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Sunday, May 20, 2012

What I'm Loving Right Now



Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Barely Pink,  $24 lauramercier.com
                            
      Although I love to try new things, especially in beauty and fashion, I tend to be very brand loyal.  When I find a brand that I love, I stick with it for quite some time.  I have always heard such great things about Laura Mercier (especially her tinted moisturizer, which is always featured in "Best of Beauty" lists), but for some reason, I had never tried any of her products until recently.  I ran out of the blush that I had used exclusively for YEARS (Orgasm by Nars, which really looks great on just about everybody and I think especially works well for those of us who are on the paler side) as well as finding myself in need of a bit of skin tone evening, and decided that it was about time I found out what all of the hype was about.  
     I was lucky enough to be shopping during a GWP event at LM, so I was able to pick up even more wonderful products than I had originally planned.  The counter manager Martha was so sweet and helpful, and together we picked out the Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 in Nude, Second Skin Cheek Colour in Barely Pink, and Stickgloss Lip Colour in Peony.  The stickgloss was something that I really purchased to hit the requisite spend to qualify the for the GWP, and it really wasn't a color that I would have picked for myself.  I asked Martha what her favorite lip color was, and she suggested that I try this, and I ended up loving it!  It's a darker pink with a slightly purple undertone and a hint of shimmer, and I have been wearing it as my go-to lip color ever since I picked it up! 
     The awesome GWP included deluxe samples of the Laura Mercier Eye Makeup Remover, Long Lash Mascara in Black, Radiance and Second Skin Cheek Colour in Sweet Mandarine, all of which were packaged in a gorgeous pewter makeup bag.  I have been using the makeup remover and mascara daily and just love them!  I haven't tried the blush yet as I am just too in love with the barely pink and think that the color might be too bright for me, but I think that I will give it a try one of these days just to see.  
     I had been using the radiance primer every day underneath of the tinted moisturizer and really loved the results.  However, I believe that I am allergic to either the primer, the tinted moisturizer, or both, as I have broken out in a really awful rash all over my face and neck where I have been applying them.  I have discontinued use until my allergic reaction clears up (I read that it is not uncommon to have an allergic reaction to this product).  I haven't let this deter me from enjoying my other purchases, and I hope that I find out that I can at least one or the other of these products without incident.
     Since my initial purchase, I have also picked up Laura Mercier's Kohl Eye Pencil in Stormy Grey (an amazing day- to-day alternative to stark black) and Crème Lip Colour in Tangerine (SUCH a fun, bright color for summer that is neither too orange nor too peach).  Other than my reaction to the primer/moisturizer, I have not tried a product by LM that I haven't loved (and I even loved those until I noticed the side effects);  the consistency, staying power, colors... everything down to the taste and smell of her products is spot on!  I would highly recommend this line to anyone.  My next buy from LM will be their nail polishes, which I have scoped out on several occasions - there is a lavender that is to DIE for! 

You can find Laura Mercier products at department stores and online at Lauramercier.com

Next on my "To Buy" List


 La Mer's The Lip Balm

La Mer The Lip Balm, $50
 I have tried so many different products to combat my dry, flaky lips, but nothing seems to be long-lasting enough, especially when I am wearing a matte lipstick.  In their May Issue, InStyle listed The Lip Balm by La Mer as best lip balm, saying 
"It's the first thing I put on a girl when she sits in my chair," says Molly Stern.  With good reason.  It's incredibly hydrating, has a silky finish, and makes a great base for color.  Some makeup pros even swear it plumps lips.
I have been meaning to try La Mer products for a while now, but I have always been scared away by the hefty price tag, although those who use it swear it's worth it.  At $50 for .32 oz, The Lip Balm is definitely a splurge, but compared to $140 for 1 oz of the famous Créme de la Mer, it's a reasonable introduction to the brand.  
The Lip Balm is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on the La Mer website, and 91% of reviewers would recommend it to a friend.  One review in particular jumped out at me; MKelly said: 
I drink water constantly and I carry a water bottle with me wherever I go just to stay hydrated, but my lips...no matter what I'd put on them, they'd get so chapped and dry. Cracked lips are so painful and unattractive. I was getting tired of people commenting on how dry my lips looked.
So, I bought this as a splurge. I exfoliated my lips with a sugar scrub and after I used this to moisturize using little dabs of the product and pats on my lips.
It's really amazing how soft my lips are! And they haven't been cracked, chapped, or dry-looking since I've started using this. I LOVE THIS so much that I now have one for my purse/pocket while I work, and one for my bedside. The smell is light, a little minty fresh, and it's light enough to wear under any lipgloss/lipstick.
Definitely my holy grail to soft, smooth lips. The best!
MKelly's description sounds EXACTLY like my situation, so I am hoping to have similar results!  I will be purchasing Le Mer's The Lip Balm later this week and will be sure to post a review! 

Have any of you used The Lip Balm or any La Mer products?  What do you think? Do they live up to the hype (and price point)?


La Mer can be purchased at department stores and online at cremedelamer.com