Hello again!

Sorry we've been absent for so long from the blogosphere! We've had a busy, yet fabulous fall season and are ready for the winter. Here are some of our most recent works!

Summer Henna 2010 AND COUNTING!

We are headed down to Shrine Auditorium tomorrow to do henna for a Hollywood/Bollywood event. :)

Summer Promo

Hi all!

Finally (and by finally I mean, after lots of technical changes), I would like to shyly (but really in excitement) present you photos of our previous work for your viewing with the beautiful melodies of Thievery Corporation- "Indra"

Clicky HERE, or HERE (but it's really the same thing.)

:)

Karishma Bridals--the past month

Two of our few bridals we've had the opportunity to work with.

The Befores and Afters of Threading

Depending on each client and variation of skin types, it is essential that you do the following before & after your threading service to ensure your skin is well taken care of:

BEFORE:

• NO MOISTURIZER- Do NOT apply any type of moisturizer to the area of skin you want to thread. The skin needs to be slightly dry for the hair follicles to be taken out smoothly and effortlessly.
• USE A SCRUB!- Especially for eyebrow threading. Sometimes there's ingrown hair because the hair is so small. It helps to use a scrub to get the hairs out to ensure a cleaner look.
• NO MAKE UP- Especially for eyebrow threading. If you have some type of concealer and/or eyeshadow, it is hard to see which hairs to remove.
  
• ICE!- If threading tends to be a slightly painful process for you, I recommend that you ice part of your skin you want to thread. The ice helps to numb that part of skin and you will feel less than a tingling sensation during your threading session.

AFTER:

• ASTRINGENT+MOISTURIZER- Use a combination of an astringent and moisturizer after your threading service is done. The astringent is used to clean the skin of any particles and to prevent any future breakouts to surface. The moisturizer is to soothe your skin.
• ROSEWATER- If you have sensitive skin, rather than using an astringent, you can use rose water--it is essentially a mild form of an astringent.
• ICE!- If you really do have sensitive skin, or your skin tends to get red, you can use ice to soothe your skin.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any questions.

Special Offer running till July 15th, 2010

Please print the following special offer and bring it with you to receive your services.

Eye creams & concealers---Worth it?

The skin around and especially under the eyes are the most sensitive, thus, equally prone to early wrinkles.

It's difficult to resist the urge of rubbing our eye lids profusely when they're so dry. However, it equally damaging to the skin.

The following are tips to take care of your eye lids and under eyes:

• For applying eye creams and concealers-- use your ring finger and dab around the eyes to blend in the cream and or/concealer.

Some times it is also hard to be extremely gentle to take eyeshadow and make up off the eye lids. The following is recommended to remove make up gently:

• Before using a make-up wipe or washing your face, dab some moisturizer (again with your right finger) on top and under your eye lids. This will help take the make up off much easier and also decrease your urge to continue rubbing that part of your skin.

Coming soon: Skin care for the summer. SPF! SPF! SPF!

Karishma Beauty in the News!

In recognition of Karishma Beauty's ten year anniversary, India Journal is profiling the salon in their business section. Check it out for yourself!

http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=11012

The inner lining

Need an eyeliner that doesn't fade in half a day?

Need an eyeliner that doesn't smudge underneath your eyes?

Need an eyeliner that doesn't smudge in the creases of your eye lids?

Try MAC's BLACKJACK gel pot eyeliner.

amazing.

Last week for this special offer!

This offer runs till April 30th. Another one coming shortly!

Print this out and bring it into the salon for your discount!

A few henna photos from last week.

Enjoy =) You can see more photos of our work here.

Skin care vs. Make up

As a regularly practicing esthetician (and mostly on myself), I've seen myself struggle between the dilemma of taking care of my skin consistently to wanting to look flawless, also consistently.

Unless if you and your mother and your mother's mother have naturally perfect and flawless skin to begin with, [well, darn you. (jk!)] I'm sure you've also felt this impasse.

So then, what do you do?

For me, I'll pick the former. Skin care should be the first priority.

A regular make-up regimen can be simple or sometimes too tedious. We really have it in our minds on mostly what blemishes, scars, areas we want to cover and/or emphasize.

Tips:

• Before you apply concealer/foundation/powder, it is absolutely imperative you use some sort of moisturizer. This will hydrate your skin and it will also provide a barrier between your make up products and skin.
  

• Before you even apply the moisturizer, it helps to use a spray toner. Most of the time, moisturizers are really heavy and creamy, and when applied after a toner, you end up saving product and the moisturizer starts spreading smoother and faster. A Toner also removes any other bacteria on your face and provides a refreshing characteristic to your skin.

• Exfoliate with SOFT scrub (Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant works the best) everyone once or twice a week.

• Hydrating or clay masks! Depending on your skin type, masks will help your skin feel so incredibly rejuvenated.

So between the dilemma of skin care and make up,

skin care is ftw!

Bridesmaids

A few photos from our work from this past weekend.

For more photos, click here.





Products used: DINAIR airbrush foundation; MAC blush, lipsticks, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, Benefit LemonAid, and Make Up Forever concealer palette,.

Things your make-up artist should carry at all times...

For special events (and especially weddings), have you noticed that there's always something missing, (if you were a bride, or the bride's mom, or a relative etc.etc.) something you forgot? Have you turned to your make-up artist to ask him/her for some perfume? Chipped your nails, asked him/her for some nail polish? Bad breath, asked for a mint/gum? Floss? Fake eyelashes? The lists are plenty, but based on 5 years of experience, I've compiled a list of things each make up artists should carry at all times.


Besides the obvious, here are a few random things your make-up artist should have with him/her:

• Perfume- You won't believe how many people forget their perfume! It is critical to have this. Preferably in a neutral, light scent. Maybe a floral? (Jasmine, jasmine, jasmine! Did I ever mention I love the smell of jasmines?)

• Nail polish- If you had your nails done about 2-3 days before the event, it is likely that your polish might be chipped. For an Indian wedding, a shade of red is versatile enough for any color lengha/sari. For a white dress wedding, a nude color would work well. Maybe even a subtle pink.
  

• Gum/mint- Sometimes a lot of clients have asked me for mints as they just finished drinking their morning coffee. Not a big deal, but definitely helps.

• Business cards- Well, this is also another obvious one, but I've found myself without business cards quite a few times. It's always frustrating when client's friends look forward to contact me for another event, and I do not have it!

• Camera- Some times the photographer is running late and can't catch the morning part of getting the bride (if the special event is the wedding) ready. In this event, you can get some photos in to show your experience, but also help your client by providing some cool photos for her album.
  

• Body lotion- The day of any big event sometimes tend to be a little frantic. This is good to offer your client, when asked or not.

• Contact solution!!- Because we can all be forgetful at one point or another...

What do you think? Is there anything I've left out?

Coming soon: Sneak peaks of make up of this past week!

A jasmine frenzy

For as long as I could remember, I've adored different scents of jasmine. (Can one adore a scent?)

And since college, I've been in a frenzy to collect all scents. Okay, maybe not that dramatic, but "gotta catch 'em all?"

But in all seriousness, Floral scents are so so so divine. And jasmines especially.

So today, I display my favorite jasmine (and floral) scents, to date:



1. Michael Kors- Island collection- BERMUDA











2. Estee Lauder- PLEASURES

3. Zara- FLOR DE AZAHAR.












Others (external photos):

4. Tocca- FLORENCE

(http://www.tocca.com/store/catalog/tocca-beauty/fine-fragrances/eau-de-parfum-florence)








I know there's still plenty out there. Have any suggestions? =)

Contemporary henna designs

As a writer needs to continually write, and a runner needs to continually run,

an artist needs to continually practice his/her skills...

Yesterday, my mom and I had fun applying new designs to ourselves.

Our practice also manifested itself into a mini photo-shoot.

Enjoy. =) What do you think?<3






Coming soon: A jasmine frenzy.

Skin Care- Product Recommendation

As a practicing esthetician since 2006, I've tried a number of skin-care products to best remedy my dry skin. From cleansers to moisturizes, there are only 2 companies I can finally rely on. First--Dermalogica--the company's products I studied and used while I was in skin care school (My favorite products: Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel and Daily Microfoliant.) and SECOND-SHAHNAZ HUSAIN products!!!

Because 'm not a big fan of Dermalogica's moisturizers, I started looking for something different. The most surprising thing? The moisturizer I was looking for was right at the salon--used for regular facials ALL along (for the past 11 years!!!). I had only tried this moisturizer a few times and didn't like it at first because it was so heavy. Why I like it now? I use a TONER before I apply the moisturizer--AND WHAT A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE THIS MAKES!

Here is my daily skin care regimen, and my new love for Shahnaz Husain products:

1. SHAMOON Sandalwood Cleansing Lotion- Often times, I find myself running out of Dermalogica's cleansing products and start using this as the best alternative. It is soft, non-invasive, hydrating cleanser that doesn't leave my skin completely dry nor too oily. The perfect balance.

2. SHAROSE Date Enriched Skin Tone-

I'm not sure how to even begin to explain how excited I am to introduce this toner! Who does not want a spray of freshness? Who does not want to smell rose and rosy-hued liquid toners? Spray this toner before you use any of your moisturizers. Makes a world of a difference.

3. SHAMOIST Rehydrant Treatment- The most amazing moisturizer EVER!!! It's soft and it smells good. Only drawback-- since this product is slightly heavy, you do NOT need to apply liberally. A small dime size portion should do.

And since I've apparently shared my love of Shahnaz Husain products, let's just toss this in for the sake of love, and love of nail polish.

Nail Enamel #101: Glazing Ruby

And they're even the greatest company ever, because you can now ship it to your home!! Before, you'd have to set out on a long trek to India, pay lots of Indian rupees to get these products. Now you can go HERE: SHAHNAZHUSAINUSA.COM

Now that I've shared my favorite skin care products with you, what do you recommend and/or use? What would you change about your skin care regimen?

5 things to know about henna...

The 5 things to know about henna:


1. There is only one real type of natural henna. Though many have advertised different colors of so-called henna or "black henna", there is indeed, only one type: the one the combines only NATURAL ingredients to make the henna paste. (Mostly eucalyptus oil, henna plant extract, black tea) If you find someone applying "black henna," you have to ask them if the paste includes any chemicals or preservatives. I've seen many people who have had allergic reactions to black henna. (FYI: Karishma Beauty does NOT endorse, nor sell black henna)

2. Natural henna stays for a maximum of 2 weeks. As our skin naturally exfoliates itself and creates new layers, the skin with henna will eventually fade away. I've heard many rumors that henna should last about a month or two.

3. It takes 24 hours for the henna color to achieve its darkest color. As soon as henna is applied on your skin, it begins the process of staining that part of the skin by seeping into its layers. (A completely harmless process--esp. with natural henna). A common misconception about henna is that as soon as you peel off the henna, the color you see is the darkest. NOT TRUE! If you don't wash your hands as frequently within the 24 hours after the application of henna, it will--in its own natural process--intensify its color. Give it time!

4. DO NOT WASH OFF THE HENNA. Unless you are looking to have fun during the application, and want only a minimal amount of an orange color to show, I advise you to never wash off the henna after it is dry. I frequently tell my clients to wait 2-3 hours before they PEEL (not wash) off their henna. As it takes 24 hours for the color to get more intense, it is absolutely imperative that you do not interrupt the process by washing it off!

5. The warmer the part of your skin, the darker the color. There are parts of your body where the henna color will come out darker than others. For example, your inside palms (as they are the warmest and generate the most heat) will get a darker color than the outside of your hands and/or wrist.

I hope that answers most of the common questions Ive been asked by clients. If not, please do not hesitate to ask me!

As mentioned in the last post, recommendations for make up and skin products will come soon!

Accents

Ever since we've remodeled and re-opened our salon, I've been actively (and sometimes unconsciously) looking out for accessories to accent the salon and make it more esthetically pleasing.

My friend had these flower stencils (in gold) on her door a few years back. Since then, I've grown to adore this design and am happy to find that it was still on sale!

I've also wanted to get vintage frames to surround everyone's beauty licenses, for photos of henna and make up, and for signs that say "yes, we do take credit card."

I think these little details are what I remember in other places I adore, and that's what has me going back to the same places. I hope I can achieve this sense of attention to detail and have our clients feel comfortable, cozy, and inspired while they're at our salon.

What about you? Are there any unique places you've visited and felt inspired? What makes these places unique and inspirational?

Coming soon: Recommendations of skin and make up products!

Reception make up

We were very delighted to hear that we would help Bahar get ready for her wedding reception.

She wore a beautiful turquoise lengha.

Here's a sneak peak of her make up:




Everything gets so chaotic by the time the bride is ready.
I'm glad to have documented this chaos. It's almost calming... in a way.

Henna

If there's any beauty service I prefer more than others, it is (and obviously so!) to apply henna and make up!

Here are some long lost photos from a year and some months ago that I only recently found!

Enjoy. :)

Bridal Make-up

Today, we were thrilled to do Bahar's bridal make up.

Punjabi-inspired jewelry and head piece.

Here are the photos from today: