Tempted

It was a fruit that started it all - remember the juicy, red, shining apple? Well, make-up this summer is going to be just as sinfully delicious and exciting, says Sathya Saran.

Fruits have had a way of lingering in the female consciousness since that world began, and are the ultimate symbols of luscious sexiness. Add to this historic face the born-again knowledge that fruits have AHAs and every other known goodness necessary for health and wellbeing, and they win over everything else, hands down.

And so it is with Lakme's latest collection of make-up - fruit-based and formulated for the woman who has it all. Grapes, melons, citrus, berries...... the entire pantheon of fruits have been harnessed to give of their multitasking properties to help the Indian woman look and feel better than she has ever before.

To keep the idea from becoming ho-hum and ho-so-mundane, there is the deft combo of the virtual with

the real and the futuristic with the here and now. Fruit Shock addresses the contradiction in everyday life, the need to be rooted, cantered, balanced with the fact that in reality, life is like an electric current racing by so quick that you can barely grasp it.

So if you are one of those who are torn between practising Zen by day and living life on the edge of electric excitement once the office door swings shut behind you, then you are the person Fruit Shock is built around.

The essence of fruity goodness with the shock of cutting edge technology is like the sound of heavy metal booming out of a lighter-than-a-feather laser disc. The expected becomes the unexpected and what is unexpected is to be expected. Every time. Cutting free of the wordage, how does this translate in make-up, you ask. Let's say it combines creamy seductive texture with the tang of fruit and delivers it with a punch. Still confused?

Try this then: There's Pop for starters. Verrry 60s, programmed just to make you feel good. Pop is an interpretation of candyfloss, for the times when you want to feel like a Ii'l girl Lolita with a modern twist, you could say. Think iced lolly, think bubble gum. Yum? Also think gloss and feel juicy.

The shine of innocence simmering to explode, the dewiness of the fruit turned tempter. There is a play of light and dark and peach and pink which forms the heart of this palette. The combination of lip to eyes is daring yet innocent.

Super summery. But go beyond the look, and you see the goodness of fruit. Peach and grapefruit lend their properties to help make the delectable look wholesome.

For example, pectin, organic acids like ascorbic, citric and malic acid, vitamins ranging from A to B1, B2 and B3, mineral matters and traces of essential oil are all packed in a peach. The presence of two to five per cent extracts in these cosmetics helps the products moisturise and revitalise your skin.

From Pop to Crush, the mood changes to take on stronger colours, and a more mature texture. Strawberry and cherry and watermelon...... the range of reds in the Crush line of make-up runs the spectrum from deep to brilliant. There's no shimmer. The gloss factor is high, something akin to a cherry dipped in syrup. Get the picture?

Very mirror like, with the classic texture of patent leather. The eyes are a contrast, inspired by the watermelon, with green and red making a decidedly audible statement. Strawberry and other berries contribute their exfoliating and preserving qualities. Eyes dressed in strawberry pink, or deep orange.

Startlingly different. Undeniably seductive.

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On the Tree Top

Did you know: Grapes were used, in ancient times, to cure fevers, tonsillitis, mouth ulcers and prevent plague. The grapevine is one of the oldest plants cultivated. Rich in glucids, organic acids like Vitamin C, malic and tartaric acid, vine leaves has medicinal and beauty benefits.

Red vine leaf, fruit extract is great for softening, exfoliating and moisturising. You will find it in lotions for dry and normal hair, in softening hand creams, body hygiene products and exfoliative creams for tired and dull skin.

Peach extract softens and tones, exfoliates and moisturises. It's often used in shampoos for dull and limp hair, scrubs, lotions, anti-ageing creams and peeling masks.

Burst on the other hand delves into the juiciness of the berry. Saturated and heavy with sweetness, the Burst line has a lot of drama. Deep plums and mulberry contrast with green and blue eyes.

Vitamin E and fruit extract combos in all the lipsticks add their moisturising touch, but the berry line also draws on potassium, calcium, organic acids and B vitamins and traces of natural steroid found in the vine. The line includes benefits like anti-blotch, anti-oxidising, as well as free radial scavenging properties.