Tag Archives: Laura Mercier

What’s On My Face – Volume 29

Makeup, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few looks from November I had kicking around (!) on my harddrive, and a few from my recent vacation in Ottawa over the holidays. Enjoy!

20141229_look4-1

Hnnnnnnnng. I will never tire of Too Faced’s Melted Berry lipstick. I even like matching my eyeshadows to it!

20141229_look4-2

Eyes
(all Makeup Geek)

  1. Bleached Blonde all over the lid.
  2. Bitten on the outer half and through the crease.
  3. Vanilla Bean on the browbone.
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal
  • Bronzer: Tarte Park Avenue Princess
  • Blush: Tarte Dazzled
  • Lips: Too Faced Melted Berry

20141229_look2-inspiration

Anything cat-related on the internet and I’m all over it. And when I have an internet cat on my t-shirt? It just gets even better. I grabbed some inspiration from Nyan Cat here and went with it.

20141229_look2-1

I stuck to the blue and the red since that’s what stands out to me the most in that shirt. Plus I was doing brunch… it certainly didn’t call for a full rainbow!

20141229_look2-2

Eyes

  1. NYX Asphyxiation all over the lid.
  2. Makeup Geek Razzleberry in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Makeup Geek Creme Brule through the top of the crease.
  4. Too Faced White Chocolate on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Estee Lauder Sumptuous Infinite Daring Length + Volume

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: MAC Gingerly
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Candlelight

20141229_look3-1

Playing around with the Laura Mercier Artist Palette for Eyes and Cheeks (2014). I will never not be astounded with the texture of her eyeshadows!

20141229_look3-2

Eyes
(all Laura Mercier)

  1. Pewter all over the lid.
  2. Deep Night in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Cashmere through the top of the crease.
  4. Vanilla Nuts on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: Revlon Bronzed  & Chic
  • Blush: Laura Mercier Rosegold Shimmer
  • Lips: Bite Fig

20141229_look5-1

20141229_look5-2No real theme for this one, I was just playing around with Makeup Geek eyeshadows I rarely used and came up with this look.

Eyes
(all Makeup Geek)

  1. Shimma Shimma all over the lid.
  2. Goddess on the outer half of the lid and lightly through the crease.
  3. Cocoa Bear in the outer corner.
  4. Vanilla Bean on the brow bone.

 

  • Liner: Tarte black gel liner
  • Mascara: Benefit They’re Real

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Powder: Hourglass Ambient Lighting in Ethereal
  • Bronzer: Tarte Park Avenue Princess
  • Blush: Tarte Darling

20141229_look1-1

A quick look that was mostly done just to try out Benefit‘s Push Up Liner (no review forthcoming on it, but my impression of it is pretty much “meh”. It’s okay, but it’s not better than a potted gel liner with a brush.).

20141229_look1-2

Eyes
(all Too Faced)

  1. Coquet on the inner half of the lid.
  2. Soiree on the outer half.
  3. Cream Colored Ponies on the brow bone.
  • Liner: Benefit Push Up
  • Mascara: Urban Decay Perversion

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: Hourglass Luminous Flush

What I Bought This Month – November 2014 Haul

Hauls, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oh boy. This was the month of Sephora’s VIB sale and IMATS. I didn’t do too badly really,  as I do feel like I reigned myself in a bit, but I’ve definitely got an excessive amount of new goodies play with. (Not that this is a bad thing!)

Too Faced – Everything Nice palette (regularly $68 CAD, purchased for $54.40 CAD)
Too Faced – Everything Nice palette (regularly $68 CAD, purchased for $54.40 CAD)

Unfortunately I have no clear full shot of this palette since the lighting has been atrocious lately (I rely on natural lighting and winter-time is so not my best friend for photos). Too Faced‘sEverything Nice palette was a last minute impulse buy during the VIB event. I had last year’s Too Faced holiday palette and figured I didn’t need this. Then I saw a few too many YouTube tutorials on it and I snapped it up during the sale. There are some repeat shades in this palette when I compare it closely to the previous one, however there is a surprising number of shades that are not.

I’m not a huge fan of the slightly bulkier packaging, but it’s a beautiful all-in-one face palette that includes 20 eyeshadows, 2 blushes and a bronzer and highlighter. There’s also a mini Better Than Sex mascara as well. Excellent quality and a great deal all around. The only completely STUPID thing about this palette is that it WILL NOT FIT into the glittery pink makeup bag it came in. No amount of shoving worked here. And considering this palette has no real closure (no latch or super strong magnet) this is a completely idiotic move in my eyes. If you have last year’s bag though, it will fit in that one.

Too Faced Melted Candy (regularly $25 CAD, purchased for $20 CAD)
Too Faced Melted Candy (regularly $25 CAD, purchased for $20 CAD)

This was just tragic. I already owned Too Faced‘s Melted Candy but then I fell out of my pocket on my way to work one day. Since this is one of my top five holy grail lip colours, I had to pick it up again during the VIB sale. Stunningly vibrant shade, this one is a definite keeper. Unless… you drop it and lose it.

Laura Mercier Artist’s Palette for Eyes & Cheeks (regularly $70 CAD, purchased for $56 CAD)
Laura Mercier Artist’s Palette for Eyes & Cheeks (regularly $70 CAD, purchased for $56 CAD)

I was so enchanted with Laura Mercier‘s 2013 holiday palette that despite not being overly enamoured with the colours this year, I still wanted to snap it up. The shadows are just as I expected – buttery soft and blend like no other shadows I own. (As a note, when I bought this, it was 70 bucks on Sephora’s site. I did get the VIB discount, which knocked it down to $56, but it’s CURRENTLY on sale on Sephora’s site for $59 CAD.)

NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Silver ($7.49 CAD)
NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Silver ($7.49 CAD)

I actually picked up NYX‘s Studio Liner in Extreme Silver on Halloween night for use for my Halloween costume. I haven’t used it since… and I’m kind of wondering just how often I’m going to use a silver liquid liner…

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes – Hydrating ($9.99 CAD)
Neutrogena Make-up Remover Wipes – Hydrating ($9.99 CAD)

My staple wipes. ‘Nuff said.

Labello Lip Butter in Coconut (~2€)
Labello Lip Butter in Coconut (~2€)

 

Finally! My extra products that I bought on vacation in Vienna were shipped to me (I had stupidly left them in a car) so I have a few overseas goodies to add in the mix. First up is Labello‘s lip butter in Coconut. I’d not seen this flavour in the Nivea lip care line (they’re the same company) so I snagged it up to try out. It’s lovely, but it has the same “makes your lips white” problem that I have with all the other potted Nivea products.

Manhattan Natural Bronzing Powder (~6€)
Manhattan Natural Bronzing Powder (~6€)

I’d heard a bit about the brand Manhattan, but wasn’t really sure what to buy from the line. I like bronzers a lot, so I picked up this one. It doesn’t seem to have a shade name other than “Natural Bronzing Powder”.

Manhattan Eyeshadow Base (~ 5€)
Manhattan Eyeshadow Base (~ 5€)

Also from Manhattan is their eyeshadow base. I’m curious to see if this will work on me at all.

Lavera quad in Cuprum Glam (8.99€)
Lavera quad in Cuprum Glam (8.99€)

This one was stupidly expensive for what it is but hey, I was on vacation! Lavera‘s eyeshadow quad in Cuprum Glam interested me because that bottom green shade has some interesting duochrome to it.

Look by Bipa in Crystal Jam (2.79€)
Look by Bipa in Crystal Jam (2.79€)

I bought this Look by Bipa lipstick (Crystal Jam) purely because it reminds me of my favourite eyeshadow from Inglot. How I’m going to wear a shiny, shimmery orange lip… I have no idea. But there you have it.

Real Techniques – Duo Fiber Set ($30 CAD), Powder Brush ($10 CAD) and Miracle Complexion Sponge ($10 CAD)
Real Techniques – Duo Fiber Set ($30 CAD), Powder Brush ($10 CAD) and Miracle Complexion Sponge ($10 CAD)

Next up is my IMATs stuff! I snagged up a bunch of Real Techniques brushes I didn’t have yet” The Duo Fiber set, the powder brush and another Miracle Complexion Sponge because mine is starting to get pretty ratty.

Naked Cosmetics pigment stacks in Ivory and Tropical Paradise ($55 CAD for both)
Naked Cosmetics pigment stacks in Ivory and Tropical Paradise ($55 CAD for both)

AT LONG LAST! I have been oogling Naked Cosmetics pigment stacks for a very long time. A few years ago they were heavily touted on YouTube and I’ve been itching to get my hands on them ever since. They had a deal on, so I picked up two stacks – one in Ivory (these are white pigments with a coloured duochrome – they are GORGEOUS) and Tropical Paradise(your standard bright colours, some with a duochrome). I’ve used them a bit and so far I’m over the moon about them. I’m not a huge lover of pigments, I find them messy, but these are so, soooo worth it.

Morphe 36 Glam Palette ($19 CAD)
Morphe 36 Glam Palette ($19 CAD)

If Jaclyn Hill is to be believed, Morphe products are the second coming.

Morphe 36 Glam Palette ($19 CAD)
Morphe 36 Glam Palette ($19 CAD)

So I picked up a palette of brights (36 Glam) because it was nineteen bucks, the quality felt nice under my finger tips and it was a little too pretty to walk away from. I’m sure this looks like clown makeup to some people but I’m just sitting here like “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS COME TO MAMA”.

Morphe Brushes – MB Angel Blush/Contour ($8 CAD) and M160 1/16 Angle Taklon Liner ($2 CAD)
Morphe Brushes – MB Angel Blush/Contour ($8 CAD) and M160 1/16 Angle Taklon Liner ($2 CAD)

I’m hoping the quality on these Morphe brushes are good because they were incredibly cheap as well! The small angled one is working out really well for my eyebrows so far.

London Brush Company – #0 Fine Art Liner ($10 CAD)
London Brush Company – #0 Fine Art Liner ($10 CAD)

Mmm such lovely photography (I’m kidding, really). I picked this up from the London Brush Company because I’ve been wanting another small liner brush for my gel liners. At the moment, I’m feeling like the brush hairs are too long. Makes it a bit floppy for applying gel liner.

Lit Glitter Kit ($40 CAD)
Lit Glitter Kit ($40 CAD)

Another brand I’ve been dying to try out! Lit Cosmetics was having their usual kit sale – $40 for their glitter base, three glitters, two brushes and a puff that helps remove glitter from your face.

Lit Glitters in California Soul, Lemon Tart and Back in Black
Lit Glitters in California Soul, Lemon Tart and Back in Black

Reasoning behind the colours I chose:

  • I had nothing like them
  • I’ve been dying to have a black glitter
  • xsparkage did a video in 2011 that used that yellow glitter and I’ve been dying to get my hands on it ever since
  • That orangey-red was screaming my name

And there you have it! A hefty makeup month and I’m loving every second of it!

What’s On My Face – Volume 23

Makeup, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Let’s dive right in!

I was inspired by this insanity of a dress that I recently picked up:

10562610_10102030612254050_4234670930069825567_o

To create the following look:

20140903_look3-1

And I think it came out amazingly well!

20140903_look3-2

Eyes

  1. Illamasqua Alluvium all over the lid.
  2. Laura Mercier Violet Ink in the outer corner and used to line the lower lashline.
  3. MAC Handwritten in the very outer corner to darken the edge up.
  4. Makeup Geek Simply Marlena at the top of the crease.
  5. MAC Shroom on the inner tearduct and to highlight the brow.

Urban Decay Perversion mascara is on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Illamasqua Skin Base in 6.5
  • Bronzer: Hard Candy Hula Hula
  • Blush: Wet n Wild Heather Silk
  • Highlighter: Hard Candy Tiki
  • Lips: NYX Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait

20140903_look4-1

Overly simple for my books, but quite striking in its simplicity.

20140903_look4-2

Eyes

  1. Makeup Geek Bleached Blonde all over the lid.
  2. Makeup Geek Preppy on the outer half.
  3. Makeup Geek Vanilla Bean to highlight the brow.

For the winged liner I used Tarte‘s black gel liner and used Urban Decay‘s Perversion mascara on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance foundation in Cool Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: Wet n Wild Mellow Wine
  • Highlighter: MAC Whisper of Gilt
  • Lips: Wet n Wild 910D with MAC Strawberry Malt lipglass on top

20140903_look5-1

I was struggling with essence‘s All About Candies eyeshadow palette until I started using a solid thick white based underneath the shadows. Use that and you should be good to go!

20140903_look5-2

Eyes

  1. Cover the entire lid with NYX‘s Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk and smooth it out with your finger. Then layer the pale green shade in essence‘s All About Candies palette on top.
  2. MAC Club in the outer corner and through the crease and on the lower lash line.
  3. MAC Blanc Type to highlight the brow.

Urban Decay Perversion mascara is on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance foundation in Cool Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Concealer: essence Match2Cover (darker shade) underneath my eyes
  • Blush: Hourglass Diffused Heat
  • Highlighter: MAC Soft & Gentle

20140903_look2-1

Sunset-themed eyes, a favourite of mine throughout August.

20140903_look2-2

Eyes

I first applied NYX‘s Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk all over the lid, then:

  1. Inglot Matte 370 on the inner half of the lid.
  2. Inglot Matte 383 on the outer half of the lid.
  3. Makeup Geek Creme Brulee to blend out the crease.
  4. MAC Shroom to highlight the brow.

Tarte‘s black gel liner was used to create the wing and Urban Decay Perversion mascara is on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla
  • Bronzer: Hard Candy Hula Hula
  • Blush: essence Autumn Peach
  • Highlighter: MAC Whisper of Gilt
  • Lips: Too Faced Coral Fire

20140903_look1-1

Another sun-based look!

20140903_look1-2

Eyes

Using essence‘s All About Sunrise palette:

  1. Pale orange shade on the inner corner.
  2. Medium brown on the center of the lid.
  3. Darker brown on the outer corner.
  4. Champagne shade to highlight the brow.
  5. Gold shade all over the lower lash line.

MAC‘s Dipdown fluidline was used to create the winged liner, essence‘s black gel pencil liner to tightline and line the inner water line. essence‘s Get Big! Lashes mascara is on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance in Cool Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: essence Autumn Peach
  • Highlighter: Champagne shade from the essence All About Sunrise palette
  • Lips: essence On The Catwalk!

What’s On My Face – Volume 21

Makeup, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Colour me shocked… This group of looks has zero winged liner in it! :O

20140728_look3-1

This one seemed to really play up my tan/slightly sunburned face. Pretty eye combo though.

20140728_look3-2

Eyes

  1. L’Oreal Infallible in Amber Rush all over the lid.
  2. MAC Sushi Flower in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Makeup Geek Creme Brulee through the top of the crease.

MAC Shroom on my browbone with Benefit They’re Real mascara on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer/Blush: NYC Fire Island Tan bronzer

20140728_look1-1

A simple one using one of NARS’ vibrant duos.20140728_look1-2

  1. NARS Mediteranee (lighter shade) all over the lid.
  2. NARS Mediteranee (orange shade) in the outer corner and through the crease.
  3. Makeup Geek Burlesque in the very outer corner to darken it up.

MAC Blanc Type on my browbone and Benefit They’re Real mascara on my lashes.

20140728_look5-1

This was to try out using shades that I wouldn’t normally think to pair together.

20140728_look5-2

Eyes (all Makeup Geek)

  1. Sea Mist all over the lid.
  2. Burlesque in the outer corner and lightly on the outer lower lashline.
  3. Creme Brulee through the top of the crease.
  4. Shimma Shimma on the inner tearduct.

Vanilla Bean on my brow bone and MUFE Smoky Lash Extravagant on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: Boots No7 Instant Radiance foundation in Cool Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: MAC Sea Me, Hear Me
  • Lips: Bite Beauty Fig

20140728_look4-1

I did this one mostly to figure out what kind of look MAC’s Mystical lipstick would look good with since it’s more on the brown side than I had anticipated when I bought it.

20140728_look4-2

Eyes (all MAC)

  1. All That Glitters with Nylon on top all over the lid.
  2. Shag on the outer half of the lid and through the crease.

Blanc Type on the browbone and MUFE Smoky Lash Extravagant on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: MAC Sea Me, Hear Me
  • Highlighter: MAC Whisper of Gilt
  • Lips: MAC Mystical with Revlon Sunset Peach gloss on top

20140728_look2-1

Random smoky eye look.20140728_look2-2

Eyes (all Laura Mercier)

  1. Bamboo all over the lid.
  2. Violet Ink in the outer corner.
  3. Plum Smoke through the top of the crease.

Vanilla Nuts on my browbone with Benefit They’re Real mascara on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: CoverGirl CC Cream in 110 Classic Ivory mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Bronzer: NYC Fire Island Tan
  • Blush: Milani Luminoso
  • Lips: Bite Beauty Fig

What’s On My Face – Volume 13

Makeup, Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another week, another set of looks. I even tried out some of the new spring trends that everyone keeps mentioning (white eyeshadow, orange lips). Keep on reading if you’re looking for some kind of inspiration!

20140407_look5.1

This is my absolute favourite look that I’ve come up with from the Laura Mercier Artist (2013) palette. I don’t usually apply dark(er) colours on the lid because I think it’ll interfere with the crease/outer corner colour, but when I do, I usually like the result!

20140407_look5.2

Eyes (all Laura Mercier)

  1. Bamboo all over the lid.
  2. Espresso Bean in the outer corner.
  3. Fresco through the crease.

Vanilla Nuts to highlight the brow bone. MAC Blacktrack fluidline to create the wing, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara on my lashes and MAC Omega eyeshadow through my brows.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: nothing
  • Blush: Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Natural
  • Lips: Maybelline Vivids in Neon Red

20140407_look2.1

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… this is the kind of bright, vibrant look that just makes me outright happy. I got back from trip to the US and just had to dive straight into the vividInglot shades I’d picked up.

20140407_look2.2

Eyes

  1. Inglot 343 all over the lid.
  2. Inglot 317 in the outer corner.
  3. Makeup Geek Creme Brulee very lightly at the top of the crease.

MAC Shroom on the brow bone. Tarte Amazonian clay waterproof gel liner in Black to create the wing, Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara on my lashes and MAC Omega through my brows.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: CoverGirl CC Cream in 110 Classic Ivory mixed with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 51 Light Vanilla
  • Blush: Milani Luminoso
  • Bronzer: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster in Light/Medium
  • Lips: NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee

20140407_look1.1

I first saw this look on Sharon Farrell’s YouTube channel (direct tutorial link here). I think it looked really simple and stunning on her (and apparently it’s trendy right now), but I think it looks a little stark on me. That being said, zoomed in on the eye, I really love it. No eye guide for this one because it’s ridiculously simple!

Eyes

  • NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow pencil in Milk all over the lid, smooth it out for your finger or a brush.
  • Using the white from the Sleek Acid palette, apply it right on top of Milk. I had to really, REALLY pack this on so I can’t say I recommend this white shade. Use another white with more pigment if you have it. Blend it up to the brow, but don’t actually cover the brow with it – make sure it fades out before it hits your browbone.
  • I then applied a lot of coats of Too Faced‘s Better Than Sex mascara on my upper and lower lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: CoverGirl CC Cream in 110 Classic Ivory
  • Bronzer: Revlon Photoready in Bronzed & Chic
  • Blush: Illamasqua Hussy
  • Highlighter: MAC Silver Dusk

 

20140407_look3.1

Another trend for spring (as I keep hearing, I’m really not trendy at all) is orange lips. This is the most wearable orange lip I have so I decided I’d start with this one before trying out another one I’ve got that’s a lot more vibrant.

20140407_look3.2

Eyes (all Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette)

  1. White Chocolate all over the lid and to highlight the brow.
  2. Salted Caramel in the outer corner.

Tarte Amazonian clay waterproof gel liner in Black to create the winged liner and L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara on my lashes.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: none
  • Blush: MAC Gingerly
  • Highlighter: Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlight powder
  • Lips: Maybelline Vivid in Vibrant Mandarin

20140407_look4.1

There’s a MAC shade in my collection that I’m desperate to get rid of (Fade) so I tried to construct a look around that shadow.

20140407_look4.2

Eyes

  1. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Waves of White on the inner half of the lid.
  2. MAC Fade on the middle of the lid.
  3. MAC Freshwater on the outer third of the lid.

MAC Blanc Type to highlight the browbone, L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara on my lashes and Chella Indigo liquid liner to create a very thin line.

Rest of the Face

  • Foundation: none
  • Blush: Physicians Formula Happy Booster in Natural
  • Lips: Sephora Color Reveal Balm in Unique Pink