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| Above: A veritable Le Metier de Beaute and Laura Mercier wonderland with a bit of By Terry and Surratt Beauty thrown in for good measure. |
Last week, I shared swatches of the gorgeous, limited-edition Le Metier de Beaute Ken Downing Kaleidoscopes (full post HERE) and since then, I have procured the brilliantly neutral "London." Of course, I couldn't refrain from immediately creating an easy eye look that utilizes all for shades while still being totally daytime appropriate. I also found some time to swatch nearly every shade of the new Laura Mercier Photo Edition Silk Creme Foundations (available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sephora) and am thrilled to share the fruits of my labor later on in this post!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of both the LMdB Ken Downing Kaleidoscope and Laura Mercier Photo Edition Foundations...
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| Above: The LMdB Ken Downing London Kaleidoscope features iconic images associated with the city. |
The LMdB Ken Downing London Kaleidoscope is every bit as absolutely dreamy on the eyes as I anticipated it to be and I am beyond glad I purchased a backup. Each of the four finely-milled and ultra-pigmented shades works in harmony to add depth, luminosity and richness and every color is one that can and will be used; I know that I will be wearing this quartet--which, by the way, doesn't crease or have fallout--nonstop in the coming months. As of publish date, this LE gem is still available on the Neiman Marcus site, but I'm told that stock is extremely limited...I suggest acting sooner rather than later should it captivate you as it does me!
Exclusively ours. The enduring Le Métier de Beauté and Ken Downing relationship has yet again created an exquisite kaleidoscope collection. Distilled from the trends, tones and textures presented at the Fall 15 fashion week shows in London and Paris, each collection includes four limited-edition and specially curated eye shadows, with whimsical illustrations depicting iconic images of each city on each kaleidoscope. Shades can be worn alone or blended together for an incomparable result.
London Shades:
Faded Foxglove...a matte beige cream
Naughty Nottingham...a luminous neutral medium taupe
Penny Lane...a burnished bronzy brown with a satin finish
Burnt Orchid...a rich eggplant with a satin finish
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| Above: LMdB London. |
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| Above: Closeup of each of the four shades. |
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| Above: Swatches of London in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: I applied Penny Lane all over my eye lid and blended Naughty Nottingham towards my brow bone for a seamless gradient. I then used a bit of Faded Foxglove right below my brows to highlight and added a touch of Burnt Orchid in my crease. |
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| Above: The full result in direct sunlight (with a flash). |
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| Above: I adore the London Kaleidoscope. |
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| Above: Closeup. |
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| Above: The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation. |
Additionally, I've been meaning to share swatches of the newest formulations of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Photo Edition Foundation (available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sephora) for quite a while and finally was granted a beautifully sunny window of time in which to prepare them! I have already reviewed the original Silk Creme HERE and now own the new formula in the Moisturizing version (it also comes in an Oil Free formulation). I was told by a Laura Mericer specialist that the shades in the new formulas are a bit different than the original (for reference, as one with @NC 25 skin, I was generally Cashew Beige in the original but my best match in the Moisturizing is Beige Ivory). Consequently, I swatched them according to their order as listed online but am not prepared to give exact shade descriptions as of yet; in the meanwhile, I hope my images will suffice!
In my experience, the Moisturizing formula:
- Offers medium to full coverage
- A demi-radiant finish that doesn't need to be set with powder
- Requires a powder touchup 3 or 4 hours into wear (if your skin is normal to combination, like mine)
- Smooths skin and blurs pores for a beautiful, healthy effect
- Is kind to sensitive skin but can feel a bit heavy later on in the day (such was the case with the original for me as well)
- Isn't completely transfer-resistant, but I find it to be more budge proof than the original formula
- Does not flashback in photos (as demonstrated later in this post)...this is utterly fantastic!
Here are the official details, courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Sephora:
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation
This photo-ready foundation creates a flawless, long-wearing canvas with a natural luminous finish.
A long-wearing formula with a high pigment load that provides up to 12 hours of full coverage wear while feeling comfortable on skin and hiding even hard-to-cover imperfections. The photo-ready, natural luminous finish is ideal for video, photography and special events.
Application:
Shake well and apply a small amount with a sponge. Blend gently into skin for a flawless, luminous finish.
1.0 fl. oz./ 30 mL
INGREDIENTS:
-Silk Protein Blend: silk protein fiber and glycerin blend that helps to retain and deliver moisture into the skin.
-Tea Extract: helps formula to smooth skin. -Shea Butter and Sodium Hyaluronate: Moisturizing complex that provides moisturizing benefits.
-Pearlescent Pigment: Scatters light and luminizes the skin.
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Peg-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Dimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polysilicone-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylohydroxamic Acid, Betaine, Aluminum Dimyristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serica/Silk/Soie, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclopia Intermedia Leaf Extract. May Contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides).
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| Above: Swatches of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme MOISTURIZING Photo Edition Foundation in direct sunlight. |
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation
This photo-ready foundation creates a flawless, oil free canvas with a natural matte finish.
A long-wearing formula with a high pigment load that provides up to 12 hours of full coverage wear while feeling comfortable on skin and hiding even hard-to-cover imperfections. The photo-ready, natural matte finish is ideal for video, photography and special events.
Application:
Shake well and apply a small amount with a sponge. Blend gently into skin for a flawless, natural matte finish.
INGREDIENTS:
-Silk Powder Blend: A blend of Silk Powder and Silica Dimethicone Silylate that absorbs oil and balances moisture. -Tea Extract: Smooths the skin.
-Vitamins A and E
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Peg-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Dimethicone, Tapioca Starch, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polysilicone-11, Magnesium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Trihydroxystearin, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylohydroxamic Acid, Betaine, Aluminum Dimyristate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serica/Silk/Soie, Phenoxyethanol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cyclopia Intermedia Leaf Extract. May Contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides).
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| Above: Swatches of the Laura Mercier Silk Creme OIL FREE Photo Edition Foundation in direct sunlight. |
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| Above: My best match in the original formula was Cashew Beige...in the Moisturizing Photo Edition formula, it's Beige Ivory, which is just a touch lighter and less warm. |
To showcase both the Le Metier de Beaute Ken Downing London Kaleidoscope and Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Foundation Photo Edition Foundation, I created a sunlit apricot-infused look that perfectly resonates with the warmer months...relaxed and glowing with a splash of subdued color.
Products Used:
- Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge #2 (reviewed HERE) as my non-negotiable first step.
- Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation in Beige Ivory buffed on with a damp Beauty Blender.
- Le Metier de Beaute Cheeky Chic Kaleidoscope (reviewed HERE)...I used the dusty rose shade to contour and warm the face and the bright matte peach on the apples of the cheeks. I also added the highlighting shade along the high points of my face.
- Le Metier de Beaute Ken Downing London Kaleidoscope (also discussed HERE)...I applied Penny Lane all over my eye lid and blended Naughty Nottingham towards my brow bone for a seamless gradient. I then used a bit of Faded Foxglove right below my brows to highlight and added a touch of Burnt Orchid in my crease.
- By Terry Terrybly Mascara (reviewed HERE)...two coats for length and volume.
- Surratt Beauty Relevee Eyelash Curler (reviewed HERE and available at Sephora and Barney's NY)...to add dramatic lift to the lashes.
- Le Metier de Beaute Hydra Creme Lip Color in Butterfield 8 (reviewed HERE)...for a moisturizing wash of apricot on the lips.
- Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Creme Caramel...a gorgeous wash of rose gold gleam for extra dimension on the lips.
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| Above: Swatches of key products used in this post. |
The following images reflect all products in action in various lighting situations...
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| Above: Direct sunlight with a flash. |
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| Above: Direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Mixed outdoor lighting with a flash. |
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| Above: Direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Direct sunlight. |
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| Above: With a flash. |
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| Above: Mixed outdoor lighting. |
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| Above: With a flash. |
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| Above: Direct sunlight. |
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| Above: Last look. |
--Shop the Post--
Bottom Line: I hope you enjoyed my Le Metier de Beaute Ken Downing London Kaleidoscope closeup (run, don't walk, if you want this in your life!) and that you found the plethora of swatches for the new Laura Mercier Silk Creme Photo Edition Foundation helpful!
Will YOU be trying either one?
Good things ahead, including a skincare update, a video tutorial and some new lip color in my life.
Have a beautiful remainder of the weekend...xx,
--The Beauty Professor
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