Purple eyeshadow and I have never been very good friends. You might even say we’ve had our share of bad times. Usually, wearing purple eyeshadow makes me look like someone sucker punched me in the eyes. But because I could not resist the Laura Mercier Silk Road palette, I decided to brave the purple eyeshadows in there and hopefully, make them work for me 🙂
I’d never used Laura Mercier’s colour cosmetics before, and truth be told, I never found them very interesting. This palette however tugged at my heartstrings. Perhaps its that whole Silk Road reference. When I was growing up, there was a TV documentary series about the Silk Road and I always wanted to go on it. It sounds so exotic and exciting! 😀
Since I haven’t been on that Silk Road, the next best thing is to own this Silk Road palette 😀 I’ve got some more photos in my previous preview post. Its a limited edition palette for Spring 2011 so let’s take a quick look and swatches and my thoughts on it below 🙂
First off, here are the swatches. Eyeshadows are on the left, and blushes on the right.
Left-Right: Regal Violet, Golden Sands, Lavender Silk, Rare Taupe, Persian Rose and Palace Pink
I think the colour that disappointed me the most was Regal Violet. In the pan, its a gorgeous violet with gold flecks. On the skin, you can see that its just a blackened purple with no shimmer 🙁 It also did not apply smoothly. All round, quite a disappointment. Golden Sands is a good highlight colour. It too doesn’t apply that smoothly but looking at the texture in the pan, I wasn’t expecting it. It was better than Regal Violet though.
Lavender Silk is a lovely lilac shade that is smooth to the touch and application. I like that one as I do Rare Taupe. Both are beautiful colours.
For the blushes, Persian Rose is gorgeous! Its a peachy, coral pink I absolutely love. It doesn’t apply very strongly, which is a good thing because layering it helps you achieve a much prettier effect. Swipe on some Palace Pink on top and along your cheekbones and it gives a gorgeous glow! The blushes are clear winners in this palette!
Here’s a quick look I did using this palette 🙂
On the eyes, the colours can be layered for greater intensity. If you use an eyelid primer, you will likely get better colour payoff too. I don’t but even without a primer, the colours last all day on me. But then most do 🙂
One thing I like about this palette is the size. Its slim and very handy for travel because you can get quite a variety of looks from this one palette, and the blushes can be adjusted for intensity too. Some might prefer that an applicator be included, but I’m happy with it as is, because I discard most applicators anyway.
Pros: Good mix of warm and cool colours to create a variety of looks, Handy palette, Very pretty blushes!
Cons: Limited Edition, The quality of Regal Violet did not live up to expectations
Might this be a palette you could like? 🙂 I think its a good deal for what you get. I’ll even close an eye to Regal Violet’s texture because it does make a good liner – I’ll have to tell you about this and the Nars #15 Smudge Brush soon! 😀
But basically, I’ve been using dark eyeshadows as a liner recently (ease of use) and the Nars Smudge Brush is so amazing for this, I’m so pleased I bought it 🙂
Paris B
The Laura Mercier Silk Road palette retails at RM179 at Laura Mercier counters. Its limited edition for Spring 2011.
xin says
March 25, 2011 at 9:01 amhey where did u pick up the NARS brush? i want also!
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 3:16 pmI got it with Syen from kissandmakeupny.com
l y n says
March 25, 2011 at 10:25 amI was not particularly impressed with this palette and agree with you on the dark purple. The only thing I liked was Rare Taupe but I can get similar shades from different brands without having to plonk down money for an entire palette.
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 3:16 pmYeah, the purple was such a disappointment considering it looks so pretty in the pan right? Fortunately for me, I don’t have many of these sorts of colours so I’m sort of “saved” hehe…
chin says
March 25, 2011 at 11:56 amHi Paris! I am so glad you brought up laura Mercier! I just love, love, LOVE her products. I cannot live without her tinted moisturiser which is a staple in most top models’ make up bags. It comes in two versions – one for normal/dry skins and another for oily skins. No prizes for guessing which one is most suitable for S’porean/M’sian skins ! 🙂
It has about 5-6 shades and with an spf of 20. It blends in so naturally you can dispense with foundation or BB Creams and moisturiser and it keeps its colour throughout the day – no streaking or blotching !
Laura Mercier’s body cream or souffle is also another favourite of mine. its light yet luxurious, moisture-rich texture makes your skin feel so soft and moisturised without the thick, oily or coat-y feel and thes scent is divine! Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think !
Long Live Laura Mercier!!!!!!
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 3:18 pmI’ve tried the tinted moisturizer too (not the oil free version) and I liked it too. I took a look at the body creams the lats time I was at the counter but the scents are all too sweet and foody for me. I like eating vanilla flavoured food stuff, but I don’t like applying food or sweet scents on my skin. Anyone who does, would love Creme Brulee! 🙂
Hanny says
March 25, 2011 at 12:38 pmWow… I seem to have most of the colors in my Tarte the Jewelry Box! Yay! Except Lavender Silk ^.^
So yeah, lucky I don’t “need” it.
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 3:19 pmNone of us would need anything, really. But the blushes are gorgeous so I’m still very happy with this palette 🙂
Jen says
March 25, 2011 at 2:38 pmThe eyeshadow looks really pretty on you! Too bad you didn’t enjoy the texture of the purple =/ Your eye makeup is lovely 🙂
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 3:20 pmThank you Jen 🙂 The texture of the purple was disappointing but I’m glad the rest of the colours were alright 🙂
gio says
March 25, 2011 at 4:37 pmI already have similar colors in my stash so I don’t think I need this but the colors look lovely on you. What a shame Regal Violet didn’t live up to expectations though, it looked so pretty in the pan.
ParisB says
March 25, 2011 at 4:40 pmThank you Gio and yeah its a right pity about Regal Violet.
Mari says
March 25, 2011 at 7:34 pmIt’s somewhat disappointing because I had high expectations for this palette! It is just unfortunate that the deep violet shade has so little payoff, since I was quite smitten with it. 🙁 The cool tones really suit you, but I don’t think the lighter violet shade would do much for me – then again I luv dark shades best!^^
ParisB says
March 27, 2011 at 9:17 amAh you and I both! Such a pretty palette to be spoilt by that purple. Thank goodness it works as a whole or I’d have been terribly disappointed.
Connie De Alwis says
March 25, 2011 at 8:02 pmoh man… and it looked so pretty 🙁 I would’ve wanted it just for the purple until I saw the texture. I hv a similar smudger brush from Sigma. handy for smudging!
ParisB says
March 27, 2011 at 9:17 amHaven’t tried Sigma brushes but I’ll take your word for it!
jojoba (My Makeup Reviews) says
March 27, 2011 at 8:45 pmi am not sure why i missed this review. glad you did it so i don’t have to get it now thanks for the honest review. i trust your judgement. now my lemming is finally DEAD. i wanted this so badly that i nearly ordered it last night. then i changed my mind. i got myself a josie maran instead. :p
ParisB says
March 28, 2011 at 9:43 amHaha thanks 😉 You do have me very curious about Josie Maran products. Too bad they aren’t available here 🙁
Vonvon says
March 28, 2011 at 12:51 amHi Paris,
It’s been a long time since I last commented.
I have been eyeing this palette for couple months now, purples are some of my favorites. Rare Taupe and Lavender Silk are my favorites too. Was excited about Regal Violet, but like you, just didn’t work up to my expectation either. What a shame! Would have been a lovely color.
And now, I so want to get it, though I know that I don’t need another palette…hmmmm…… 😉
ParisB says
March 28, 2011 at 9:45 amHi Vonvon, hope all’s well with you. Yeah the Regal Violet was very disappointing. I’d suggest to wait for another palette – there’ll always be another! 😉