Lipstick Shades We're Loving for Spring

A look just doesn't feel complete without the touch of the perfect lipstick. And while the whole natural look, with simple balms and nude glosses, was seen all over the Spring/Summer 2015 runways, there's just too many amazing lipsticks this season to miss out on. Check out some of our favorites to try this spring.

Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Color, $33 These lipstick colors allow you to build to the perfect pigment for you. With a satin finish, your lips will project a stunning luminous color that should be seen in the spring.

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick, $22 If you're going for a gorgeous sheer lip with a hint of color, this line is for you. It has the same original Revolution formula with a creamy texture, and shiny finish. This line gives your lips a gorgeous hydrated healthy look.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Créme, $24 Any new Marc Jacobs lip product immediately becomes a must-have for us. And this seasons creamy, velvety lipsticks are no different. With 50 available shades, a high-pigment and long wear formula, this lipstick is a no brainer necessity.

Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour, $28 Every girl needs at least one liquid lipstick in their arsenal. And this should be yours for the spring. If you want to stick with the nude, natural makeup look, this collection has gorgeous nude options. Nude Rose is our favorite, giving you the perfect tint of red without overpowering.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, $21 Another great liquid lipstick option for this season. Although it is not a completely new product, it has eight new shades we are seriously loving. From the deep burgundy of Velvet to the bright pinky-red of Strawberry, you're bound to find the best shade for you to rock this season.

Beauty & The Bride: Jenny Packham

I'm obsessing over the hair and makeup pics from bridal fashion week that just took place in NYC!  I avoided it like the plague, because I love my dress and didn't want to watch Marchesa gowns glide down the runway.  Obvi.  However, I am working on finding inspiration for my makeup look.  This one from Jenny Packham is perfect – flawless, dewey skin with a flush.  It's really the no-makeup-makeup look.  Lead Makeup Artist for Laura Mercier, Talia Shobrook, gave me the step-by-step, which every woman should be able to conquer.  Bride-to-be or not. Flawless Face: Flawless skin with a natural flush of colour

·         Shobrook first prepped skin with Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Hydrating ($32).  

·         Next, she applied Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Oil Free Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen ($43) to create a healthy, even tone.  She then covered any imperfections with Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($32).

·         To give the skin a romantic, dreamy look, Shobrook flushed the cheeks with Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Barely Pink ($24) and Rose Petal ($24).

·         Then, she dusted Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Peach Whisper ($24) onto the apples of the cheeks. She dabbed Laura Mercier Secret Finish ($27) onto the cheekbones, adding freshness to the skin.

·         To add the final touch, Shobrook applied Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder ($35) to the nose and forehead.

Simple Eyes: Soft washes of colour

·         Shobrook applied a wash of colour to the eyelids using Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Ginger ($23) and Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Guava ($23). Next, she applied a layer of Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour ($23) in Primrose.

·         She then highlighted the brow bones with Laura Mercier Matte Eye Colour in Morning Dew ($23).

·         She used Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour  in Baroque and Cognac ($23 each) on the inner creases of the eyes to give a rounded look.

·         To finish the lids, Shobrook applied  Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour  in Baroque and Burnished ($23 each) to the lower lash lines. She then added Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour in Cognac to the middle of the lower lash lines.

·         She applied Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Seashell ($26) to the inner corners of the eyes and added a coat of Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara ($24) to the top and bottom lashes.

·         To pull the look together and frame the face, she lightly defined the eyebrows using Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil ($22).

Soft Lips:  Mauve and beige lip

·         To create a subtle, elegant look, Shobrook applied Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Pink Blush and Peche (each $26) to the lips.

Body: Illuminated skin

·         To complete the look, Talia dusted Laura Mercier Mineral Illuminating Power in Candelight ($34) to the neck and décolletage.

5 Favorites

I don't know where to start.  My whole regimen has taken a turn for the better lately and with each new launch and product mailing I'm falling in love all over again with the latest lotions and potions.  Allow me to present my five favorites of the moment.  You can thank me later!

Rodial Glam Balm Multi, $59, has been a staple in my bag.  I've been traveling a ton lately and this non-greasy balm is loaded with stem cells so it has plumping benefits and is super moisturizing.  You can use it as a day or night cream on your face for extra hydration, on your hands, cuticles, lips, elbows.  The options are endless.

StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment, $75, has my favorite anti-aging key word, retinol, as it's main ingredient.  My biggest paranoia lately has been fine lines on the sides of and underneath my eyes.  They make me look old and tired!  I trust StriVectin and the combination of Retinol and Niacin is a perfect blend to help diminish them quickly.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder, $45, offers lightweight coverage in a variety of shades.  I'm not one to wear foundation daily, but when I go on TV, it becomes my best friend.  Hello HD!  This powder blends seamlessly into my skin without feeling caky.  Plus, it's easy to carry around for last minute touch ups.

Toni & Guy Volume Plumping Mousse, $14.99, puts an end to the search.  The search for volume that is.  The famed UK brand just landed state side and after trying a variety of their products, I couldn't be happier.  Since my strands live for mousse, this is by far my favorite product in the line.  It's lightweight and not only offers volume, but it also gives bounce.  That's the difference.  Who doesn't want bounce?

 Gelish Mini Soak Off Gel Polish, $10 ea., come in a variety of fashion forward shades for fall.  My favorite being 'A Touch of Sass' and soak off easily without ruining your own nails.  Hey, a girl needs a gel mani every once in a while!

A Heart to Heart with Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier is one of my absolute favorite cosmetic brands and the "Laura Mercier look" is what I'll be requesting for my upcoming wedding.  However, besides being known for her successful makeup brand, Miss Mercier has been up to something else that makes you fall in love with her just a little bit more.  With September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I was honored to chat with her about the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund and find out how we can help spread awareness of the disease and raise funds for research. Why is raising awareness around ovarian cancer is important to you?

Claudia Poccia, the President & CEO of Gurwitch Products, and I have both been touched by ovarian cancer through the experiences of loved ones. For years, I’ve witnessed my dear friend, Ranee Flynn, battle ovarian cancer, and I am incredibly inspired by her strength and determination. When Claudia joined Gurwitch more than two years ago, she was in the midst of one of the most devastating times of her life – the illness and passing of her younger sister, Laura Lia Murray, from ovarian cancer.

As we discussed our personal experiences with the disease, we quickly realized that we had been brought together in business for a greater reason and a higher purpose, and we made it our shared mission to leverage the success of the business to make a difference in the lives of women. Last September, during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we launched the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund.

What's the mission of the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund and how can we help? 

The mission of the Fund is to raise awareness and fund research and educational efforts that will help diagnose, treat and support women with ovarian cancer. We raised funds from the sale of fundraising products and direct donations, and in our first year, we issued grants totaling approximately $450,000.  This year, we are donating 100 percent of the profits from the sale of three products to the fund.

Which three products?

Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Healthy Glow for Face & Cheek Crème Colour Palette,  which is a permanent product available year round, as well as the Matte Radiance Healthy Glow Baked Powder & Mini Face Brush, and Kiss of Hope Lip Glace, which are limited-edition and available while supplies last. (Shop all of the products here).

Why did you choose these three products?

Bonne Mine translates to “healthy glow.” The palette holds special meaning for Claudia because her sister used it when undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. We decided to make it a permanent fundraising product in her honor.

The other two products also support this philosophy. I love how all of the products, used together or alone, complement every skin tone and truly provide a natural “bonne mine.”

***If you'd like to make a direct donation to the Fund, you can do so here. 

A bold lip for every occasion

Who doesn’t love the perfect bold lip? While it’s a great look to sport, there is always a time and a place. Here's a comprehensive list of the right ways to go bold for every occasion.  And yes, you can rock one at work.  Don't believe me?  Keep reading.

The Work Place: As a woman in the work place, its important to promote yourself as a strong, independent, intelligent woman. Nothing screams that better then the perfect bold lip (except for maybe a killer designer bag). Coral is a great color to show off your work place presence. Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Color has a gorgeous pink-coral color called Kissed-Lips.

Date Night: Flirty, fun and not too intimidating are what you should keep in mind when picking your bold lip on a date. Your guy will definitely notice your full lips, but won’t think of them as kissable. Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick collection has many good flushed color options that are sexy but simple, such as their color Fly High.

Party: This is the perfect place for you to do you. A party is all about being social and having a good time. Wear whatever color expresses your personality best. I personally love Smashbox MegaTint Long Wear Lip Color in Mulberry—a soft plum color that really makes a statement.

Happy Hour: Sipping on drinks all night is dangerous when wearing a bold lip. Smearing and smudging are a serious risk. That’s why it’s best to go with stain like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar- Lip Stain. It goes on dry but gives a glossy finish. It also applies gradually so you can wear it as intense of light as preferred.

5 Favorites

  I've always used the same products before starting to work in this industry with Jeannine, which was typically just whatever my mom brought home. Now, I have a whole new perspective on beauty products thanks to all the opportunities to test so many different ones. Here are some of my favorites from simple foundations to gorgeous lipsticks.  Yes, I'm sure you'll find a few newbies to put on your shopping list.

I received Blow Pro Blow Out Spray hairspray at an event for Jeannine last summer and now it’s the only hairspray I’ll use. I never really liked to use hairspray except for prom or homecoming. It made my soft hair sticky and crunchy. I feel like this hairspray does the complete opposite. It holds without creating that awful crunchy effect a lot of hairspray has. If your looking for a spray that gives you a solid hold while maintaining volume and movement, this is stuff to use.

BareMinerals is pretty well known for their loose mineral powder but I love their compact powder. It goes on smooth without coating my face in a thick layer of makeup. It also covers up blemishes while keeping my face looking almost makeup-free. If people think that’s just how naturally smooth my skin is, I’m not going to be the one to correct them.

I like to use Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation for days at the beach or pool. It’s a compact cream foundation with SPF 36 in it. It blends smoothly and gives a great matte finish without looking like a heavy coat of makeup.  I have a hard time using sunscreen on my face because of my sensitive skin and this is a great alternative. The fact that it gives my face a high SPF coverage while hiding blemishes makes it a great summer product.

 

Hourglass Liquid Lipstick is another find I can credit to my internship and an event. This collection of liquid lipsticks are seriously one the best of the colored lip products I own. The colors are so youthfully beautiful I would be crazy not to love them. I typically like to add a light gloss finish over them for a little extra pop. While theses lipsticks do fade during wear, they tend to do it without smudging all over your face, which is good enough for me!

 

I squeezed ever last drop out of my Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Body Butter. Every time I wore it people would stop me to compliment my scent. I kid you not. Not even just once, it happened multiple times. People would walk in the subway car and ask who smelled so good. Even on the streets on NYC waiting to cross a woman asked what it was I was wearing. Not only is the smell invigorating but I loved the way it made my skin look and feel. It made my legs shimmer and glow without looking greasy. If you asked me a year ago to talk about my favorite lotion, I would be confused what there was to even say, until I used this one.

5 Favorites from Kiehl's, Laura Mercier, Jin Soon & More

Since I'm just kicking off this feature, it's so hard not to do this post daily.  Of course, when it comes to beauty loot I have a ton of favorites, but I promise to always bring you a well edited list of the best of the moment.  When I walk into a drugstore, Sephora or department store, I am beyond overwhelmed with options so I hope this helps you cut through the clutter.  If you're looking for something specific and need a product recommendation, you can always reach me on Facebook! Truth is you hands and your neck give away your age quicker than your face.  That's thanks to the extra TLC we give our faces in preventative and corrective measures.  I was super impressed when I was introduced to Avon's Absolute Even Multi-Tone Skin Corrector + Hand Cream, because it has SPF 15 for protection, but also helps to even out your skin tone.  I use hand cream about eight times a day and now don't have to think about getting old lady fingers.

While Laura Mercier's Cavier Stick Eye Colour, $24was created to help enhance a smoky eye, I like using it in Rose Gold as a wash of faint color all over my lid.  It makes me look more alive and is perfect for daytime.  Believe it or not, it consists of a creamy texture that doesn't crease and stays put all day.  Promise.  Since it's creamy, if you plan on layering it, let it dry between coats or it will be sticky.

While I normally like wearing dark greys or almost black shades on my tips, I am completely obsessed with Jin Soon's new Nail Polish in Blue Iris, $18.  The electric blue pigment is so bold that it's a conversation starter all on its own.

Anything that's labeled "stress-minimizing" is worth a try.  My latest conquest has been the Kiehl's Skin Rescuer Stress-Minimizing Daily Hydrator, $40.  Truth is, it helps minimize and prevent the effects that stress can have on your skin like fine lines, blotchiness and inflammation.  Yoga classes are still helpful.

While It Factor's new product Simply It, $21.50 cuts drying time, I'm kind of obsessed with it because it makes styling so much easier and let's just say that this bob isn't always willing to cooperate.  It literally does everything like adds shine, acts like a detangler, adds moisture and is a heat protectant.  I like it because it smells so clean.  I start my day using it and even use it mid day for touch ups as a style refresher.

Get the Look: Anne Hathaway's Customized Lip Color at the NYC Les Miserables Premiere

Sultry is one word to describe Anne Hathaway's look at the NYC premiere of Le Miserables this week.  To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm more envious of her perfectly painted lips or the mirror-like shine in her hair.  She looked stunning.  Chanel Makeup Artist Katie Lee gave me the scoop on how to get her flawless skin and velvet-like fuchsia lip (which was a blend of three shades!) that complimented her edgy Tom Ford gown. "We wanted Anne to look slick and chic in her hometown of NYC," Lee commented.

1. For a velvety finish on the skin, Lee used Chanel Perfection Lumere Long Wear Fluid Makeup SPF 10.  Then gave them a slight flush with Laura Mercier Cream Blush in Prailne.
2. For a wet look, she applied Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Fantasme on Anne's lids.
3. After applying individual false lashes, two coats of mascara were applied.
4. Anne's eyebrows are one of her most important features.  Lee spent a lot of time grooming and elongating them with Anastasia's products including her Clear Brow Gel to set them into place.
5. The lip is a combination of three colors!  Lee mixed: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Rouge Noir and Palipitante with Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Somptueuse.  Try that at home!

Holiday Gift Guide: Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme Set

Every year I always check in with Laura Mercier about their holiday offerings, because no matter what, they always have something that ends up on the top of my wish list.  The first time I was introduced to their holiday gift sets was when I was working at Cosmopolitan and a sleek, red box arrived at my desk with three mini jars of goods.  It was their Creme Brulee Trio, that I coveted, covered and kept for myself! The Creme Brulee Trio is available again and includes a whipped Souffle Body Creme, exfoliating scrub and honey bath.  It's such a nice treat to give someone else because you're literally making them take time out for themselves.  A true indulgence!

You can get it at LauraMercier.com for $60.