I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with lipsticks, both the liquid and traditional variety. I love buying them, yet getting myself to wear them is a different story. Wearing proper lip color always feels like so much maintenance, and I just haven't been in the mood! This is not just my excuse for not having featured a lip product for quite a while, however, but a preface to telling you that the only lip color I've purposefully worn (aside from picking a lip color for my wedding!) in the last few months has been this one from Laura Mercier.
Read MoreShadow Stick Comparisons: Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, & By Terry
In 2013, I really got into eyeshadow sticks. I had always liked them, but 2013 was a year to really try some of the most popular ones out there from Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, and By Terry.
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Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Bark, $28
I picked this one up during the Sephora VIB sale and I am glad I did. This nearly matte medium brown is a great shade for everyday looks, and it wears all day on me without fading or creasing. I'm definitely going to look at more shades in the line!
By Terry Ombre Blackstar Color Fix Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Moon, $43
Lots of bloggers rave about these By Terry Ombre Blackstar sticks, so I caved and bought one for myself. In general, I found these to be more metallic than the Bobbi Brown or Laura Mercier options. There's not a "matte" shade in the lineup at all! Unfortunately for me, I have a problem with the shimmers in this one. They just keep migrating and getting in my eyes and lashes! At the end of the day, this fades a bit and creases on me, but not enough for me to be upset about it - and really, it could be a result of the irritation from the shimmers rather than the product's overall performance.
Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Khaki, $26
I have been building my collection of these sticks for the year, and perhaps I have too many now, haha! I love the variety of colors available in this line, and I've been using Khaki non-stop all year! I love how easy to use it is, and it is budgeproof on me all day, though occasionally I see very very minor creasing in my monolid area. (You know, when you can tell it isn't perfect but really no one else can!)
I can't pick a favorite, but it definitely comes down to Laura Mercier or Bobbi Brown for overall value and shades available. Their formulas are so long wearing, and I don't even need to wear primer with them unless I want to. I really like how the Laura Mercier range has a variety of more shimmery finishes and less shimmery ones and so many colors to choose from. I'm bummed the By Terry Bronze Moon didn't work for me, but I think perhaps Laura Mercier Sandglow or Bobbi Brown Sand Dune might be comparable shades.
What do you think about eye shadow sticks? Have you tried any of these or have a favorite one I need to try? I'd love to know what you think! :)
Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer vs. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
Concealers. They're part of that never-ending impossible quest for the perfect complexion, and I must say that it is quite hard to find the perfect concealer. I've been contemplating these two for quite a while, and I don't think either are my perfect "miracle" concealer. (Does that even exist??)
After I bought Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-3 from Gummy's blog sale, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to compare it to the pricier Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer. At first, I thought they might be similar, but they really are products for different purposes.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer is much drier in texture, while Koh Gen Do Moisture Concealer is quite creamy and almost moist to the touch. The Koh Gen Do has much sheerer coverage and only comes in one shade option. Despite this, the Koh Gen Do does make a minor difference on my eyes, while the Laura Mercier does well to cover spots and blemishes. I can't imagine that someone with more to cover under the eyes or flaky blemishes to cover would have success with either of these, however.
Watch the video below to hear more thoughts and see these concealers in action!
All in all, the Laura Mercier may end up being my go to for blemishes and comes in many more shade options - 7 are listed on Sephora's site! Sadly, I think the Koh Gen Do doesn't perform as well as Armani Maestro Eraser for undereyes and the color selection is quite limited, though those of you who are lighter than me may have success with it.
What do you think about these concealers? Have you tried either one? What is your favorite concealer? I'd love to know! :)
Love It or Toss It, #2
Lancome Khol in Love Eyeliner in Chocolate Affair (LE)
I purchased this a while back and didn't really use it much. I suspected that it bothered my eyes, and I'm sad to say that it is not as budgeproof as I hoped. After a few hours, it smudges a bit in my monolid area, and it definitely makes my eyes feel itchy and tired. I think I can still return this, but if not, then it is definitely going in the blog sale!
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Radiance
I love the idea of a radiance primer, but I just haven't found one liked yet. This one, while not shimmery, just made my skin texture look BAD. (Like, worse than it does without any makeup on.) I thought I liked it, but I think I was having better skin days then. I might give the L'Oreal Lumi Primer another try, since it was subtle and worked fine on my skin. Oh well, there's always something else to try!
Laura Mercier Satin Lip Color in Duchess Rose
This shade doesn't seem to exist anymore, which is sad because it is such a nice bright yet work appropriate pink. I like the long wearing semi-matte finish - it lasted hours, through dinner and Pinkberry, and drinking soda. Really, it was mostly still there after I violently wiped my mouth after dinner haha! I'm keeping this one, and while it may not be a "special" or terribly unique color, I plan to use up this cute mini!
L-R: Laura Mercier Duchess Rose, Lancome Khol in Love in Chocolate Affair, Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
It definitely feels good to go through the collection and make decisions on it, don't you think? Have you tried any of these products? Did you love them or toss them?? I'd love to know!
P.S. This time around, two lovely ladies also decided to join me. Check out their posts here: Wondeondigo & Lipstick Boulevards. I plan to do this again in 2 weeks, so if anyone wants to join in, whether you have a blog or not, do let me know! :)
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