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Laura Mercier

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.

The Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Collection
Seven pieces from the Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections fall collection

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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There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, Laura Mercier, Makeup

5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels You Might Want To Try

July 16th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

5 Minimalist Makeup Marvels

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)

MAC Paints
The MAC Paints

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)

Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks
Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks

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)

YSL Kiss & Blush
YSL Kiss & Blush

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There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Eyes, Laura Mercier, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To, Yves Saint Laurent

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

July 15th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections
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.”

Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections
Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections, $42

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.

Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections
“Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange features hand-selected, complementary shades to add natural, glowing colour to cheeks. It provides natural radiance to complexion and is designed to complement all skin tones.” — Laura Mercier PR

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.

Laura Mercier Cheek Mélange in Sensual Reflections
All three shades mixed together

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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There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face, Laura Mercier, Makeup, Product Reviews

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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There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Laura Mercier, Skin Care

Giving Lips an Attitude Adjustment With Flushed, Heartbreaker and Temptation: New Gel Lip Colours by Laura Mercier

May 14th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker

To quote the great Rachael Ray of 30-Minute Meals, “YUM-O.”

Whenever I get one of Laura Mercier’s Gel Lip Colours on my lips, my tummy rumbles because they taste so good! I’m tempted to bite into one like it’s a big butterscotch popsicle.

They taste and smell like butterscotch to me, also known as “one of the fine flavors of my youth.” Seriously, I used to walk to the corner store and get candy from those Brach’s Candy tubs, and I was all about the butterscotch, mah!

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colours in Flushed (top) and Heartbreaker (bottom)
Gel Lip Colours in Flushed (top) and Heartbreaker (bottom)

This summer, as part of her New Attitude summer collection, Laura is adding four new limited edition shades to her sheer, smooth Gel Lip Colour line in Heartbreaker, Flushed, Temptation and Clementine. The lightweight, moisturizing formula conditions lips while it hydrates them.

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Flushed
Flushed

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There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Laura Mercier, Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews

Blue Monday, Take 3: Laura Mercier’s Summer in St. Tropez Baked Eye Colour Quad

May 12th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour Quad in Summer in St. Tropez
Turning the idea of “blue Mondays” on its head!

Another Monday, another excuse to wear blue eyeshadow. And glitter. And false lashes. 🙂

Seriously, though, I can’t think a better day to bust out the blues.

For starters, there are a ton of ’em out there right now; they’ve been popping up in a bunch of the summer collections (like Lancome’s French Riviera, Tom Ford’s Unabashed and Urban Decay’s Electric Palette , just to name a few).

On top of that, I feel that if we’re going to have to put up with the oftentimes annoying nature of Mondays, we might as well have something fun happening on our lids.

Am I right?

Laura Mercier Summer in St Tropez

Turn up the music!Laura Mercier’s Summer in St. Tropez Baked Eye Colour Quad from the New Attitude summer 2014 collection ($44) has three such shades of fun blue — a sheer, pearlescent baby blue; a pigmented, satiny teal blue; and a sheer and shimmery dark royal blue.

Um…yeah, that’s a lot of blue, so if you feel the need to break it up a little, you could try mixing the bronze shade from the palette with the dark blue, which gets you a really cool purplish bronze.

That’s what I did today, popping it along my lower lash lines to contrast with the satiny teal I placed in the crease.

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour Quad in Summer in St. Tropez

And because I still have those glittery eyes from that fashion show last week at the San Francisco Academy of Art University on my noodle, I swiped a small amount of glitter — Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Spandex, which has flecks of blue and purple glitter — in the inner corners, figuring that the flickering sparkles would add a little splash to the eyes while tying together the blue on the lid with the purply bronze along the lower lash line.

A’ight then, here’s a breakdown…

  • Laura Mercier Summer in St. Tropez Baked Eye Colour Quad: Medium blue shade in the crease, bronze shade in the outer corner and the dark blue and bronze shades mixed together along the lower lash line.
  • Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Spandex: The inner portion of my lower lash line.
  • MAC Mylar Eyeshadow: On the brow bone, on the lids and in the inner corner.
  • Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Blackest Black: The upper lash lines.
  • Ardell 120 Demi Lashes: The false lashes I’m wearing on my upper lashes only.
  • MAC Deep Dark Brunette Fluidline Brow Gelcreme: Mah brows.

Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour Quad in Summer in St. Tropez

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There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Laura Mercier Keywords: bluemonday

These 13 New Laura Mercier Lip Glace Shades Are Getting Me in the Mood for Spring

March 7th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Calling all Laura Fans! Be on the lookout for these 13 new Lip Glace shades…

Lots of new Lip Glace lurve over at Laura Mercier right now.

I’m still here in the city, and one of the places I visited a little while ago was the Laura Mercier counter at Neiman Marcus in Union Square, where I spotted these 13 juicy new luscious Lip Glace lipglosses (Lip Glaces?) — all of them recent additions to Laura’s permanent line.

Top row from the left: Chocolate, Garnet, Poppy, Daiquiri, Tulip, Azalea and Cosmic; bottom row: Black Cherry, Orchid, Wildflower, Pink Pop, Nectar and Bare Baby

That colorful display up there stopped me in my tracks.

Now, I know that winters here in the Bay Area are pretty mild compared to winters in other parts of the U.S. and the world…but I don’t care. I’m still completely over it, and these colors are putting me in a warm-weather mood.

I think I squealed a little too loudly at the counter when I was swatching one of the creamy, bold brights. It was Pink Pop. I’ve definitely got my eye on that one, for sure…

And maybe also Daiquiri and Nectar. Those two deserve a happy home in my makeup bag, haha!

Yes, you know me all too well. 🙂

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There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Laura Mercier, Lips, Makeup

A Multitude of Mattes Make the New Laura Mercier Artist’s Eyeshadow Palette Quite Flexible

February 17th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments

The new Laura Mercier Artist's Palette, $80
The new Laura Mercier Artist’s Palette ($80)

First, before we get to Laura Mercier’s new Artist’s Eyeshadow Palette (in case you’re wondering, though, yes, it does have African Violet), a quick and (hopefully) amusing story…

Ugh, constructionSo I decided to grab lunch at the mall this afternoon to take a break from all of the construction racket directly below my window (Oh, did I mention the new gas line trench being dug through my front yard? Good times…) and, let’s be honest, try to get warm, so I zipped up the jacket I was already wearing (in the house), grabbed my keys and iPhone and said “BRB!” to Tabs (who doesn’t seem to mind the cold at all). “Call me if you need anything, sir!”

The second I opened the door and stepped outside, I realized — holy sh*t! It’s warmer out here than it is inside.

Yay! 🙂

Laura Mercier Artist Eyeshadow Palette
A closer look at the palette…

At Nordstrom, one of the first things I spied was the new Artist’s Eyeshadow Palette from Laura Mercier. Part of a three-piece $80 kit, it also comes with a small Caviar Stick in Cocoa and a mini Full Blown Volume Mascara.

As a side, I love the number of mattes in this palette. Laura stocked the entire top row with really useful non-shimmery shades perfect for lining lash lines, contouring creases and smoking outer corners.

Laura Mercier Artist Eyeshadow Palette

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There are 28 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Laura Mercier, Palettes

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

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