South Asian Bridal Wear Inheriting Couture Style

As a wedding planner – I always have to pay attention to bridal trends and keeping up with the newest styles in Bridal Fashion.

SOMETHING THAT HAS RECENTLY REALLY IMPRESSED ME IS THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE “SARI” OR “LENGHA” INTO A ONE PIECE GOWN.

Now this isn’t just any traditional white gown like we’ve seen our European neighbours wear. These gowns are “blinged” out with crystals and jewels stitched on to the finest fabrics. I would say I saw this trend coming about five years ago, when I got married. I wore a mermaid style lengha, two piece, but tried to make it appear as one. Proud to say I saw this fashion start up from Pakistan, as designers took our tops and stretched them to hang off of our ankles – bringing back the “anarkali.” Eventually, they dragged on the floor, developed trails and had the most intricate thread and needle work.

IN THE AGE WHERE WEARING COUTURE COMES WITH A HEFTY PRICE TAG, WHY NOT TRULY GET THE PERFECT BANG FOR OUR BUCK AND SPORT OUR WEDDING DRESS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION?

Brides started to adapt the style as we saw Bollywood really take it up a notch with their blatantly over the top dance numbers. We observed stars like Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif bless the red carpets with long “flowy” dresses that were embellished with some of the most luxurious embroidery and bead work. 

For anyone with a modern theme to their reception, this kind of look works almost perfectly as there is nothing more contemporary than an elegant gown to pull everything together. If you actually consider this option for your own wedding, the one piece is also practical. Not only is it easier to carry than the traditional sari or lengha, but often at times it can also be more cost effective.

I would like to see more “DULHANS” adapt the gown as their choice of wear for their receptions. For heaven’s sake – it’s unquestionably easier to dance and maneuver in. And it can easily be converted into evening wear appropriate for any dressy function.

Future brides – take note! You have more selections than just a mermaid style “lengha” or “resham sari.” Do your research and choose something that works for you! Consider stepping outside the box and exercising this trend as you are supposed to look and feel like a princess. And we all know a princess truly can’t be a real princess without her ball gown!

5 Lipstick Shades to Try in 2014

January’s all about the new things you want to try, and the things you MUST do. If you need a list of resolutions to follow, read the 10 resolutions every desi MUST keep in 2014 by clicking here. 

#1 RED

Red lips are classy, but my only worry with them is when I see teenage girls sporting them. They should be kept off for an occasion, in fact I still don’t own one. BUT this year, let’s change that and try it on… at least once. I know we’ll fall in love.

#2 BERRY

It looks closer to vampy lips, but it’s more subtle than them. Mix in a slightly darker shade of your pink to bring in the wintery seasons of the later months of the year.

#3 VAMPY

I’m sorry if you are, but I’m not the greatest fan of vampire novels and shows like the Vampire Diaries and Twilight, but one good thing they may or may not have brought about are the vampy lips. A little in-your-face they are, but I think they’re growing on us. So let’s get on the bandwagon and try them out this year!

#4 NUDE

Just like red lips, these are a classic. As someone who has to be out the door at 8am in the morning, I often opt for nudes because they look great, and are not in your face. You can dress it up for an occasion by smoking out your eyes, too!

#5 GLOSSY

I know in YK12-13 there was a huge trend of trying out matte, but to be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of those. Let’s try to gloss it up this year a little and bring in those junior school times back when lip gloss was our only source of beautification.

So, which one are you beautys trying out first? Is there something you would NOT try? Tell me in the comments

The Mahraja Look

THE TERM MAHARAJA (THE KING OR THE ROYAL LOOK) IS WELL KNOWN.  ALTHOUGH IT ORIGINATES FROM CENTURIES AGO, IT HAS NOW BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A LOOK FOR FEMALES.

The look is mostly no eye makeup on the upper lid of the eye but rather more a smudged charcoal line concentrated under the eye that extends straight from the inner eye towards the outer side of the eye.  It is a look anyone can pull off but ideal for small eyes or for Asian eyes.

STEPS

1)  Begin by lining the inside of the upper and lower eye with a black, dark brown or midnight blue pencil.

2)  Don’t put any liner on the upper lid and keep the focus under the eye. Slowly start by applying liner on your lower lid more as a straight line and extend your eyeliner a bit longer then normal.

3)  Use a brush or even your finger tips and gently rub over the liner you created to make it look softer and to blend the line without smudging it.

TIP: Change it up by applying blue inside the eye and black outside to make it more dramatic and as well to change it up from the usual black eye pencil

Simple Beauty Tips

Black Pepper to cover Gray Hair

I received this comment which I thought would be particularly helpful for everyone struggling with gray hairs instead of resorting to hair colors. 

"I don't have hair loss problem but my hair is dry and has lots of gray hair. I am applying yogurt mixed with black pepper thrice a week started this week. This is helpful to cover grey hair and my hair had become soft and looking darker."

Thanks a lot to the person who has dropped in this comment :)

Home Remedies for skin dryness

I received a comment asking me how to deal with skin dryness and bring a glow to the face and how to make the skin look fresh. Its a huge complicated thing and probably I can write many many posts on that. So, I thought I would start with home remedies for skin dryness.

Banana
Rub a slice of banana on your face and neck. It helps with anti-aging, tightening the skin and also moisturises your skin simultaneously.

Honey
Apply a thin or thick mask of honey on your face and let it stay for 15-3 minutes or more if you can manage. Wash off. Amazing for dry skin and not messy at all.

Aloevera Gel
Natural aloevera gel is extremely beneficial for dry skin as it improves the hydration power of the skin from inside. Yes, it is drying for the skin so apply it first and follow with a moisturiser if you feel your skin has become stretched. It also is a great after-sun treatment and acts best when used as a night moisturiser. 

Quotes

>>>>Beauty is not seen through the eyes, rather the heart.
>>>>If the eye is a window to the soul, then, the heart is the doorway to love.
>>>>Friendship is like the relationship between the hand and the eyes. When the hand gets hurt, the eye cries and when the eye cries the hand wipes its tears.

>>>>A girl's true beauty lies in her eyes which never fades with the passage of time.

>>>>In love... the heart got a language, the eyes got dreams and life got its meaning
>>>>When; a girl is in-love, you can see it in her smile. When; a guy is in-love you can see it in his eyes
>>>>Tolerance is not looking with your eyes, but rather with your HEART..
>>>Never disrespect the honesty of your eyes by giving explanation for your tears.

>>>>The best thing in life are unseen, that's why we close our eyes when we kiss and dream.
>>>>Every heart has a pain. Only the way of expressing it is different. Fools hide it in eyes, while the brilliant hide it in their smile.

Featured Quote: "Be careful who you trust, the devil was once an angel."