Yesterday, my journey along the new Laura Mercier Silk Road led me to four items from the collection — the Eye and Cheek Palette, the Kohl Eye Pencil in Stormy Gray, the Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze and the Stickgloss in Pink Jewel — and it was quite a trip, let me tell ya.
All four of them are JUST. SO. GOOD! As I was applying the new products yesterday I kept shouting, “Oh, my gawd!” I’m pretty sure I sounded either like I was 1) seeing a double rainbow or 2) having a bonafied makeup-gasm.
The Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection
For her latest collection, foundation phenom Laura Mercier went WAY back — almost 3,000 years back — to the ancient Han Dynasty and the trade routes ancient merchants from China, India, Tibet, Persia and the Mediterranean used to sell their silk, satin, perfumes, spices, medicines and jewels.
Available now on Laura Mercier counters and online, the 13-piece Silk Road collection was inspired by the precious gemstones and raw silks that moved along those ancient routes.
Laura Mercier Silk Road products clockwise from the palette: Eye and Cheek Palette, Stickgloss in Pink Jewel, Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze and the Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey
Do if you feel up to traveling the Silk Road again with me (don’t worry, I remember the way). 🙂
The $48 Eye and Cheek Palette…
…is the frickin’ bomb, especially the eyeshadows. I’m very picky about palettes with purples on account of how many times I’ve been traumatized by them. It seems like many of the purples that make their way into palettes suffer from some terrible affliction, either too much contrast, fallout or something else, and I can’t even count the number of times I’ve ended up looking like a cross between Elvira and Barney.
Laura handled these violet, pink, taupe and lavender shades well. Each of them is distinct enough to stand on its own yet related enough to work in looks using multiple shadows from the palette.
Blending like a teenage dream, they go together without leaving any harsh lines behind, and I had absolutely no issues with fallout — not even from the glitter in Regal Violet or Golden Sands.
Oh, and those blushes? Dreamy. Persian Rose contains a little more pigment and shimmer than I thought it did last week. It’s not quite the NARS Orgasm dupe I figured it would be. I think it’s darker, more intense and more golden than Orgasm is but still very pretty. Lighter skinned ladies might want to apply it with a fan brush for a natural-looking flush.
Laura balances Persian Rose’s intensity against the very sheer Palace Pink, which looks a lot like MAC Beauty Powder to me — very little pigment and a soft peachy golden sheen that makes it a wonderfully subtle highlighter.
For these pics I applied it with the MAC 138 Tapered Face Brush, a brush great for precise, restrained application, sweeping it along my upper cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. I really like the soft focus look.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
The Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey, $18
My second favorite of the four products I brought home, this shimmery gunmetal gray contains the softest touch of green. The pencil is a little on the hard side, so it feels more like a MAC Eye Kohl than an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On pencil, but it still applies smoothly without tugging.
It lasts about eight hours along my lash line but only about four along my water line, something the unique color (a great alternative to basic black) makes me willing to overlook.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
The Stickgloss in Pink Jewel ($20) and Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze ($30)
Pink Jewel is lightweight, highly pigmented hybrid lipstick/gloss. It’s also unscented and unflavored, but that doesn’t mean it has bad taste. 🙂
And Ruby Glaze is a thin, non-sticky warm pink with golden pearl. It does have a flavor and scent, like yummy orange Creamsicle.
Each of these shimmery warm pinks look great on their own, but they really rock when when paired together. El Hub even complimented me (in his straight-boy-who-shops-at-Mervyn’s kinda way) when he saw me wearing this combo: “Your lips look shiny and cool, like a chrome bumper.” Haha! Yes, dear.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Eye and Cheek Palette
Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze
Stickgloss in Pink Jewel
Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey
Swatches from the left with a flash on NC35 skin: Blush in Palace Pink, Eyeshadow in Regal Violet, Eyeshadow in Golden Sands, Eyeshadow in Rare Taupe, Eyeshadow in Lavender Silk, Blush in Persian Rose, Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey, Stickgloss in Pink Jewel and Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze. NOTE: Check back for swatches on NW20 skin later tonight.
Swatches without a flash
Stickgloss in Pink Jewel
Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze
Ruby Glaze atop Pink Jewel
Eye and Cheek Palette and Eye Kohl in Stormy Grey
I know it’s pretty early in the season so it might be a little premature to declare Silk Road as the collection to rule all spring collections (“my precious!”), but if I were to ask the Magic 8 ball if this was THE collection to splurge on right now, it would probably say all signs point to yes.
For more on the Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection…
- If You Need Me, I’ll Be on the Laura Mercier Silk Road: The Silk Road Collection for Spring 2011
- Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection: The Eye and Cheek Palette
- Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection: Ruby Glaze Lip Plumper
- Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection: Stickgloss in Pink Jewel
- Laura Mercier Silk Road Collection: Stormy Grey Kohl Eye Pencil
Are we there yet?
I’m a little tired today, ladies. How’s it going over there? Aren’t you glad it’s almost Friday? The only decision I want to have to make tonight is, “What snack am I going to eat while I watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?”
This one here looks pretty good… 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
So excited for tonight’s episode!
I’m loving the Ruby Glaze lip plumper!
I’ve been seeing the promos all week long. I’m kind of a Bravo addict. 🙂 Do you watch Top Chef and/or The Millionaire Matchmaker?
Oh. My. Gosh! I love it all! I could truly live my summer just wearing these items. They are just beautiful! You look awesome wearing these shades, Karen. Also, love your necklace too – where did you find it? I’m trying to update my plain wardrobe with some pretty necklaces and bracelets. Thanks so much for sharing!
ooh, the eye & cheek palette is so gorgeous! that lavender shade will be perfect for spring 🙂
That eyeliner looks great! and so does that ice cream (even if it’s cold outside) yummmmmmm!
Everything about this post is so pretty! I love the colors, and it gets me even more excited about spring :-)!
I had a question about the giveaway I won in December (the Windows phone). It hasn’t come in yet, but I wasn’t sure if you were mailing it or if it was the sponsor that would be sending it out. Do you know if there were delays? I’m just worried because my mail man is kinda off and I’m hoping he didn’t lose it :-/. Either way, I’m so excited to get it!
Hey Vanessa,
Just sent you an email regarding this! 🙂
That stick gloss is so pretty!
Ahhh now I want the palette in addition to both lip products. After coconut and vanilla, orange creamsicle is my fave scent! And I’m looking forward to lighter skin swatches for this!!!
I guess I’m glad it’s almost Friday? This week was a wash and I’m not heading to work until Monday!
Liked the gloss stick in the last set of pics, LOVE it in these! Will definitely need to check it out. Also very curious about the liner. I find black is just too harsh on me and this could be a great alternative that would bring out the green in my eyes as a bonus.
New to your site. Love it! Now I’m convinced that some of my Christmas money is going towards this. I’m such a make-up junkie. If only I could learn to use it all!! I just ordered Bobbi Brown’s make-up book from the library. Maybe that will help. Think the palette will look good on a blue-eyed blonde? Purple is my favorite color!
You had me at Laura Mercier, I love her products!
Hi Karen,
Your skin looks great, what are you using? P.s. I love your blog!
Loving the palette! You do your makeup so beautifully, i wish i can be skilled like youself. i am going to have to go and search for these goodies and test out on my skin! Today has been too long of a day for me. I had to take my sister to her friend’s early morning and didn’t get my morning coffee in. … still dragging on … zombie style i guess, lol.
Hmmm- I wonder how these shadows compare to the Too Faced Romantic palette with similar taupe/pink/purples. The rare taupe looks really pretty, as does the stickgloss. Is it as moisturizing as it looks? Although I’m not sure I like this as much as the hourglass aura lipstain you just reviewed- that looked really pretty and made your skin and eyes pop!
LOLL I like that LOTR reference at the end. Both of those lip products are flat-out gorgeous! I think I’ll be swinging by the Laura Mercier counter next time I go to the mall.
OMG, my heart skipped a beat when I saw that first pic of Ruby Glaze in the tube. Divine!
That’s a gorgeous palette with colors I use all the time and I would totally justify it to myself if I traveled more. But alas, I do not, and I have plenty of purple. Oh well. 🙂
Wow! You look so pretty in purples, definitely will check the palette out 🙂
Loving the purples in the palette, and the price seems quite reasonable for Laura Mercier!
Okay, that stick gloss will be mine quite soon. Love the shade, and I’m a sucker for any moisturizing lipstick formula! Do you know if it lasts well, or did you wipe it off after the pic?
Also, totally into the Housewives. I just love Lisa, her sense of wry humor, and living situation.
you look gorgeous. I really like this idea of a palette with blush as well. And for the price its worth it.. i’m on a make up diet… so i skip this 🙁 however, it gives me idea of combining some eyeshadow because i’m pretty sure i have some mac e/s that’s close to the colors. Thanks for the helpful review and the look! xox
I really like the color of that lipstick/gloss!
ooo these colors are quite lovely!! i love the colors together!!
tonight i went with some cheese flavored popcorn and a peach margarita, haha!!
I love your top Karen. Where didja get it?
Karen, your lips look gorg in the first pic! My fave item from the collection is the Eye Kohl though, it looks divine!
Great look and sweet compliment from El Hub! 🙂
i will take everything pls, hopefully the hubs will pay me an awesome compliment like El Hub did paid you yesterday! 😀
i had strawberry ice cream for dinner btw – we have been buying those single serve cups because they control ice cream intake better. i had one for dinner and called it a night. 🙂
You look beautiful! 🙂
Oooh it all looks so purrrrty! Did the taupe work btw? Where did you end up placing it? Inquiring minds want to know!
xoxo
Love the gold finish to the Ruby Glaze lip plumper. The undertone of gold pigment will serve to reflect and offer the multidimensional finish it boasts.
Oh, I’m so in love with Laura Mercier at the moment! Her spring collection looks really nice on you. I love seeing eye makeup on you, since you have brown eyes too, so I can tell if I need the product or not by looking at you. Eh, you know what I mean!=)
xo
Antonia
These colors suit you so well — what a gorgeous look! 🙂 I love this palette. I swatched it in Nordstrom and really liked the colors. I may just have to go back and take this one home with me. 🙂
that’s really pretty, the prettiest i’ve seen you in a while. i need to check my stash if there’re dupes, but otherwise think it’d have to check this out, i don’t yet have anything from laura…
Hey Karen – your blog is amazing!
I’m thinking to buy the Eye&Cheek palette soon, it’s super good value for money. Really, £27 for 4 eyeshadows and two blushes is great. I see the Golden Sands swatch does not look very pigmented, do you think it would show up better on my NC15 skin? xx
I went to my local Sephora this week and they didn’t have this collection in yet. I was so bummed, I was looking forward to the lippies you have on.
I love Bravo, I watch a lot of their shows. All the Top Chefs, Matchmaker, Fashion Show. I love Top Chef.
I really enjoy your reviews, swatches, and everything about the blog. I like that you try things out, show us what it looks like on yourself, and then give us your thoughts. I like that you aren’t reviewing non-Mac items and then telling us to get the Mac items anyway. Some of us aren’t hard core followers and think there are better things out there, thanks for giving all makeup items a chance!! lastly, it’s great your honest and trustworthy. This is a lot of money we’re all spending at times and it’s awesome to know that you’re really loving and actually using these items!
Hey lady is Black Violet and Stromy Grey eye pencil the same?