On my recent trip to New York City, I had breakfast with Givenchy! Yes, Givenchy, sounds a bit like ‘breakfast at Tiffany’s’ right? Needless to say, that day changed my life. I know, I’m a bit over dramatic, but it’s true. If you had the opportunity to meet and hear Givenchy’s Le Makeup Artistic Director Nicolas Degennes I’m sure you too would  fall in love…with Givenchy, with makeup, beauty, and being a woman.

Nicolas Degennes presented us with Givenchy’s Spring 2009 Makeup Collection or the Maharani Spring 2009 Collection and walked with us through his inspiration journey when creating this beautiful collection. Which in case was India.

Nicolas’ philosophy about makeup and beauty is all about freedom. The freedom to express yourself with makeup and be what you want to be, and the freedom to play with makeup. He told us many times at the meeting to please touch the makeup, feel it, don’t be afraid to play with it and make it your own!

I’m wearing Givenchy today: Prismissime – 22 Maharani Apricots. Shade #5 from left to right on my eye lid and a bit on my crease, and shade #1 from left on my brow-bone and inner corner.

I’ve lined eye lids with one of the best eye pencils I’ve ever tried, Magic Kajal Eye Pencil! It is rich in pigment, glides on easily on skin, and lasts all day. Really, you have to try this! Nicholas Degennes told us at the meeting that in India both men and women wear an eye liner such as the Magic Kajal Eye Pencil to protect them from the sun!

On my cheeks, I’m wearing Sari Glow Iridescent Blush in 44 Maharani Orange which looks amazing on my somewhat olive skin.

Lips: I applied Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Rose By Night (Givenchy Holiday 2008 Collection) first, then I applied Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in 40 Maharani Rose. I like to apply a sheer color lip gloss first as my primer before applying a darker shade of lipstick, my lipstick then glides easily on my lips, its color is not compromised, and I’m left with super glossy highly pigmented lips. In this step I’ve created an exquisite shade of pink, which I call: Sunset Pink, because it reminds me of an exotic sunset on the beach somewhere. Looks like I took Nicolas’ advice and had some fun with my makeup today! 

Givenchy Spring 2009 Makeup Collection is available at Sephora.com