Laura Mercier

Get the Look: Ann Hathaway at the 2013 Met Gala

May 7, 2013

Adam Breuchaud for Laura Mercier created this beautiful modern “punk” look for Ann Hathaway. Breuchaud gave a subtle nod to the event’s punk theme by creating a bold, “electric blue” smoky eye to complement Anne Hathaway’s flawless, porcelain skin. Here’s how you can get the look:

FLAWLESS FACE: A flawless, “clean” face was the perfect canvas for the look

Breuchaud first applied Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ($32), to give Hathaway’s skin an “even, lasting finish.”
Then, he used a damp sponge to apply Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Porcelain ($43) to even out her skin tone and give the skin an “amazingly sheer veil of color.”
Lastly, he lightly dusted on Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder ($22) to set the Tinted Moisturizer and ensure the skin kept its “dewy finish” throughout the night.

EYES: Breuchaud went with a “bold smoky” eye to pay homage to the “punk” theme

First, Breuchaud mixed Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Orchid ($24) with Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Deep Night ($23).
In order to deepen the look, he applied Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Noir ($22) to her lash line and blended the eye liner throughout the corner of her eye using the Laura Mercier Corner Eye Colour Brush ($25).
Breuchaud added the final touch of glamour by applying multiple coats of Laura Mercier Faux Lash Mascara in Black ($24) to the top and bottom lashes.

LIPS: Fresh, natural lips complemented the dramatic eye

Breuchaud applied Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Pink Blush ($26), which he described as a “beautiful soft pink” to Hathaway’s lips.

Review: Laura Mercier Flawless Face Products

October 13, 2011

Laura Mercier has four products that can help you achieve your best flawless face yet. The products were designed to enhance your natural beauty rather than cover it so I was VERY excited to give them a try since I don’t usually wear heavy makeup – so this seemed right up my alley. The products are applied in four steps and here are my thoughts on how they worked:

Step 1 – Foundation Primer – This primer applies smoothly on to the skin clearly with an airy feel to it. Upon application the primer is almost instantly absorbed into my skin, it really felt refreshing. I always like to wait a minute or so between applying each product to make sure that it’s fully absorbed. And after a few minutes I felt my face and it did not feel sticky or tacky. It also looked and felt noticeable smoother.

Step 2 – Tinted Moisturizer, SPF 20 – I like my makeup to look as natural as possible and this tinted moisturizer is perfect for that. It’s very sheer but you can build the color for more coverage. It also contains SPF 20 which is excellent for protecting your skin again sun damage, I love that this is a double duty product! Since I only use foundations and bronzer for just a bit of coverage I only applied the tinted moisturizer to my forehead, cheeks and chin area and it actually looks more flattering than applying the product all over the face.

Step 3 – Secret Camouflage – This pigmented high coverage concealer is designed to give you the perfect custom color by blending the concealers on the back of your hand. This palette comes in six shades and I tested SC-5 which worked well for my complexion. The Secret Camouflage is lightweight but I found it to be a tad bit drying as the concealer settled in the fine lines underneath my eyes. I do love that this palette offers a blendable option because if you get a tan you don’t need to purchase another concealer! I just wish that it hydrated a bit more.

Step 4 – Translucent Loose Setting Powder – Me and my translucent powder are BFF’s, if you have oily skin like me then I’m sure that you can relate. This powder has no color pigment so it will not affect the color of your makeup, just major shine control. The one problem that I have with loose powders is that they are so messy! This is not the type of product that you can just throw in your bag, I did and it wasn’t pleasant when I opened the jar.

Laura Mercier Translucent loose setting powder

Overall I absolutely loved how my makeup looked, my pores looked noticeably smaller, my blemishes were faded and my skin had a healthy glow – all without a heavy makeup look. Have any of your ladies tried these flawless face products?

Laura believes there are four steps to create a flawless face—primer, foundation, concealer, and setting powder. Each product has been specifically developed to allow every woman to achieve an incredibly even, smooth, yet natural-looking complexion.

For more information on Laura’s flawless philosophy and tips on how to use each product within each step is located here: http://bit.ly/qEdysD

If you are telling others, they can get their perfect products to create their ultimate flawless face using our flawless face finder: http://bit.ly/eOvLjf

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Laura Mercier via Glam Media. I received a sample to review as part of the program. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Laura Mercier

Get the Look: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

May 19, 2011

It seems everyone on Earth, teen or adult, has read the Hunger Games series and is eagerly anticipating the upcoming film adaptation. The series seems to be following Twilight in generational crossover, and will undoubtedly a box-office hit.

The selection of Winter’s Bone actress Jennifer Lawrence was a shock to fans, and it was said the 20-year-old was too blonde and fair-skinned to convincingly play the weathered teenage heroine Katniss Everdeen. But opinion shifted today when EW revealed the first official pics of Jennifer-as-Katniss, in a stripped down, almost beachy, newly brunette look.

Lawrence’s makeup, while very natural, is actually a perfect summer style. A loose braid and sideswept bangs frame a dewy tan, pink-neutral lips and almost bare eye. Want to emulate it? Here are some products that will work well.

1.) Face: A creamy, light foundation like Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation will even skin out, and a light dusting of a subtly shimmer bronzer powder lacking orange tones will create this realistic tan-tone. Benefit’s Hoola or Sephora Collection Bronzer in Bora Bora are both excellent choices.

Shortcut: Bare Escentuals Original Foundation will also give skin an even, glowy tone. Mineral makeup isn’t for everyone, but this formula has a lot of brand-loyal followers.

2.) Cheeks: Blush is actually a pretty big part of this look, concentrated mainly in a contour fashion to accentuate the cheekbones. Clinique’s Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Plum Poppy is a nice, dusty pink match. Laura Mercier’s angled kabuki would be ideal for this application.

3.) Eyes: Shadow and liner take a backseat here, featuring a nude shadow and a quick swipe of mascara. MAC Ricepaper is similar to bare skin with a tiny bit of shimmer, and Laura Geller’s Line and Define in Charcoal has an ultra-fine brush and lighter mascara formulation for less-intense definition, top and bottom.

4.) Lips: Lips are also almost-nude here, and MAC’s Stripdown was made for this look. Use a tiny bit of balm to ensure even application, and then simply line and fill in lips. (No gloss.)

Have you tried the Katniss Everdeen makeup look? Are you ready for beachy makeup yet?

Six Super-Wearable Bright Makeup Shades for Spring 2011

February 24, 2011

One of the biggest cosmetic trends for Spring 2011 is vivid, colorful makeup. You know, intense shades you fall in love with when they’re in the pan- the ones that often become intimidating when they land on your vanity table. Quite often, even the most shocking hues can be wearable even for work or to brunch with a light hand and some balance. Here are six gorgeous, vibrant shades for Spring 2011.

1.) Benefit Bella Bamba: I’ve been a fan of this Benefit mini-line since it hit shelves (gasp!) over eight years ago in Dandelion. The generous size, the adorable mini brush, the mirror- these little powders are always so much fun to open. 70s glam packaging encases a vibrant shade described as “watermelon” and interlaced with gold shimmer. This blush would pair beautifully with bronzer or work well alone on fairer skin tones.

2.) Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Flush: If you’re not feeling powders for an intense cheek shade, or you’re trying to cultivate a dewier complexion, Hourglass has these saturated, sheer stains for cheeks. Described as providing a “subtle lit-from-within glow,” Aura Sheer Cheek Stain clicks up to dispense product, and is buildable for more color.

3.) MAC Eye Shadow in Zingy: Although it seems eyes are an area in which you can be a bit more creative with color, bright eye shadows can make even the deftest shadow users apprehensive. Zingy is a pure, matte sea blue, and there’s a trick that makes a shade like this eminently wearable. Brush a neutral shimmer shade over lids, and at the outer corner, touch in three dots of your selected bright shade very close together with a medium, flat-ish brush. Tap the brush in to diffuse the shadow- the small, unadulterated pop of color at the edges looks a little edgy without too much intensity. Finish with a coat of mascara, and an optional super-thin application of black kohl at the lashline only.

4.) Sephora by OPI Glee Collection in Slushied: An opaque, true turquoise- all the shades are springy, but this is a very bold option for a clean and bright nail look.

5.) Laura Mercier Lip Stain in Classic Red: Red popsicle stains are a bit of a perennial, and though a matte red lip is always chic, a sheerer gloss feels somewhat more appropriate as warmer weather rolls in. This glossy, balmy red stain adjusts to most skin tones and is longer lasting than a simple gloss.

6.) Givenchy Printed Lips Tinted Look Lip Stainer: Felt tip products can be hit or miss- some go on watery and meek, leaving too little color that settles awkwardly. This “richly pigmented” formulation in Rose Impression is both realistic and enduring. The color goes on matte, and you can finish with a thin coat of moisturizing balm to set off the color.

Do you have any super-colorful secret weapons? What’s your most vibrant go-to shade?

Take a peek inside my Birchbox!

October 11, 2010

If you haven’t heard, Birchbox is the latest beauty sampling program where you get to test out the latest beauty products without committing to purchase a full size product. Each month subscribers pay a $10 flat fee (so no shipping) to receive 5 sample size products. If you enjoy the sample then you can order a full size product directly from Birchbox.

This is my second month in the program and this month I received this:

2 – packets of Deborah Lippman The Stripper to go lacquer nail remover finger mitts
2 – packets Oribe Shampoo/Conditioner Moisture & Control packets
1 – 2.5 oz bottle reBloom Beauty Sleep Drink
1 – 0.25 fl oz. Perricone MD Cold Plasma
1- mini Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Opal

I must say that the Birchbox is beautifully packaged in a recycled box with bright fuschia writing, giving a very pretty yet clean presentation. The samples are carefully and elegantly wrapped in tissue paper and tied with a bow – very charming. Overall I would give Birchbox an “A” for presentation but the bottom line is, am I willing to pay $10 for sample sizes that I get at Sephora for free? That remains to be seen. For now I will continue with the sampling program for another month or two and see if it proves useful in discovering a new beauty gem. Would you subscribe to Birchbox?