Mercier Mondays #3 // Eye Basics

Keeping it in the theme of staples, eyeshadow primer has become a staple in everyone's makeup bag in recent times. Promising to boost the color of our eyeshadow and keep it crease-free all day, eye primers -like face primers- earn their keep.

I had never heard of eyeshadow primer before I tested the Laura Mercier Eye Basics at Macy's. I quickly wrote it off as a fad item that did nothing more than my concealer was already doing. However, at the end of the day when I noticed that my eye makeup looked as fresh as it had at the counter, I was completely sold.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen (top) and Eyebright (bottom)

Due to its cult following, most people flock to the Urban Decay Primer Potion when shopping for an eye base. While it is a good product, I much prefer the Laura Mercier Eye Basics. For one, I prefer its texture as it is a smoother, creamier base that dries down quickly. Though it also leaves a less tacky finish than UD's Primer Potion, shadow has no problem adhering itself to this primer. Finally, it delivers on its promise of extending the longevity of your eye makeup, keeping your shadow vibrant, crease-free, and in place for the entire day.

The Eye Basics shade range is one of the most extensive I've seen in the eyeshadow primer market, boasting a whopping 8 shades. Beyond the usual skin tone shades, there are blue, peach, and yellow toned shades which aim to brighten and even out the skin. Though I have the blue "Eyebright" shade, I don't find it to work any better than my usual shade, Linen. Both brighten my eye area and give makeup a long lasting finish.

Hand swatches of Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen (top) and Eyebright (bottom)

I have worn this product alone when aiming for a no-makeup look, but I find it works better with a light dusting of powder or neutral eyeshadow over it. I've found it to be true of all eye primers that they work better with eyeshadow than alone, ironically enough. Even so, once you try an eyeshadow primer you'll wonder how you ever got by without one.

Laura Mercier Eye Basics - $25

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Mercier Mondays #1 // Tinted Moisturizer and Foundation Primer

To kick off my June Mercier Mondays series, I thought it appropriate to discuss the first products I ever purchased from the brand: the tinted moisturizer and foundation primer.

Currently working through Sephora deluxe sizes - a little goes a long way!

Laura Mercier is known for their "flawless face" technique, and their cult-favorite tinted moisturizer is part of the flawless face line up. While there are 4 variations to choose from (illuminating, oil-free, crème compact, and regular) all are packed with broad spectrum SPF 20. The regular version (in the shade nude) remains my favorite across not only Laura Mercier's product lineup, but across the product lineup of any brand out there. It is indeed my holy grail foundation.

Rarely do I wear full coverage foundation. I'm quite pleased with my skin and though I wouldn't consider it perfect, I do like to let it show through rather than cover it up. More often than not, I opt for sheer coverage products, so I most often reach for a tinted moisturizer as my base.

Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer delivers the sheer coverage I'm looking for without ever being cakey or heavy. It is easily buildable if you desire another layer of coverage and blends with ease. While most products with SPF can give off that sunscreen smell, this tinted moisturizer has no detectable scent. It never clings to dry patches, living up to its duties as a moisturizer, and I sometimes reach for this product for spot touch-ups when wearing other foundations that can cling to my dry patches. Best of all, it's great for quick applications if you're in a rush, sinking into skin immediately and leaving no evidence behind that you're wearing makeup while still blurring minor imperfections and creating an even complexion. So confident I was in this product's ability to give me a "my-skin-but-better" appearance, I wore it on my wedding day.

Before

With primer and tinted moisturizer + minimal product (mascara, under eye concealer, eye shadow primer + neutral shadow, translucent powder, clear lip balm)

Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer was the first makeup primer I had ever tried before. For someone on a student budget, like I was when I purchased my first tube, it may seem like an expendable part of one's makeup routine. As I learned, however, a primer can not only aid in the application of your product but also extend its wear, making it a workhorse that earns its keep in your collection. There are a whopping 7 primers in the Laura Mercier lineup that go the extra mile by illuminating, bronzing, hydrating, or other functions, but again I remain loyal to the tried-and-true original formula. While you can apply the tinted moisturizer without the primer, the primer definitely adds more ease to the application and extends its wear time. The colorless formula also doubles as skincare, containing vitamins and antioxidants that nourish the skin. Because it does such a great job, I have yet to stray from this favorite and have never purchased a primer from another brand.

As a self-professed product junkie, that fact alone speaks for itself.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - $33

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen - $43

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