ProductWhores

Bronzed Summer

It's summer!  Yeah, it definitely doesn't mean as much to me as it did when I was a kid and I knew I could just do nothing for three months straight, but I still embrace the sunshine, a few paid holidays and some good old BBQing.  Now that I'm in the summer groove, it's time to update the make-up accordingly, which means some bronzing!  I'm as pale as... well... picture an egg with boobs and brown hair and you pretty much have an accurate depiction of me... Anyway, I'm super pale so I am not one to over-do any sort of bronzing because I always end up looking absolutely ridiculous.  Enter the new Matte Radiance Baked Powder and Illuminating Eye Color in Sun Glow and you'll find a slightly-bronzed, very happy, goddess (me, in case you couldn't put that together).  Laura Mercier's new summer collection is amazing and features the first bronzer that actually has worked well for my skintone.  First of all it's matte which I adore because it means I don't look like I dipped my face in a well of glitter.  So, I control the coverage and then to add a bit of shine to it (which I do understand is necessary in warm months), I brush the Baked Powder Highlighter on my cheekbones which adds a lovely summer-worthy luminescence.  I love, love the products and have received so many compliments (people never know why they're complimenting me other than my skin looks healthy).  For the eyes, I do a light black liner and Sun Glow Illuminating Eye Color (a gorgeous bronze-y/gold with shimmer to boot!).  The color is stunning and while it looks more yellow online it's definitely more of a bronze in person.  It's delightful and wears beautifully (especially if you do a shadow base).  But don't get me wrong, you do not have to be uber-pale to LOVE this collection - Laura has four different shades of bronzer and, well, the three Illuminating shadows would suit any skintone.
Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier.

Guilt Free Desserts

I am all about the sweet smelling fragrances - they're pretty much all I wear if I'm not spritzing on one of the CLEAN scents.  And Laura Mercier has some of the best dessert-y scents around.  I'm OBSESSED with their Creme Brulee body products - I use them myself and buy them as presents all the time because I am a good gift giver and like to watch people open things I'm crazy about myself.  If you're also a fan of those kinds of scents, you MUST pick up Laura Mercier's new La Petite Patisserie Eau Gourmande Fragrance Coffret.  (I know - what's up with all these super long product names lately?)  It's three deluxe travel-sized Eau de Toilettes in Vanille, Fresh Fig and Almond Coconut Milk - you can use them individually or layer them over each other or any of the scents you already own.  And seriously, I cannot get enough of the Almond Coconut Milk scent.  It's amazing.  Smelling it makes me immediately want to run out to the fabulous bakery in my neighborhood and buy pastries, but it also reminds me of a tropical vacation because it's such a warm, comforting scent.  I want to like, bathe in it.  (Do you think that would bother people who have to stand next to me on a daily basis?  Eh.  They'd get used to it).  The bottles are also a good size - big enough to get you plenty of the fragrance, but small enough to tuck into your bag and take with you. And at $45, the set is an affordable splurge.  (I mean, we could pretend that you're going to buy it for someone else, but let's be realistic, this one's coming home with you.  And it should!)

Note:  A sample of this item was sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier 

A Lovely Lip Stain

I'm not usually a lip stain fan as I feel they always make my lips feels super-parched and I end up slathing on lipbalm on top of whatever stain I'm using.  Laura Mercier's Lip Stains, however, are completely the anti-lip stain (at least as far as dryness is concerned)!  Her formula is amazing -a beautiful tint that lasts longer than a gloss but without drying out the lips.  Okay, technically, it's a heck of lot creamier than a stain so it's almost like a gloss, but it does stay a lot longer than other pot glosses I've used and I adore the lovely Shy Pink shade.  Really pretty pink, perfect for Spring!  Great product and totally worth the twenty bucks (and especially love the glass pot which looks so cute on my dresser!)

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier

Laura's Luxe Color Portfolio

Okay, seriously, I could not use another palette less but this one is soooo pretty I must have!!  I love Laura Mercier and I have to say her Luxe Color Portfolio seems to be her best release yet!  The colors are totally wearable and the case is super cute.  It even comes with an instructional booklet which I love because it takes all the guesswork out of where the heck do I put which color (yeah, yeah, I'm lazy, I know...) Anyway, it's a bit pricey at $78.00 but I think it's totally worth it and I will own it this weekend!  Palette includes:

- 6 Eye Colors in Morning Dew, African Violet, Violet Ink, Lavalier, Grey Onyx, Espresso Bean
- 3 Tightline Cake Liners in Black Ebony, Bleu Marine, Mahogany Brown
- 2 Second Skin Cheek Colors in Barely Pink, Lotus Pink
- Get-The-Look Instructional Insert
- Mirror

Stuff it!

I'm pretty sure I don't need to remind you that Christmas is quickly approaching.  In case you need some sort of a cheat sheet for some great stocking stuffers, thought I'd pull together my 5 faves (in honor of the fact, well, you only have 5 days to finish that shopping!) for gift-giving this holiday!

1.  Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colors which were released as part of the Art Deco Muse Collection for this holiday are so spectacular you'll have a hard time choosing which color to get.  Gilded Platinum and Gilded Rosegold are my two favorites - think holiday glimmer without looking cheesy!  Love the formula (stays the better part of the day) and goes on smooth.  Be forewarned, however, that I'm not the only one passionately in love with them  -they are practically sold out everywhere so you'll need to do some searching but it's oh-so-worth it.  Or, just order on lauramercier.com and skip those crowds anyway!

2.  Stila's Written in the Stars Eye Palette is a must-give!  Super cute palette shape, wearable colors and a price you can't beat ($12.00).  I love all the color combos and am in awe by how compact it is - perfect for anyone who loves to travel but can't be without a selection of shadows (like myself).

3. From the makers of Burt's Bees, GUD hand cream is a really great handcream for a fantastically affordable price.  I love the formula - super-hydrating without feeling greasy or sticky.  I also love you can get at all drugstores so if you're like me on Christmas eve frantically trying to piece together some gifts, hitting a CVS is an easy no-brainer. 

4. Josie Maran makes a killer lipbalm - Argan Lip Treatment.  Yeah it's a bit pricey at $18.00, but whoever you give it to will be so thankful you thought of them that you won't mind shelling out the bit extra.  The formula is very softening, smells sweetly of green apple and comes in the cutest little pot!  Extra score is it's all-natural so no icky chemicals drying out your lips.

5.  Surprisingly great considering the price, The Natural Palette from Jane cosmetics is a definitely great palette for this holiday season!  Wearable shades of light and dark brown along with a lovely shimmery-bronze and a rose blush make this the perfect go-to for everyday wear.  At $9.99 it's a total steal.

Note:  Some of the above products were sent to me by PR representatives.

Holiday Lip Glosses

Okay, I loooooooove the holiday mini lip glace collections by Laura Mercier and I'm totally bummed that both are out of stock online at Laura Mercier!  The Rich Berries collection is my absolute fave - the colors are stunning, the formula isn't drying at all and they smell delicious - I can't figure out if it's caramel or sugar cookie, but either way it's addicting!  I strongly believe Laura Mercier makes the best lip glosses because they offer a nice pigment and are not sticky at all -one my absolute biggest pet peeves when it comes to glosses.  The Rich Berries set comes with the following shades (Sangria - a shimmery, deep red my go-to this holiday season!)

• Violet
• Rose
• Cerise – Limited Edition
• Sangria – Limited Edition
• Bare Beige

Okay, let the hunt begin to find the collection!  I'm thinking you'll need to check out Sephora or a department store maybe  Don't you hate it when I tell you about something fabulous you're going to have a hard time finding?!

Note:  A sample of this set was sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier

Foundations for Everyone!

I have been on a quest to explore all the foundations out there and find three that I adore for different levels of coverage, and I have successfully completed my task (one of my more fun quests, I must add).  If you're looking for full-coverage, you need to check out Hydrating Foundation by Glam Natural.  It's a shea butter-based foundation so it's super-hydrating and feels so smooth when you put it on.  The formula is really luxurious (I feel almost like this foundation is too good for me because it's just so silky on the skin).  It is vegan, preservative-free, cruelty-free, gluten free and water-free.  I was stunned at how amazingly full-coverage this foundation is and how little you need to cover the entire face!  I was also shocked at how beautiful it looks on (especially because it's free of so much nasty stuff I didn't think it would work as well as it does).  If you want full-coverage and tend toward combo to dry skin - it's a definite check-out for you.  PWs is officially a huge fan!

If you are looking for a medium coverage foundation then I will direct you immediately (well not immediately as this foundation doesn't hit counters till April) to Laura Mercier's new Oil Free Supreme Foundation.  It's very lightweight, but offers a beautiful medium coverage.  It's silicone-free, fragrance-free and not greasy at all.  I love how it evens out my skintone without making me feel weighted down.  Also, since it's medium coverage, it reduces the red but still lets my freckles come through a bit which I like.  I have actually worn Laura's Moisturizing Foundation for years and I am a convert to the new Oil Free Supreme - it feels more luxurious and has a longer staying power (but keeps the same flawless look I adore from Laura Mercier).  Great choice for medium coverage for someone who tends oily-combo skin.

If you are looking for a very light, tinted moisturizing foundation then you have got to check out Rae Cosmetics' Climate Control Mineral Tint.  This stuff kicks all other tinted moisturizers to the curb.  First of all it's SPF20, and is so lightweight on the skin you'll forget you're wearing anything (except for the fact your skin glows beautifully and your skintone looks stunning).  I love how it blends in, isn't sticky and isn't water-based.  It's really hydrating and non-irritating so even those with sensitive skin can wear it. I love, love, love this stuff.  Best tint I've tried!   Plus, retails for $39.50 which is a steal! 

Note:  Samples of the above products were sent to me by PR representatives working with the brands.

Laura's Custom Artist Porfolio

Laura Mercier is releasing her Custom Artist Portfolio in March and it's a definite check-out (especially considering it's in that dreaded category of limited edition!)  Her new Custom Artist Portfolio allows you to be in the driver's seat and control exactly what you want in your palette - genius!  You choose either the 3 or 6 well custom compact and then can add in any of her new amazing Sheer Creme Colours, new Lip Glazes or new Second Skin Cheek Colours!  Her Sheer Creme Colours are ultra-sheer and highly-blendable formulas which give a heathly glow to the skin.  I love how sheer these really are and how they awaken the skin.  Sheer Creme Colours come in Bronze Veil, Pearl Glow Veil and Pink Cheek Veil.  Her new Lip Glazes are super-moisturizing and are sheer but with killer shine.  I love this product and am bummed it's limited edition.  The colors are stunning, too  -Soft Pink, Plum, and Lotus Blossom.  Plum has become my stunning go-to for day and evening.  Last part of her new collection is 5 new shades to her Second Skin Cheek Colour - an extremely fine powder blush with beautiful coverage.  The Second Skin Cheek Colour us a usual staple at the Laura Mercier counter but the new shades are definitely worth the trip to the mall.  New shades are Sweet Mandarin, Honey Mocha, Heather Pink, Soft Iris and Peach Whisper (my favorite of the bunch - a beautiful peach, perfect for the pastel craze of Spring '12.)  She also is adding three limited edition shades to her Eye Colours - Merlot Sateen (the answer for the updated smokey eye - no need for black if you have this guy!), Golden Creme Luster and  Seashell Pink Sateen.  Something I especially love about Laura Mercier - and she stays very true to this in her latest collection - she has the most beautiful coverage and stunning ability to make my "naked" face look flawless every time... and that's no small feat.

Note:  Samples of the above were sent to me by a PR representative working with Laura Mercier. 

Soft Hands

I keep at least two or three hand cremes on my desk at all times, just to make sure that I'm never stuck at work with dry, uncomfortable hands.  (The horror!)  Right now, the top one in my rotation is Laura Mercier's Crème Brûlée Hand Creme.  It fulfills pretty much every requirement you could ever want in a hand creme - it moisturizes really well, it's not sticky or greasy at all, it leaves my hands super soft, and it smells absolutely divine, like the most delicious dessert you've ever been lucky enough to eat.  (One of the guys I work with made me laugh out loud this week when he saw it on my desk and asked if he could use a little.  I tossed him the bottle, he put some on his hands and rubbed it in, then he got this look of amazement on his face as he got all excited and exclaimed, "It smells just like cake!"  Hee!  Men are funny when they play with beauty products).  I love all of Laura's Crème Brûlée products, but this is the only one I can keep at work to cheer me up when I'm having a bad day.  (Somehow, I think my co-workers would look at me funny if I kept a Sugar Scrub on my desk).  And at $15, it's an affordable luxury.  I love those.  

Laura's NEW Eye Book

 

Oh, Laura, Laura, why do you insist on making me buy your Eye Book every single year?!  I was at Sephora Thursday night for their 20% VIB event (okay, the fact that I spend enough at Sephora to get VIB status is really just sad - I don't even know what that amount would be, but I can imagine it's way more than I should be spending).  Anyway... there I was resisting a whole mess of amazing things and then the Limited Edition Eye Book completely grabbed me.  I literally buy this palette every year because she always includes the best-sellers of the year and they're always gorgeous.  This year comes with some very glittery purple and pink shadows (not typical to LM, but I love them) and the most amazing White Gold highlighter.  The palette includes Deep Night (same liner shade as last year) but this year she upped it with Black Ice (silvery, black metallic perfect for lining eyes for that upcoming holiday party).  Love this palette and at only $45.00, it's a bargain, really.  Hey, and at 20% off (thank you Sephora), I felt like I was getting an even better steal.  Let's not talk about the fact I dropped a hundred bucks on that trip, okay?