Black Magic Woman

Okay. So it costs the earth ($360), but Givenchy's newest irridescent black skin care creme, Le Soin Noir, feels divine on skin.

It contains Vital Black Algae Sap Conentrate, found in the depths of the ocean. When I use it, my skin feels smoother, utterly hydratred and even firmer. It does all this AND doesn't show up black on skin. It melts in with ease and does yeoman's duty to protect my face from this disgusting skin-chapping winter weather we've had in NYC of late. But most of all, I like rock it at night and be a Black Magic Woman. Lest you worry, it will "make a devil" out of you only in a GOOD way.

You can purchase it at Givenchy counters, Sephora.com and at Sephora on 5th Avenue in NYC, exclusively.

Halloween Makeup How-to: Betty Draper

Happy Halloween, dolls! Check my costume! It's phenom, is it not? You can't really get the full effect from this pic, I was having a not untypical, but highly irritating unphotogenic night. Lauren and I (she's pictured on the right dressed as the Walk of Shame) have caucused and we have decided that it's my camera's fault. We're both far more fly in pictures from others' cameras. I'll be reenacting this entire look tonight as well, so I'm hoping for a better Kodak moment.

Anywho, my Betty Draper costume was quite a hit. I rocked a vintage yellow necklace, a green ruffly shirt that screamed Betty to me, a black mini (which Betty would never wear, but alas, Halloween IS the slut olympics and I have to contend), a vintage apron which totes came in handy as I am a mage drink spiller, some Cole Haan beige patent pumps, and some pearls. Here's a run-down of all the products I used:

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation ($40)

Laura Mercier Full Faux Lashes ($18)

Benefit Erase Paste ($26)

Givenchy Parad'Eyes in Dream in Black ($27)

Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Midnight Cowboy ($16 for single shadow)

Fiberwig Mascara ($22)

Urban Decay Red Lipstick in Revolution ($22)

BT dubs, I didn't get a haircut; I just Bettified my 'do. How did I do it? By securing a very low ponytail and then tucking the elastic and the end of the ponytail underneath my hair and anchored it with bobby pins. Then, I curled the front layers with a large curling iron. UPDATE: Bella explains it WAY better in this post I just read.

Also, I used a new unique product I'm lurving by Jessica Simpson crony Ken Paves called Boost Up Color Drops in Platinum ($40). Just a few pumps of this purple color-depositing liquid added to a dollop of conditioner (and also to your styling products) will brighten up your hue in minutes. I also love it in the honey shade, which is a rich gold. This stuff will even extend the life of your color during the ever-increasing (thanks, crap economy) damn-I'd-better-get-to-the-colorist weeks.

What are you dressing as for All Hallow's Eve? Tell me in the comments!

Givenchy Maharani Spring 2009 Collection

This collection gives me pause. It's one of the most gorgeous compilations of makeup I've ever seen. It's inspired by the sensual and refined beauty of Indian women and offers touches of bright, joyful oranges and pinks that are evocative of the culture's ornate clothing and makeup. The best part? All of the packaging is be-bindi'd!

Givenchy provided a small group of beauty bloggers the opportunity to talk with fantastical Givenchy artistic director Nicolas Degennes over breakfast a couple weeks ago. P.S. You may know Nicolas as THE dude behind Phenomen'Eyes.

My faves from the collection:

Sari Glow Iridescent Blush in 43 Maharani Pink ($42) Nicolas mentioned using this on shoulders for a gorge glow and I've been sold ever since.

Precious Sari Glittering Glow Eyeshadow ($22) This one is actually more of a highlighter, although you can certainly use it as a shadow as well. Nicolas suggested using it in a stripe down your nose to slim it. Done!

Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Maharani Henna ($27) This formula lasts forever and a day. I lurve the orange red hue this lipcolor yields.

The collection is available at Givenchy counters and at Sephora.com.