SKY FITS HEAVEN

Ray of Light is the seventh studio album by Madonna, released on March 3, 1998. After giving birth to her daughter Lourdes, Madonna started working on her new album with producers Babyface, Patrick Leonard and English producer William Orbit. Following failed sessions with Babyface and Leonard, Madonna pursued a new musical direction with Orbit. The recording took place over four months, and experienced problems with the hardware Pro Tools arrangement by Orbit, which would break down, and recording would have to be delayed until they could be repaired, as well as the absence of live bands.

Musically, the album is a pop and dance record, yet, it incorporates strong elements of electronic music within its composition, making it a departure from her previous work. Additionally, it incorporates several genres and subgenres, including techno, trip hop, drum and bass, ambient, rock and classical music. Vocally, the album saw Madonna sing using greater breadth and a fuller tone. Oriental themes are also present on the album, as a result from her conversion to Kabbalah, her study of Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as her daily practice of Yoga; songs like “Sky Fits Heaven” and “Shanti/Ashtangi” are examples from these activities.

Upon release, the album received acclaim and was lauded by contemporary critics as a masterpiece. Reviewers commended the singer’s new musical direction, calling it her “most adventurous” record, as well as its mature, restrained nature; the singer’s vocals were also praised. Ray of Light won four Grammy Awards from a total of six nominations. Commercially, the album also was a success, peaking at number one in fourteen countries. On the US Billboard 200, the album debuted and peaked at number two. With estimated sales of 20 million copies worldwide, Ray of Light remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Five singles were released from the album, including global top-five hits “Frozen” and “Ray of Light”. In order to support Ray of Light and her following album, Madonna embarked on the Drowned World Tour in 2001. Critics and scholars have noted the album’s influence on popular music, especially how it helped bring electronic music into mainstream pop culture. They also noted the way in which Madonna was able to re-invent herself and remain fresh and contemporary amidst the more teen pop-based music of the period. In such a way, the album has been included in many critic lists and polls, including Rolling Stone magazine’s “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time”.

The video received a total of eight MTV Video Music Awards nominations, becoming Madonna’s second most-nominated video at the award show, after “Vogue” in 1990. It won five awards for Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Choreography, becoming her most-winning song at the show.

Friday, August 24th, 2012 MADONNA, MARIO TESTINO, MUSIC, MUSIC VIDEO

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Beauty Talk



Deep Gray Shadow
It's an aggressive heavy black smoky eye. The perfect wash of gunmetal over the lids and a streak of glittery dark charcoal at the top and bottom lashes. For the perfect shade, try Make Up For Ever Diamond Shadow in Diamond Black, ($20.00, makeupforever.com).
• Blend a creamy vanilla shade on the brow bone for a highlight and pile on mascara for extra thickness and definition. With this look, soft pink-neutral lips and cheeks will keep it balanced.







Beauty Secrets



MAKE UP FOREVER - HD Microfinish Powder ($30.00, makeupforever.com)

A universal translucent finishing powder to be applied over foundation or worn alone. Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skin tones:
• It's completely translucent and goes on any skintone. Its talc-free formula does not dry the skin and is formulated with 100% silica. Dermatologically tested.





NARS - The Multiple ($38.00, narscosmetics.com)

The original all-in-one, cream-to-powder, multi-purpose makeup stick. With fingertip application, The Multiple highlights, sculpts, and warms eyes, cheeks, lips, and body in an array of shades from sheer accents to mauve and bronze.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Touche Éclat Radiant Touch ($40.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A luminizing pen that brings light and radiance to the skin, immediately erases any signs of fatigue, and brightens the complexion. The award-winning product is like eight hours of sleep and an instant pick-me-up in a magic wand. With a few strategically placed strokes, the complexion immediately looks rested, rejuvenated, and radiant:
• Banishes shadows and tired-looking eyes by adding light and creating an instant lift to the eye area.
• Widens eyes when used between the eyebrows and along the sides of the nose, and creates fuller looking lips when used in the hollow of the chin and around the contour of the lips.
• It's formulated for all skin types and for anyone who wants instant radiance, luminosity, and lift.





SMASHBOX - Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36.00, smashbox.com)

This product creates a perfect canvas for foundation application. The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smoothes and perfects skin, while the unique formula helps to inhibit the destruction of collagen, and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish:
• Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection.
• This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture.





SHISEIDO - White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam ($33.00, shiseido.com)

A gentle, purifying foam that effectively lifts away impurities and surface cells to help reduce surface melanin buildup and leave skin clean and bright:
• Removes impurities and excess surface oil with a fresh creamy lather. Helps exfoliate surface melanin, smooth skin, and minimize dullness.
• Formulated with Asian plant extracts to improve moisture balance. Leaves skin feeling dewy and smooth. Recommended for all skin types. Use morning and night.





YVES SAINT LAURENT - Volupté Sheer Candy ($30.00, yvessaintlaurent.com)

A glossy lip balm. This balm dresses your lips in a sheer veil of brilliant color boosted with vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruit extract. Its ultra-light, sensual texture leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated for up to eight hours and is ideal for year-round use.





GUERLAIN - Orchidee Imperiale Eye & Lip Cream ($185.00, guerlain.com)

The protective and regenerative benefits of the orchid extract restore firmness, suppleness, density and hydration to these particularly delicate areas:
• Targets under-eye puffiness and dark circles with autofocus reflectors that light up the eye area.
• A tightening agent creates an instant rested look around the eyes.
• Crow's-feet are immediately smoothed.





SHISEIDO - Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream SPF 36 PA+++ ($28.00, shiseido.com)

A highly nourishing cream-formula sunscreen for the face that defends against the powerful UVA/UVB rays that cause cell damage, dryness, roughness, and the premature signs of aging such as fine lines:
• Formulated with the retexturizing ingredient Xylitol to counteract roughness and keep skin looking soft and healthy. Contains Thiotaurine, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.
• Can be applied easily and absorbs quickly, leaving no visible white residue or feeling of heaviness. Very water-resistant. Perspiration-resistant. PABA-free.
• All Shiseido sun products proudly display the Skin Cancer Foundation seal of recommendation.





Beauty Bites



YOU SAY "TOMATO," I SAY "TOMAHTO"!

They're packed with lycopene, which protects skin from the oxidation that results from sun damage and leads to wrinkles. Adding a little olive oil helps you absorb lycopene even better. Numerous studies have shown that eating foods high in lycopene is beneficial in warding off heart disease and several types of cancer such as lung, prostate, cervical, digestive tract and breast. Good sources of lycopene are pink grapefruit, guava, watermelon, and rosehips, but the most common and perhaps most powerful is the tomato.





ALMONDS, IT'S IN THE CRUNCH!

They're brimming with vitamin E, which neutralizes free radicals in your muscles and nervous system and enhances speed, coordination and balance. They also have good amounts of magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, fibre and are a good source of healthy monounsaturated fat. They contain more calcium than any other nut which makes them great for vegetarians who do not eat any dairy products.





FEELING A LITTLE BLUE?

Blueberries have highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit: being very rich in anti oxidants like vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper, selenium, zinc and iron. They neutralize free radicals which can affect disease and aging in the body. Been proved to preserve vision: Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They keep you fresh, active, fit, sharp, close to nature and in a good mood, as they are very good anti depressants.





BEAUTY BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

Green tea contains antioxidants that combat free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of the human body and cause damage to cells and tissues. The antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they cannot cause any harm. Free radicals are one of the causes of many illnesses and they are one of the reasons for our aging. Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.

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