Top 5 Winter Makeup Trends: Time To Vamp It Up

Vamp Makeup Trends Have Bite

From nude makeup to a an ultra dark lip, this winter’s trends are all about channeling your inner vixen. Here are this season’s top 5 makeup trends:

1. The Vamp Lip

Shruti Haasan

A super dark lip is almost universally flattering, giving your complexion a warm glow and making your teeth ultra white. Check out Indian actress and singer Shruti Haasan in Vogue India above.

Sin by M.A.C.

Our favorite ultra dark lip is Sin by M.A.C. $14.50. It is super matte and won’t smudge.

2. Metallic Nails

Chanel Fall/Winter 2011 Metallic Collection

Ever since Chanel unveiled its Fall Winter 2011 collection this past Spring, everyone is going gaga over dark metallic nails. They’re a perfect match for this season’s hottest metallic heels. We’re particularly fond of Graphite, above left. Chanel Trio, $75 from Chanel.

3. Nude Make-Up

Michael Kors 2011 Nude Face Rocks The Runway

Less is definitely more when it comes to the nude make-up trend. Designers like Michael Kors, Balmain, Stella McCartney, as well as Burberry Prorsum, Marc Jacobs,  Nina Ricci, and Fendi all showcased  this trend on the runway.

To achieve this look, pick a matte eye shadow shades that is two or three tones darker than your skin color. Then apply minimal eye-liner and false lashes. For your skin, wear foundation, brushing some on your lips with a dab of clear gloss on top. If you need a touch more color, try Revlon’s ColorBurst collection in Soft Nude (below).

Revlon ColorBurst Soft Nude

4. Heavy Brows

Alexander Wang 2011

Androgynous, Brooke Shields-inspired  heavy brows are making a comeback this season. To get the look, which was featured prominently on Alexander Wang’s latest runway show, follow M.A.C.’s Diane Kendall’s process (she actually did the Wang show!). She explains, “I used two eye shadows for the brow: MAC ‘Brun’ and ‘Carbon.’ I find if you use pencil it can look quite hard; when you use powder it looks much more even. And we kept the rest of the face quite fresh, just dusted down the T-zone with powder, and the lips are dusted with some foundation and lip balm.”

5. Creative Eye-Liner

Creative Liner from Jean Paul Gaultier

The runways are ablaze with creative eyeliner… From Jean Paul Gaultier, to Louis Vuitton, designers are taking liberties with their models’ eyeliner (and you should too!). To get this look, use liquid eyeliner exclusively. We suggest Aqua Liner by Make Up For Ever… (click through to see the wild variety of colors this awesome liner comes in, including our personal favorite, Diamond Multicolor Black — black with multicolor sparkles!)

Are you wearing one of these trends this season and pairing it with a knockout saree or salwar? Send us a picture and we may feature you as one of our winter season fashion muses!

Indian Fashion 101: Mirror Work Reflects The Fairest One Of All (You)

Georgette Saree With Mirror Work By Satya Paul

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of of them all?”

When you’re wearing a mirror-work saree, the answer will most certainly be you. The intricate art of embroidering small mirror discs onto fabric hails from the Gujarat state in India. Going back further still, mirror work is attributed to the Persian empire, which introduced mirror work, or shisha/shisheh embroidery (shisheh meaning glass), to India in the thirteenth century.

mirror work saree

The popularity of mirror work sarees is constant, with these subtle, shining elements adding a touch of modern glamour to any outfit. Highly versatile, mirror work sarees work well for day or night and pair gorgeously with a pair of metallic heels.

The Georgette Saree with Mirror Work by Satya Paul pictured above is a perfect illustration of mirror work at its finest. The shining discs amplify its striking sea foam green color. To complete the look, pair it with these Snowflake Blue Topaz Crystal Earrings, both available on Luxemi.

"Snowflake" Blue Topaz Crystal Earrings

Designer Radar: Tarun Tahiliani Expands His Fashion Empire

Tarun Tahiliani

Heirloom Johnnie Walker Blue Label By Tarun Tahiliani

The name Tarun Tahiliani instantly evokes images of fashion-forward Indian designs that exude an effortless “it” factor. From sarees and salwars to more Western-inspired looks, each Tahiliani creation is a tasteful balance of shape, color, texture, and richness.

It’s no surprise that Tarun Tahiliani is taking his talents and applying them to new fields. From collaborations with Johnny Walker and Lucky Strike to Timex, Tahiliani is infusing brands with this special blend of ethnic decadence.

Most recently, Tarun Tahiliani used his creativity to design a boutique hotel: The Sol. The Sol is tucked away in a quiet corner of North Goa, but with the growing buzz about Tahiliani’s design work, there’s nothing quiet about the accolades and attention this property is receiving.

The Sol

With only 20  suites, The Sol is exclusive, luxurious, and has all the design hallmarks of a Tahiliani piece. The design work is intricate, handcrafted and feel’s like one of Tahiliani’s flagship stores with its muted color palette.

Tahiliani says he is motivated by architecture. “I love space and I love layering it. I’m greatly influenced by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa’s work and theory of using local influences, especially merging the indoor and outdoor spaces,” he explains. “We got antiques from Phillip’s Antiques in Mumbai and mirror frames from Ahmedabad. It had to have a resonance with an Indian past.”

Tahiliani appears to have been bitten by the hospitality bug, as he’s currently working on his own hotel in Goa, right next to his new home at Salvador de Monde.

Indian Fashion 101: Chikan Work Gets The Modern Treatment

Tonal Chikan Work Saree by Nikasha

Chikan work (also known as chikan kari) is a classic form of embroidery that originated in Lucknow, India. To create chikan work, thread is woven onto a saree or salwar to create elaborate, floral or paisley designs. Although it’s usually done with white thread, modern designers are pushing the chickan kari envelope by using other colors as well. Whether it’s used in a traditional or more contemporary way, chikan work evokes the traditional beauty and intricacy of Indian design. Needless to say, wearing a chikan saree will always get a nod of approval from your family. This Tonal Chikan Work Saree by Nikasha from Luxemi’s collection uses chikan work to give added dimension to its stunning ombre color pattern and gota work.

Chikan Work At Play By Anita Dongre

Modern designers are using chikan work to elevate their designs, combining it with other embellishments to add some ethnic flair to even the most glamorous outfits.  During recent runway shows, tastemakers like Anita Dongre are using chikan kari in transformative ways, using colored thread and pairing chikan work with  contemporary elements like western jackets (see above).

 Most of Luxemi’s pieces are hand-embroidered, which adds not only to their quality, but also to their authenticity. Part of the beauty of investing in a chikan saree is knowing the labor of love that went into creating it.

A Little Sparkle Goes A Long Way: Metallic Shoes You’ll Love

Due to the vibrancy of most Indian sarees and salwars, there’s no better accessory to have at your disposal than a knockout metallic shoe. Beyond their versatility, metallic shoes (whether they be gold, silver or sparklers),  offer a sophisticated spin on footwear that is one part glamour and two parts fabulous. From open-toe heels to daring stilettos, we’ve got the must have metallic shoes of the season (and the outfits you should be pairing them with!).

Open Toe Stunners

Lady Glittered Peep-Toe Pump by Christian Louboutin ($895). Available here. (Classic, timeless, unequivocally Louboutin).

Enzo Angiolini ‘Tolten’ Slingback Pump ($99.95). Available here. (A combination of Louboutin and Miu Miu… but for less.)

Miu Miu Peep Toe ($670). Available here. (Miu Miu has the luxury Dorothy look down!)

Sam Edelman Scarlett Pump (199.95 ). Available here. (This shoe has a whole lot of GaGa to it.)

B by Brian Atwood: BF Consort Sandal ($325). Available here. (Probably the most versatile shoe on this list, we love Brain Atwood’s new line, B by Brian Atwood.)

B by Brian Atwood: Lunetta Metallic Leather & Suede Leaf Sandals ($325). Available here. (We told you we love this line!)

The Killer Pump

Brian Atwood Maniac Metallic Pump, Rose Gold ($595) Available here. (One of the best shoes of the season, rose gold is very in.)

Ivanka Trump Rose Gold Pump ($124.99) Available here. (Like the Atwood pump, but for much less!)

Report Signature Gunmetal Pump ($202.49 ). Available here. (We own these and can vouch for how incredibly comfortable they are!)

SWAGGER Round Toe Platform Court Shoes ($124). Available here. (We love how  bold these gunmetal shoes are.)

Exclusive YSL Trib Too High Heel Pump In Metallic Gold Leather ($895). Available here. (Is there such a thigh as a too high, high heel? We don’t think so… especially when the heel in question is YSL.)

Once you pick your perfect shoe, you’ll need something new to wear it with. Let Luxemi help.

Pair any of the gold-tone shoes above with the Foil Printed “Club” Pallu Saree by Satya Paul and play up the gold foil work in this stunning piece ($278 to borrow).

Try a rose gold shoe and play up the rose-colored sequin-work  in this Bold Asymmetrical Sequin Print Saree ($298 to buy).

Indian Fashion 101: Got To Love The Gota Work

Regal Gota Border Saree ($178 to borrow) and Floral Gota Cotton Salwar  ($128 to buy)

Welcome back to Indian Fashion 101, a series of posts devoted to exploring and explaining everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Indian Fashion. Last time, we covered essential Indian style and fashion tips for key events. This week’s topic? Gota work. Gota work is a special form of embroidery that uses metallic thread. Gold or silver thread is placed over fabric (like an applique) and sown down using elaborate designs. Gota work can be used throughout a saree, giving an otherwise simple saree a glittering, patterned look (like the paisley gota work design above), and it is also traditionally used to create a thick, shimmering border. Sarees with gota work are traditionally reserved for more formal occasions, such as a wedding or reception, but you can also find gota work on more casual outfits (like the cotton salwar pictured above!).

Foil Stamp and Gota Saree Available in Blush and Turquoise (only $228 to buy)

Gota work can also be used in conjunction with other embellishment techniques, such as foil stamp work (see above) and it pairs exceptionally well with Indian-inspired jewelry. The beauty of gota work is that it gives you the bling factor all of us good Indian girls love, without costing a ton (just compare to Swarovski sarees…). All of the pieces in this post can either be bought or borrowed for under $230. 

What we love most about gota work is its ability to give every saree a regal, maharani-worthy look. Gota work instantly communicates that you’re wearing a luxury, high-quality piece. Paired with sexy, metallic heels and light makeup, a gota saree has all the shine you’ll need to light up the room.

Like Us On Facebook To Win This Nikasha Scarf!

If you have the right scarf, one accessory can transform an entire closet. Lucky for you, we’re giving away this NIKASHA jasmine bud printed chiffon scarf to one lucky Luxemi Facebook Fan.

Think about the salwars that you’ve relegated to the back of your closet because they feel slighted dated. Pair this scarf with a classic salwar (like the one above by Gopi Vaid) and you can transform a traditional look into something edgy and fresh. Don’t be afraid to mix prints either, that’s one trend that’s going to explode in the upcoming seasons.

Another option is to use a scarf to brighten up a casual day outfit like we did with these Philip Lim pleated pants and billowy H&M shirt (above right). A perfect look to wear to a brunch or for a day around town, the scarf adds some personality to an otherwise simple outfit, taking it from basic to fashion-forward. In fact, this is one look that is straight of NIKASHA’s own runway at LAKME fashion week (see above left).  You can also wear a scarf like this one draped around your shoulders to add a punch of color to your best LWD or LBD. The possibilities are truly endless (as long as you have a bit of imagination and some style bravery).

NIKASHA’s use of pink and orange in this scarf is definitely Indian-inspired, but it’s also completely on trend with Western fashion, with hot pink and orange being signature colors for Spring/Summer 2012.

To become eligible to win this knockout NIKASHA scarf, all you have to do is LIKE Luxemi on Facebook by Thursday, when we’ll announce the lucky winner.  Already a fan? Then you’re already in the running.