Show 'Em Some Class

It's the most wonderful time of the year...but it would be nice if I didn't have to wear an enormous coat every day.  Just keeping it real. Happy holidays!

Anyhoo, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to all my readers and rock on. Many of you are celebrating the holidays and I hope none of you are stressing out about it. I realize though that the age old question arises, what shall I wear that will be appropriate for the holidays? Lately, my blog has been touting bright pink lipstick and I encourage you to continue your journey of self-expression through makeup, fashion, reading and having fun with friends.

Still, I was thinking that if you are dating someone and meeting the parents for the first time at a holiday event, it might be appropriate to retire makeup shades that can be seen from a mile away (electric pink lipstick! neon blue eyeshadow!) and opt for classier shades.

My "appropriate" makeup solution: Wear Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in La Raffine. It's so Park Avenue, it makes me forget I live in Brooklyn.  There's never a second chance for a first impression.

BONUS POINTS: Click here to view a full Chanel makeup look on Chanel.com.

SKINCARE REMINDER: Also, don't forget to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and wear sunblock. This weather does horrors to the skin and I see dry, dead-looking faces all over the subway trains. Don't join the zombie crew. My model friend is in love with the Kiehl's Rose Arctica Cream and I might pick up a pot of this too.

Eyeshadow Government Photo Booth

Sometimes I go shopping for pleasure, but there are other times I go shopping because it's an emergency. I bought this top in a shop in Queens because I was wearing a silk dress (having just attended an event at the Plaza) and thought it was going to rain. I had convinced myself the blouse was long enough to double as a dress (a case of wishful thinking), but the heavens were kind and it didn't drizzle. The next day, I put this top on and just loved it. It's covered in intricate, henna-like patterns and has an interesting trim. 

The devil is in the details: folkloric patterns thrill me.

Another detail from the blouse.

Funkytown: The bottom is edged with 1960s-style lace.

Got Me Collared

Some necklaces belong on the necks of cool girls, and this is one of them. This Marc by Marc Jacobs collar necklace screams "take me!" (just like that, you got it).  If you're an Angeleno, you could wear this puppy with a ripped black t-shirt and denim jeans. As for New Yorkers, what about donning this kitschy, wild bauble with your best little black dress and red plastic (or vintage mother of pearl) eyeglasses? Finish the look with a dab of lip gloss.

Buy it: Marc by Marc Jacobs Claude Collar necklace, on sale for $162 on Ssense.com.

Twitter Recap: Star Trek References in Campy Dior Video + Prabal Gurung Designs Sephora Uniforms

If you missed it, I have been maniacally tweeting today. Here's a recap from my talkative Twitter account...

Marion Cotillard in the new "L.A.dy Dior The Film" video

THE COTILLARD GOES WILD: In a new video for Dior, Marion Cotillard appears in a campy spoof of life in LA. Cotillard plays an actress named Margaux who says she wants to get out of showbiz. In the short video, a wardrobe lady assures her a hat is "the very latest in fallen palm fronds, cruelty-free, everyone's doing it" and another character gripes, "Do I have to speak klingon to get something done around here?" This may be the first Star Trek mention in a Dior marketing tactic, ever...and possibly the last.  By the way, love the lipstick. Love the eye makeup. Love the accessories. Love everything. Watch the full video on The Cut.

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POSITIVELY PRABAL: Also, Prabal Gurung is designing uniforms for Sephora. Yes! My home away from home just got better. Read about the looks on Styleite.

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WILL RAF TAKE OVER DIOR?: Fashionistas may be weary of all the Raf Simons-Dior buzz, which has generated hundreds of tweets today. Inside the Twitter fashion gossip "hive," this is today's major topic du jour. Anyway, what an excellent idea and I hope it happens! Click here to read WWD's coverage if you haven't already.

XOXO!

Shopaholic Alert: December Gift Ideas

'Tis the season for internet shopping. Here's a few quick hits!

Zooka Zub Zoo Rasberry Watch

Tick tock! This watch is a fun, modern option for anyone's accessories wardrobe. What a great gift! Eyeshadow Government loves the color most of all. Although it might be "overkill" to wear this watch with very edgy clothing, you could pair this with a vintage floral blouse with touches of lilac and pink for a splashy feminine-futuristic mash-up.

Price: $56 on Fab.com (46% off typical $100 retail price)





De Gournay Demi Diffuser

We espied this diffuser on Gilt.com and it was love at first sight. Italian mandarin orange perfume commingles with harmonious notes of fir, petitgrain, and lemon leaves. The packaging is so becoming. Price: $45, sold on Gilt.com.

Tinsel Birdcage Ornament

 

Chirp, chirp! These fanciful ornaments in neutral silver can adorn Christmas trees and Hannukah bushes alike. Price: $35, sold on Gilt.com.

Mad About Maybelline: Dream Bouncy Cheeks and Superstay 14 Hour Lipstick Reviews

A Maybelline event I attended this week in Manhattan was a feast for the eyes, lips and face.  The brand showcased dozens of new, everyday products in easy-to-wear shades, as well as many bold and trendy beauty items that will appeal to fashion-forward gals. 

As someone who frequently purchases high-end beauty products, I was impressed by the range and exceptional quality of Maybelline's latest makeup items. (The items discussed in this post will be sold to the public in January. So sit tight!) This article reviews two new Maybelline makeup products I am majorly obsessed with and can't live without, and I'll talk about a few more next week. 

DREAM BOUNCY CHEEKS

For girls who like makeup that looks very natural, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Cheeks blush is a must-have. The blush offers a sheer wash of beautiful color. To apply, just dab the color along your cheeks for a healthy, just-went-on-a-walk glow. The effect is colorful and radiant.

My Dream Bouncy Cheeks in Peach Satin is now a fixture in my purse. I actually never need to re-apply it, but I love the blush so much I won't leave home without it. Extra Credit: When you press your where the color is, it's bouncy like silly putty. Fun!

My skin is fair so Peach Satin is perfect for me, but women with darker skintones should try out #70 Hot Tamale. If you're a bronzer gal,  snag #60 Coffee Cake. Yummy!  Retail Price: $7.99 (available in January 2012).

MAYBELLINE SUPERSTAY 14 HOUR LIPSTICK

Maybelline 14 Hour Lipstick

Maybelline's new Superstay 14 Hour Lipstick is another beauty product you kind of totally need.

The formulation lasts and lasts and lasts, and the colors are so exciting.   In my opinion, the two Maybelline lipstick shades you should invest in this January are the Eternal Rose (a vibrant pink) and Please Stay Plum (a shimmering, come-hither purple).  I am dazzled by these colors and you will be too. The Eternal Rose lipstick is featured in the photo (see left). Retail Price: $8.99 (available in January 2012).

Talk soon! XOXO!

Project Runway All Stars Austin Scarlett and Elisa Jimenez = Hearts!

Austin Scarlett and Elisa Jimenez of Project Runway All Stars turned out this afternoon at Neiman Marcus in White Plains. They were so wonderful to talk to and very gracious to fans who lined up to meet them as well. Here's a peek at some photos from today....

View of cocktail dress by Austin Scarlett.

Gown by Austin Scarlett.

Holiday Shopping This Weekend in the Bay Area? Stop By Mandy Aftel's Studio

For those who love perfume, the scents by Mandy Aftel deserve special attention. The famed natural perfumer is hosting an open studio and holiday sale today through Sunday, Dec. 9 - 11, 10am - 6pm at 1518 Walnut Street, Berkeley, California. Stop by to experience her wondrous wares. Perfume under the Christmukkah tree? Yes, please.

Image courtesy of Aftelier Perfumes

Paint by Numbers: Holiday Smoky Eye Makeup Look + Video

Today, I am going to talk about a smoky eye makeup look you can achieve in ten minutes using the Bobbi Brown Cool Party Eye Palette (sold at Sephora and BobbiBrown.com). The texture of these shadows is silky and luxurious like a good mink coat. Get purr-fect eyes today!

First, apply the Iced Blue Metallic shadow across the eyelids (see #1 in the photo). This shade is also very pretty and you can wear it alone during the daytime. Believe me, you won't be alone for long.


Then, use Gunmetal Shimmer Wash shadow(#2 in the photo) to softly line the top part of your eyelids along the lash line, but not the bottom. You can use the shadow brush that comes with the palette because the line can be blurry. Smudge the colors a touch with your fingers. Sweep the Gunmetal Shimmer shade inside the crease of your lid for extra depth.

Next, apply the darkest shade in the palette, Onyx Sparkle (#3), as a liner for the top outer corner of your eyes. Add a smidgeon to the bottom outer corner of your lash line too.

Finally, using a brush, gently line your inner bottom lash line with the White shadow (#4). This will make you look rested and gorgeous.

Top off your party-ready smoky eye look with sparkling hair accessories and a neutral lipstick. You are beautiful!

Here's a quick video of me discussing Bobbi Brown products outside the Sephora in Columbia Circle:



For more beauty coverage, follow E.G. on Twitter today!

Messy Hair Photo Session Fun + Panda!

I took some photos of myself today for kicks. Bear with me or just adore me! I have a lot of stories and articles to share this week.

Also, I added a picture of a giant panda I met at the zoo to this post....internet cute animal time can happen on Eyeshadow Government too.