Make up addiction...what??how?? which one?? and more...

My makeup stash is increasing by the day...I keep browsing websites to see where the best deals are and what to buy where! So you can say I am pretty well informed. V says ... dont keep looking at make up da..you will go mad one day!! hahaha!! That day is far far away...

Any hoooo, my take on make up is that if you invest in the right products and use them the right way, they can really make that aha! difference!. Some may say..natural beauty is the best blah blah..but we dont go without shaving our arm pits or waxing our legs do we? So the same way, these have become an essential addition to my daily routine. After a hella trials and trials and more trials, I have sort of mastered the art of minimalistic make up to make that difference.

I just wanted to ramble about it and share my thoughts.. see if you can pick up a pointer or two!!

So a basic makeup kit should essentially consist of the following:

- A concealer ( try drugstore brands like maybelline, neutrogena, my favs are amazing cosmetics, and MAC - they do wonders!). All you honestly need is a concealer to hide all those blemishes and small scars.. Top this off with powder and voila!! you are done!! All you have to ensure is to choose the right shade. Rule of the thumb is to go for a warm tone concealer in the same shade as your skin to cover blemishes and scars and go for a pink tone one in a shade or two lighter for your under eye...remember peeps covering your under eye bags is uber important, especially if you are working or heading out.. you dont want to end up looking like a raccoon now do you?

- A powder foundation or a liquid foundation. I would steer clear of liquid if you have oily skin as they tend to oxidize on your skin making you look dull and dark. Best is a powder based foundation. ( Try revlon, maybelline for drugstore brands and MAC, Benefit for more expensive ones)

- A kaajal pencil for your waterline. ( best out there is the Urban Decay 24/7 pencil. MAC's feline kohl is good too)

- A liquid eyeliner in black or dark brown. South asian skin tones love these shades. ( Lancome is the best pricey one out there, there are cheaper ones like maybelline, revlon, prestige etc)

- A muted eyeshadow in a peach, taupe, copper tone for that extra pop!

- A nice brownish pink blush.

The entire routine takes me about 5 minutes a day and it really gives me a feel good factor :)

Just make sure you use a nice make up remover to take off all your make up before going to bed.

So all I am trying to say is if you use makeup appropriately and the right way, they can actually go to enhancing your looks and making you look naturally gorgeous!!:-)

To Daddy with love...!! ( A Travesty)

Vaaranam aiyiram.. This was one Surya Gowtham Menon combo movie that I was looking forward to seeing..and with bated breath.. I mean why not?? Surya's six pack abs, a promising star cast, a nice intriguing title, good songs...and of course the Surya - Gowtham team by itself..together again.. after "Kaaka Kaaka". I searched hard to find a single word that can summarize the movie..
Aha!! "TRAVESTY" and this is an understatement! Dismal screen play, awful handling of the camera, meaningless songs that have been fitted into the movie, just for the heck of it...really got to me and am sure, the audience too...
Despite, all of this, something made me sit through the movie.. yeap.. Surya who else?? This one is an out and out Surya dominated movie.. both literally and otherwise.. As a father, and a son, Surya does prove that he can act very very well... There are certain scenes, that are certainly worth a second watch..But, to be honest, we all know that don't we? he has proved himself a lotta times in that arena. He should know by now, that the audience's expectations are far more than this..
The gist of the movie is about the relationship between a father and his son!! How the son draws inspiration from his dad, though the latter does not really do much to be an inspiration..I mean, smoking like a chimney, unfit, his life fraught with financial difficulties.. and of course gulping down alcohol by the second.. Is that inspiration?? really??
Daddy dear is very fond of his darling son who means the world to him. So he encourages him to live life by his own terms.. So failing in college, no job, no money etc is still ok in the family ( which by the way speaks mostly in English through out the movie.!!!)
The icing to the cake is that daddy dear keeps a constant tab on his son's love life and constantly encourages him to pursue his love interest with all seriousness..BAH!!! so much so, that he allows him to pay a ton of money (ignore the fact about zilch money in the family)and go all the way to California, where his girlfriend to be goes to college...
Surya's sister does not even look like she is interested in being a part of the movie. She makes a half baked appearance in a few scenes and blabbers a few words and disappears.
Simran, as Sury'a mom is completely overshadowed. She has no say in her own family, that is completely male dominated... Sad to see a good actor who, once used to rule the roost of Tamil Cinema, being reduced to such a shabby role in a movie.
Sameera Reddy has given an even performance. She can be called the saving grace...of course,other than Surya.
Divya Spandana, as the second heroine, too is quite watchable. She plays a nice girl next door and has thankfully covered her pudgy frame with slimming clothes ( nice work Divya!!)
Prithvi Raj as the hindi speaking gangster/child kidnapper/rogue is just about ok.. He just does not come across as a villian..in this movie..Too "classy"for that!
On a serious note, though, this movie is the director's tribute to his father, who passed away a year or so ago. Understandable and I do empathize... I mean we all do.. But why should this feeling, be converted into an excruciatingly slow paced movie, (about 3.15 minutes, including the break).. and delivered in such a shabby manner?? Clearly it deserves more... a lot more.. especially when it is being based on such sensitive theme??
I expected a whole lot more from Gowtham.. and this movie.. which should ideally be renamed "DADDY"; just goes out to show, that the director has a long way to go to salvage his reputation that seems to be going down the drain...
Vaaranam Aayiram/Daddy - Abyssmal!!!

The "O"range "C"ounty...

So I have been hooked on to this soap called the "OC". Its a sorta chick flick/teen drama/adult melodrama focussing predominantly on the lives of the rich and famous "newpsies"living in Newport, California.

I started following this series about 2-3 years back. They used to play it on Zee Cafe at noon.. A perfect break before I start for work!!:P

Anyways.. I used to rave about the show..how it was the best show on earth and how its so realistic and how I loved the characters especially those of Marissa and Ryan.. They are kinda the protagonists of the series.. sorta..

Now I see the repeats.. Jobless you may think.. but save that thought until you hear the rest...
The more I see it, the more irritated I feel.. Hence this post.. My exact feelings of the show and how much I love-hate it and why...

Take Ryan -played by Ben Mckinzee. He is actually 29 and he plays a 15 yr old in this series...hahah
Apparently, when Ben went for the audition, he just played himself and the people really liked him!! Well if saving people all the time and attracting trouble all the time is what describes Ben, I really don't know what to say. I mean the guy spells trouble through the show.. from his mother to brother to guys on the street to friends of his friends!! He is actually a brainy kid but in this never ending battle for peace of sorts, that loses focus.
Initially, it was cute.. I was like cute potrayal of the character, very different. But as the show went on, it got to me.. How can someone be like this?? he doesn't speak more than 2 words at a time.. and thinks himself to be the most mature kid on the block who can save everyone..and anyone...
In his battle to get into trouble, he loses out on the best things in life, or should I say the saner things in life.

Then there is Marissa..played by Mischa Barton.. absolutely gorgeous and cute girl.. but one who can never ever stay out of trouble either.
Yep another one.. but you really cannot blame her.
Right from the start, all she sees is trouble.. Trouble is her middle name.
Her mom is this high class bimbo who just gets married to helo her family survive - monetarily that is... and by that I mean being able to afford Chanel, Cartier and the works!!
....So her dad keeps running away and her mom is in her own game and trouble is the company she has. So when she meets Ryan, there is instant fire. but obviously..

Ironically, though these two appear to be the best of couples, they never ever get along. The only time they really do get along is when they dont talk!!

How can I forget mentioning Sandy Cohen and his wife Kirsten.. The former is an advisor.. professionally in the series and personally as well. He believes that advise and talking can solve everything!!
And Kirsten is the perfect wife, mother and woman.. who seems to have the perfect family, perfect job..et all.. She does have her own troubles though..

Seth geek Cohen and Summer played by Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson turn out to be the black sheep of the show. Though completely under played, these two start dating in high school & go through all the twists and turn s their r'ship has to offer and eventually get married:)
And who would've thought Summer would go to Brown?? Cuz all she ever read and swore by were People, vogue, Elle and of course her fav show the Valley..

Why should you watch this series?
Well for starters, its got a little bit for everyone..thats why the first few seasons had awesome TRP ratings..you get to see how beautiful Newport actually is, you get to see whats really in fashion and how life is on this side of the world...
but how much of the same stuff can people take... There is more to the world than other people's problems, drugs, and the same boring stuff...

All said and done, at the end of the day, this series got through to people. There are communities and groups on on the internet dedicated to this show.. So go ahead, take a chance and watch it...
And experience a different slice of life...

-G