classic dresses and skirts for women.

THE PAST The antecedents lead to a clothing company in 1923 Germany, in a small town south of Stuttgart, called Metzingen, where the parent

company is still based. It was owned by its founder Hugo Boss, who was forced to shut shop due to bankruptcy.

However, his resilience enabled him to start afresh, and he started a new business—of supplying uniforms to the SS guards.

The business survived his death in 1948, and turned its hand to making suits. The timing was perfect—the men’s fashion industry was emerging out of its chrysalis, and through the 1960s and 1970s, Boss suits became the benchmark for chic menswear. And over the years, Hugo Boss has branched out into shirts, ties, tuxedos, lingerie, shoes and sunglasses, including a range of men’s colognes and women’s fragrances.

In 1985, the company was floated on the stock exchange, and the majority shareholder is now the Italian Marzotto textile group. Today, the Hugo Boss empire stretches worldwide, with a chain of shops in 102 countries, with more than 5,000 stores and an annual turnover of well over a billion dollars.

EYE ON INDIA Private equity giant Permira-controlled Hugo Boss is scouting for a new partner to fasttrack its India plans. The German fashion giant, according to sources, is believed to have shortlisted the AV Birla Group company, Madura Garments, and realty major DLF as it looks to strike a deal with a local partner shortly.

December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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PRODUCTS In 1999, Boss Orange for men was launched, which was sporty, casual and different from the stylish Hugo brand and the sophisticated Boss Black brand. Boss Green was developed as a totally sporty brand, selling sporty items.

The company’s products are divided over three brands—Boss, Hugo and Baldessarini (since 2004).

Today’s sub-brands for men include Boss

Black/Boss Black Selection, Boss Green, Boss Orange, Hugo and Baldessarini. For women, Boss Black, Boss Orange (announced in July 2005 for spring/summer 2006 launch) and Hugo. Also part of the brand are lifestyle accessories.

SIGNATURE STYLE Unmatched quality, versatility and perfect fit are the hallmarks of Hugo Boss. But its signature style is a combination of a number of styles, each offering its own signature style.

Boss Orange offers a leisurely image, while Boss Green is a functional sports wardrobe for professional athletes. Boss Hugo Boss is a sophisticated line for confident individuals who want to make their own fashion statement. The Baldessarini line represents luxury and elegance, and is one of the more classic Hugo Boss styles. The Boss Hugo Boss collections for men and women offer apparel for every occasion. It uses exclusive fabrics and has wonderful craftsmanship, with handsewn details in their exclusive products. The clothes stand out for their vibrant colours and unusual fabrics. There’s versatility as well with their stylish shoes, apparels, accessories and sunglasses.

In the summer of 2006, Boss Orange womens wear was launched, making the same spontaneous, passionate and surprising. Boss Orange looks is available in the women’s line as well.

All the Boss Orange styles bear the stamp of Italian head designer Andrea Cannelloni, whose team is

based at the Hugo Boss headquarters in Metzingen.

SPRING-SUMMER COLLECTION 2008 Hugo Boss featured two ranges in this collection—Boss Orange and Boss Black, for men and women.

Boss Orange celebrates the spirit of modernism and showcases contemporary sportswear with clean lines, geometric motifs and modern materials. Ethnic themes in bold colours, featuring batik prints, have been incorporated on natural fabrics like organic cotton, linen and ramie.

Boss Black presents a clean, pared-down style with a cosmopolitan attitude. It is a mix of elegance and casual, the main colour themes being white, shades of grey and light blue. The fabrics used are lightweight summer wool, mohair, wool and silk blends.

THE INDIA CONNECTION Boss Hugo Boss opened its first store in Delhi in 2003, followed by stores in Mumbai and Bangalore. When asked about the response to big brands in India, Harish Chandra, Brand Manager, Boss Hugo Boss, India, says, “Over the last few years, there has been a great change in the overall spending attitude.

People want to associate with high-end brands and flaunt it, irrespective of the kind of money they need to spend.”

Chandra says the response has been above expectations. Echoing Chandra is Priya Chatwal, COO and Creative Director, TSG International Marketing Pvt Ltd, who feels that if people enjoy luxury brands, they do it of their own volition. “Of course, luxury brands are made for those who can afford it; but, then, again, there’s a growing income group in India. It’s a very important economy today and it’s growing very fast, too. There’s always a new millionnaire emerging every year. They again want to have that lifestyle and if they can afford it, why not?” she questions.

BOSS JEWELS Hugo Boss has launched its first jewellery line this autumn, called Boss Black and Boss Orange. Manufactured under a licence by Amazar Holding, a subsidiary of the Swarovski Group, the new collections boast around 108 different styles.

Inspirations for the range come from original vintage pieces, which have been modernised in polished silver. Boss Black retails from $125 to $980 and the Boss Orange range is priced from $103 to $538.

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December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

JEWELLERY GOLD

gold rush Women have always found it hard to resist the yellow metal, and it is even more so today, when top international gold jewellery brands are available in the country RADHIKA RAVI RAJAN IN THESE uncertain times, when the value of money has a hazy definition, gold—that you can touch and wear and treasure in your personal collection or bank locker—appears as something dependable and unchanging, something that one can literally ‘bank’ upon. But gold is not only something that has traditionally been a symbol of security, it also continues to spell wealth and prestige. Privately held gold in India is worth about Rs 9.2 trillion (1/5th of all the gold ever mined in the world).

And with top international gold jewellery brands, such as Tiffany, Cartier, Zales and Harry Winston, ready to come to India, and De Beers, Asmi, D’Damas, Gili and Gianti already a household name in the country, gold is increasingly becoming the object of desire for not only women but also men.

Delhi is the lucky city where India’s first Cartier boutique will be located. Later, it will come to Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Its Indian partner in this venture is Navratna Bharat Retail Pvt Ltd. The name Cartier is synonymous with awe-inspiring jewellery since the beginning of the 20th century.

Cartier is known for its mesmerising designs on gold, silver and platinum, using gems and precious stones.

With a middle-class population of around 300 million, India is one of the biggest markets for these premium brands, especially as consumers are choosing branded jewellery more than ever before. According to a study by consulting firm McKinsey, the branded jewellery market in India is growing at rate of 40 per cent and would touch the Rs 10,000 crore mark ($2.28 billion) by 2010.

India has the ability to undertake product development, as well as a skilled workforce for designing jewellery, so the partnership becomes a win-win for both players involved.

Gitanjali is one of the leading players in the market, and can claim credit for introducing world-class brands into the country. After becoming the world-renowned De Beers’ flagship brand in India, Gitanjali has also brought in brands such as Asmi, D’Damas, Gili and Gianti. It has also brought under its umbrella the famous Nakshatra brand, instantly

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December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

recognisable by its brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai. The Nakshatra brand, sold at over 480 jewellery shops in India and worldwide as well, has the leading position in the branded jewellery segment.

Gitanjali aims to take the Nakshatra brand to the next level – a brand that truly speaks class – at par with international brands.

Mangatrai Pearls & Jewellery is a famous house of pearls –set in gold – operating out of Hyderabad.

The company has an unrivalled collection of South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls and natural pearls—all beautifully set in gold.

December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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PAINTING BLANCA PRALTA

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December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

more than just an art If you want to make a style statement, what do you do? You buy something substantial that takes the breath away of those around you or create an aura of interest and curiosity with a lot of hype GANEEM CHADHA WHY TATTOOS for a topic, you’d ask. Well, because it’s about time, isn’t it? It’s been in the West for so many years, and it’s been in India for a while, too, but it’s only now that everybody I know talks of getting one. Why, I talk of getting one myself! It’s the mushrooming tattoo culture, only for those who can put up with the pain, and those who like wearing their attitude on their sleeve or, in a lot of cases, those socially depressed souls who need a new lease of life by looking ‘cool’.

Welcome to young, adventurous, bold India.

Tattoos, or the more tastefully coined term—body art—are associated with rebellion, and in more recent times, it’s like a thumbs down to campaigns screaming skin cancer. Just the thrill of seeing yourself go up one notch on the social ladder excites you. You’ve been marked. You’re different from the others. You’re standing out.

You’re not in a mindless herd. And you’re that much closer to attaining ‘self actualisation’, however funny that may sound.

And the variety of shapes, the riot of colours and the number of styles in which you can get tattoos only add to the phenomenon of making you unique. And contrary to how I began my article, now ,even suburban petite lasses are going under the needle for that crushingly cute fairy tattoo or the divine butterfly that will grace their collarbones, setting them quite apart from the skull flashing manpounders some tattooed girls turn out to be. Tattoos can be etched anywhere on the body, just the degree of pain varies.

I was recently watching a show on TV, where an ongoing tattoo convention was on display. I was surprised at how intensive it was. Millions hoarding stalls and stands, with tattoo artistes from all over the world, painting and creating masterpieces on skin, canvas, paper, walls, just about anything they could find to express their creativity on. Deals were struck, tattoo parlours envisaged, whole businesses created. The tattoo industry is booming, minting and expanding. Although still a niche concept in India, it’s a potential thunderstorm on the verge of breaking upon us.

I read about a girl who wanted a question mark as a tattoo. Just plain absurd, you’d say. In her defence, she could only say that it was the only tattoo she hadn’t got done. You see, she was covered in them. A friend of

December 2008 | www.lifestyleliving.in

mine got a trishul (trident) on his bicep, and viola, even I was in awe.

Tattoos on a man, if in the right places, like a well-worked-out set of biceps, can attract members of the opposite sex like bees to honey.

After all, tattoos highlight what’s worth showing off. That’s why, in a girl, a tattoo on the small of the back, on the collarbone, on the ankle, and other such tactfully decided places, could bring out the beast in a man.

Wow, come to think of it; practically every thing a youth does is centered on interaction between the two sexes. Talk about rising above animalism.

Personally, I want just one tattoo; I love my skin too much to have it decorated with poison in more than one place—an ice axe at the small of my back, because of my love for mountaineering. But I, as do many other like-minded Indians, know that my mother would be appalled at the idea, least of all permit it. My forefathers will probably flip in their graves. Keeping all this in mind, it’s a little hard going ahead with the tattoo decision. But then again, we’re Gen-Y, and I’m pretty darned rebellious… *wink*

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OPULENCE CUSTOMIZED DESIGNER AUDIBLES AUDIBLES

say it with sound These boom boxes will not only belt out great effects, but will also enhance your home decor

HIVE MODULAR SPEAKER SYSTEM

FERRARI ART.ENGINE Ferrari Art.Engine redefines personal music listening.

Today's tech lifestyle has created a new mode of music listening and demands a totally new approach to audio. The David Wiener Collection, with inputs from Ferrari, has accepted this challenge and the result is Art.Engine. You can see and hear the passion inspired by Ferrari in Art.Engine's every detail–from the racing-style NACA cooling ducts, sumptuous carbon fibre baffles and Ferrari-inspired paint finish to the exceptional sonic performance. An audio and engineering tour de force, Art.Engine is a complete audio system that combines two stunning speaker arrays, wireless signal input and digital electronics–all in a single tower. Out of respect for the Ferrari tradition, production of the Art.Engine has been limited to 1000 pieces. www.dwcollection.com

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Can’t find suitable speakers that match the design of your interiors? Oskar Daniel is here to solve your problem. Oskar came up with the interesting idea of hexagonal honeycomb speakers, called Hive modular speakers, which can be placed on the wall. Actually, the speakers can entirely fill up the wall with their pleasant, modular shape. The Hive modular speakers were produced from the desire to have a “wall of sound” when watching movies or listening to music. The modular system means that you can have one, or fill an entire wall with modular speakers. www.oskardaniel.com

February 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

BEOSOUND 9000 Like the kinetic sculpture it is, the BeoSound 9000 seems almost like a living thing. It's the speed of the CD clamper, as it zips back and forth in random mode. The sheer fun of such an advanced piece of mechanical engineering is that it can go from ‘Hey Jude’ on the first CD to ‘When the Music’s Over’ on the sixth, without a noticeable pause. The 6-CD changer is the fastest in the world. If allowed to continue its momentum, it would travel 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds... faster than a Ferrari from a stop position! The glass lid swings open via a silent electric motor, and when the design experience unfolds in time, all dimensions of it can be truly appreciated. It immediately catches the eye with its bold juxtaposition of strong lines and the random colours of the discs. www.bang-olufsen.com

PHILIPS STREAMIUM The all-in-one 160 GB MCi500H lets you enjoy HDD playback, transfer music from your PC, plug and play from USB devices, or enjoy music options on Internet radio. Ripping and storing is incredibly easy. Just insert a CD and sit back while the system does all the work. Meanwhile, the embedded Gracenote database will provide the names of the artist, album and track.

You can also simply copy your MP3 and WMA tracks from your PC to your Wireless Music Centre. You can add up to five separate stations, which can be placed anywhere in your house–which means your entire music library is available at the touch of a button to a maximum of six rooms in your house. www.streamium.com

ACOUSTIC WAVE MUSIC SYSTEM II The Acoustic Wave Music System II offers more lifelike sound for larger spaces, with improved functionality and versatility, yet remains refreshingly simple to use. Acclaimed wave guide speaker technology still lies at the heart of this system's performance, so it rivals the sound of much larger, more complicated stereos. An all-new BOSE digital platform fine-tunes the sound for more accurate, consistent music reproduction–even at louder volume levels. Vocals sound cleaner. Instruments ring truer. The Acoustic Wave Music System-II plays your homeburned CDs and MP3 CDs, as well as regular discs and FM/AM radio. www.boseindia.com

February 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

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PEOPLE MANOLO BLAHNIK

RADHIKA RAVI RAJAN MANOLO BLAHNIK has become a footwear icon ever since his name popped up in a Sex & The City episode. It showed Carrie Bradshaw, a central character, take a wrong turn in SoHo, only to find herself face-to-face with a mugger. “Please sir,” she pleads. “You can take my Fendi baguette, my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks (a reference to her strappy sandals designed by the famous designer)”…

Unfortunately for Bradshaw, the mugger knew better and ran away with her sandals. For, an average Manolo Blahnik costs anywhere between Rs 25,00050,000. And no wonder, they are not merely shoes, but works of art. His designs are not only known for their exuberant brilliance, but are also individually handcrafted by the designer himself, who, till date, has no apprentice.

In a career spanning 30 years, Blahnik is today one of the world’s most influential footwear designers.

Shoes became his passion by chance. When he approached the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine with some designs for a theatre set, she encouraged him to tap into his talent for shoes. In 1973, he opened his own shop in Chelsea, UK, and has since made a name for himself, even having his own star on the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style in Beverly Hills.

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heel the world Women across the world want to literally be in his shoes… Meet Manolo Blahnik, the high priest of the high heel

Janaury 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in

When the shoes that brought Carrie and Big together forever in Sex & The City–the famous blue satin pumps with the glitzy buckles–officially went on sale at Bergdorf Goodman, more than 100 customers turned up, wanting to buy them. Be it red leather cutout flats, or Buc gold-sequined high heels, nude or black Konak high heels, they are a labour of love for Blahnik. These were the shoes loved by the late Princess Diana. There are stories about how she would come and sit on the floor next to the designer and share her fantasies about shoes.

The other two celebrity fans of Blahnik are Victoria Beckham and Madonna. Ask Madonna about what she thought of his shoes, and she remarks in her typical way, “Better than sex.” The designer himself says that shoes transform a woman. And that he “loves any kind of shoe, as long as the right person is wearing them.” A designer known for his heeled pumps, Blahnik’s take on flat shoes is that flat shoes cannot be pulled off by everyone. France’s First Lady Carla Bruni may walk gracefully in them, but for most people, “it’s much more difficult to be beautiful and walk femininely in flats,” says Blahnik. “Bardot did it in France and Audrey Hepburn did it in America. They walked like tigers, beautiful and graceful,” he told a magazine. The designer puts his foot down when it comes to platform heels. “I’ve never seen such ugly shoes in my life. I thought they were démodé in the 1980s. They are getting absolutely funkier and horrid now,” he says.

His success belies the fact that Blahnik does not have any formal training in shoe-making.

He once told a friend, “I didn’t need it because I’ve got the best taste in the world.”His favourite designers are Cristobál Balenciaga, Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

Janaury 2009 | www.lifestyleliving.in January

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