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Hair to stay
With everything in place for the D-day - appointment with the best make-up artist, a fairly good skin waiting to be painted, an exotic bridal dress rehearsed a million times, oodles of eagerness and enthusiasm…then god knows why it does not turn out the way you wanted. Something is amiss…not sure what!
“Ah! it is simple. The make-up artist, following the factory-line production, dressed up yet another bride looking like the one before,” smiles celebrity stylist Samantha Kochhar. “The bride is left wondering where is the break, which is normal because a make-up artist never treats brides as individuals.” With her mother Blossom Kochhar, the celebrity stylist duo is in city to demonstrate latest trends in bridal make-up and hair-styling. Samantha has taken after her mother in profession, but this doesn’t stop her from speaking out her mind, points where she is glad to differ on. “My mother says that I shouldn’t be harsh on the parlours or make-up artists. But I can’t help myself when I see them following the same style for ages, not wanting to be different and experimental,” she says. Manoeuvring her fingers through the dishevelled mop of a model, picking hair, wetting it with hair spray, Samantha strongly advocates the need to bring in difference and creativity when it comes to bridal make-up and styling. “Most make-up artists need to understand that every bride is an individual and should be treated in that manner.” And this is where the celebrity stylist brings in the difference. “Rather than going crazy with make-up, it is advisable to work on various features and highlight them. Someone has beautiful eyes, lips or skin, and for the D-day the artist should highlight the features.” Now you know, being a bride doesn’t mean going overboard with everything - hair or make-up. C’mon girls you don’t want to end up looking like a mannequin! “The point is every bride is beautiful and an individual. This means a style that works for one bride might not for another. It is good to follow trends lest we are not left out, but the trick lies in personalising a style,” adds Samantha demonstrating how to get the ‘push up’ hairstyle and how to enhance layers. “Style changes probably every day. It is okay to keep abreast with it. As for the make-up artists, there is no end to learning and experimentation. Some amount of training always helps. I tell these people – ‘Spend good time on the client (the bride), studying skin, what looks suits and what doesn’t. And then charge for it. No harm as long the outcome is awesome,” says Samantha without mincing words. Over to Blossom Kochhar, the beauty expert who realises the value of the growing beauty industry and what more needs to be brought into this sector. Her latest offing for the wedding season is jewel facial (Gold, silver and platinum); back treatments so that you can flaunt sexy backless blouses. “Beauty treatments change with season and festivities, what does not change is wellness. This is an arena that I wish to explore more,” says Blossom. This beauty expert propagates the idea of healthy mind, body and soul. “I don’t advocate the use of branded skincare products. Indian kitchens have so much to offer for the beauty platter.” Back to the basics - healthy diet, ample water, green salads and then comes good make-up. “The idea to use make-up is to look good. We should know how to use the correct amount. All said and done, the secret is within us. Healthy, stress-free mind,” she smiles. For the 24X7 job, stressed out, folks a quick tip (free of cost). “Put a pinch of salt in the bucket for a warm bath.” And the stress goes out…zoom! jasmine@tribunemail.com HANDS on Aroma magic hand cream is a delicate emulsion to treat hands damaged by daily work, cold and atmospheric agents. Essential oils purify and smoothen rough-chapped hands. A synergistic mixture of vitamin E, pro-vitamin B5 and coco butter restores skin balance and fights against aging skin. Directions for use: Apply on hands after every wash, especially at night. Active ingredients: Extracts of rose, orange, honey, wheat germ oil and pure essential oils of carrot seed, evening primrose and jasmine. How they work: Rose is a cell rejuvenator and powerful antiseptic. Orange is good for dry skin, dermatitis and wrinkles. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains water. So honey is a natural fit for a variety of moisturising products, including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners. As honey is also an Wheat germ oil is a highly rich unrefined oil that is one of the richest sources of vitamin E, A and D. Carrot seed oil is often used to rejuvenate dry and mature skin as well as balance oily and dry complexions. Evening primrose oil is used for helping with dry skin, eczema and psoriasis, and is anti-aging. It hydrates the skin and also reduces redness of the skin. Jasmine oil tones dry, greasy, irritated and sensitive skin; increases elasticity. Supple look
Almond moisturising lotion nourishes, conditions and restores a healthy skin appearance. It hydrates and helps in maintaining healthy moisture levels, which protects the skin. Formulated from nourishing elements and pure essential oils, it assists in quick absorption, leaving the skin supple and velvety smooth with no traces of oil. An ideal make-up base for dry skin! |
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Master craftsman!
Kids might be a little less analytical than adults, but you can’t take them for granted. Certainly not when it’s about television content! For they, unlike grown ups, won’t think twice before telling you on your face – ‘It’s boring and we aren’t interested’.
And if there are over a dozen family channels, the numbers for kids aren’t less either. “In that case, it doesn’t take much to switch channels,” says Harun Robert aka Rob, anchor of MAD show on Pogo Channel. Then the challenge for him is to ensure that the content is interesting enough to make children watch the channel till his show is on. “Adults might appreciate your hardwork even if the product is not up to the mark, but children only see things in totality. They will not like a show in bits and pieces.” MAD is an abbreviation for music, arts and dance; and just as we thought finding a fresh subject on the same themes everyday is a tough task, Rob says it’s really easy. “It’s no rocket science to find a new craft or a dance step. All one needs to do is observe things minutely in the environment and utilise them by making art pieces out of them,” asserts Rob, who was in the city on Tuesday to flag off the 50,000th car of Ford Figo. And his creativity became apparent once again in the form of a painting that he has done on the car. “The design depicts that life’s is a journey that has to go on. It is about a lot of ups and downs and different colours on the car convey the message. There’s also a peacock motif in the front to lend a patriotic touch,” informs Rob. Coming back to his work and interests. Rob uses a lot of waste products by recycling them for his craft, which he teaches on his show. “Art has two major functions. One is pleasure and the other purpose. Any artwork comes out best when both are present.” Rob is for only those crafts that add to students’ knowledge in school. “How do classes on knitting sweaters benefit students or for that matter what purpose does it solve to teach students how to stitch clothes? Art should be taken seriously at the school level as well. It’s important to teach practical and intelligent art.” And by this he means, teach students how to make bags of waste paper, pen stands or other things out of cartons, which are otherwise just sold of the scrap-dealers. Even better, teach them photography as that might bring them closer to nature and wildlife. “Art this way can sensitise students towards society and environment. Art will both be entertaining and educating,” adds Rob, who hails from Delh. However, only his show works on the principle of infotainment. He rues the fact that kids’ channels show less of age-centric programmes and feels it’s because of the growing interest of all age groups in animation. “Animation is a booming industry and is not limited to cartoons. A number of animation movies are released every year, which kids and parents enjoy watching together. The channels have the same criteria for choosing content.” Besides MAD, what’s keeping Rob busy is working on graphic novels. “A few more years and we will have graphic novels that will compete with the best in the industry.” Eagerly awaiting that! ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Beyond age
And in this spirit, October 1 is celebrated as the World Elder’s Day and distinguished senior citizens are honoured on the occasion. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, bestowed the Vayoshreshtha Samman-2010 on city-based litterateur, Padma Shri, Kashmiri Lal Zakir (90) at a special ceremony held at New Delhi recently. Zakir is among the five people from India selected for the honour this year. The award was presented by ministers Mukul Wasnik and Stalin on behalf of the President of India at the Kamani auditorium. Having penned down 125 books on all genres of literature and adult education, Zakir is presnstly the secretary of Haryana Urdu Akademi and chairman of Literacy Promotion Committee, HRD Ministry, Government of India. Zakir is already a proud recipient of National Ghalib Award, Nehru Literacy Award and NLM-UNESCO award.
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What if books talked to students? To educationists who are ‘pro-experiment’ in academics, this comes as good news. To give a push to the waning reading habits among school kids, The British School—44, introduced Tinkerbell talking books. So under the programme, 79 books, 45 CDs, 26 audio CDs, 10 DVDs make it to the library to lend a fun element to learning. Devika Saxena, senior training manager, who’s been working for the past 15 years in educational technologies, elaborates the concept, “A child learns whatever he or she sees and listens to, thereby making parental and teachers’ role all the more pivotal.” Needless to say, there’s a need to go beyond the conventional curriculum and ways of tutoring. She adds, “Keeping this philosophy in mind, The British School has introduced total development programme, which ensures that a child grows with equivalent emotional and intelligence quotient.” Thrown into the package are visually attractive pictures and an interactive gadget called Walter, containing 1000 sound files in it. A gadget that makes books come alive with songs, poems and dramatisation. — TNS
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Spade work
Winter brings with it a riot of colours in the form of various annuals. This is the time, which the gardeners await as the summer offers very little. But beyond the usual winter annuals there are perennials that light up the winter gardens. Carnations, dahlias, chrysanthemums and geraniums are a few of them.
Geranium, out of the lot is less grown but one of the best flowering plant. I will not tax you with the difficult botanical classification but it is necessary for you to know that it comes under another name, Pelargonium. Under this umbrella term, you can include geraniums of different kind—ivy leaf geranium, scented leaf geranium and miniature geraniums. The geranium can thus be used for varied purpose. A class of it produces terminal blooms that are borne in bunches. And about different hues, I would say it has a wide range of sharp, bright and mixed coloured blooms that are single or double in colour. This is the most popular form of geranium that is grown by the gardeners. Another attraction of this kind is the ring band formation in the leaves that in itself is an attractive feature. The traditional geraniums give flower only once in a year, that too in spring. But now we have the hybrid varieties too that flower almost throughout the year. The only care they need is to be saved from severe summer, winter (frost) and excess water (rains). The plant is normally propagated by way of cuttings. As the plant is sensitive to standing water so are the cuttings. They have to be saved from water logging. Even a few hours in water subjects them to rotting very fast. The plants can be propagated from seeds too. But as the winter in the region is very short by the time the plant picks up some growth it is over and the blooms that you get are sparse and less in number. Though I have rarely seen gardeners growing the ivy geraniums, but they form an excellent basket plant. This plant has to be saved from hot winds and in summers it has to be kept in a group of plants preferably in deep shade. The third form is the scented form, called Rosa-geranium. The fragrance is a mix of lemon and rose and I advise it to be kept near the place where you sit in the early morning. A brushing touch of its fragrant foliage will make your day. All of the above types make very good pot plants. satishnarula@pau.edu Shoot out It is usually said that the corms of gladiolus have enough food for the plant to grow and adding anything extra will affect its flowering. It is not true, as the food stored in the corm is enough for the plant in the initial growth, but it is not enough to support the next stage of growth and flowering. You must add farmyard manure in the bed before planting corms and then fertilizers at the time of three leaf and six-leaf stage for best results.
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With the onset of winter, skin becomes dry, rough and flaky, making it more fragile. It feels uncomfortable and tight. What it then requires is round-the-clock protection from harsh winter conditions. Garnier Skin Naturals offers Garnier Nourishing Cold Cream, a unique solution to winter skin care problems. This anti-tightening cold cream nourishes the skin with 100% pure acacia honey and is designed to give 24-hour relief from dry, tight winter skin. Garnier Nourishing Cold Cream is blend of advanced technology and natural ingredient, which replenishes the skin leaving it soft and supple. This specialised product understands your needs towards skin protection and helps you tackle the winter harshness. Its anti-tightening, non-greasy formula is enriched with 100 % pure acacia honey, which helps maintain the skin’s moisture level and gives 24-hour protection against dryness. Pamper your skin with Garnier Nourishing Cold Cream priced at Rs 130 for 130 for 40 gms, available at retail outlets across India. — TNS
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I, me, myself
After raking in crores with his latest hit Dabangg, the 44-year-old actor has replaced Amitabh Bachchan as the fearless host of Bigg Boss, promising it is the real Salman Khan his fans will get to see. "The first and only lesson I have learned in acting is to be myself. Viewers will get 100 per cent unadulterated Salman Khan in Bigg Boss. I am hosting it in my own style - frank and uncut," Salman said. This is not his first stint on television, the actor has hosted a game show on the small screen before and thinks that the potential of the idiot box is tremendous. "Television as a medium is evolving and so is the viewer; it is not the 'small screen' any more," said Salman. But that is not the only reason why he took up the job of hosting Bigg Boss, the actor's family are ardent viewers and he consulted his mother before saying yes. "Bigg Boss is one show that has intrigued me immensely as a viewer - its format, its contestants and the psychological battle within the house. Also, my family enjoys the show; they discuss it all the time. I asked mom before considering it and she instantly said yes," said Salman. The Colors show, which is in its fourth season, is well-known for creating controversies, gossiping and plotting among the contestants in order to win. Salman says he is not going to put up with any wrong-doing in the show. "I am a very straight-forward person and I will not take any hypocrisy and politics lightly. For those housemates who play clean, they will always find their best friend in me. Those who don't, be ready to expect the worst," he said. Having said that, Salman also thinks that this show brings out the real self of a person. — PTI
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Proud of Ranbir
Yesteryears' actress Neetu Singh, who will be seen in a full-fledged role in the forthcoming movie Do Dooni Chaar, is quite impressed with her star-son Ranbir's knowledge of camera angles and feels he is ready to direct a film.
"I'm amazed at his maturity as an actor! When I was his age, I knew zilch. I just did whatever came naturally to me. Ranbir knows about camera angles, shot-taking and frame compositions. He is ready for direction. And yes, I hope to be in his directorial debut with his father," said Neetu, 52. Ranbir, in fact, had made it clear that whenever his mother returned to acting it would be as his mother. "Like all sons, Ranbir is very possessive. So yes, he did want me to come back only with him. But when he heard I had his dad as a co-star in Do Dooni Char, he was all for it and absolutely invaluable in leading me back to the arclights." Directed by Habib Faisal, Do Dooni Chaar is releasing Friday and Neetu has teamed up with her actor husband Rishi Kapoor in the movie. But the actress, who made a guest appearance in Love Aaj Kal, says it was Ranbir who helped her to be at ease in front of the camera. "It is a bit like cycling and swimming. But more complicated for me. I was hesitant to say yes. But once I did, I was in a dilemma. It was Ranbir who helped me out. He showed me how to find my way into the character and them project it out on camera. He pointed out the best way to approach my role was to unwind, to let go. He showed me how to make friends with the camera," she said. Not only that, Ranbir also briefed his petrified mother on how to get real on camera while staying ultra-cool. "This was not an easy part for me. I had to play an ordinary middle-class housewife, and not just in a filmy way. The director Habib wanted me to grow my hair and colour it black, unvarnish my nails and wear three sets of clothes - three saris for when my character steps out and three housecoats for when she is home - throughout the film. And not just that. Those six pieces of clothing had to look worn by the time I was ready to face the camera!" Neetu is blasé about Ranbir's relationships. "Ranbir is a very committed person. He knows his mind very clearly. He hasn't found the right person yet. The day he does, he will settle down with her immediately and forever. That I am confident about." Coincidentally Neetu's comeback film Do Dooni Char is releasing just a week after Ranbir's Anjaana Anjaani. "In fact, the trailers for both films are being screened with Dabangg. I felt so proud and happy. Yes, Do Dooni Char is precious to me. But Ranbir's Anjaana Anjaani is far more important," she said.
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While the lunch with the 67-year-old veteran raked in the most cash, breakfast with Akshay was auctioned for Rs 5,92,000 and the winning bid for a gym session with Salman Khan was Rs 3,52,000. Bachchan's auction saw 55 bids from across the globe with 16,770 unique visitors, while Salman attracted 42 bids from India, Europe & USA and had 15,804 visitors. —PTI
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He has featured in many big-starrers, but it is Dabangg that has got actor Sonu Sood his due. He has earned rave reviews for essaying the corrupt politician, Cheddi Singh, in the cop comedy."Dabangg has been a turning point in my career. It has taken me a step ahead and portrayed me in a different avatar. It has helped people know that I can do action also," Sonu, 37, said.Salman Khan plays the lead in Dabangg, but Sonu's performance was noticed and appreciated by audiences as well as critics. "It feels really nice when you are recognised for your hard work. When you are not from the industry it is difficult to convince the people that you are capable of doing well. It feels great that after years, my hard work has finally paid off. I am receiving lots of film offers," he added. Sonu was supposed to play Salman Khan's role but when the actor himself agreed to play the lead, he was offered Cheddi Singh's role. A self-confessed fitness freak, Sonu is flooded with compliments for the six-pack abs he flaunts in Dabangg. Asked how much hard work he put in to attain the sculpted body, Sonu admits he leads a very disciplined life. "When you are acting alongside someone like Salman Khan, you have to be in great shape. I indeed had to work on my body. You have to be very disciplined. I dedicate three to fours hours daily on gymming and workouts. I also keep changing my workout schedule every 10-15 days. Sometimes I do cardio, sometimes kickboxing, which helps me stay fit. Diet also plays an important role. You need to cut down on carbs, high-protein and get used to non-tasty food," said Sonu. —IANS
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Bollywood actress and style icon Sonam Kapoor has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Electrolux home appliances.The 25-year-old will be endorsing the company's refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and air conditioners."The products are innovative and easy to use which makes them ideal for young professionals who are busy and always on the go. I look forward to an exciting journey," said Sonam, who is still single and lives with her parents, in a press statement.This is the first time Electrolux has signed a brand ambassador. "We believe Sonam encapsulates all the qualities that our brand stands for and will enable our customers to have a better connect with our products," said Anil Khera, chief executive officer, PE Electronics Ltd. — IANS
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Singer-emcee Manasi Scott is quite impressed with her Jhootha Hi Sahi co-star John Abraham's helpful and caring nature and says working with him was a "delight". "I'm a kind of a person who doesn't get along with everyone very easily but as clichéd as it may sound, working with John was a delight," Manasi, who is making her Bollywood debut with the film, said in an interview. "He is unbelievable - so good at his work, very hardworking and also helps and take care of everyone on the sets. He helped me quite a bit," she added. Abbas Tyrewala has directed Jhootha Hi Sahi slated to hit screens Oct 15, is a romantic comedy about Siddharth (John), a compulsive liar who causes conflict in his own love story with Nishka (Pakhi). While Tyerewala's wife Pakhi plays main female lead, Mansi will be seen in the second lead. The actress, who has done theatre in the past, says she really wanted to work with Tyrewala and that is why she went for the auditions. "I really wanted to work with Abbas. I know him and I love his work. When I cleared the audition, I was told that I was the 51st person to be auditioned for the role and they picked me because I was absolutely right for it. Actually in many ways the character in the film is what I really am," said the actress. —IANS
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After stars like Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan, Jimmy Sheirgill is the latest actor to turn producer after being in the industry for close to a decade. His first production venture is Dharti, a Punjabi-Hindi bilingual flick, which is all set to go on floors in the month of November. "Dharti is all set to kick start. While the story and setting mainly belong to Punjab, the Hindi version would be an added bonus," Sheirgill said. The actor has become a superstar in Punjabi cinema post the success of Mel Karade Rabba, Munde UK De and Tera Mera Ki Rishta. "Regional films have a huge market in India as well as overseas if made, promoted and marketed well. Still, I am not looking at increasing the number of Punjabi films that I do every year. That would lead to a saturation point. "I would be making my own films now and would also be ensuring that the production values and running length would be controlled," says Sheirgill who started his Bollywood journey 13 years back with Gulzar's Maachis. A dramatic thriller, Dharti has a relatively new director in Navaniat Singh while hunt is on for the leading lady. The actor will also be seen in Hemant Madhukar's A Flat, a horror flick that also stars Sanjay Suri. "It is about a man who gets trapped in his own apartment. While this character first assumes this to be a technical issue with his doors and windows, he soon realises the supernatural and paranormal forces at work." Originally scheduled for an October release, the film has now been postponed to November 12 to avoid the clutter of releases in the current season. "One can't plan such things even if one wishes to. (Producer) Anjum (Rizvi) had got all the theaters booked but due to moving ahead of Anjaana Anjaani, everything got impacted. I don't mind arriving late though; after all now we get time for some more promotion in coming weeks." Sheirgill will next be seen in Game and Johnny Mastana with Amitabh Bachchan. — PTI
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Phool murjhate hain, alfaaz nahin murjhate/ Duur jana hai toh bazurgon ki duayein le jaa,” the couplet by poet Rumani reflects the richness of Indian cultural traditions where the elderly are extolled for their wisdom and given due respect.
He is an actor who does not act. From playing a corrupt but endearing cop on the big screen to hosting the most controversial reality show on TV, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan says he is just being himself in front of the camera.
Amitabh Bachchan has proved that he is still the Shehenshah of Bollywood. A lunch date with the Big B received the highest bid at an auction, a whopping Rs 10,02,000, pipping bad boy Salman Khan and Akshay Khiladi Kumar.
