Laura Mercier

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

August 19th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

By no means is Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder sexy or exciting.

It’s a loose face powder with a single talent, but it’s a talent I quite appreciate.

It sets under-eye concealer — and it’s not flashy, but it does its job well. If dark under-eye circles are a bane of your existence, as they are mine, Secret Brightening Powder is freaking fantastic.

I’m serious! — it belongs on the periodic table of elements. That’s how special I think it is. The light-as-air setting powder has white pigments in it that create a subtle brightening effect and help to cancel out dark shadows.

I’ve been using this stuff with concealer on my dark circles off and on for years, and it never looks caked-on or riddled with creases. It keeps my concealer from scooting around and also increases wear time. Perfect for when you’re hardly getting any sleep, and/or you’ve been recently bitten by a zombie, and you’re this close to turning.

Because, clearly…when one is losing their last vestiges of humanity, dark under-eye circles are still a concern. #priorities 🙂

Anywho! I’ve had this one jar for, like, seven years. Yeah…it lasts a long time. It only takes a tiny amount to set your concealer.

The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.

To apply, I load a small amount (you don’t want to apply too much; otherwise, it looks obvious) on a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the MAC 217, and layer that directly on top of my under-eye concealer using a patting motion, rather than a swiping motion.

(You don’t want to swipe, lest you can accidentally swipe away your concealer and end up looking MORE tired. No me gusta.)

Once applied, Secret Brightening locks down your concealer, where it should behave for the rest of the day.

It comes in two shades, too. The first, #1, is for fair and medium skin tones, while #2 is for medium, tan and darker skin tones. A 0.14-ounce jar will set you back $24, and you can find it now at Laura Mercier counters and online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Now Testing Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation: Will It Blur the Line Between Real Skin and Makeup?

July 30th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

I’m busting’ out the air quotes for this one.

“Natural-looking finish.”

“Liquid-light formula.”

“Blurs the line between real skin and makeup.”

Seriously, there was no conceivable way I was going to be able to walk away from this display in Sephora yesterday for the new Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation ($48 for a 1-oz. tube) without taking one of them with me.

I mean, I tried. I told myself, “Step away, Karen. Just slowly step back, and then turn to the left and walk.”

But it didn’t happen. I guess it wasn’t in the cards.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this (of course I have), but I’ve been a little obsessed lately with finding a new foundation. I want one that gets me as close as possible to flawless, natural-looking coverage that doesn’t look heavy on my skin…or like I dunked my face into a wedding cake.

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Seducing You Away From the World of Minimal Makeup, One Fallout-Free Sweep at a Time, the New Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Satin Matte Eye Colours

July 17th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Collection Fall 2014 Satin Matte Eye Colour k — Wearing Laura Mercier’s Satin Matte Eye Colours in Gold Seduction and Plum Allure from the new fall 2014 Sensual Reflections collection

Seriously, if there’s anything capable of seducing me away from the World of Single Cream Eyeshadows Applied With a Finger (also known as My Current Love Affair With 5-Minute Makeup, also known as Mr. Minimal Eye Makeup for Summer), and back to the Land of Four Shadows All Up in Yo’ Crease, it’s going to be these Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colours ($24 each).

Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Collection Fall 2014 Satin Matte Eye Colours in Tempting Green, Gold Seduction, Sensual Pink and Plum Allure — From the left, that’s Satin Matte Eye Colours in Tempting Green, Gold Seduction, Sensual Pink and Plum Allure

These should carry a warning that says, “Do not operate heavy machinery while wearing these or gaze too long at your own reflection; otherwise, you might totally forget to eat!”

OK…we all know that’ll never happen (because this girlfriend is HONGRAY), but if I were to ever forget my lunch, you’d be wise to suspect this eyeshadow’s impeccable formula.

Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Collection Fall 2014 Satin Matte Eye Colours in Gold Seduction and Plum Allure — Also wearing Laura Mercier’s Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections on my cheeks and theBalm Read My Lips Lip Gloss in Snap on my lips

New and limited edition, these $24 Satin Matte Eye Colours are part of the new Sensual Reflections fall collection, which is all about smoldering, seductive eyes in shades of gold, plum, green and pink, and I don’t recall ever seeing anything quite like these in Laura’s line before.

The formula is D-O-P-E! Feeling almost like a cream, but one that doesn’t feel wet, these powder eyeshadows don’t feel as grainy as many other powder shadows do to me, nor do they exhibit the same fallout I often notice.

They’re almost like a gel, but not quite.

If you’re familiar with the MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadows, I think these are similarly easy to blend and also packed with pigment, but the shine is more nuanced (and, yay! — forgiving) on the lids.

And then there’s the wear time and lack of fallout. Once you get them on your lids (with the help of a good primer), they stay put. No fading, no budging, no creasing — none of that business — all day long.

To make a long story short (or a short story long, depending on your P.O.V.), these are easy like Sunday mornings and last a really long time. No need for touch-ups.

The colors are also surprisingly complex. Each one has something to set it apart — some special twist or flash of color, and when I’m wearing them and blink or turn my head a certain way, there it is. It makes them seem more special than run-of-the-mill flat, monochromatic colors.

Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colour in Gold Seduction — Satin Matte Eye Colour in Gold Seduction

Gold Seduction: Ah… This one is SO my jam and a must-have for gals and guys with warm skin tones. A deep brassy, bronzed gold (almost like MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl in eyeshadow form), it glows when it catches the light just right. It also manages to do this without aiming a bullhorn that says, “This way to Karen’s fine lines!!!”

I’m thinking about grabbing a spare (or two or 12).

Wear it on your lids with a warm matte orangey bronze in the crease, and you’ll feel like you’ve arrived in eye makeup heaven (*cue angels singing!*).

Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colour in Plum Allure — Satin Matte Eye Colour in Plum Allure

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5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels You Might Want To Try

July 16th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

Minimalism!

It’s not just for Smurfs anymore.

This time of year it also describes my appetite for makeup, as in not wanting to wear a ton of it on my face, and if your makeup cravings are also leaning toward the minimal side, here are five of my current favorite minimalist makeup products.

These are all in active minimalist makeup rotation right now.

1. The marvelous MAC Paints! ($20 each)

These $20 cream shadows dry to a powder finish and come in five natural-looking neutral shades.

If you don’t blend them out perfectly, no worries, because the colors are all pretty low contrast, so you can’t really mess up — or, rather, if you do, you can’t really tell.

Perfect for people who are frequently running behind (she said, raising her hand in the air while saying, “Ooh! Ooh! Like me.”).

All five shades also have a hint of a sheen to ’em (it’s very subtle and nothing dramatic like a frost), which makes them quite forgiving of fine lines — something I greatly appreciate.

MAC Paint Swatches from the left: Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas — MAC Paint swatches from the left in Bamboom, Stilife, Untitled, Sublime Nature and Bare Canvas

Beyond all of that, they’re also just straight-up easy to use. Creamier and more viscous than many other cream shadows like the MAC Paint Pots, they’re a breeze to spread and blend.

Just squeeze a small amount from the tube, and pat and blend that on your lids with your fingers. You can even skip primer with them if you want. I usually do (saves time).

My favorite color? Golden beige Bamboom.

I also love that name (although Bare Canvas is also pretty cool).

2. The Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks ($28 each)

No, these sticks do not contain caviar (as far as I can tell). If the MAC Paints are for work, then Laura’s Caviar Sticks are for fun. 🙂

These cream shadow sticks come in a wide range of colors and finishes, from mellow mattes to shimmering jewels.

Like the MAC Paints, brushes are totally optional. I usually just swipe one of the shades (Rosegold is my personal fave) directly on my lids, and then blend out the edges with a finger.

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks Swatches from the left: Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze — A handful of Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks from the left in Cocoa, Moonlight, Rosegold, Copper and Burnished Bronze

Because they glide on the skin and contain oodles of pigment, one layer is usually enough. You can literally be done with your eyeshadow in less than a minute.

3. Yves Saint Laurent Kiss & Blush Volupte Lips & Cheek Color ($40 each)

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Contemplating Classy Cheek Color With the New Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange Blush in Sensual Reflections

July 15th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Wearing the new Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections, from the Sensual Reflections fall 2014 collection), on my cheeks

You know, as I sit here thinking about it — reflecting, if you will — it makes sense that Laura Mercier’s new $42 Cheek Mélange Blush is called Sensual Reflections, because it’s part of the upcoming fall Sensual Reflections collection.

But…when I wear it and see myself in the mirror, I feel like it should have been called Quiet Reflections instead.

Like, I should be sitting quietly under a willow tree by a pond and contemplating the meaning of life.

“Tabby, or not tabby, that is the question.”

And, uh…I don’t exactly think of myself as a “sensually reflective” kind of person. Really, I feel about as sensually reflective as a rind of parmesan cheese, but that’s neither here nor there.

Sensual Reflections, with the way its satin finish softly shines, is one of those beautiful blushes that makes an understated statement, and with hints of peach, plum and gold, it works on most every skin tone, whether used as a blush or a highlighter.

It’s one of the limited edition pieces in the Sensual Reflections collection, and I think it’s the most striking piece in the entire launch.

I mean, just look at that pretty pan! It looks like a closeup of a cosmos flower…

You’re supposed to mix the peachy pink beige, golden beige and sheer plum together, and apply the combined color to your cheeks for a natural, flattering glow.

This blush is all about the finish, which is sort of halfway between satin and sheer. The finely-milled powder reflects light evenly and subtly when it’s on my cheeks — glowing, but not looking frosty at all (great for gals/guys of all ages). You end up looking like you just left the spa and had a facial done by the World’s Best Esthetician. 🙂

Also, because it isn’t too heavily pigmented, you won’t end up with crazy clown cheeks (an added plus!).

Laura Mercier Cheek Melange Sensual Reflections — Additional makeup worn in this look: Laura Mercier Satin Matte Eye Colours in Plum Allure, Gold Seduction and Sensual Pink (also from the Sensual Reflections collection), Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil in Black Gold and theBalm Read My Lips Lip Gloss in Snap

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Better Together: Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour in Burnished Copper, the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, and MAC Costa Riche Eye Kohl

June 5th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

My goodness, sweets. You HAVE to try this combo if you love copper, which I do, ’cause it brings out the richness in so many different eye colors! Brown, hazel, green, blue — especially blue.

I was chatting in the comments yesterday with long-time MBB reader Saffron (‘sup, S?) about one of my favorite copper eyeshadows, Laura Mercier’s Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Burnished Copper, which, of course, gave me an idea for my eye makeup today.

I took out the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette (don’t forget to enter the giveaway if you haven’t already), figuring that the Burnished Copper would make a good base for the warm reddish browns and bronzes in the palette.

I also grabbed MAC Costa Riche Eye Kohl, a warm reddish brown liner I absolutely adore.

Gosh, I wish makeup playtime was a mandatory thing. Wouldn’t that be cool? It could be like recess for beauty lovers.

I think I’ve said this before… Maybe if I repeat myself it’ll come true, LOL!

Just think of all the great combos we could stumble upon by accident. 🙂

Where’ve You Verbena All My Life, Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion Gel Body Moisture?

May 28th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

It’s hard to let go of your fears…

Like, for me, the fear of smelling like a cleaning spray, or the clinical term, scentofcleaningspray-a-phobia.

It started innocently enough. One day long ago I was wearing a scent — can’t remember which one it was now — but it had strong notes of verbena.

Doop-da-doo, someone leaned in for a hug but pulled away immediately, as if repelled, and said, “You smell exactly like Pledge.”

It left scars, man.

Scars.

Needless to say, I was a little skeptical at first about Laura Mercier’s new Verbena Infusion Gel Body Moisture, but I figured, it’s Laura, and I’ve pretty much loved all of her scented body products, so I banked on this one working out, too.

And it did! 🙂 No eau de scrubbing bubbles.

“Inspired by the countryside of Provence, Laura captures the crisp freshness of Verbena to invigorate the senses. A sparkling bouquet of green citrus and leafy spearmint infuse beautifully with petals of fresh blossoms and a touch of white amber and cedar wood. Leaving behind a refreshing sensation that rejuvenates the body.”

— lauramercier.com

With the mercury rising here in Northern Marin, I’ve been digging the creamy gel-like texture, which feels almost like a light mousse. It quickly absorbs into my skin and doesn’t leave the backs of my knees feeling sticky, which is a major moisturizer turnoff.

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Well Tickle Me Teal and Violet With Laura Mercier’s New $24 Teal and Violet Longwear Creme Eye Pencils

May 19th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

Teal and violet make for two tantalizing treats in Laura Mercier’s Teal and Violet Longwear Creme Eye Pencils ($24 each) from the New Attitude summer collection.

I like wearing these for a bright pop of color on my lash lines with neutral lids.

They’re both available now, along with the rest of the New Attitude collection, on Laura Mercier counters and online.