Review & Swatches: Laura Mercier White Magic Holiday 2013 Collection

Thursday, 19 December 2013

I've spoken about Laura Mercier's collections before, so I was delighted when I was offered the chance to review some pieces from their White Magic Holiday Collection.

As you can see from their promotional imagery above, Laura Mercier's White Magic Holiday Collection is all about pale, wintery, Ice Queen from Narnia style looks. The collection evokes the luminosity of bright spirits and there's plenty of holiday sparkle. It's a great party or evening look for those who want a change from all the usual festive reds and golds around at the moment.

Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colours in Opal Fantasy, Pearl Fantasy and Crystal Fantasy (2.5g, £20 each, link)

I'll start the review with the three products that captured my eye first. These Illuminating Eye Colours are presented in their own compact complete with a mirror, and feature the most decadent imprint detailing. This is no cheap spray over job - it's properly 3D, meaning that you'd have to use it several times over and over, before the print would begin to disappear. The three shades are all new and Limited Edition; Opal Fantasy is a pale metallic pink with fine pearlescent shimmer, Pearl Fantasy is a soft metallic grey-purple with lots of fine silver pearlescent shimmer, and Crystal Fantasy is a pale metallic pistaschio green-blue with the same pearlescent shimmer as the others. All of the shades have a beautiful silky, soft texture but aren't super pigmented so they would work best when used with a damp brush to really intensify the colour payoff.

Laura Mercier Brilliant Glacé in Rose Prism and Nude Prism (6.5ml, £20 each, link) Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Mocha Myth (4g, £20, link)

There are three new Limited Edition Brilliant Glacés in the collection, two of which are Rose Prism, a perfect rose-pink, and Nude Prism, a pearlescent nude-pink. Both of these offer sheer colour, have incredible shine and showcase lots of fine shimmer. They're completely non-sticky and don't have a noticeable scent or flavour about them. Alongside the Brilliant Glacés are two new Limited Edition Crème Smooth Lip Colours, of which Mocha Myth is shown above. In the bullet, this shade looks like a dated 90s brown lipstick (ah, remember those?!), but it's actually a very wearable and chic looking reddish brow with fine gold shimmer. I absolutely love Laura Mercier's lip products and all of these were no exception; they're all comfortable on the lips and feel moisturising with zero dryness. Swatches of these beauties are below!

Laura Mercier Brilliant Glacé in Nude Prism

Laura Mercier Brilliant Glacé in Rose Prism

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Mocha Myth

Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Orange Blossom (3.6g, £20.50, link), Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Gunmetal Smoke (1.4g, £18.50, link)

I was excited to try the Second Skin Cheek Colour because I've seen them raved about a lot and this didn't disappoint! Orange Blossom is part of the permanent line and is a pretty peachy-pink with very fine gold shimmer in it that looks healthy and glowy. Great for everyday and long lasting too. Fans of LM's cult Tightline Cake Eye Liners will definitely enjoy the new Limited Edition shade in Gunmetal Smoke, a very dark grey, that's almost black and has a touch of fine silver shimmer. If you're new to these, they're basically pressed powders which you mix a little water with to create a paste that becomes your eyeliner. Once applied, they dry quickly and stay put throughout the day and most of the night.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colours in Twilight and Sterling (1.6g, £20.50 each, link)

The Caviar Sticks are highly coveted amongst beauty fans, and having tried these two, I can certainly see why they're so hyped. The White Magic Collection features two new Limited Edition shades in Twilight, a stunning metallic mushroom taupe with brown and grey undertones and fine silver shimmer, and Sterling, a solid metallic white silver. Twilight looks amazing for a simple smokey eye, and Sterling would be ideal for a bright inner eye highlight. Both of these are richly pigmented and last for hours on the lids without creasing, though I do find applying them over a primer really makes the colour 'pop' more.

Laura Mercier Nail Lacquers in Angel Wings and Butterfly Wings (11ml, £12, link)

Lastly, no make-up collection would be complete without nail polishes, and this one sees two new Limited Edition shades. Angel Wings is a very sheer, metallic white silver shimmer which would look good layered or as a top coat over dark shades, and Butterfly Wings is an unusual coppery-pink metallic duochrome which features fine pink and gold shimmer. All of the LM Nail Lacquers are 3-free and I've always found the formulas to be glossy and long wearing.

Swatches! From L-R: Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Gunmetal Smoke, Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Orange Blossom, Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colours in Crystal Fantasy, Pearl Fantasy, and Opal Fantasy, Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colours in Twilight and Sterling, Laura Mercier Brilliant Glacé in Rose Prism and Nude Prism, and Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Mocha Myth.

The Laura Mercier White Magic Holiday 2013 Collection* is out now, whilst stocks last on the limited edition pieces. Available from all Laura Mercier counters and online at The Urban Retreat Beautique.

Have you picked up anything from the Laura Mercier White Magic Holiday 2013 Collection?