GREAT NEUTRAL PAIRINGS PART III

So this is an eye shadow combo that I've been carrying with me in my makeup bag mainly because it's convenient and easy to use. I first heard about the Rimmel eye shadow quad in smokey brun from the lovely Lisa Eldridge when she was doing a video tutorial on you tube. I find it to be a very simple, basic neutral quad - although the shadows are quite powdery. I decided to use it with Laura Mercier caviar stick in sand glow. I really like using the caviar sticks. I don't have to sharpen the pencils and the color seems to stay put all day. How did she come up with the name "caviar sticks" though? I wonder....

Rimmel quad in smokey brun; Laura Mercier caviar stick in sand glow

With sand glow as the base, I usually mix the light lavender/taupe shade with the golden brown shade as an all over lid color. The white shade is used as a highlight and sometimes I deepen the crease or lightly line with the darkest shade. Often I use my blush/bronzer as a contour shade. The eye shadow quad apparently complements blue eyes well, but I think this combo is great for an every day quick, not-so-boring eye look.

Laura Mercier Secret brightening powder 2

Two days ago I went to the mall and bought a clinique chubby stick and one of their new blushes... I love the chubby stick - can't wait to discuss it in an upcoming post. Anyways, Bath and Body works was having a buy 3, get 3 free sale - so I bought some body wash etc... and the SA recommended a local coffee shop. The guy at the coffee shop made the best vanilla latte I've had... definitely a place I will be visiting from now on when I go to the mall. But anyways, there were two annoying brats at the coffee shop who were so loud and obnoxious and they thought they were funny. But they looked and acted like idiots. Why do people forget their manners in public? Seriously....

Anyways, on to more frivolous things....

I thought I would discuss my thoughts on the Laura Mercier brightening powder. This powder is typically used for setting the under eye area. I bought this based on rave reviews from gossmakeupartist on youtube. I don't find it brightening at all... in fact, I've used it for setting my entire face base and I think it works quite well and gives the face a soft matte effect. 

Laura Mercier secret brightening powder #2

There are small shimmers in the product but it is hard to see on the face unless you really load up your brush. I don't think this would be good for photos at wall - but for every day use I think it's great. The one con is the packaging. It does have a sifter - but powder goes everywhere when I open it. I wish I could close or open the sifter... this product is NOT travel friendly AT ALL. I have to be very careful opening it. Also, I need the smallest amount on my brush to set my face. I feel like this small tub is going to last me for years (but I still bought a back up from Sephora).

I have dry skin but I love face powder... in fact I'm obsessed with them... I don't like looking oily/shiny... dewy/slightly luminous is okay though. Not sure if that's normal, but that's 

Great neutral pairings part II

I thought I'd add another neutral pairing I just think is gorgeous...

LMDB corinthian, Laura mercier amethyst

I use Laura Mercier (LM) amethyst as a base and put Le Metier de Beaute (LMDB) corinthian on top. This eye shadow combo makes a great every day netural purple taupe look. I absolutely love it. Obviously, I added my favorite brown blending shade (Pandora's Au cafe) to my crease to blend and complete the look!

LM amethyst, LMDB corinthian, amethyst base with corinthian on top

 I purchased both my colors from Neiman Marcus online. I got the Laura Mercier pencil in a set with four other shades. I think this shade is a more subdued version of the color of the year for 2014 "radiant orchid" and a great way to pull of a "trend" look for every day... (at least in my opinion).

Hope you love it as much as I do!!!