Sephora Beauty Insider 500 Point Perk - Laura Mercier Flawless Best Sellers.

Laura Mercier Flawless Best Sellers Kit

In my five years of being a Sephora Beauty Insider, I've never cashed in on my 500 point perks. I guess I never find them to be that amazing, and usually wait around for some really awesome 100 point perks (such as fragrance minis!) Well, I thought the Laura Mercier Flawless Best Sellers Kit was a pretty sweet deal and decided to cash in on some of my points.

The Laura Mercier Flawless Best Sellers Kit contains:

• Foundation Primer (0.5 oz) $9 value
• Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude (0.5 oz) $14 value
• Shimmer Bloc in Golden Mosaic (0.14 oz) $25 value
• Eye Basics in Wheat (0.1 oz) $13 value

I calculated the values based on the full-size products, and the total value for this kit adds up to $61! It sure as heck doesn't look like it, but Laura Mercier is a pricey brand. I think the 500 points was well worth it!

I have yet to try the products, but I've had samples of both the Laura Mercier Primer and Tinted Moisturizer and really liked them. You can see my past review for the Tinted Moisturizer here. Granted I haven't tried any other tinted moisturizers, I think it's quite good for some of my more "natural" days. I'm not sure how the shade Nude (light beige for fair/light skin) will work out, but if anything, I can most likely mix it with other foundations to sheer them out. 

From left to right: Golden Mosaic swatched individually and swirled together, Wheat Eye Basic, Nude Tinted Moisturizer and Primer. 

My November Favorites!

November Beauty Favorites

I know I rarely ever do monthly favorites, but I had to do a favorites list this month since there are several products I've been loving lately and have been getting most of my attention! The list can pretty much go on forever, but I'll try to keep it short!

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - I've had a few samples of this and loved it, but have only finally purchased a tube this month. It's probably one of my favorite cream foundation as it's full coverage, yet it looks like skin. It's comfortable to wear and the color Bamboo Beige is perfect for me when I am in the MAC NC30 color range. My only gripe is that it's not budge-proof and starts to get a little shiny and fade around my mouth around 5-6 hours in wearing it. Despite that, I really do love this foundation.

MAC Bombshell Lipstick - This has been the only lipstick I've been wearing all month. It's such a pretty rosy pink with a hint of frost. It can look a little bright sometimes, so when I want something more subdued, I like mixing it with a lighter shade, such as MAC Creme D' Nude.

Revlon Bordeaux Lipgloss - Bordeaux has been my favorite pick for an easy berry lip this Fall. I love how pigmented and moisturizing it is, and that I don't have to bother with a lip liner. Definitely recommend if you're looking for a very wearable berry.

MAC Bamboo Eyeshadow - Bamboo is a fairly popular shade by MAC, but it's never one that I thought I needed. Well, I was wrong and this light beige-peach with a matte finish has found it's way into my MAC Everyday Palette, and has been a color I tend to reach for just about every day. Fabulous for warm skin tones, it's a great blending color and pairs well with copper, golds and browns. It leans slightly orange, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for cool skin.

MAC Mulch Eyeshadow - Mulch is another great shade by MAC that I surprisingly didn't own. Although it's pretty much a standard dark bronzy-brown with reddish undertones, it compliments my skin really well and I find myself using often.

First Impressions + partial review: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer!

Some of you maybe remembered, last week I stopped in at Sephora on the search for a tinted moisturizer. I've never used one prior, but my curiosity got the best of me, and I picked up a sample of Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer. (original post here)

Laura Mercier makes two formulations of the tinted moisturizers, one containing oil and one that is oil free. Both formulations have the same shade range and same SPF (20). I wasn't sure which one to choose, but when I told the Sephora Sales Associate that I have sensitive/prone to breakouts skin, she recommended I try the oil free version. I was matched to the shade "Sand".

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

Oil Free Formula - This lightweight foundation that can be reapplied as necessary, offers sun protection for sensitive or acne prone skin, oil control, and provides hydration to prevent dryness.

Regular Formula - Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is a sheer, lightweight formula with a hint of color you can use in place of foundation for a natural finish and a healthy glowing complexion. It contains a SPF 20 for the ultimate in anti-aging prevention.

(The oil free formula is described as a foundation, and the regular formula rather calls it a "formula" that can be used in place of a foundation. I'm guessing because the regular version acts as more of a moisturizer with a tint and with the oil free version, it's more of a "tint" that doesn't give off added moisture.)

Aside from the tinted moisturizer, I was given a sample of the oil free primer. Every time I've used the tinted moisturizer, I've always used the primer beforehand. The first time using this, I attempted to apply the tinted moisturizer with my fingers. That doesn't work too well. I was really surprised that the texture is rather thick and doesn't spread evenly. I resorted to using my Sigma F80 Flat Top Foundation brush, and it worked out much better. So I basically apply it the same way I would any foundation. Dot it all over my face and blend with my brush. Because it's sheer, I'll use a little more product than I'd normally wear with a heavier foundation. The tube is 1.7 oz, compared to most foundations weighing in at 1 oz, so you can afford to use a little more. On my normal skin, (not oily or dry, a little shine in the t-zone) the finish is a satin - light dewy (not greasy) finish. Most of the reviews I've read for this said it has a very dewy, even an oily finish. I didn't experience that. I do have to set with powder though, because it seems to highlight the pores on my cheeks and add shine to my nose and chin. It instantly transforms when I apply my Guerlain Meteorites (my setting powder) and buff it into my skin with a kabuki. The finish is absolutely gorgeous. It looks incredibly natural and completely undetectable on my face. It looks like I may of using a dusting of a very fine milled powder, but that's all. It lasts well through an 8 hour day with little fading by the time I wash my face.

Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation!

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Product Description: This long-wearing foundation evens out skin tone as it increases skin luminosity and clarity for a radiant glow. The rich, creamy texture glides over the skin effortlessly for perfect application and blendability. Perfect for rosacea and hard to cover pigmentation. Ideal for all skin types, and oil free & fragrance free. 

Directions:

 -Place a small amount on the back of your hand and work the foundation into the narrow end of a sponge.

-Apply to your face, working on one area at a time.

-Set with translucent powder if desired. 

Available in 9 shades, and is $42 for a 1.18 fl. oz./35ml tube. 

Review: My initial thoughts of this foundation is that it's exactly like MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation, which was one of my past favorite foundations. From the consistency, to the finish and wear time, they are extremely similar. The consistency of Silk Creme is fairly thick, yet lightweight.. almost like a mousse/gel, and very creamy. It does have a chemical smell like MAC Studio Fix Fluid or Revlon Colorstay, because it's fragrance free, but it's not bad and it doesn't linger. Like mentioned above, the foundation is available in 9 different shades which range from Light to Medium Skin tones. I'm not sure why, but there aren't any shades for Dark or Tan skintones. The deepest shade is "Hazelnut Beige", which is the match for MAC NC35-37 coloring. So, not very dark at all. The shade I chose was "Bamboo Beige", which is a golden beige for light-medium skintones. It's a good MAC NC30 color match. The coverage is excellent, and what I expected from reading reviews. It's full coverage, but can be sheered out as much as you'd like. 

Here's a comparison of MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC30 (top) and LM Silk Creme in Bamboo Beige (bottom). If you find that MAC looks orange on you, LM has more of a golden beige tone.

Application: As far as application goes, it depends on how much coverage you need for your individual needs. I like a nice medium coverage, so I first mist my face with a little bit of MAC Fix Spray, or apply a light oil-free moisturizer and then dot a little foundation on each area of my face (cheeks, nose, forehead, chin) and then I take a Flat Top Foundation Brush and blend the foundation. On areas where I need a little more coverage, I like taking a Duo Fiber Brush and tapping more foundation on areas that need more coverage, such as any blemishes I have on my cheeks. For the fullest coverage, you can use your fingers or a standard foundation brush. For a lighter coverage, you can mix it with a light moisturizer or apply it with a moistened sponge.

The finish is gorgeous. It actually contains several silicones, so if you have enlarges pores, this foundation will help conceal them. My pores seem much less visible, and my skin looks completely even. I suppose it depends on your skin type (dry, normal, combination, oily).. but my skin is pretty normal, sometimes a little oily in the t-zone. It starts out for me as a satiny, luminous finish, and as the day goes on, it becomes a bit dewy. The foundation states that it is suitable for all skin types, but I think this foundation would work best for dry and normal/combination skin types. I believe dry skin will most benefit from this foundation as it doesn't accentuate dryness and it contains moisturizers. Because of the dewiness of this foundation and the silicones, oily skin types may find that this foundation will slide around your face throughout the day and settle in fine lines. I recommend using a setting powder with this foundation, as with most cream formula foundations, because they tend to transfer easily. By the end of the day, this foundation has typically worn off my nose and lightened up around my t-zone. I wouldn't call it long wearing, but I do think it will get you through a typical work day. I do think it photographs nicely, and although it doesn't state there is an SPF, titanium dioxide is at the end of the ingredients list, which is a sunscreen. 

The following photo was approximately two hours after application, and after being outside in 85 degree weather. I wanted to show what my face looked like without powder, so I didn't set my face with a setting powder as I normally would. As you can see, my face became a bit oily.

Face: MAC Mineralized All Over Lotion (as a base)

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Light mixed with Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in #20 (under my eyes)

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige

Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder (to set concealer - applied under my eyes only)

Nars Irresistiblement Bronzer (on cheeks and up forehead, blended into my hairline)

MAC Coppertone Powder Blush (applied to the apples of my cheeks and blended up my cheekbones)

Eyes: MAC Nehru Eyeshadow (smudged into top and bottom lashline)

MAC Espresso Eyeshadow (smudged into Nehru on top lashline)

Stila Amethyst Kajal Liner (on waterline)

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara

Brows: E.L.F. Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium

MAC Brow Set in Girl/Boy

Lips: Rimmel Tiramisu Lip Liner Pencil

Wet n Wild Mega Matte Lipstick in 901B Think Pink (blotted with a tissue)

MAC Like Venus Dazzleglass

You can also click here, to view a recent FOTD where I set this foundation with powder.

My Face Today: Testing out Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation!

I received a message on formspring a few days ago asking if I've tried Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation & what my thoughts were about it. Well, I actually haven't tried any Laura Mercier products, but decided to give myself an excuse to go to Sephora and pick up a sample of the foundation. I didn't do any prior research of what my shade would be, but with a little swatching, I decided on Bamboo Beige, which seems to be a pretty good NC30 match. The Sales Associate gave me a pretty nice sample that should last me a full week, possibly more. Today is my first day wearing it, and so far I think it's great. It actually seems like a spinning image of MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation. I'll give you a full review on it soon!

Sample of Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - Bamboo Beige

I used my Dior Crush Glow palette (I posted about here) for today's look, and I've actually been using it just about every day as my "go-to" product. It's just so convenient that all of the shades go so well together and the palette is fairly small and lightweight. I actually think I'm going to start investing more in Dior quints rather than any other brand of shadows. Although I love MAC, I'm over the obsession of owning so many eye shadows. I just don't use them enough, with the exception of a small handful.

Face:  

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream as a base (2nd day trying this out)

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Conealer in medium under my eyes

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige applied with my Sigma F50 Duo Fibre Brush

Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder to set my foundation

Bare Escentuals Well Rested applied lightly under my eyes

MAC Dainty Mineralized Blush

MAC Golden Bronzer

Brows:

MAKE UP FOREVER Brow Corrector in Medium

MAC Brow Set in Girl/Boy

Eyes:

Dior Crush Glow Quint (Taupe in crease, copper brown in crease and outer v, gold on lid, frosted pink by the tearducts and blended into the beginning of lower lashline, copper brown all the way across lower lashline)

Nars Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (deepened my lower and upper lashline)

Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara in Very Black

Dollar Tree False Lashes (cut in half - seen in this post)

Lips:

MAC Subculture Lipliner

MAC Shygirl Lipstick

Nars Chihuahua Lipgloss

Oh! Also you may notice I'm sporting a little colour, which I've been lacking lately. I purchased Clarins Intense Bronze Self Tanning Tint to use daily on my face. Day two, and no breakouts.. so I'm being very hopeful! A review for it coming up soon...