Friday, November 8, 2013

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection, Review & Swatches

It quickly became one of the most talked about releases of this season. It fell like a bomb onto beauty blogosphere. I am talking about Laura Mercier's holiday palette, which hosts 12 gorgeous shades of mattes and satins. It is natural but it is plummy, so I felt, if it had lips, it would shout my name when I first have seen the review in Lipstick Boulevards last month. 

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection

It is natural, yet not boring. It is shimmery but also matte. It is butter smooth but not powdery. This one is heaven in a palette. Or a palette in heaven? ;-)

Outside of US, it is hard to reach though. I searched and searched for it. Biggest Laura Mercier counter in Germany must have been the one in Breuninger Stuttgart. They received each and every holiday item but only this one was missing. I later on found out that it is Sephora Exclusive and this usually means Sephora US exclusive, so I don't think other Sephora's such as France, Spain etc. received it. Not fair isn't it? Well, it turns out there is a way... But before all that, let me introduce you to the shades first.


Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection

Left part of the palette consists of lighter shades for highlighting, blending or inner corner. Those are nicely balanced shimmery, satin and matte shades. 


Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

Sparkling Dew: Very light almost white peach, satin finish
Guava: Light peachy pink with satin finish
African Violet: light mauve with golden shimmer, my favorite LM shade!
Vanilla Nuts: Warm white, matte finish
Primrose: Pale pink, satin finish
Fresco: Light tan shade with matte finish


Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette (L to R) Sparkling Dew, Guava, African Violet, Vanilla Nuts, Primrose, Fresco

Right hand side of the palette has deeper shades to smoke it out. These are mostly mattes with stunning quality. They can be used to define and to line the eyes but also all over the lid for a Rock'n Roll look.


Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

Plum Smoke: Mid-toned lavender mauve with matte finish, so gorgeous!
Kir Royale: Mid-toned reddish plum with satin finish
Violet Ink: Deep blackened cool purple with matte finish
Bamboo: Mid-toned beige taupe with golden shimmer
Truffle: Deep Warm chocolate brown with matte finish
Espresso Bean: Deep cool black brown with matte finish


Right side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette (L to R): Plum Smoke, Kir Royal,Violet Ink,Bamboo,Truffle,Espresso Bean

Today I wore this palette and I probably can't express how much I love it. For that I have to jump out of the monitor, hold you by your shoulders and shout my love with a loud scream, then you would understand. Below I used African Violet all over lid, Kir Royale on the crease, Violet Ink as a liner, Sparkling Dew on the inner corner and Vanilla Nuts under the brow bone. This is only one of millions of things which passed my mind in the morning. I might be back, with more looks, who knows ;-)


In-action: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection
Also be sure to check out the posts of Tracy, who inspires me with her gorgeous eye looks and  great swatches of Martha

Us residents can pick theirs during Sephora sales right now. What about those of us unlucky ones everywhere outside of US? I mind you, there are very good offers in eBay. I got mine for only 40$ *grins*. 

EDIT: A new look is requested by the lovely readers, so here is one more. I may update this post with more looks as I go on enjoying this palette. This one is more brown/neutral to show that this is also possible with the second raw of the palette (warm tones). In that one I used Bamboo (lid), Truffle (outer corner), Espresso Bean (crease and liner) and Guava (inner corner).



Final thoughts: Naturals and plums, buttery soft and blends like a dream, no frosts, just satins and a lot of mattes. This one might be my favorite holiday palette... Not this year, but ever.

What do you have on your holiday wish list?


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36 comments

  1. Why do you have everything I want! It's so dangerous to read your blog, haha! This palette is just like you said, it's natural but it's different because of the purples and the plums. That's why I love this so much. And the finishes are pretty much perfect too, gah! African Violet is such a pretty and unique shade, I think that's why I feel compelled to get it, lol! I really love the look you did, very soft and feminine :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Teri,
      LOL, dangerous? Your blog is to me too! ;-)
      I think plums look gorgeous on you too, some stores outside US also got it so you may want to check it out. Thanks for your lovely words.

      Delete
  2. WOW. I have no words. I had to go scrambling to try and find this because you look so amazing and it sounds so wonderful. But :( it's sold out everywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. too bad that it is sold out :-( If you like few of the shades, they are all available permanently, so you may check out. For example African Violet, it is so lovely.

      Delete
  3. This is a House of Fraser exclusive in the u.k!! It's gorgeous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the heads-up!
      I checked and they still have it in stock you are in luck!
      For the rest of us, unfortunately they deliver this item to only UK&Ireland. I don't see why they restrict their delivery zones, hmpf!

      Delete
  4. SO PRETTEH! African Violet is so special.

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  5. I bought this palette too. If you do another look using it I would love it if you shared! Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Madrose.
      I played with the palette again yesterday and opted for a more neutral, brownish look. I will upload it soon.

      Delete
    2. Could add it tonight, I hope you like it

      Delete
  6. Hey Sara, I think you're right! I didn't see this one in Taipei, though I did see the other items of their holiday collection. What a lovely palette! The shades go so well with your eyes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sunny,
      it seems UK beauty enthusiasts are also in luck. It may pop out anywhere anytime also in Belgium, so check it out
      xox

      Delete
  7. Hi Sara,
    I am skipping Laura Mercier Artist Palette 2013 (if it'll be available in Singapore) as I have bought the 2012 edition and they look similar.
    African Violet is such a special shade. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I have heard they are similar. I missed last year's so perfect for me :-)
      Love African Violet!

      Delete
  8. This is such a pretty palette! I'm so not sure I would splurge because so far I've been a little disappointed with LM products except for the concealer. I'll have to see (later today) but I think we have that one in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Icaria,
      yes Sephora Canada should have it too.
      Actually I am mostly happy with eye shadows and nail polishes I picked up from LM. Which product did disappoint you?

      Delete
  9. Sara you are the eyeshadow queen! I think I will pass on this one though-I have (and love) African Violet but I think for me the Clarins one is much more wearable xx

    Stacey Expat Make-Up Addict

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, eye shadow queen? Thanks ;-)
      I am sure you will love Clarins. Actually I can't decide which one I love most :-)

      Delete
  10. I was wondering if you'd pick this up! You were the first person I thought of when I saw pics -- those plummy violetty rosy tones do insane things to your already stunning irises!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kate,
      you know me so well ;-) This was almost screaming my name and yes I couldn't pass it.
      Thanks so much for your lovely compliment xox

      Delete
  11. Bamboo is my favorite shade:) I love the look you created!:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I just used Bamboo for a look yesterday. It is really lovely. I will upload that one too to give an idea how versatile this palette is. It looks like only plums but there are browns there too.

      Delete
  12. What a beautiful palette! Not surprised why this sold out on Sephora. :) And ahhh, my eyelids are shaking at the sight of your beautiful peepers with these shades on!! I swear, your lid space is a dream to work on!

    And gooosh, African Violet alone would make me buy this palette. My eyeshadow no-buy is greatly threatened by this post. AHHH!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, this comment made me laugh, literally! The eye lids shaking LOL!
      Thanks so much :-** I hope one day you can do a make up on me, I would love that.

      By the way, not to threat your eye shadow no-buy but you can get African Violet separately. LM has it in the perm range.

      Delete
  13. uh oh...looks like I'll be adding something else to my wish list ☺ Thanks for the swatches ❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi LittleMissSCB,

      I am glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy the palette as much as I do...

      Delete
  14. This is on my wishlist for sure. Too bad they are sold out on Sephora :( I'll have to go looking for it in person =P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one was recently sold out, so I think you have good chances to find one. Let us know if you find a store which has it, I am sure some others would also appreciate that :-)

      Delete
  15. i got this at my sephora store over the weekend. i believe they had a couple left then, that was saturday! i don't know if they have them still right now. i know they are sold out now at sephora.com.
    i want to see the looks you've done :) i too am super excited about this palette!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Green Gal,
      yay you got it!
      It must have been one of the last. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I just added one more look. Hope it inspires you. xox

      Delete
  16. yasss !! im so glad I made u do thos
    mahahahahah payback for making me want addcition departure lol
    hugsss
    love ur stalker :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol! Yes, but my revenge will be worse ;-) wait for it...
      Xox

      Delete
  17. Such a pretty palette! You do a great job showing it off, and the images look awsome! I want it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Inga,
      I am glad you liked it. The shades are also available as singles if you can't track down the palette, you may want to check it out,

      Delete

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