The spring collection from Laura Mercier this year is very simple and polished looking with neutrals in the pinky-brown color family. Most of the collection was actually a bit too neutral for me but I really liked the new Lip Shine in Crystal Pink which is a potted rich-pigment gloss (bronzey peachy pink) and Barely Nude Satin Lipstick (creamy beige).
L to R: Crystal Pink Lip Shine & Barely Nude Satin Lipstick
Swatches in the same order (with flash)
Swatches by the window, natural light
The other lipsticks are in the brown and pink-brown family similar to MAC Spirit and Twig but more wearable. If you liked the Renaissance Eye Color Duo from Nordstrom’s Anniversary sale last July, you will probably like the new eyeshadow duos as well since they are all very natural and light.
Also in the collection is a cream highlighter with 3 different colors (pale pink, rose, bronze) placed into layers in the compact. It seemed a bit too messy for me, but was really pretty – it’s something I might go back and look at again.
Today’s looks are centered around pink eyeshadow. For me it’s hard to find a pink shadow that doesn’t make me look like I have pink-eye. These work for me because they aren’t too pink.
Look Day 5: neutral/warm pink eyeshadow with soft rose cheeks and rosey lips
Cheeks: Chanel Tweed Rose Blush Becca Angel Loose Shimmer Powder to highlight
Eyes: Laura Mercier Pink Chiffon Satinee Cream Eye Color Chanel Demure Quad Urban Decay Bourbon 24-7 Eyeliner
Lips: Trish McEvoy Bare Lipliner Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipgloss (Nordstrom Exclusive, try LM Blush Lip Glace for a dupe)
Swatches, left to right: LM Pink Chiffon, Chanel Demure Quad, UD Bourbon, Chanel Tweed Rose, Becca Angel, Trish McEvoy Bare, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Lipstick, Laura Mercier Pink Champagne Gloss
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Alternate 1: Cool pink with purple eyes
Cheeks: MAC Stark Naked Blush
Eyes: Dior Petal Shine Iridescent Quint MAC Deep Purple Pigment (Pro)
Today’s color theme includes bronzey eyes and peachy lips/cheeks with three variations. (Note that Day 1 has been updated as well with a third look.) I would have to say this is my no-fail go to look. I always feel comfortable with a bronze liner and a soft peach lip (although I’ve been told that I look better in pinks and plums).
Look Day #2: bronze eyes with peachy lips & cheeks
Cheeks: Chanel Fandango Blush MAC Refined Mineralize Skin Finish
Eyes: Bobbi Brown Sandy Gold Cream Eyeshadow MAC Vanilla Pigment Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill #2 Brown Copper Trish McEvoy Eye Definer Sparkling Bronze
Lips: Make Up Forever Aqua Lip Liner 1C Laura Mercier Designer Beige Shimmer Lipstick Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer #3
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Alternative with a brighter lip:
Cheeks: Trish McEvoy Liquid Face Color #1 + MAC Superduper Natural Mineralize Blush
Eyes: Bobbi Brown Flesh Eyeshadow Bobbi Brown Burnished Cream Eyeshadow Nars Cordura Eyeshadow Duo Laura Mercier Brown Copper Eye Liner Lips: Chanel Exquise Rouge Allure MAC Euro Beat Dazzleglass mixed with Paul & Joe Lip Lacuqer #8
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Alternative with a smokier eye & lighter nude-peach lip:
Cheeks: Chanel Tweed Sienna Blush Le Metier Blush/Bronze Duo Sunkissed and Echo Eyes: MAC Femme Fi Eyeshadow Trish McEvoy Eye Definer in Sparkling Bronze MAC Gilt by Association Mineralize Eyeshadow Lips: Bobbi Brown Beige Lipliner Giorgio Armani Rouge D’Armani Beige 101 Le Metier de Beaute Peche Creme
(Note you will most likely see a recurring trend with the Paul & Joe Lip Lacquers because I love them so much! For those who don’t have access to Paul & Joe, do not fear, I will include other brands too.)
According to my recent survey, some of you mentioned how you loved certain posts, but wanted ideas on how to coordinate the products with other colors. I’m going to do a five-part series of looks I’ve done recently that I loved. I hope this series will help give you some ideas!
A few things to note ahead of time: I am not a professional makeup artist, but the following looks have been created on my own. My fashion/beauty style is very simple and natural. Style/beauty icons include Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Winslet, Eva Mendes, Lucy Liu to name a few – all women who embrace their natural beauty with subtle, elegant and classic natural makeup.
Look Number 1: a simple smokey eye with soft pink cheeks and rosy pink lips
Cheeks: Stila Lilium Convertible Color on cheeks Dolce & Gabbana Delight Blush layered on top
Eyes: Laura Mercier Platinum Metallic Cream Eyeshadow lash to brow Jouer Buttercream Eyeshadow on lids Stila Black Cat Smudgepot smudged along upper lash line Edward Bess Dusk Eyeshadow applied over the black liner blended up
Lips: MAC Naked Rose Lipliner Edward Bess Tender Love Lipstick Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer #7
Close up photos for eyes: Top Left = Jouer Buttercream, Top Right = Edward Bess Dusk Bottom Left = Stila Black Cat, Bottom Right = Laura Mercier Platinum
Close up photos for lips, Left to Right: Edward Bess Tender Love, Paul & Joe Lip Lacquer #7, MAC Naked Rose Lipliner
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Variation 1: using most of the same colors except includes Le Metier Fresh Blush, Edward Bess Love Always Lipgloss, Laura Mercier Pink Label Lipstick:
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Variation 2: MAC Conjure Up Mineralize Blush, MAC Bare Study Paint Pot, Dolce & Gabbana Stromboli Eyeshadow Duo, Bobbi Brown Black Ink Gel Liner, MAC Plum Lipliner, MAC Scant Slimshine, Laura Mercier Violet Lip Glace (old packaging)
I’ve written about a few makeover events I’ve been to from Chanel, Nars and MAC before, click on this MAKEOVER tag to see the products used in those events for some more ideas!
Laura Mercier’s new Club Couture collection has been spotted in person at Nordstrom! If you like soft light colors, then you will really like the new look Laura Mercier put together. The colors are stunning on her fair skin and just as pretty in person. You can get details on what products were used for the look on Laura Mercier’s website under “What’s New – Get This Look.”
I picked up the following items (L to R):
* Lip Color Shimmer in Designer Beige – a warm nude-brown with very slight gold shimmer (not really shimmery like her typical shimmer formula for lipsticks) * Creme Lip Color in Pink Label – cool cream pink (a less purple version of MAC Syrup) * Lip Glace in After Hours – shimmery milky light pink (reminds me of Chanel Sesame) * Foiled Eye Color in VIP Silver – highly pigmented silver sparkle
Swatches: 1) Designer Beige Lipstick 2) Pink Label Lipstick 3) After Hours Lip Glace 4) VIP Silver Foiled Eyeshadow 5) Platinum Metallic Cream Eyeshadow (not part of the collection – just for comparisons) 6) VIP Silver layered over Platinum Metallic Cream
Gloss comparisons & swatches: 1) MAC Partial to Pink 2) Laura Mercier After Hours 3) Laura Mercier Babydoll 4) Laura Mercier Pink Pearl (plumping gloss) 5) Chanel Sesame 6) Nars Turkish Delight
Combination ideas/suggestions:
I think these colors would go well with: * a smokey eye like Edward Bess Dusk Eyeshadow and Stila’s Black Cat Smudge Pot * a soft pink cheek like Laura Mercier Barely Pink, Chanel Narcisse, or Le Metier Fresh Blush * complimenting lip liners for the pink lipstick, Laura Mercier Chestnut or MAC Naked Rose * coordinating lip liners for the beige lipstick, Laura Mercier’s Ambrosia or Nude Lips
There was also a Gold version of the Foil Eyeshadow which was also pretty, but a little too 24k gold looking for my skin. Would probably work well on darker skin tones though! There were a few repromoted items, such as the Whisper Cheek Duo, false lashes, and eyeliners.
I normally get excited about all the holiday palettes and kits that come out every year, but felt this year there were too many palettes and not enough individual products to choose from. Laura Mercier has some gorgeous palettes which are nice if you don’t have a lot of products from her line. But if you’re like me and are looking for something you don’t already have in your collection, then you might be more inclined to wait and see what comes out for spring.
She does have quite a few bath & body kits that look interesting, but for her color items, the only thing that really caught my eye was her Baked Eye Colour Palette which retails for $48 and has 5 colors with a double-sided brush.
Left to right: Champagne, Sepia, Mink, Malt and Sterling
Overall thoughts: Champagne, Malt and Sterling are very sparkley and light. If you remember those Diamond Dust Eyeshadows from Bobbi Brown years ago, these are similar in concept. Light base color with loads of silver sparkle. These are nice and not over the top, but since they are so sheer, all three colors look the same on me.
Sepia and Mink are gorgeous shades, but feel a bit “over baked” making the pigment so-so. It’s still workable and they show up if you apply them with a brush that is slightly damp or over a cream base.
The Laura Mercier website states this is a $108 retail value which I am completely at odds on how they calculated this.
If you like Baked Shadows but want more pigmented and fun colors, check out the Gemstone Eye Collection which is exclusive to Saks. I actually never used the kit and ended up returning that kit soon after I received it in the mail because I couldn’t justify the price – but have to say the colors were stunning and if you don’t mind a splurge the brushes are fantastic and colors cute.
Here is October’s list of Ten Things I’m Loving Right now. There’s a slight twist on a few items because I simply could not pick one item in a certain category. I’d love to hear what you all are loving right now too.
1) Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill #1 Steel Black Mascara $28 – I finally found a mascara that thickens and holds curl! I have the straightest lashes ever and even after curling with my favorite Trish McEvoy Eyelash Curler, nothing holds the curl as well as this one. Doesn’t clump, smudge or flake. I’ve tried other Armani mascaras in the past and did not like them at all, luckily, I got a mini-sized version of this to try out first. My other favs are DiorShow (gives thick plush lashes), Dior Iconic (gives dramatic black lashes) and Chanel Inimitable (also great) – but Armani’s Eyes to Kill has won my heart.
* A few key tips – I recommend using only one coat and make sure it dries completely before touching up your eye makeup or removing smudges from eyeshadow fall out. Also, I use this in conjunction with an eyelash curler, I can’t say whether or not it is curling, but I will say it holds the curl very well.
2) Shu Uemura Natural Pony Brush 20 $50 – Soft and plush, this is the perfect size and shape with the right density in bristles to make this my favorite blush brush. There is an angled version 20h which is just as soft.
3) Paul & Joe Refreshing Skin Toner $33 – I was lucky to try a sample before I bought this. The Paul & Joe toner makes my skin feel refreshed and it isn’t too drying or heavy. I have sensitive skin and this seems to be gentle and effective at the same time. Love the price too!
4) Bobbi Brown Nude Shimmer Brick $38 – I own almost every Shimmer Brick from Bobbi Brown and this one is the prettiest to date and works on both eyes and cheeks. It features “five pure pearl pigments—pink, gold, bronze, beige and caramel” – I believe it is limited edition, but can still be found at various counters. See comparisons to other shades HERE.
5) Chanel Quadra Eyeshadows in Mystic Eyes $56 – This is one of the prettiest unique combination of colors I have seen. I love the silvery shade because it has some golden flecks in the shimmer. I like to wear it with NARS Oasis Blush and Stolen Kisses Lipgloss over Mitzi Lipstick.
6) MAC Viva Glam V Lipglass $14 – this is my classic no-fail neutral pink lip gloss
7) Black/Gold Olivey Colors – I really like black golds for fall which can sometimes end up looking olivey with the combination. My favorites right now are:
1. MAC Seriously Hip Nail Polish 2. MAC Gilt By Association Mineralize Eye Shadow 3. Laura Mercier Black Gold Kohl Eye Pencil 4. Clinique Egyptian Eyeliner 5. Bobbi Brown Forest Shimmer Ink Gel Liner
9) Beige Shimmer Lipglosses like MAC Bare Necessity Dazzleglass $18, Chanel Freeze Aqualumiere $27, Hourglass Ignite Extreme Sheen Gloss $28, Chantecaille Crystalline Brilliant Gloss $28, Le Metier Captiva Sheer Brilliance Gloss $32 and Laura Mercier Opal Lip Glace $22 all have this lovely complex iridescence with a neutral beigey base giving a barely-there glow to the lips.
L to R: MAC Bare Necessity, Chanel Freeze, Hourglass Ignite, Chantecaille Crystalline, Le Metier Captiva, Laura Mercier Opal
10) L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream $10 – love this for the packaging and lightweight non-sticky texture. I keep one in my purse all the time. Also comes in the larger sizes and a few different scents/formulas.
