Savvy Thinker » Laura Mercier

FOTD AL eyes + AL lips

Karin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:21:19 +0000

Finally! I'm current -- this is my FOTD today. I wanted to wear the same eye colors as yesterday.

Comparing two lower lash mascaras one is Tarte; the other is Guerlain's Le2.
AL concealer.

Back to trying to use up the discontinued Chanel foundation. Primed with Laura Mercier. My usual sparkly mix of powder, then SCA Hyaluronic as a bronzer.

Blush: AL Dolly

I'm trying uploading directly vs. using Photobucket. The images are smaller. But it is a lot faster for me except for waiting for it to upload into wordpress.

Lips: AL Gala + AL Pinafore (on each lip, then smooshed) + rimmed and topped in center with Beauté Paramour Love this color!

Day 2 into Arbonne:

And we finally have some rain around here -- all the ponds are low. I'm going to enjoy the rain!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-18 11:27:19.

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FOTD Lancome NYX AL

Karin — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:01:28 +0000

This was my weekend look, using Lancome minerals, which I'm still learning to use and not at all sure will be my normal routine. I used Mary Kay tinted moisturizer underneath and Laura Mercier primer.

Eyes:
NYX trio TS02 Baby Pink, Barely There, Cotton Candy the last of my amazingly cheap haul from NYX.

The thing about using these colors is that they aren't quite enough to delineate my crease, but they are fine for a Saturday.
Concealer: one eye YSL; the other Dior skinflash -- they looked very similar when finished, hard to choose which is my fave, tho I'll likely only buy the Dior from now on.
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Lined top and lower: Clarins Midnight Flash pencil
Mascara: top Sapphire Covergirl
Eyelights; lower, Tarte -- love this!

Foundation: Lancome minerals, plus a bit of AL C1
Powder: my sparkly mix, used the NYX shadows as an overall glow, softly
Blush: AL Candy-O
Lips: NYX Juicy Cherry Goddess of the Night gloss

As I said, I'm not necessarily crazy about mineral foundation. It seems to look better as the day goes on than when I first apply it. What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-26 08:06:50.

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Review Prime Time

Karin — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 01:15:13 +0000

Updated to include my review of L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Base. And also as a reminder about the value of using a primer.

To prime or not to prime, that is the question.
If you’ve not used a primer, try one and see what you think. Get a makeover and ask that they use one.

If you truly don’t like a primer, return it, if you bought it at a physical store. There are enough primers out there now, that you can find one that you love.

If you are using a primer, I’m guessing you will never go back to without.

Why prime?
What is the purpose of primer?
Primer perfects your look. It makes the surface of your skin silky with less visible imperfections, so you use less foundation. Your products glide over the top, meaning you need less foundation to cover.

What is primer made of?
Usually there is some silicone or one of the ‘cones’ in it to create a smooth surface on the skin.

Some folks even use Monistat gel for an inexpensive alternative.

How does it work?
Most primers are the last step before applying your foundation.

Primer slips over the skin, creating a light barrier, usually with silicone. Foundation glides on easier, goes on smoother, and covers better with less product.

Under a certain age, some primers will stop oil from coming through and messing with your look.

Once a certain age, a primer may act like spackle, one even has that name, gently filling in lines and pores to give a smooth surface for foundation and optically take time off your age.

Is it strictly cosmetic or is it also corrective?
All perform a cosmetic service; some are also corrective.
Color correction
Some primers color correct or add a sheer layer of color. Others are clear. Both Smashbox and Revlon Vital Radiance have multiple colors to correct.

Guerlain Meteorites Perles
Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer; Base Perfection. Great little powder balls that color correct and do other neat things.

Contact Claire at Guerlain at the Palazzo in Las Vegas for all your Guerlain needs. (702) 732-7008. If you're in town, stop in to visit!

Vital Radiance Smoothing Face Primer, SPF 25, Petal 002, Cool, 1 fl oz which has been discontinued, can still be found on occasion. It came in two colors, cool and warm. I use cool.

Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer is another good one. I use the purple. Purple will also bring a foundation into a cooler tone. One minimizes red tones; one minimizes yellow or sallow tones; one minimizes dark circles, veins, and dark spots. (The best thing for dark spots is using a lightening product or having them removed either by laser or by freezing.)

Some have added ingredients that benefit your skin.
Aromaleigh Easy applicator pump bottle. Very nice product.

The best "canvas" for any type of makeup is a perfect, smooth canvas. This is what we are all seeking, and for many, mineral makeup brings us one step closer.

Lock in hydration while smoothing and retexturizing your skin's appearance and maximizing your makeup...

With natural oils of Safflower, Grape and Camellia, Vitamins E and A and advanced polymers... our primer combines nature with science to get your skin where you need it to go.

Less is more, just like with mineral makeup. Your primer can be blended with your moisturizer or sunscreen, or used on it's own. It can even be combined with a small amount of powder to create an easy to apply mineral makeup/primer combination that smooths to a velvety finish. Aromaleigh

Arbonne Virtual Illusion makeup primer
Supposedly acts like a natural botox to improve the surface of your skin.

Create a flawless canvas for makeup application with this advanced primer. A blend of vitamins, skin-perfecting pigments, advanced cushioning and anti-aging ingredients work in harmony to help tone, smooth and minimize the visual appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. The result is a velvety, matte, radiant finish.

GABA, hyaluronic acid, polypeptides, gamma orizinol, light deflecting pigments, B-glycherritinic acid; horsetail extract, green tea leaf and grape seed extracts

Guerlain
L’Or – has real flecks of gold in it and creates a lovely look.
Again, contact Claire, see above.

La Prairie
I have not tried this white one.

La Prairie for eyes

Shiseido Benefiance Facial Lifting Complex also works to firm.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF15 with Dermaxyl Complex (Unboxed)

Here are some good ones:

L'Oreal Studio Secrets magic Base.
Great value; works good.

Avon Magix evidently stops oil too; has a fairly heavy consistency; is generally well liked by everyone. Very reasonably priced at $10.

Smashbox – comes in clear (I like the purple better), purple (to correct skin tone, but it works to cool up colors of foundation that are a bit yellow),green (ditto, I haven’t tried this one) and an apricot one that has ingredients to benefit skin (I like the idea of this.) To me they all feel the same, but the clear one seems to do less. Placebo effect, likely!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer oil free spf 15 $52

I loved this product. It has a slight radiance to it which makes my skin look perfect. This is something I likely will be buying. 132 people reviewed it at Sephora, giving it an average of more than 4.5 stars.

Today I compared it to Chanel's SHEER ILLUMINATING BASE. Both illuminate; Hourglass seems more slippery. I preferred the look of Hourglass once I had on my foundation and sparkly powder mix. I generally use Chanel's only up the center of my face as a highlighter.

It is water-resistant and 100% fragrance free, oil free, and paraben free. It does not have an odd smell because of ingredients. I smell nothing.

It neutralizes the skin, creating a smooth, uniform slate for makeup application. Don't forget the slight radiance which evenly distributes light to soften and camouflage skin imperfections and fine lines. It also protects from oil breakthrough, so your makeup stays looking fresh longer.

It has no
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates

The SPF is formulated with naturally-derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sun-blocking agents.

These work, but I don’t like them as well
Laura Geller Spackle – Sephora sampled this.
It started out white and got taupe colored when exposed to air. The sample was in a pot. The full size is in a pump which would eliminate exposure to air.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Oil Free
Sephora sampled this also. It was one of the first on the market.

Revlon It’s OK, but I didn’t like it as well. Comes in two formulas.

Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer for Normal/Combination Skin (Pack of 2)

Sheer Cover Light weight. Still, it is nice.

Smashbox Highlight and Prime together
You can read my review here. I don’t like the dual delivery system. It doesn’t feed evenly. You have to cover one side to make sure the other feeds. I love the color though. Would be better to have just had the highlight to use as you wish, and add to your primer or not, as you wish. Or have two separate tubes in the set vs. 2 in 1 tube.

How about perfecting your look even more?
There are products you can apply over your makeup that filter out and soften lines, similar to when Doris Day was filmed through a special lens.

Clarins makes a great one!
Use this around your mouth or eyes, wherever you need extra help. Try it out at one of the counters.

La Prairie
Pink colored, quite a heavy consistency. Pricey. No better than some and less than others. Evidently, it comes in gold too. I think it is quite thick.

The eye product tends to roll some, but the look is pretty.

Signature A Wrinkle Filiment
is heavier, similar to La Prairie’s, but apricot colored.

MAC Prep and Prime

Prep and prime is a face primer. I like prep and prime better than Smashbox Photo finish because it doesn't have that slick feel to it. It's not all silicone. I recommend it. Miranda

MAC Black eye primer

I also bought MAC's black eye primer. It makes a huge difference in how the eyeshadow looks. Want a paler, more natural look, use a skin toned primer. Want uber kapow and drama for evening, use black primer! Miranda

Do you use a primer?
Which one(s) do you use or have you tried?
Let me know if I left out any that you particularly love.
Nearly every line has a primer in their arsenal now. I'd like to hear about any good ones!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just contact me, and I'll put you in touch.
Karin

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base Face Primer Cream

US $19.99

9d 8h 35m

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Guerlain METEORITES PERLES Light-Perfecting Primer- White Booster 30ml

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2d 21h 51m

Guerlain Meteorites Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer, Full Size, Brand New

US $60.93

2d 23h 22m

Guerlain Meteorites Perles Light Diffusing Perfecting Primer 30ml/1oz NEW

US $65.50

4d 23h

Guerlain Meteorites Perles Light Diffusing Perfecting Primer 30ml/1oz NEW

US $65.50

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GUERLAIN L'OR RADIANCE CONCENTRATE GOLD PRIMER 30ML NEW

US $64.99

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ARBONNE MAKEUP PRIMER

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US $27.99

7h 35m

New in Box Arbonne Make Up Primer

US $31.99

10h 55m

Arbonne Makeup Primer

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US $19.50

1d 22h 42m

BN In Box Arbonne Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer

US $35.00

2d 3h 49m

Arbonne Face Makeup Primer (New)

US $34.20

4d 1h 33m

Originally posted 2010-05-22 12:58:20.

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FOTD Chanel Lumiere Naturelle

Karin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 07:48:23 +0000

Here's my look today:
From the left side of the palette:

This brown is more taupe, but you can still see a hint of red in it. I like red alone; or I like more taupe browns or grayed.

I wanted to see how green looked with it, as I had used blue with the Tendresse Palette, and hadn't tried green with either of them. I chose to do a green Chanel eye pencil. I like green with it, better than brown as the liner.

Primer: Laura Mercier
Foundation: Chanel Lift Lumiere with Guerlain Meteorites Primer over it
Concealer: YSL Touch Ecat
Mascara: Guerlain Maxi Lash

Mascara or not on my lower lashes?
This morning I showed my eyes without mascara on the lower lashes to my 13 yo. She preferred me with mascara, so I did the lower the lashes.

For today, I agree. Some days, I think I can get away without wearing it. But Book Girl likes my eyes better with mascara on my lower lashes too. My lower lashes are clear they are so fine and light. You don't see them at all without mascara.

~~~~~~~~~~

Everything else is the same as yesterday.

I have a hard time seeing myself in this palette and not wanting to wash dirt off my face. It just looks a bit dirty, to me at least.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-01 14:47:13.

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FOTD Fyrinnae eyes + NYX lips +

Karin — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 17:33:27 +0000

New shape of eyes again! This was a super easy, simple summer look! Only one color of shadow. I just love the way this turned out. Could it be that one color will be enough with most brands with this shape??

Remember Fyrinnae has gorgeous, gorgeous colors, but they are applied differently -- they are patted, not whisked over the eye like most shadows. I wondered if I would have forgotten how to do this, but it went on very easily. I just adored the color, and with my top especially! I almost think this could be one of my natural looks, even though it is definitely purple. There is some gray to it, and if I used all black or gray pencils, I believe it would look less purple. Anyway, it's a great color with my eye color.

By the time I've posted this, the shadow color has creased some. I'm not sure why, so I'll have to use Nude Frost as my base next time.

Primer: MAC Luna
Shadow + drylined bottom: Fyrinnae Artic Fox
Highlight inner corners: Lancome Hollogramme Micro Pailettes, sparkly now discontinued
Tightlined top: MAC graphblack
Wet lined lower: Venomous gel liner
Mascara: Arbonne, 2 step
Brows: Anastasia Brow Tint Pen (light) + Brow Wand (Caramel)
Concealer: YSL Touch Eclat

Primer: Laura Mercier
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under my sparkly mix of powder: Chanel stick

Lips:
NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil Pink Nude + SCA Hyaluronic Lip Plumping Pen -- this pen has almost exactly the same look and color as the NYX pencil, it's not clear -- anyway, I loved the look this morning. Now I have a dark shade on just because I wanted to try it, so if I get a chance, I'll do a Take 2 photo later.

I hope you're having a good day!

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just ask.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-16 14:29:01.

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MAC makeover at Nordstrom’s

Karin — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:56:12 +0000

I liked the colors chosen for this makeover.

Pictures were taken in unforgiving outside light. My earrings are pendants from Inky Productions, my daughter.

Eyes: All MAC, except where noted
Sweet Lust under brow and inner corners.
Kid in crease
Satin Taupe on lid
Prunella liner
White liner on waterline
MAC mascara

Face:
Mercier Moisturizer, color Nude
MAC NW 20 concealer under eyes and also to add coverage to foundation. It didn't drift into any pores, which I liked.
Mineralized pressed pwd light
Brit Wit rouge (pinkish mauve) (pretty color)

Lips:
This is a pretty plummed neutral. I like that it has some plum to it.

Naked rose pencil + Naked Paris Lippie + Date Night Gloss

My take:
I really like the lipstick color. And I like the way the concealer covers.
Thanks for looking!
Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-06 01:47:09.

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Review Prada L’Eau Ambrée

Karin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:24:31 +0000

Prada L'Eau Ambrée is one of the nicest new fragrances to come along in a long time. It has a luminous quality to it and is very wearable, for either men or women. Nice hardly does it justice.

Daniela Andrier is the perfumer. She also did Infusion d'Iris. There is a similarity between the two fragrances, but I find L'Eau Ambrée more interesting. It holds my attention. I don't tire of it. I found the sameness of Infusion d'Iris to be grating after a while -- and it would get distressingly stronger.

L'Eau Ambrée is soft, but long lasting. It is said to be

graceful...empowering but never demanding.

Perhaps this should describe the ideal me!

Oddly enough, graceful, empowering, never demanding are words I could easily use to describe this fragrance, along with luminous, luminosity, sheer and enveloping. Discretely sexy and sensual. And however Andrier has modernized amber, it works. At least for me. There is even a hint of saltiness or sea air to it.

L'Eau Ambrée notes:
modernized amber, lemon and May rose essences, patchouli, oppoponax and vanilla.

Amber is usually very heady, rich and sweet. This is airy, but it has definite presence. It is light enough to wear anywhere, even out to dinner, but it has enough presence that I can smell it hours later, and I can catch nuances on my clothes. I use very little, as always, one squirt, maybe two. I might think it is gone, then I turn just right and catch this amazing fragrance that is more than gentle and less than the freshness in Infusion d'Iris.

I have not had good luck with Laura Mercier's Amber Passion, which turned out to be a scrubber on me. At the time, the SA told me that they were told in sales meetings that it would either be wearable or not wearable. It started out very good, but did not stay that way on me. This was the first time I'd ever heard that amber could be either good or bad. Of course, that is true for any fragrance, which should be tried on skin for that reason. But if a fragrance starts out good, it's generally not such an either-or proposition. But since that time I have been very careful with amber fragrances. The ones I wear are rich and sweet -- I wear them at night or in winter; L'Eau Ambrée fills a different niche.

Amber Passion notes:
Top: labdanum, vanilla and geranium; middle: amber, tonka bean and patchouli; base: sandalwood, musk and cedar.

I suspect that different molecules were used for these two ambers.

My take
I find myself reaching for L'Eau Ambrée as my go-to everyday fragrance right now. I knew immediately that it was something I would enjoy, and I am not disappointed. As usual, I waited about 1/2 hour to make sure it stayed true. It is different from anything else I wear.

I think you could layer it nicely, though I haven't tried that yet.

If you like amber, but are looking for a lighter version of amber, but one that has presence, give this one a try.

Is this one that you wear?
Have you tried this one? What do you think?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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FOTD Easter Fyrinnae MAC

Karin — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:21:02 +0000

Happy Easter to everyone! What did you fix for your meal? We had Shrimp de Jonghe.

I thought this turned out so pretty today.

This was a very simple look. My only difficulty was getting both eyes to match in depth. One eye went on stronger, then I had to match it. It takes a little practice with Fyrinnae because the technique is different: dabbing, not sweeping.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then Meow Nicole S
Crease, lightly on lids, drylined on lower: Fyrinnae Daijodan
Lined upper: Lancome pen in Blueberry -- these pens are very, very nice, in all the colors -- have you used them? what is your favorite color?
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: CoverGirl Lights Sapphire

Primer: Laura Mercier
Foundation: L'Oreal N1, liquid
Rouge: Beauté Harlot liqui-gel stain
Power: my sparkly mix, with BE Mineral veil as bronzer
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies
Lips: Mary Kay Metallic lip liner, a true brown liner, MAC Sweetie, topped with Pinkaratgloss, rimmed with a lighter gloss and used up the center too. Still hoping for a different shade.

I like Daijodan really well. It is such a pretty blue!

What do you think?

Karin

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Jumping on the mineral bandwagon

Karin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:47:54 +0000

Have you noticed
...how nearly all the major department stores brands have added minerals to their lineup?

...and that Mary Kay re-formulated all their eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers and highlighters a short while back to be minerals? And they brought out a mineral foundation?

...and that drug store brands added minerals even earlier?

...and that Avon and Beauticontrol each have minerals now?

And it doesn't hurt that they are supposed to be good for you.
...there are even products for correction and prevention, not just cosmetic effects.

Is there anyone who hasn't joined the bandwagon?
...or the craze as has been said.

Who was first with a home run?
...was it Bare Essentuals who changed the face of cosmetics, and did it so well that major brands took notice and wanted a piece of the pie?

...how about all the other lovely lines (in alpha order) of minerals like About Face (I've never used them), Aromaleigh, Coastal Scents (never used them yet), Fyrinnae, Joppa (never used them), Meow, Purely Cosmetics (which I haven't tried) ... the list goes on and on and on and... taking their well earned piece of the pie.

...or lines like Lime Crime , so bright it's a crime, with plenty of glitter, whether mineral or not...

For the fashion conscious
...how about all those glorious shadow and blush colors?

...no major line matches the colors that can be found in the Indie lines I've used: Aromaleigh, Fyrinnae, Meow...they just don't compare...and Hip colors, while hip (and a clever name), are not as hipster...

How about texture? Is this the next frontier?
Do you like the loose texture?
...once you get used to loose (and maybe using ziplocks) it's a synch and it's not messy.

Have you tried pressing any of them? I have not.
...Mary Kay's products are all pressed -- lovely colors too, but just not quite so Indie.

How about foundations?
You can find minerals in liquids, creams or powder form. The most popular form is likely the powders.

Purists choose by ingredient additives (or not) and by color and texture. Some lines have a much wider choice in color range -- from lightest to darkest -- and hue -- neutral, pink, yellow based... But with the ability to order samples for a reasonable price, it's not impossible to find a color and a coverage that is just what you want.

I'm not a good one to ask because I don't think the liquids or creams are that different from ones without minerals. This is the form of foundation I usually use. To be honest, BE foundations are too dark for me. And I think irritating. And because I don't like a powder or a heavy look (I prefer sheer or dewy) I haven't pursued any other lines. I'd be willing to try. I just haven't. I'm using up the BE, mixed lighter with some AL, on my neck.

Do you use mineral foundations?
What is your favorite and why? What kind of coverage do you like? Are you warm or cool complected? pale? Asian? dark?

Do you use mineral shadows and blushes?
Do you have a favorite line?

Be sure to mention any lines I may have forgotten or don't know.

One for the money, two for the show
....with the Internet so easy to access, Internet companies are giving the companies with counters or wall space a run for their money.

And well they should.

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