Normally, waking up on Christmas morning to find coal in my stocking would be a big holiday bummer. Did Santa have me on the naughty list? I’d wonder, turning to Tabs for support.
But if that coal was spelled with a “K” and had a label that said, “From: Laura,” I’d be dancing like Snoopy from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Kohl, as in Laura Mercier’s Smoky Effects Mini Kohl Pencil Collection ($48). One of these in my stocking, and there’d be no doubt on which of Santa’s lists my name appears, because this set of eight creamy, soft and smudgy holiday cookie-sized (read: big) pencils is nice, nice, nice. 🙂
All but one of the colors, Jet Black, have been around the block a few times. A couple of them qualify as basics in my book, like Brown Copper (like a slightly more golden MAC Teddy) and the brand new, limited edition Jet Black, but that’s not to take anything away from them at all. They’re wearable workhouse shades, the kind that are always good to have, but it’s the other colors — Black Violet, Stormy Grey, Black Gold, Black Turquoise, Black Navy and Antique Jade — that I think most makeup nerds will covet (lots of duo-chrome action going on).
Shimmery, complex and unexpected, these pigmented liners could easily have been from MAC, NARS or Illamasqua.
Almost like real storm clouds, Stormy Grey, a longtime LM favorite of mine, shifts in the light from a deep gunmetal to a peacock blue, while my other favorite, the blackened, burnished Black Gold (LOVE!) makes this Forty Niner fan’s heart flutter.
The set is helping me discover some new Laura faves, like Black Violet, a shimmery black tinged with royal purple, and Black Turquoise, which reminds me of MAC’s teal grayish green Club Eye Shadow, if it were an eyeliner instead.
Because these are so smudgy and soft, I love wearing them as bases to enrich other powder eyeshadows in smokey looks.
I also, when I’m in a more casual, rocker chick mood, like to plop ‘em along my lash and water lines and smudge, smudge, smudge.
I’ve heard that some gals with very oily lids have issues with these liners fading quickly. If you think that could happen to you, try priming your lids first. With a primer, on my combination dry/oily lids and along my lash lines, I get about 6-7 hours of wear; on my water lines, 5-6 (if you feel like you need more help getting these and other liners to last on your water lines, one of these tricks may help).
If you’re thinking about giving this set as a gift, be warned — you might be tempted to keep it for yourself! 🙂
PRICE: $48
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Laura Mercier counters and lauramercier.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A (despite not being a big bargain, I think this set is brimming with great colors and quality)
Tener miedo!
Scary movies have been helping me get into the Halloween spirit lately, like the one I watched yesterday on Netflix called La Cara Oculta, or The Hidden Face.
It’s in Spanish with English subtitles, but my not speaking Spanish very well didn’t make it any less frightening. Once it got going, I was on the edge of my seat!
In it, a young, gifted orchestra conductor’s girlfriend suddenly disappears. The couple lives in a creepy, isolated country villa, and we wonder if the house, which seems haunted, or the conductor had something to do with it.
It was one of those movies where I spent a great deal of time yelling things like, “Oh, no he didn’t!” “Gurl, don’t do it!!” and “What the what?!” at the TV, LOL! If you’re in the mood for a good thriller, give this one a whirl.
Now, I think I’m gonna go see if I can find something else scary to watch. If you have any recommendations, let me know. 🙂
Hope you had a great day. Talk to you soon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Karen,
When is MAC going to start the pre sale on their holiday collections?
Thank you,
Brooke
Hey Brooke,
MAC’s holiday collection is already online! Happy shopping. 🙂
Ugh, those shades! <3 I usually end up veering away from eyeliner sets, but these ones look stunning — you've created quite the Laura Mercier lemming monster in me, Karen!
She’s got some great products that you’ll love Rae! Give in to your lemming monster, LOL!
Scary foreign movies? Spanish, Italian and Japanese movies can be all kinds of scary. “The Orphanage,” “the devil’s backbone”. anything by Dario Argento – “Giallo” has Adrien Brody. “Audition” is the creepiest Japanese movie I’ve ever seen… October is fully scary movie month. Good times!
Thanks for this list, Futuralon! I agree, Spanish and Japanese movies are crazy scary!
Wow- I really like the black gold. I’ve been looking at this set wondering if I should buy or not, but now I really want it! Going on my Christmas list. BTW thank you for the tutorials. You make them so easy to follow.
Hi Melissa,
I’m glad you enjoy the tutorials. Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Eventhough I always use black, I still feel oddly drawn to this set. Nooooo! Must resist!
Nooo, you can’t resist! LOL
I need Black Gold in my life!!! Like NEED!!!
Yup, so pretty!
Verry pretty little set!
I haven’t bought anything from Laura Mercier but I may be checking out this set! I will have to figure out which store might have (or I’ll just get it online)it – I think Ulta and Sephora sell the line but usually stuff like this goes quick!
Hi Katherine,
Sephora carries Laura so you’re in luck! I hope you get your paws on this set. You will LOVE Black Turquoise with MAC Club (my new fave combo).
Hope you’re having a nice week so far!
I love Black Navy. That’s gorgeous.
Super pretty, right? I love all of these colors. 🙂
What’s the difference between an eye kohl and something like UD 24/7 liner?
Hi Sara,
These stay creamier for longer so they’re easier to smudge and blend. It makes it easier when hou’re doing looks like smokey eyes.
The UD 24/7 liners are more of a long-wearing formula. They’re great, but you have to work quickly if you plan to smudge them out.
Lemme know if you have any more questions. 🙂
Oh no, I’ve been trying to find ways to keep away from Laura Mercier (makeup n00b here, with a crapton of new products), and now I find that I cannot resist any longer…
Hi Carina,
Don’t stay away from Laura! Her stuff is awesome. 🙂
I love scary movies!! I want to see this now!
I love kohl liners too! These are so pretty! I need to look at these for sure!
Have you seen any good ones lately, Tracy?
that gold pencil looks gorgeous…