Review: Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powders

I am a HUGE fan of Laura Mercier complexion products (this foundation is a holy grail formula for me and this powder is one that I will never be without), so I was ecstatic to try these new Candleglow Perfecting powders. The Candleglow foundation was actually a tad too shiny for my combo skin, but these powders were an instant hit for me. To date, I have never found a powder that rivals my trusted Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. I typically like to use that powder to give my cheeks a natural glow and radiance, without adding too much color. However, my Hourglass powders have met their match with these new ones from Laura Mercier.

There are various shades suitable for different skin tones, though I find that I can use multiple shades for different purposes. Shade 1 is the perfect finishing powder for my cheeks and face. It helps to blur imperfections, give my skin a natural glow while never making it shiny. Shade 2 is one that I use before my blush or bronzer to give my cheeks a bit of warmth. The texture of each powder is smooth and finely milled which allows it to glide effortlessly onto the skin. The other shade I was sent to test was Shade 4, which I was afraid would be too dark but surprisingly worked as the most beautiful bronzer for my coloring.

I have all three swatched above, with Shade 1 being at the far left, followed by Shade 2 and then Shade 4. They all have a warm undertone but fall in the middle between being slightly yellow and slightly orange, which I find is perfect to add warmth and radiance to my skin without looking unnatural. I never thought I would see the day when something would rival (and on some days replace) my Hourglass powders, but these have impressed me greatly. Whether you are looking for a pressed powder to set your makeup without making it look too matte or you want to add a bit of warmth to your cheeks and face, these powders are so versatile and would work to create many different effects.

*pr samples included

Shop more of my favorite Laura Mercier products:

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powders - All Shades with Swatches

Frankly, I hardly even care how these perform, because look at HOW PRETTY THEY ARE! Ok, I do care about how they wear but it's easy to get distracted by the pattern and shiny finish of these Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powders. Beware though because these are not for the subtle highlight fans - each gives a strong shimmer and major glow. 

The two that work the best for my pale skin are Addiction and Indiscretion. Each are pale enough to give a highlight but the golden undertone makes it more appealing and warm on the skin. Devotion is icy with a silver undertone that is beautiful on my skin, but would only be suitable for evening. For those that are extremely fair with pink undertones, I can imagine this would look beautiful - almost ice princess-like. Basically it is a highlighter for Elsa from Frozen. LOL Seduction is the one I was most drawn to simply because I love a beautiful bronze, but it is wayyyyy too dark to be a highlight on me. That being said, I have been wearing it as a lid color and adore how it looks. For those with deeper skin tones, I can see this giving the cheeks a gorgeous sheen. It may not be a strong highlight, but it will make the face glow.

The pigmentation is strong on Addiction, Seduction and Indiscretion with minimal chunkiness or fall out, however Devotion was the only exception. I needed to swipe 5-6 times to get the below swatch, however with a brush it applies a lot smoother on the skin. It is still chunkier than the other shades, but on the skin it gives the same finish. For those with oily skin, I would make sure that you are wearing a matte foundation (this one I adore) or base (I wear this SPF as a primer because it's mattifying and amazing) because any additional oil will immediately be enhanced by these powders. I made sure to keep it just on my cheekbones away from the center of my face or cheeks because I can turn into an instant discoball.

Though these are some of the boldest highlighters I have ever tried, I think the formula is also one of the best. The shimmer looks like a cream product when on the skin, and doesn't have a powdery finish. If you are a highlighter junky, I think this is a must have to add to your collection. Maybe not all four, but definitely one, perhaps even two.

*pr samples included

Have you tried these? What are your thoughts?

Shop more of my highlighter recommendations:

My Favorite Foundations

Though I am forever testing new things, I figured I would do a current favorite foundations video. This could change in the future as it has over the past few years, but these formulations are currently the ones I enjoy the most. 

The foundations mentioned in the video:

Dior Nude Air

By Terry Cover Expert

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide

Glossier Skin Tint

It Cosmetics CC Cream

It Cosmetics CC Cream Illumination

Lancome Teint Idole Foundation

Shiseido Future Solution Total Radiance Foundation 

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

Zelens Youth Glow Foundation

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation

Review and Comparisons: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette vs. Extreme Neutrals Palette with Swatches

I have a ton of other product reviews that I should put up sooner than this one, but to be honest - I could not wait to get this review and comparison post up! I am already a HUGE fan of the Laura Mercier Artist's palette and love all the shades, so I was thrilled to see them launch a similar palette called the Extreme Neutrals and it looked right up my neutral-loving alley.

1. Laura Mercier Artist's Palette - If you already have this palette, you know it definitely skews more towards the plummy browns, rather than taupes or beiges. That being said, the pigmentation is so rich, creamy and buttery, that I find myself using it more than many of my other more brown shadows. There is a good mix of shimmer and mattes and it seems to match the Extreme Neutrals palette in terms of balance between the two finishes. The above swatches needed only two swipes to get the intensity shown, whereas I found the Extreme Neutrals palette needed a few more swipes to get enough pigmentation for the photo. I love the Artist's palette because it has a good mix of bold and subtle shades, but I was longing for a few more silvery-taupey neutrals which I was happy to see in the newly launched palette. It's nice to have the names listed below each shade because they can be purchased separately from Laura Mercier if there is a color that is a favorite. I checked online and this palette is still available (it has been discontinued and relaunched a few times I've assumed from it's sporadic availability), and retails for a few dollars less expensive than the new Extreme Neutrals.

2. Laura Mercier Extreme Neutrals Palette - From a shade perspective, this palette appeals to me a bit more than the Artist's palette. As I stated above, the pigmentation felt very different from an initial swatching standpoint, and I need to swipe the shadow 3-5 times to get the pigmentation as shown in the picture. However, while I felt a tad defeated during the swatch session, that soon changed when I used the palette and found the colors blended beautifully on the lid and showed up with just one swipe of the brush. The only shade that had a chunkier texture and was harder to apply was the fourth from the left of my arm - the pale gold color. The shade names are listed on the palette, but rather than being underneath each one, they are listed in order on the back of the packaging. As far as shade availability in singles, it looks like the colors in this palette are exclusive which can be a bit frustrating but nice that it's something different than what is traditionally available. It retails for a few dollars more than the Artist's palette, but I do find myself reaching for this one a tad more now. 

Either way, I think they are both beautiful palettes (the Extreme Neutrals is inching it's way over the Artist's palette slowly though) and ones that would satisfy neutral lovers. They are perfect for travel (I plan to bring one with me on my upcoming month long road trip!), and the packaging seems to be sturdy enough to withstand any bouncing around. 

Have you picked up this palette? What are your thoughts on this or the Artist's palette?

Shop more eyeshadow palette options:

Foundation Review: NARS, Laura Mercier and Estee Lauder

So many new foundations have launched recently, and here are three that I have been testing out. Scroll down to watch the video to hear my thoughts on each. Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!

The foundations reviewed are:

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup To Go

Top to bottom: NARS, Estee Lauder and Laura Mercier

The Lip Balms I'm Using This Winter

I use lip balms every single day of the year, multiple times a day but this becomes especially crucial in the winter. Truth be told, I need to constantly keep my lips hydrated so that I keep my lipstick looking its best every day. Ha! #priorities  Here is a look at the ones that I've been using the most this winter:

1. Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm - I am already a fan of Sisley products, and this lip balm has been on my wish list for years. Though I do prefer a squeeze tube or twist up application rather than sticking my fingers in a pot, there are too many amazing formulas to pass up simply because of logistics. This is one of them. The texture is a balmy oil that works well not only at night as a treatment, but as a lip prep in the morning and throughout the day to keep my lips hydrated. Not all lip balms work well in all these circumstances, but this one manages to tick all the boxes. 

2. Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Creme Brulee and Lip Slip - I LOVE lip scrubs. Especially the sugary ones. And no it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a major sweet tooth and enjoy licking it off my lips - ok, it actually does. Lol. This Sara Happ Lip Scrub tastes delicious, is soft and gentle while still being effective at exfoliating my lips. The Lip Slip was actually the real surprise to me because I was expecting an ordinary balm. Yet this has a slight shine to it with much more emolliency that makes it feel like a gloss/balm hybrid. I enjoy using this as a makeup product because it neutralizes the red in my lip, adds a hint of shine and acts as a great base for layering a lip gloss on top. This balm falls into a category all its own!

3. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Intensive Lip Balm - I still stand by First Aid Beauty as one of my favorite skincare brands ever. Their products are continuously effective and work for many different skin types. This lip balm was by far the most unique one of the bunch because it is so dense, almost wax-like with a matte finish. This is a true treatment lip balm with ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, beeswax and propolis extract to help repair, heal and soothe dry, cracked lips. This is definitely a nighttime treatment for me, but by the next morning my lips definitely feel more comfortable and smooth.

4. Amorepacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment - As a stated above, my preference is a squeeze or twist-up tube for lip balms, so naturally this one was already winning in my book. The texture is more emollient and jelly-like and I prefer this as an evening treatment because when I try to put anything besides a gloss or sheer lipstick over top, it slides right off. That being said, I reach for this on the nights that my lips are at their worst because it feels creamy and smooth, and doesn't disappear moments after applying. I find that my lips stay hydrated for quite a long time after, so only recently have I began carrying it in my makeup bag with me to help when it's super cold outside and I need a quite boost of comfort and hydration.

5. Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Lip Balm - Again because of the ease of application, this one went right into my makeup bag the day that I received it. The formula is a bit stiffer, thicker and feels waxier, and any lipstick or gloss I put over it wears beautifully. It's a great mid-day touch up balm if my lipstick is looking patchy or dry - it helps to smooth out the color while still hydrating my lips. 

*pr samples included

What are some of you favorite lip balms?

3 Fragrances I'll Be Wearing This Fall

While I don't completely overhaul everything in my beauty arsenal each season, I do like to make small changes here and there. Heavier moisturizer (currently testing this), more face oils (love this one), darker/bolder lips (this in Blood Roses will forever be a classic) and warmer, spicier and richer fragrances. I did just do a fragrance collection video (see that here), but I was still testing these so I chose not to include. And shortly after I shot the pictures for this post, I had a few more fragrances arrive that I have been testing and love them all so I will be sharing those soon. Here are three that will definitely be in rotation this coming fall and winter season:

1. Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille - In the summer I was wearing this one from Laura Mercier, but this Ambre Vanille is exactly what fall should smell like. I love vanilla based fragrances, but they can either be warm and inviting or sickeningly sweet. Thankfully, this one falls in the former category mixing notes of amber and vanilla with tangerine, coconut, almond and sandalwood. The sweetness is balanced nicely with a touch of citrus and woodsy notes. I have always been a fan of Laura Mercier's makeup line, but her fragrances never made it onto my radar. Welp, that won't ever be the case again - these are too good to overlook!

2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Feminin Pluriel - I am already a HUGE fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's delicate floral scent A la Rose and have recently been wearing Aqua Vitae Forte which is crisp and fresh, so it was nice to try something from the opposite end of the spectrum. While the Feminin Pluriel still has strong notes of iris, violet and jasmine, the vetiver and patchouli create a much deeper finish to this bold floral. A little goes a long way, so I only need one spray to last me all day long.

3. Jimmy Choo Illicit - I was having a spa date with a friend that works in PR and she gave me a bag of goodies to try from brands that she represents as I was leaving. Now let me be perfectly honest, I get very nervous when brands, publicists or even friends give me fragrances without me having any knowledge of what they smell like. I am VERY fussy when it comes to fragrance and sadly I have been in situations where I try something at an event or from a friend and am politely trying not to gag because I hate it so much. I pulled this out of the bag, crossed my fingers in my head and hoped I would like it. (Now of course she would understand if I didn't - but I always hate having to be the bearer of bad news LOL) I put the bottle up to my nose and immediately remarked "I LOVE THIS!" and meant it. Ha! In fact, I wore it every day for a week straight after receiving it and it's still on rotation at least once a week. It's a spicy oriental with notes of ginger, rose, jasmine and honey-amber. While it ultimately feels like a fall/winter fragrance to me, it is light enough to wear in the spring/summer. Highly recommend giving this a try for a new fall scent!

*pr samples included

Shop more of my fragrance recommendations:

Review: Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm

After falling in love with the Paint Wash Liquid Lip colors (read my review here) from Laura Mercier, it was only a few months later that another launch lured me in. Now I have tried a ton of glossy, creamy balm-like lipsticks, but these Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalms are definitely one of the best. Ever. 

The coverage is medium to full, and the texture is smooth, creamy and glides on with the ease of a balm. It almost feels pillow-like - that is how soft these lip parfaits apply. They are soft enough that it seems like they would move or possibly bleed throughout the day, but I have given them the full 8 hour test and found none of this to be an issue. The color lasts until I take it off, which is really rare for a balm style lipstick. The vibrant colors definitely stain the lips so there is still color remaining even when the initial application is removed, so there is no worry that these will not go the distance.

I tested 3 different shades - Creamsicle (top left swatch), Juicy Papaya (top right swatch) and Cherry-On-Top (bottom left swatch) and wear them all equally. The camera does dull out the intensity a bit, so just know that they will be a bit more vivid in person. Especially the Juicy Papaya - that is a bold orange which looks beautiful for the summer. The Creamsicle is a bright nude, which sounds like an oxymoron but that's the only way I can describe it. Cherry-on-Top is a nice change from the fire engine reds I typically wear because it has a neutral/brown undertone and looks great as a daytime red. I already have my eye on Pink Grapefruit and Sweet Guava as my next purchases. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up getting the entire collection. This is a texture that I can justify having take over my collection.

*pr samples included

Have you tried these new Lip Parfait Colourbalms?  I would love to hear your thoughts on them!

Have you entered my NUDESTIX giveaway??!! Enter here.

Fresh and Fruity Summer Fragrances

While there are some fragrances that wear well year round, there are those few scents that are distinctly for a specific season. And when it comes to summer - I think fresh, fruity, floral, citrus, tropical notes. Basically anything that reminds me of being on vacation or at a beach is how I would prefer to smell from May - September. Here are a few that are worth checking out:

1. Laura Mercier Verbena Infusion - While I live for a lemon or citrus scent, I was pleasantly surprised when this did not smell as strongly verbena-like as I thought. I had anticipated tart and citrus notes, but instead this fragrance is reminscent of the most refreshing shower you could ever take. It has a fresh, vibrant and clean scent with notes of green citrus, spearmint and cedarwood. This is a quintessential summer fragrance because it's easy to wear, does not change in the heat and does not overpower those around you. 

2. Escada Turquoise Summer - Every year Escada makes a limited edition fragrance that has a sweet and fruity, tropical vibe. I look out for it every year because I adore those types of scents, and look out for the newest one from Escada every single year. This one does not disappoint and has notes of Raspberries, Blackcurrant and Violet. It's basically a vacation in a bottle. Put a little umbrella in your drink and sit around in a caftan if you feel so inclined. I am not here to judge.

3. mark Buenos Aires Vibe - The name and bottle should already get you in the mood for this fragrance. Like the Escada one mentioned above, it's tropical and vibrant, but has a much warmer feel with the addition of musk. Along with notes of passionfruit and violet, this is a nice balance of both fruity and rich and wears well for both day and evening. And an added bonus - the ridiculously affordable price point! Hello $24!!!! *Adds to cart*

*pr samples included

Shop more fresh and fruity fragrances:

Video: Laura Mercier Silk Cream Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation Review

Rather than do a regular written review, I decided a quick video would be best to give you my thoughts on the new Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation. Hope you enjoy!

Review: Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colors

I'm a sucker for a new lip launch. Especially if that lip launch is a lipstick. Even better if it's a liquid lipstick. Full bonus if it's a matte finish. Thankfully the new Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colors encompasses all of these things into one product. *happy dance* I do love a matte lip even more than a glossy lip, but they can always be tricky when it comes to lip moisture levels. I've been testing these liquid lip colors for the past week or two and am pleasantly surprised with how they perform.

There are a total of 9 colors in this new launch - everything from pale nudes, to punchy corals and vibrant fuchsias and reds. I have tried a little bit from each category and the first thing to pop out at me is the intense color pay-off. They can be sheered out if only used sparingly, but when applied directly from the tube they will give an opaque coverage. Which frankly is fine by me - the more color, the better.

I have been testing four shades - Nude Rose, Petal Pink, Vermillion Red and Orchid Pink. Most are a cream finish but I believe there are one or two shades with a hint of shimmer. The initial feel on the lips is incredibly creamy - very different from the tugging and pulling of other liquid matte lipsticks. It's almost slippery, and you have to start slowly when applying bright or bold colors because it can get a tad messy. But since the applicator has a nice narrow shape, it enables me to easily line the lips slightly and then fill in so I get a more precise application.

My favorite by far was the Vermillion shade - a bright vibrant orange red. It takes a few minutes for the shade to dry down to a demi-matte finish but there is still a slight creaminess that stays on the lip which helped keep my lips comfortable and hydrated. No, not the kind of hydration that a lip balm provides, but surprisingly more than many of my regular lipsticks. With such intense pigmentation, you can be sure these will last long on the lips. Even after wiping off the arm swatches for this post, I had to break out a cleansing oil to fully remove them. These have some serious staining powering so be prepared. But overall they manage to blend the best of two worlds - the intense look of a matte lipstick with the creamy texture of a liquid lipstick.

*pr samples included

Have you tested these new Laura Mercier Liquid Lip colors out yet? If so, what do you think? Leave me a comment below!

The Eye Shadow Brushes I Use Every Day

Every since I learned how to properly use makeup brushes, I've used them ever since. Rarely do I apply my eye shadow with my fingers because I have become so accustomed to the ease and technique of a brush.  Here is a look at the brushes I use regularly (if not every day) to apply my eye makeup.

1. Laura Mercier All Over Eye Color Brush - Though this is actually a travel size, the brush is one of my favorite brushes. It is perfect for applying color on the lid and gives great coverage with little to no fallout. And it fits on my lid as if it were made for it which makes application so easy. 

2. MAC 212 Brush - This is my brush I use for powder or cake liner. I have been moving more towards gel liner over the past two years but occasionally I will still use a powder liner and this brush allows me to get an extra thin line close to my lash line.

3. Laura Mercier Pony Tail Brush - Hello most amazing crease brush EVER! I absolutely adore the shape of this blending brush and love the super airbrushed finish it can give my crease. This along with the All Over Eye Color Brush are probably the brushes I use every day regardless of the look I am doing. They are vital to my makeup routine. 

4. MAC 210 Brush - Though super small and dainty, this liner brush is extremely easy to work with and surprisingly sturdy. I use it to apply my gel liner and find that it makes the process much easier than I imagined it could be. I am awful at applying liquid liner and was afraid I would have the same issue with gel liner, but this brush has made all the difference. 

5. MAC 239 Brush - This is a classic MAC brush and one that you will most likely find in almost every makeup artist's brush belt. I have 2 or 3 of these and have been using them for about 8 years - that is how long they last and how great they are to use. I typically like to use this brush for cream eye shadows and shadows that I want to apply with intensity. The tightly packed bristles makes all the difference when using highly pigmented shadows to ensure you get an intense pay-off. 

6. MAC 217 Brush - In addition to my Pony Tail Brush, this is my second favorite blending brush for the crease. Because the shape is a bit more narrow, it is better for using on the outer corners of my eyes when adding a darker shade into the crease. The tighter bristle shape allows for a more precise application and blending of the color - which works for me the best when I am doing a smokey eye look.

7. Kevyn Aucoin Small Round Tip Eye Shadow Brush - This is the final brush in my blending trio and is best for a super precise crease look. It is small enough to really get into the outer corner of the eye perfectly, yet the bristles are soft enough that they can blend a dark color seamlessly. I also use this to get a soft smudgey look on my upper lash line when I don't want a harsh liner but rather a soft and smokey effect. 

What are your favorite eye shadow brushes to use?

Tips For Achieving A Flawless Face With Laura Mercier And My Recommended Products

There are so many great things about blogging (and a few icky ones but let's be positive here folks), but probably one of the best aspects is having the opportunity to try brands that I haven't tried before. Now Laura Mercier has been around for a number of years, but it was not a brand that I ever tried prior to blogging (I know, where have I been?). Fast forward 2+ years and a handful of my holy grail products are from Laura Mercier. If you don't believe me, just click here to scroll back through my blog and see all my reviews.

The range of products she is most known for are complexion products, which are essential to creating Laura Mercier's famous "flawless face". And since I have a few of her foundation products, powders and concealers, I can attest to their ability to create a virtually perfect complexion. Even though I am quite confident in my makeup applying abilities (I did work behind the makeup counter for years), I was excited when the Laura Mercier team asked me to go visit my local LM counter and sit for a complete makeup consultation in preparation for this post. Frankly, it was one of the best experiences I've had in a long time and it reminded me why it's important to go back to a counter now and again to get that professional experience.

After sitting with the Laura Mercier makeup artist for 45 minutes, I realized there were so many great tips and tricks I had forgotten and was unaware of when using her products. Understanding how to work with a brand's products from a brand representative makes all the difference. So first we discussed the flawless face and why it's important to Laura Mercier:

1. A flawless face creates the perfect setting for the rest of the makeup.
2. Starting with a clean, even face is like starting with a great palette.
3. Letting one's natural skin show through is very important in creating a flawless face.

After I got the why, we dove right into how to get that flawless face:

1. Starting with the right skincare is essential. (don't have to tell me twice)
2. Decide what finish and texture you want before exploring different foundations. If you don't know, explain to the beauty consultant what sort of skin you have, your concerns and your lifestyle.
3. When choosing a foundation color, it is always best to choose 3 shades and swatch them on the chin. Start by the lip and pull down to the neck to make sure it matches completely. Use your finger to press it into the skin and the color that disappears is your shade.
4. Only a dime-sized amount of foundation is needed to cover the entire face. (I was using way too much. Whoopsie)
5. When applying foundation, start in the center of the face and blend outwards towards the hair line, ears and jaw.
6. Use a damp sponge or fingers to apply the foundation. The warmth of the fingers helps the foundation disappear into the skin. This can be a matter of preference, but after seeing the makeup artist apply both the primer and foundation with her fingers, I was amazed at how beautifully it blended into my skin. 
7. The steps to the Laura Mercier "flawless face" are: skincare, primer, foundation/tinted moisturizer, concealer/secret camouflage and setting powder. 

Here is my finished look with just the primer, secret camouflage, and tinted moisturizer, with a touch of bronzer on my cheekbones. I was amazed at how everything came together to give the most beautiful, but natural coverage and a true "flawless face".

If you are new to the Laura Mercier brand, below is a cheat sheet for my recommended products to try. I have starred the must-have essentials.

1. Foundation Primer* - Laura Mercier is one of the original makeup artists to speak about using primer, so you can be sure these are some of the best around. There are a few different ones for various skin types, but I prefer the original primer while another popular one is the Radiance Primer. See all her primers here.
2. Tinted Moisturizer* -  Always on the best of beauty lists, this truly is flawless skin in a tube. Weightless on the skin, it gives a natural satin finish. I prefer the Original Tinted Moisturizer in the shade Porcelain, but there is an oil-free version as well.
3. Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide - This is her newest foundation to launch and it's a stunner. An oil-free formula that gives medium coverage and blurs imperfections. It has an impressive shade range - 24 to be exact, great for any skin type (which is rare for a foundation), and is one of my favorite formulas. It is quite unique in that is has to be "activated" before use by shaking the bottle for 10 seconds, and once it's applied, it's like pure perfection. If you care to see me sing its praises even more - I reviewed it on the blog here and in this video. Told you I liked it.
4. Secret Camouflage Concealer* - Your dark circles, skin imperfections and discolorations have met their match with this concealer. It's a cult classic because it allows you to mix two shades together to help color correct and get the perfect shade for your skin.
5. Invisible Setting Powder* (Loose or pressed. I have both. Yup, obsessed.) - This is hands down one of the best powders I own, and it works for any skin tone. It never fails to set my makeup and keeps it looking flawless and matte ALL. DAY. LONG. And don't forget the puff! Using the puff has made all the difference. I apply to the skin in a press/roll method for an invisible and gorgeous finish.
6. Full Blown Lash Volume Mascara - I am a mascara junkie, so I can appreciate a good formula from a bad one.  I always keep a tube of this around to use as a base mascara because it gives the most perfect separated and lengthened lashes. Often thicker formulas can clump too easily so using this first is always guaranteed to give me a fuller look without the lashes sticking together.
7. Lip Glace - I always say I not here for lip glosses, but then I find another one that I adore. These definitely have a creamier feel on the lips than typical glosses so I enjoy wearing them alone or layered over lipsticks.
8. Creme Smooth Lip Color - Being a lipstick lover (and lover is putting it mildly), the Creme Smooth formula satisfies my lipstick checklist. Intense color. Check. Wide range of shades. Check. Smooth and comfortable on the lips. Check. I am on my 6th color from this range and don't plan to stop any time soon.
9. Caviar Eye Stick - If you don't love the ease and simplicity of an eye shadow stick, I am not sure we can be friends. These Caviar Eye Sticks are ideal for any occasion because they go on easily, blend smoothly, come in a gazillion colors and set for all day (or night - heyyyyy). 
10. Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact - To find a bronzer pale enough for me and with just the right amount of shimmer vs matte properties is nearly impossible. However, Laura Mercier's baked formula manages to do the impossible. I call it my "vacation in a compact" because it imparts the perfect amount of color without turning my face into an ooompa looompa.

I hope my tips and recommendations come in handy if you are looking to explore more Laura Mercier products. All her products can be purchased at Nordstrom, Sephora, Bloomingdale's or LauraMercier.com. And to end on a fun note, Laura Mercier is currently running an Instagram contest where you upload a picture of your "fresh face", use the hashtag #LMflawlesscontest and be entered to win $1000 (um hello, that is enough makeup for a lifetime) worth of Laura Mercier products. Contest begins October 14th. 

 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Laura Mercier through her partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Laura Mercier, all opinions are my own. 

Video: September 2014 Beauty Favorites

Here is a look at my September beauty favorites. Below are swatches of all the products featured.

These are all the products featured in the video:

1. Laura Mercier Invisible Pressed Setting Powder

2. Buxom Show Me Some Skin Foundation

3. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Dollface (available on Shiseido.com in October) - $5 from each one sold will be donated for breast cancer awareness

4. Rouge Bunny Rouge Lip Potion Devilish Nectar

5. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne

6. Buxom True Hue Blush in Breathless

7. Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel 

8. Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal

9. Dolce & Gabbana Eye Quad in Desert

Enjoy the video and don't forget to subscribe!

Video: August 2014 Beauty Favorites

This month was a big one for favorites - only two skincare items and a TON of beauty stuff. I listed all the swatches below of the eye palette and lip colors, and then my favorites video is at the bottom of the post. Enjoy!

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Review: Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup, YSL Fusion Ink and Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide

There have been so many new foundation launches recently that I can hardly keep up. I can't try them all, but I picked the three that interested me the most. I know everyone has been chatting about the new Tom Ford foundation, and there is a lot of buzz about a new Dior one coming out this fall, but these are the three that I truly had a desire to try.

1. Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup (in shade 1N1) - On the love/like scale, this fell onto the "like" side for me. It does have a similar texture to the YSL and Laura Mercier, and applied a bit sheer. I was able to build it up, but had to be careful in certain spots that it didn't pull or cake up. It is a bit more hydrating than I prefer so I think this would be a great foundation for those with dry skin. However, when set with powder, it did wear well for most of the day. I did find that I started to get oily around the 4-5 hour mark, so powder touch ups are necessary for me when wearing this foundation. The color was ok but skewed a bit too pink for me though I bought one with a neutral undertone. I am going to continue to play with it using brushes, sponges and primers to see if I can find a combination that works the best. Stay tuned over the next few weeks and I will give updates on my Instagram.

2. YSL Fusion Ink (in shade B10) - I bought this without knowing anything about it other than the media buzz. There was said to be a 12,000 person waiting list in the UK for it, which just about blew my mind. 12,000? For a foundation? Even I am not that much of a beauty lover, but still I bought it on the first (or possibly second) day it launched so I guess I shouldn't be throwing those stones in my glass house. Anyhoo....onto the formula and my thoughts. It is exactly like the Armani Maestro as many of you told me it would be. A thin, oily formula that dries down instantly after application. And I sadly was just not a fan. I liked the Maestro initially, but after a few months it became hit or miss for me. This, unfortunately was just a miss. I got super oily a hour or two after application, it was hard to blend and  it pulled on dry patches that I didn't even have. I rarely do this, but I actually ended up returning it, which should tell you a lot. Maybe it could work for someone else, but it was not my cup of tea.

3. Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide (in shade Creme) - Unlike the YSL foundation, I had done my research on this one. I swatched it in store, read reviews and found my correct shade. The formula felt very similar to the YSL/Armani texture that can be hit or miss, but I am happy to report that it is a total HIT!!! OMG - do I love this foundation! It is a bit thicker than the YSL, and blends like a dream. No pulling on dry patches, just enough coverage, a natural matte finish and it looks like second skin. I did get oily halfway through the day but nothing that my trusty By Terry powder couldn't fix. The finish is absolutely magnificent, the formula is oil free and  great for all skin types - it's like everything I could ever want wrapped up into one foundation. If you are on the fence with this one, I urge you to get off and pick this up. Like now.

* pr samples included

Have you tried any of these foundations? What are your thoughts?

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