I have a NARS Summer 2020 Collection haul review and swatches for you today! NARS launched a mini summer collection with bronzers, eye pigments and lip balms. I ordered a few things that caught my eye including:
I’ve loved the original NARS bronzers for years! The newer launches can be hit or miss on the formulas so I limited myself to 1 shade to try in San Juan. It’s a light warm golden brown-peach with a slight hint of shimmer. On my medium olive skin it’s sheer but buildable and warms up the skin. If you are lighter in skin tone than I am this will most likely look like a peachy blush on your skin rather than bronzer. Even on me it’s borderline blush material rather than bronzer, but still nice.
Wearing NARS San Juan Bronzing Powder and Afterglow Lip Tint in Laguna, Eyeshadow is Tom Ford Honeymoon Eyeshadow Quad
I think the San Juan Bronzer is a nice one. It applied smoothly and stayed put all day without budging. The color just didn’t really hit the mark for me in terms of what I was looking for in a bronzer. I do think the Kosas one in Light is similar but a lot more pigmented and shimmery on the skin.
Laguna Afterglow Lip Balm
The Afterglow Lip Balms are also favorites of mine so I was excited to see a new color (other shades swatched here and here). Laguna is a sheer brown with a hint of shimmer. Your mileage will vary on how this transforms/looks on your lips depending on lip pigment. On me it turned my lips into a rosy brown color after a few minutes. I really love the way it looks – like a flushed color but bronzey! (See above photo with the bronzer look for how the Laguna Lip Balm looks on me). These are easy swipe and go kind of balms to add moisture and slight hint of color.
New Oil Infused Lip Tints in Laguna and Reef
I’m a huge fan of the Oil Infused Lip Tints (reviewed here and here) so I knew I had to try both of the new ones in Laguna and Reef. Formula is ultra smooth and cushiony. These have average lasting power for an oil and add moisture as long as they’re on the lips. Once they are off, there’s really not any remaining moisture left. Laguna is a sheer smooth sheer bronze, it has shimmer, but on my lips it pretty much looks clear. Reef is a sheer pink which I thought would also be transparent/sheer, but I actually see a soft pink wash on my lips!
Below wearing NARS Oil Infused Lip Tint in Reef and San Juan Bronzing Powder
Overall some nice additions to the NARS lineup. Everything performed well and I am happy with everything although I don’t think the colors are must-haves based on the other items I own from NARS. I still think the Lip Oil in the Orgasm color is the best one and for the Afterglow Lip Balms I think Dolce Vita, Torrid and Orgasm are my favorite colors.
I bought my picks from Nordstrom and Sephora.
Have you tried the collection yet? What is your current go-to bronzer or tinted lip balm?
I’m so excited to share a look at the Diptyque Coloring Spring collection today. As one of the biggest fans of Diptyque I could not be more thrilled to see some beautiful limited-edition jars for spring. They’re currently exclusive online to Diptyque and (update) now as of May 11th available at Nordstrom! I have a look at each one as I ordered them the day they launched. There are five options in Iris, Geramium Rosa, Freesia, Mimosa and Choisya and retail for $74 each. All of the scents are available in the standard clear glass jars as well.
I know that buying scents without smelling them in person first is always tricky. While I do have a Diptyque counter near me, they don’t carry all the scents that the individual Diptyque stores do so I’m often buying blind. Especially now with everything closed with stay at home orders, everything is online only! There’s no substitute for being able to try in person but I hope this will will be the next best thing to help with some descriptions!
Iris
Iris a new one for me and I think it will be a new favorite. It’s a sweet iris blossom with notes of violet that has a soft warm powdery feel to it. Throw is good but soft and gentle.
Geranium Rosa
Geranium Rosa is one of the cleanest green scents I’ve ever tried. I’ve burned this one numerous times in the past and it smells like geraniums. Fresh, green, a bit spicy. There are supposed to be rose notes in this one but I can’t detect them very well.
Freesia
Freesia is new to me as well and my second favorite in the launch. It’s a well rounded floral that isn’t too powdery or too sharp. It has a soft relaxing vibe to it which I think is going to be the most universally appealing floral.
Mimosa
Mimosa seems to be everyone’s favorite (next to Baies). I love the soft but bright yellow jar – it brightens the mood and makes the whole house smell like a warm honey-like flower. It has a bright feel to it which is hard to describe but has a warm clean feel, almost like velvet but fresh and soft.
Choisya
Choisya is another newer one for me. I have burned this in a mini in the past from sets but it has been a while since I tried it. This one is the botanical name for Mexican orange blossom. It has a fresh green feel to it and smells like orange blossom leaves. This smells like nature to me!
Each candle comes with a coordinating box to match the color of the glass jar. I love the little detail flower prints inside! They add a special touch.
Out of the five my favorites are Freesia, Mimosa and Iris, but all of them are really nice. As a die-hard Diptyque fan these were worth the splurge for me even though they are available in the standard clear glass jars. They brighten the home and lift the mood!
I have a roundup of some Natasha Denona haul picks I’ve acquired recently! Most were purchased by me with a couple items sent in PR. We have swatches plus thoughts covering these items in today’s review:
The Mini Glam Eyeshadow Palette was launched earlier this year and it’s a super cute mix of neutrals. For those who can’t do the warm eye trend, this has a really nice mix of colors including a shimmery soft bronze, matte camel, shimmery olive/taupe, matte brown and glistening neutral-warm champagne gold. The colors are easy to wear and layer for an everyday look. If you pack on more of the matte brown you can get a more smokey effect. Lasting power and pigment is excellent.
Look wearing:
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Dusk
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Concealer in LM14
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Medium
Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in First Love
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel
Natasha Denona Mini Glam Palette all shades
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero
It Cosmetics Lash Blow Out Mascara
Marc Jacobs Poutliner in Nudist
Natasha Denona Lip Oh Phoria on top in Nude
Top by Everlane
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Mini Retro Eyeshadow Palette
The Mini Retro Eyeshadow Palette is a unique mix of green, olive and pinks. I looked at the @natashadenona Stories Highlights and tried to copy her tutorials with this one. They’re super helpful and easy to follow! I tried to recreate the one with just the pink shades and the olive matte as a liner.
Colors in the palette are a glittery pink/violet/blue top coat, shimmery olive silver blue mix, matte olive, matte warm pink, shimmery light pink. I really love the color mix here!
The Mini Bloom Blush is mini but mighty. It’s super pigmented and glowy pink coral with loads of shimmer but you can blend/sheer it out. Even just a little dab of the brush picks up a lot of pigment. If you want something a little less intense but similar in color the NARS Orgasm X Blush is very similar in my opinion. I did swatch comparisons below to other Natasha Denona blushes and shades from a few palettes I thought were similar. The swatches below will show that the new Mini Bloom Blush is the brightest and most pigmented:
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Love Glow Cheek Palette
This Love Glow Cheek Palette is the first cheek palette I’m not crazy about from Natasha’s line. I really loved the Tan Bronze and Glow and Bloom Blush and Glow SO much, I was excited about this one that launched around Valentine’s Day. Pigment, blendability and texture are excellent with this one. The only reason I don’t like it is I find it too dramatic and intense with the glitter. It photographs BEAUTIFULLY but in real life it has that blinding highlight and glitter. Your mileage may vary depending on your makeup look preference.
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Lip Oh Phoria Lip Gloss
Last but not least are three of her Lip Oh Phoria glosses. These are hybrid balm/glosses with a high shine. To me they’re not super hydrating like I’d expect from a balm, but they are definitely not drying. I love mixing and layering these over lipstick or liner. The Nude is a pale milky nude with a tiny bit of shimmer. Mauve is a cool toned nude mauve pink. Duo Chrome Coral is a high shine coral loaded with gold reflective shimmer. I find they last longer than the average gloss on my lips and I just dab a little and blend with my fingers.
You can see Nude and the Coral on my lips if you scroll up earlier in the post.
Swatches below: Nude, Mauve and Duo Chrome Coral
Overall some lovely launches from Natasha Denona. I really love how she creates unique products and colors. I always look forward to what she’s coming out with next and I love her tutorials on her Instagram page! I really love the new mini eyeshadow palettes as I think the colors are unique. The mini bloom blush is quite intense so I don’t think it will be for everyone. Lip glosses are really lovely but only if you can wear lighter shades and mix them.
I hauled my items from Sephora although some things might temporarily be sold out from the sale. I’m hoping they will restock!
Natasha Denona Love Glow Cheek Palette and Lip Oh Phoria provided for review. Other items purchased by me.
I’m hosting another giveaway today! I have an extra Love Glow Cheek Palette because I bought one as well. ONE follower will be selected to win the Love Glow Cheek Palette and the Love Glow Eyeshadow Palette. To enter for a chance to win simply complete at least one of the steps in the widget below. The more steps you complete the more entries you get. Not sponsored or affiliated. Because of shipping restrictions these days this one is going to be US only (18 years or older). Giveaway runs through 5/5/2020 11:45 PM EST. I’ll pick a winner and e-mail them within 48 hours after the giveaway. Prizes usually ship within one week.
One of my favorite tried and true foundation formulas is the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s one of the best formulas for that natural flawless glow and one I’ve repurchased many times over. I’m so excited to partner with Sephora to give you a closer look two new additions to the Luminous Silk lineup. This year marks the 20th anniversary for the foundation and they’ve added their new Luminous Silk Concealer and Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer. You can find all three available now at Sephora, just in time for the Spring Savings Event (use code SPRINGSAVE):
Rouge members save 20% off 4/17 to 5/1
VIB members save 15% off 4/21 to 4/29
Insiders save 10% off 4/23 to 4/27
Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
The Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer is an ultra smooth silky primer. It has a soft peach pink tint but blends into a transparent finish on the skin. A little goes a long way and it glides on easily. Although the foundation is so good I can often wear it on its own, I do find the primer noticeably grips the foundation for smoother longer wear. It’s hydrating but lightweight.
Best Naturally Glowy Base: Luminous Silk Foundation
I’ve featured the Luminous Silk Foundation here countless times – it’s one I wear on a weekly basis for that natural radiant glow. It’s a great everyday foundation with medium buildable coverage. I love that it comes with a pump dispenser and it’s easy to blend with fingers, a brush or a sponge. I alternate between shades 6.5 and 7 depending on how tan I am. They’ve recently added 10 new shades for different undertones and the color range now includes 40 colors. I like this formula because it looks like my skin but better. It evens out the skin, leaves a smooth finish, doesn’t crease or transfer, looks natural. Even in humid warm weather it lasts long on me when set with a powder.
Luminous Silk Concealer
As a lover of the Armani bases, I was really excited to try the new Luminous Silk Concealer. I found 6.5 to be the best match for my needs. It’s a multi-purpose concealer with caffeine to reduce puffiness around the eyes. You can use it for brightening or spot concealing. It’s quite opaque but very easy to blend with fingers or a sponge. It has medium to full coverage with a natural dewy finish and satiny dry down. I would recommend going with the same shade of concealer as your foundation.
I love how long the formula lasts on my skin. I do set with a loose or pressed powder to keep everything in place. (I really love the Neo Nude Powder.) I hope you found this Luminous Silk review helpful! I highly recommend the foundation for any skin type. It works for a wide range of climate conditions as well for me and I’ve worn it for years.
You can shop my Armani favorites from Sephora below. Have you tried the Armani Luminous Silk or any of the other foundation formulas? What did you think?
Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
I’m so excited to share a look at the By Terry Summer Collection today! I received a few pieces as press samples and immediately ordered the remaining items online to try everything. If you like glowing luminous makeup, I think you’ll love what she launched for summer. There are a few skincare items as well that are part of the new product lineup which I haven’t tried yet but am dying to. Today’s post focuses on the makeup launches.
The Brightening CC Palette is a truly stunning glow palette with 2 highlighters, one luminous blush and a bronzer shimmer. The colors in the palette have a soft blendable texture. Everything is luminous and glowy but in a smooth non-frosty way. I do think the shades are different than the previously launched Brightening CC Powders, although they have some similarities. Palette colors are not labeled on the compact but according to the website, the shades include:
No 1 Champagne Blush a soft beige yellow shimmer (this is a tad more yellow than the Brightening CC Powder in Apricot Flash
No 2 Pink Petal is a soft glistening pink with tiny super fine micro sparkles (this one one warmer and deeper than Brightening CC Powder Rose Elixir)
No 3 Vibrant rose is a perfect fresh rose pink shimmer
No 4 Desert Sparkle is a soft golden bronze shimmer (more shimmery and slightly more golden than Brightening CC Powder Sunny Flash)
I would describe this as a softer variation of my beloved Becca Chrissy Teigen Palette (now discontinued). The By Terry Brightening CC Palette is versatile in the sense you can wear it on its own if you want an all over glow. Or you can layer onto your regular blush/bronzer for just a subtle highlight.
The Brightening CC Blush in Rosy Flash is a new formula in the By Terry lineup. It has a similar concept to the Brightening CC Serums in the sense that it has the same Optical Glow technology they use in their formulas. The Brightening CC Blush is essentially a sheer luminous liquid blush. It’s very natural on my medium skin. I can layer for more color, but blending it out gives a barely there glow. One pump is more than enough to apply to the cheeks. I find that if I could truly measure it, I’d probably say I only need 1/2 a pump to apply the product.
Living in humid Florida I don’t know how this will last once we are back in the outdoors on a regular basis. It doesn’t really have a powder dry down. It remains slightly dewy but not too dewy.
The Ombre Blackstars are among my favorite cream shadow sticks. There isn’t anything on the market quite like the ones from By Terry. They have the most beautiful pearl quality with high shine and gorgeous pigment. There are three new shades listed as limited-editions but I hope they consider adding them to the permanent lineup because I LIVE FOR these kinds of colors!
Immaculate Light is the perfect champagne shimmer with a tiny hint of peach
Rose Elixir is a light cool-toned pale rose shimmer
Sunny Flash is the perfect golden bronze
If you can wear shimmer on your eyes I think these are hands down must-haves. They have an emollient blendable texture long enough to blend or layer on the lids. Once they set they are pretty much budge-proof.
Swatches to other colors:
Tea to Tan Face and Body
Last but not least is By Terry’s cult classic Tea to Tan Face and Body Spray. It’s now available in a duo set and travel size. I don’t typically use self-tanners on the face because I have sensitive skin and feel I can only tolerate some on the body. Also many have a slightly thick feeling or leave a film on the skin which I don’t like. This is the first one I’ve tried that I really like.
There is a very fine gold shimmer in the bottle which mixes into the liquid when you shake it up. The full size comes with a spritzer while the travel size does not. For the full size I spritzed product on a brush and then applied to areas I want more color.
Once it’s on the skin I am pleased to report I didn’t experience any color transfer to the clothes. It stays put pretty well. It has a lovely summery scent I can’t put my finger on. It almost smells like gardenia and tiare maybe?
Overall I think the collection offers some really lovely products to brighten one’s look and certainly one’s mood these days. While you might find similar options in your current stash, I do think the CC Palette is really lovely and one I’ll be reaching for frequently this upcoming season. I can’t get enough of the new Ombre Blackstar colors, hoping they’ll be permanent because they’re truly lovely!
You can find the By Terry Summer 2020 Collection available now online at By Terry. I ordered a few things from their website and shipping was relatively fast. They also have some nice deluxe samples with purchase (there are different options depending on how much you spend). A few items have started to appear online at Beautylish and Space NK.
The By Terry Brightening CC Palette and Ombre Blackstar Eyeshadows were provided for review. Other items purchased by me.
Chanel launched their 2020 Les Beiges Collection and I finally have swatches of everything I hauled today! A few of their classics have been reformulated and repackaged in this collection. The entire vibe of this year’s Les Beiges is true their classic line but with a slight summery twist. If you like a natural glow there are some nice options in this collection. I ordered everything except one of the polishes (which I skipped):
The cult classic Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Cream has been discontinued and replaced with the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream. The question you all want answered is: are they the same or is it completely different? I’ve seen a few other reviews on the new version. Some say it’s performs the same, others say it does not. The ingredients are different but performance and color-wise I feel they are the same. On my skin there’s no detectable difference in color. Texture is the same – creamy, soft, easy to blend, has a semi-matte dry down. It is on the warm side. I really hope they add some other shades in the future like a cooler tone bronze or perhaps ones with shimmer! For those who did not know, Chanel started adding ingredients to their product pages. Simply scroll down to the area you see tabs like, Description, Ingredients, Reviews, Q&A etc. They have their current ingredient list there! This one right now has:
If you find the Chanel color too warm you might want to check out the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Stick in Baked (it’s cooler toned and slightly darker).
Original Soleil Tan de Chanel vs New Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream 390
Quick note this is meant to be a face swatch, with normal wear I would blend out the bronzer more like a traditional bronzer/contour product to warm up the face.
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Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid
There are two Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluids similar to the older Soleil Tan de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Fluid. The product has been repackaged with a pump + cap similar to that of the Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops. There are 2 shades in Pearly Glow and Sunkissed, both are sheer as the product name implies.
Pearly Glow is a new color that is a sheer champagne gold and Sunkissed is similar the original which is a sheer soft beige tan shimmer. Both have a very lightweight fluid texture that is thin and easy to blend/layer. On my skin they apply very sheer. Out of all the liquid highlighters I own these are among the most natural looking and on my medium tan skin from a distance they look very similar when on the face.
Below left wearing Pearly Glow over the Soleil Tan Bronze Universel Cream Bronzer. On the right wearing Sunkissed on top of the cream bronzer. Foundation shade right now is the Chanel Ultra Le Teint Velvet in B40 (I wear B50 in the summer). I pump 1-2 pumps of the highlighter on the back of my hand and dab in my fingers to apply or use a foundation brush. I used the Tom Ford Foundation brush here. You can definitely mix it in with foundation to add glow to your base.
I think these are nice if you want a subtle highlight on the cheekbone. Once they’re blended on the skin they sheer out quite a bit! If you want more shimmer or pigment, opt for any of the others I swatched below.
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Healthy Glow Illuminating Powder
Above Sand and Sunset
The new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Illuminating Powders are soft luminous powders that offer the skin a very subtle glow but with color. Sand is a highlighter on me. When applied with a loose brush I can apply all over kinda like a setting powder with glow. With a denser brush it adds a very subtle lit from within glow. Below worn on just one side so you can see the difference. Wearing Sand below:
Sunset is a warmer bronze color that looks like a soft warm bronzer with a hint of gold shimmer. This one is really nice to warm up the complexion.
Both have the same scent as all the other Les Beiges powders. They have a beautiful embossed rope pattern on the surface adding a lovely touch! Texture is soft and easy to blend. Long-time Chanel lovers will know that the 2019 Les Beiges powders from last year were stiff in texture (which I did not mind but many of you did not like). The 2020 versions have a softer texture making it easier to pick up product.
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Healthy Glow Lip Balm
There is one new shade of Les Beiges Healthy Glow Lip Balm this season in Warm. It’s a sheer warm peachy coral shade. Looks bright in the tube, swatches sheer on the hand, applies somewhere in between on the lips. Warm is a nice healthy summer color. I was hoping for a softer cantaloupe peach to be launched, maybe next year!
Swatches next to the other existing colors. If you want the lip swatches, you can check out my posts from past years. Light/Med/Deep on the lips/face in the 2018 Les Beiges review. Intense worn in the 2019 Les Beiges review.
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Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette
I have mixed feelings about the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Warm. This palette has a very soft texture. Powders are very finely milled and soft with a delicate finish. When layered together on an emollient base the colors show up nicely. I do have to apply the brown with a slightly damp brush for it to show up on my skin. Applying the colors on dry lids made them all look like a sheer wash of peach. I do realize the Les Beiges collection is supposed to give a barely there glow, but the palette runs a bit sheer.
It’s workable and I do think it is lovely, I think colors will show up better on lighter or deeper skin with the contrast. The first two times I applied this I felt a slightly itchy sensation from the powders. I feel that the powdery debris and kick up fell into my eyes and caused some irritation. Luckily I did not have an allergic reaction! Adding an emollient cream shadow base underneath helps keep them in place on the skin better (at least for me, I have dry lids).
Colors include a sheer satiny beige, soft blurred brown, shimmery coral peach, soft lighter peach shimmer and a sparkly champagne.
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Le Vernis
Last is the Le Vernis in Cruise. There are two shades which seemed like your standard orange and red polishes. Pretty, not entirely unique, and in my mind not must-haves. I decided to pick up the orange one Cruise which is almost identical to the older discontinued Mirabella. The difference is slight and barely noticeable. Mirabella has a tiny bit more blue undertone. Cruise is a cream. It’s bright orange and I can get full coverage with 2 coats. I have a feeling Cruise is close to Orange Fizz but I searched all of my boxes and it appears I no longer have it to compare. To date I still think Chanel’s best orangey shades were Holiday, Sea Whip and Resplendissant.
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Overall a lovely collection adding some sunshine and beauty into my life right now! I think there are a lot of natural glow products that are easy to wear and perfect for the conservative makeup-lover. That being said I do think there is a lot of summer beauty newness on the horizon so you might want to wait and see what launches from other lines.
The best products to me are the Healthy Glow Illuminating Powders and Highlighting Fluids. I think they’re nice additions to my daily makeup routine. I do think the Highlighting Fluids might not be for everyone since they are very sheer. I do love the new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream – to me it’s nearly identical to the original in color and performance. Since I already own the original and still have a lot left I don’t think it’s a must-have for me.
If I were to do my purchase over again I would have skipped the nail polish. Also while I love both of the highlighting fluids, I don’t think I needed both since they look similar on my medium skin. I would have picked just one although trying to figure out which one is better is difficult as they’re both lovely.
You can find the Chanel Les Beiges collection available now at Chanel.com. Have you checked it out yet or ordered anything? What did you think?
Today I’m doing a best of roundup of one of my favorite makeup brands Laura Mercier. I have swatches of the new Caviar Stick Eye Colors and thought it might be a good time to do an updated round up of my favorite everyday makeup staples from the line. I get asked for my everyday makeup staples quite frequently and I’ve done several with a mix of brands. Some of you have asked for round ups by brand so I’ve decided to start with Laura Mercier. I’ve used them for years and even through numerous reformulations and revamps still find I use something from the brand almost daily.
If you like classic easy to wear looks and are in search of makeup staples I’m rounding up my favorites today.
Foundation Primers
I have a love/hate relationship with most primers. In my opinion there’s no one-primer-fits all formula. While I do find many will smooth and prep skin and also extend the wear I think finding a good primer depends on your skin type and also what foundation formulas you wear. As a good starting point, I’d recommend sticking with the same brand of primer and foundation as they usually make formulas that are compatible with their entire brand. For example I do think if you use an oil-free primer it might not be compatible with an oil-based foundation. If you find your foundation is separating on your skin I’d suggest looking at the ingredients and taking a look at what moisturizer or primer you are using underneath.
All that said, I put all of the new Pure Canvas Primers from Laura Mercier to the test. Since I use the Flawless Fusion or Flawess Lumiere Radiance formulas most frequently, I felt the new primers would all be compatible. Out of all the new ones my top three are the Protecting SPF 30, Illuminating (when I want more glow) and the Perfecting. All three will smooth the skin to give you better foundation application and help extend the wear. I don’t use them everyday as I think the foundations I have are quite good with lasting power and application, but I do think these are nice ones to try. They’re unscented and silicone-free for those looking for options suitable for sensitive skin.
Foundation and Concealer
I’ve written about the Laura Mercier Foundations countless times. Brands often reformulate and revamp and I have been really happy with all of the bases I’ve tried from the brand. My top 4 favorites:
Tinted Moisturizer (review here) is my favorite natural glowy tinted base that gives a nice polished look, I wear Sand 3N1 right now.
Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Foundation is my holy grail long-wear foundation, it’s the best one that holds up in Florida heat and humidity, doesn’t irritate my skin and gives full but natural looking coverage, I wear Buff 3N1 most of the year.
Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer is also in my top 3 for concealers (swatches here) I alternate between 2N, 3N, 2W and 3W depending on time of year (as I tan easily), most of the time I wear the 3N or 3W which is good for highlighting, brightening the under eye or spot concealing.
Setting Powders
I use the classic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder on a regular basis with their Powder Puff or a Powder Brush. I also really like their Loose Glow Powders which I use more as a highlighter (lighter shade) or bronzer (for the deep color). The classic Translucent Loose doesn’t add any color and is compatible with all of the foundations I use regardless of brand/formula. Even though it’s white it doesn’t add any white cast to my skin. If you’re a long-time Laura Mercier fan you might remember she used to have tinted versions of the matte loose powder, I really wish they would bring those back!
Eyeshadows
For eyeshadows my absolute favorites are her Caviar Stick Eye Colors. I use Rosegold and Copper religiously for an all over wash or as a base for powder shadows. Rosegold is the best neutral shimmer – it looks good alone or with other shades. For her cream shadows I find they are creamy and easy to blend. Pigment ranges from sheer to full depending on how much you layer or blend (with fingers or a brush). Once they set they stay put on my eyes but they remain creamy long enough to work with.
She launched 12 new shades recently, I swatched and played with 10 of them (the ones I thought I would actually wear). They run warm and on the pink side. The fuchsia colors or pinks aren’t really my vibe but I swatched them anyways. I was able to wear Raspberry and Magenta when layered/mixed with other shades though. My favorite of the new ones are the pinks in Sunrise and Nude Rose.
I swatched 10 of the 12 new colors (there are 2 blue shades I didn’t swatch), new ones include:
Pearl is a pale cool white shimmer
Sunbeam is a pale yellow shimmer
Golden is a yellow gold shimmer
Sunrise is a satiny soft warm light pink with a slight sheen
Nude Rose is a shimmery rose pink
Sienna is a shimmery orange
Raspberry is a shimmery mauve rose
Burgundy is a slightly deeper plum shimmer
Magenta is a hot pink shimmer
Violet is a shimmery violet
I wear Rosegold, Copper and Sandglow the most frequently. In pulling the products for my roundup it occurred to me that it has been a while since I swatched the colors I have. These are the shimmer colors. There are also matte options but I find they pull a little dry on me. Colors swatched: Beam, Sugar Frost, Rosegold, Magnetic Pink, Moonlight, Grey Pearl, Intense Moonlight, Metallic Taupe, Sandglow and Copper.
Purples and deeper shades: Rush, Orchid, Intense Amethyst, Violet, Burgundy, Amethyst, Burnished Bronze, Plum, Cocoa and Smoke. I use the last 3 colors swatched as liner, I’ll apply them onto a detail brush and then smoke or smudge them along my lash line.
Highlighters
The world has gone highlighter crazy and the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Even with all the new launches I think the Laura Mercier Face Illuminator remains a good everyday staple. Indiscretion is the best neutral champagne in my opinion. It has enough warmth to not look overly frosty or pale on my skin. I ordered the two newest ones with the floral pattern from Nordstrom and think they’re beautiful!
Affection (new) is a light pale champagne shimmer, it has a good amount of shimmer in it but is smooth
Sensation (new) is a shimmery copper, on me it pulls more like a shimmery blush/bronzer but isn’t too orange
Devotion is a pale pink shimmer
Addiction is a pale yellow gold shimmer
Indiscretion is the best neutral champagne highlighter
Inspiration is a lovely pink mauve frost (detailed review + look here)
Color: Blush, Lipstick + Gloss
For color all the Laura Mercier products have gone through a reformulation at some point. I like what I’ve seen so far! The Blush Color Infusion in Fresco is a perfect everyday neutral blush. It has a tiny bit of shimmer so it’s not flat. I like that it adds a bit of warmth and color without darkening or oxidizing like a lot of nude blushes can do. For the lips the Rouge Essential Silky Creme Lipsticks are the best no-fuss classic lip formula. They’re creamy with full coverage but feel weightless. There’s a bit of shine in the finish which gives them a more natural lush look. I love all the neutrals but find Brun Pale and Nu Prefere are my kind of everyday nudes. I’ve used the Lip Glace since my high school days long before the repackaging and reformulation. I actually really liked the original perfume scent these had back in the day. Right now they’re vanilla scented and have a slightly sticky feel but it’s not too thick. Opal is my favorite for layering on practically everything.
That wraps up my favorites from Laura Mercier! I hope you found the favorites helpful. If you want any other brands featured in a Top 10 or Best Of post let me know in the comments.
Most Laura Mercier products featured are press samples. Items purchased by me include the Face Illuminators in Indiscretion (repurchase), Affection, Sensation, Lip Glace in Opal, Tinted Moisturizer in Sand 3N1.
