Every picture you see in a magazine, and I mean every single image is digitally retouched. Did you know that?

The general aim is, of course, to make everything look good. On one end, it is done to remove little nitty-gritties like shadow, smooth out and brighten skin tone and texture, basically to make the image look a little more pleasing to the eye. We all appreciate a little touching up, right? But on the other end, the extreme end – is this month’s issue of W magazine, featuring Demi Moore.

She looks hot on the cover. But check out her left hip.

A sizeable chunk is missing. 

This cover’s gotten quite a bit of attention not just because Demi looks skinnier than usual here (and missing a bit of flesh), but now it seems that might not even be her body! W magazine has been accused of superimposing Demi’s head on to model Anja Rubik’s body – the shot was apparently taken when Anja walked the Balmain Spring 2010 show.

Image credit: popculturemadness.blogspot.com

Now I am not saying that airbrushing is a bad thing. For some, it’s no different from women applying make-up everyday to hide imperfections – call it digital make-up, if you will.

But it is ethically wrong when you’re so touched up, you’re not even recognisable, or in Demi’s case, you end up with a body that’s not even yours! (read also Ralph Lauren, Kim Kardashian and Kelly Clarkson) What’s more, if you follow Demi on Twitter, you’d have read her Tweet defending that it really is her body.

But the photographer who shot the cover, Anthony Citrano claims that the image isn’t Demi, going as far as offering US$5,000 to charity for proof that the cover was original. He also had this to say on Allieswired.com:

“While I really feel bad that Demi is on defense over this, I also don’t like being accused of “bullshit.” So, let’s find out who’s bullshitting. This isn’t about her and it isn’t about retouching (I’ve no problem with either).

It’s about a blooper, basically. The cover is a blooper; it goes on the art department’s wall of shame. So what? We all make mistakes. That’s got nothing to do with Demi. She’s a beautiful woman with or without retouching. And where the hell is W Magazine on this? Why are they forcing Demi to address it? It’s not fair to her.”

I’m not even going to go into the effects of “perfection” on glossies on women out there, especially teenagers. Suffice to say, when you pick up your next magazine, I say appreciate the images, but remember this – it isn’t real, just a piece of a beautiful fantasy.

As for whether or not it was Demi’s body, you decide.

One of the reasons why I love wearing red lipstick is that, it brings out the rosiness of my cheeks. Weird, huh? 

And it isn’t an effect I can replicate with blusher either.

So I’m always on a lookout on how to fake rosy cheeks on (rare) days when I choose to wear, say, pink lips. You just can’t get it with powder blusher – cream ones, maybe. Stains are perfect for the job – if you can get it on right quick enough before it sets for good.

Stains are perfect for our weather because they are water-based, and offer long-lasting colour no matter how sweaty you get. Applied right, you get a natural flush, without looking like you’re wearing any make-up. The good ones are pretty iconic, we all know and love Benefit’s Benetint, Lorac’s Lip/Cheek Sheer Wash and Tarte’s Cheek Stains (in True Love!).

I’d like to add TheBalm’s Stainiac to the list.

This tinted gel works as a stain on the lips and cheeks, and comes in a pretty, retro packaging. I was a little surprised that it comes with a doe foot applicator, was somehow expecting a roll-on applicator, but then I realised that it was a gel in a tube, d-uh!

Stainiac comes in three sheer colours, Beauty Queen (berry pink), Prom Queen (rosy pink) and Homecoming Queen (soft peach). My pick was Beauty Queen.

It is water-based, so that it will give you more time before it sets. Like most stains, it’s dead easy to use – in fact, I felt that it was easier to apply than Benetint because it doesn’t dry up as fast. Colour build-up on cheeks is great – no splotchy bits – I got naturally rosy cheeks in an instant! It is so easy you can do this with your eyes closed – just smile and apply. Just don’t let the smell of scrumptious strawberries distract you, because that’s what it smells like!

My only issue with Stainiac is that while it’s a fabulous product for cheeks, it doesn’t work so great on lips – you’ll probably notice in the picture. Colour doesn’t show so well (or is it me just wanting more berry?), and, like most stains, it doesn’t go on as evenly too. I only use it on cheeks now.

BONUS!

A little guide on how-to apply stains on cheeks. 

First rule of thumb – Work quickly, on one cheek at a time! 

Stick stains: Easiest to apply, but tends to fade the fastest. Use your index and middle finger to apply to the apples of your cheeks, and blend blend blend! If it isn’t intense enough, just keep building till you reach the desired effect.

Liquid stains: The trickiest one to apply, but has staying power like nothing else. Dampen a make-up sponge with water, and use it to blend the stain on the apples of your cheeks. 

Gel stains: Like all stains, works best on well-moisturised and un-powdered skin. Dot the stain on apples, blend, and apply to build intensity.

TheBalm Stainiac is available at available at all SaSa and Selecti’ve outlets in Malaysia.

Definition:

The term used for the thousands of species of bacteria and fungi living on your skin at any given time. The only good thing out of this is that some of the organisms are actually good for you!

Source: Forbes.

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with SK-II products.

I love reading about the brand’s promise on skin and its origins (all those women working in that sake brewery with young-looking hands!).

But I hate the fact that most of the products have never really worked for me. I mean, who doesn’t want to look like Cate Blanchett – fellow journalists who’ve had the privilege of meeting her in the flesh swear that her skin really, really looks that luminous.

It’s the same case with the Skin Signature cream – and I had such high hopes too.

What surprised me first was the texture of the cream. It was a little more fluid, and for some reason, I had expected something a bit thicker (see picture as proof). And, it felt sticky on the skin even after 20 minutes.

Not necessarily a bad thing – I knew there was no way I’d use this during the day – a power cream with such anti-aging benefits like this was for nights – air-conditioned nights. And I did wake up with soft, supple skin every day.

And that, ladies, is about all I could say about the Skin Signature cream. I’ve used it for two months now, and while it did offer some hydration, it was definitely not long-term, and there was no visible difference in the firmness and overall tone of my skin.

A little disappointing, I know. 

Still, I’m not giving up on the brand, and neither should you after reading this post. I’m a firm believer that no two individuals have the same skin needs. What my skin hates, yours might just love.

Or maybe I should just stick to the masks …

The Skin Signature Cream is RM460 at SK-II counters nationwide. 

Cabaret! Moulin Rouge! Dita Von Teese!

These could very well be what inspired STAGE Cosmetics’ Holiday 2009 collection, Burlesque Ball.

The stars of the show are the two 5-Colour eye shadow palettes (RM135 each), called Scandal and Gossip. The shades are:

Scandal

• Metallic Violet silver
• Satin plum
• Shimmery peach
• Satin pale pink
• Metallic pearl white

Gossip

• Satin matte indigo with a hint of black
• Satin matte purple with a hint of black
• Shimmery charcoal grey
• Glittery espresso brown
• Satin matte white

Next up is the Wonderkiss Lipcreme (RM50).

Now this, I love! The lipstick contains apple seed oil and vitamin E to keep lips looking young and plump. Six shades are on offer:

• • Coy - pastel frosted lilac
• • Swoon - matte and natural nude
• • Amuse - metallic rosy bronze
• • Wild - deep matte plum
• • Racy - matte bluish red
• • Thrill - bright frosted violet

No points for guessing which one I’m getting my hands on. *grin*

And of course, what is a holiday collection without falsies? Stage has two, Vodka (RM30) and Martini (RM38). Though I don’t normally ear false lashes, I’m loving both of them. I imagine Martini would go so well with fishnets and Louboutins!

Vodka

Martini

The Burlesque Ball 2009 Holiday Collection is available now at Stage beauty stores.