There are so many Fall makeup collections already making their rounds, but I’m going to kick it off here with the one from Laura Mercier which I found interesting because it is so dark! Aptly named Dark Spell, the collection is deep, dark and mysterious with generous lashings of black and glitter infused darkness.
Pretty much like this Baked Eye Colour in Mystical.
In the Dark Spell collection there are 2 black eyeshadows. One is a Satin Matte Eye Colour in Dark Spirit – a pigmented matte black powder eyeshadow, and the other is the Baked Eye Colour in Mystical – a dark black baked eyeshadow shot through with lots of silver glitter.
I’ve got an overall view picture and view of the Dark Spell collection below, but I’d like to go into a little more depth with Mystical, and to show you just how you can achieve a very simple and wearable smokey eye look in just about 1 minute with just one shadow. Which girl doesn’t need that, I ask you? 😀
The Baked Eye Colour formula can be used wet or dry, and is fairly large in the pan. It is also very glittery.
Seen here, it is as if the surface of the moon got dusted with glitter and presented to cast a dark spell.
You will see all the fall out in the pan and the shape in pan isn’t very even either. Chalk it up to it being a baked formula. If you use a damp brush you could use it as a liner. Here are the swatches dry on my skin.
Laura Mercier Mystical eyeshadow Left: 1 layer, light hand Right: 2 layers, heavy hand
As you can tell, you can quite easily build up pigment or use it lightly over a base. It is, as you will note, glittery. Not shimmery but glittery with relatively chunky glitter. Can’t say I’m a fan of that. But I also have to say that I’m not much of a fan of baked eyeshadow formula. From experience, they tend to harden too quickly and have poorer pay off. As you can see, the colour pay off isn’t bad in this one, so that puts paid to my theory 😛
So what’s this 1 minute smokey eye look then?
I found that if you just pick up Mystical and apply it all over your lid and blend it out, you get quite a simple and lovely eye look with just 1 colour. I use a dense brush and start from my lashline, concentrating colour there, then apply more over the lid. I then switch to a blending brush and blend out the edges to soften. Done!
And here’s how it’d look. Mystical on the upper lid and smudged on the lower lid. Tightlined and mascara.
Use more colour at the base, less as you go upwards but do note you get all that glitter along for the ride. I don’t experience much fall out (or maybe I didn’t look into the mirror during the day) but I didn’t seem to get any glints of colour on my cheeks. No black colour fall out either and I didn’t use a base. If you do, you get more intense colour.
Here’s how it looks overall. Not overly done is it?
Also featuring: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Soft Ivory, Guerlain Meteorites Teint Rose, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Dior Addict Extreme lipstick in Lucky, Bobbi Brown Pink Coral blush
For more intensity, pack on more colour. For less, blend it out or use a lighter hand. I won’t say I love this one because I’m not a fan of baked eyeshadows, and you could quite easily achieve this look with another black eyeshadow but the glitter and the buildable pigment in Mystical is what makes it easier to work with than most. Enough perhaps, to put someone under your dark spell 😉
In a nutshell
Mystical is a new and limited edition colour by Laura Mercier for their Dark Spell collection. It is a baked eyeshadow formula and I find the product in pan a little powdery with some fall out. The colour is buildable and can be both sheer or strong. However, the glitter is quite apparent although I did not experience fall out with this shadow when used on my eyes without a base. I like using Mystical alone, for a simple smokey eye look. It is very easily blended out and works very well alone which makes it quite practical. I won’t say it’s a must have nor that it’s a special colour, but if you don’t have one like this, it’s always worth having it.
Pros: Easy to blend, Easy to pick up colour with fingers or brush, Colour intensity is easy to build up and sheer out
Cons: Glitter in product will not appeal to everyone
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a very simple and easy to work with dark eye colour and who isn’t afraid of having glitter
Laura Mercier Dark Spell Collection : Fall 2013
Now for the full Dark Spell collection.
Missing is one of the eyeshadows in a light glittery shade. 2 things that attracted me were the Kohl Liner Extreme (RM69) which is a kohl pencil that you see with the pointed tip. It is creamy and intensely dark and you can use it as an eyeliner or a base. I’ve never owned one of these before!
Also in the collection are 2 limited edition nail lacquers in Forbidden and Bewitched (RM69 each) and a lip plumper in Charmed (RM95).
The other item that I was very keen on initially, is the Spellbound Face Illuminator (RM159) highlighter. That’s the pan on your right with the wavy texture. Here, let me show you a close up 🙂
Better now? 😀 I was very taken with this, which is a shimmery highlighter with rose gold tones. Very pretty! When used on the model, it was applied on the cheekbones and down the nose bridge and also on the collar bones and decolletage. Yes, it can be used on the body too 😉 It is quite a large pan and I predict this will sell out quickly because it’s very pretty.
However, I’ve finally decided I’m not getting it right now because I haven’t been using highlighters a lot, and I’m concerned that a rose gold shade may not sit well on my skin which takes better to champagne tones (also takes better to champage. Period. LOL! :P)
Does Mystical eyeshadow grab your fancy? Are you eyeing any product from the Laura Mercier Dark Spell collection?
I was quite keen on Spellbound initially, but the feeling has passed. If you like highlighters, it’s worth checking it out because I remember previous Laura Mercier highlighters were in great demand and this will not be an exception.
Paris B
Laura Mercier Mystical Baked Eyeshadow is part of the Dark Spell collection Price: RM89 Availability: Laura Mercier counters Limited Edition: Yes, Dark Spell Collection Fall 2013
Angelina says
August 19, 2013 at 8:44 amIs it me or you look sultry in the pic? Haha. I like the both colors (re eyeshadow).
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:01 pmHaha, just you Angelina 😉 Thank you!
Lily says
August 19, 2013 at 9:41 amLove this subtle smokey eye that you created! You should wear this more often. Very flattering 🙂
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:02 pmThanks Lily, I have because I’ve been so lazy in the mornings! LOL This is now second place to my cream shadows for ease of use.
rinnah says
August 19, 2013 at 10:17 amYou look absolutely gorgeous PB!
I second Angelina that you’re looking sultry and hawt…
Totally fan-girling over you in this look. 😀
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:03 pmAww, thank you Rinnah 😀 *blush*
Tracy@Beauty Reflections says
August 19, 2013 at 12:20 pmGORGEOUS Paris! LOVE the easy smudgy black smoky eye lately myself. It’s so easy to wear-who knew haha! I saw the highlighter and also passed-I find I don’t use them all that much either and they just sit there looking pretty.
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:06 pmThanks you gorgeous lady, yourself! 😀 You’re right about it being easy. I mean, who’d have guessed right? There I was trying to perfect it when all I really had to do was smudge some colour on my lids LOL!
Ting says
August 19, 2013 at 12:27 pmThat’s a really sophisticated look! The lipstick pairs very well with the whole look. 🙂
When I first saw the swatch, I was kind of imagining Paris doing gothic look… hahaha
Since we are in tropical countries, do you notice ladies following seasonal trends? Just curious.
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:11 pmLOL I should have done something dramatic I suppose but then, I’m not artistically inclined plus my looks are all done before I go off to work, so I couldn’t go to work looking like a goth princess LOL! 😀 Actually I don’t notice people in tropical countries following any trends at all. I find we tend to prefer lighter (to almost no) makeup and lighter colours. Dark or deep colours for eyes and lips don’t get a lot of airtime locally, do you notice that too?
Ting says
August 19, 2013 at 3:22 pmNormally they don’t do much fall / winter trend for makeup. But they do follow trends for clothing & accessories. Trends like the monochrome, certain colour, spiky accessories. I think people are quite conservative still. Dark colours for night functions only. Even red lips are not popular here. I see mostly just a slick of black eyeliner, flushed cheeks and pinkish lips. Some people overloaded on the flush department, I think. I am talking about constantly-pinched cheeks which I could never pull off.
They prefer those pinkish innocent kawaiii look with big eyes. Too much japanese / korean influence? :p Oh that reminds me… it’s definitely the Thai soap opera influence. Bad girls always have tons of makeup (also darker eyes, red lips) on while the good girls have those innocent kawaii makeup on. You can instantly tell which one is the bad girl. :p
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 4:27 pmNope, red lips aren’t big here either. If I wear red lips, I swear I feel everyone’s eyes on me like “She’s wearing red lipstick? Where does she think she’s going?” I find people here don’t really use makeup still. So I’m not sure who are buying everything LOL! Oh and it’s true in Chinese shows too right? Evil women (and mother in laws 😛 ) always have on thick bright makeup while the goody two shoes has light sweet makeup. Yet, there is some truth in real life too hehe…
ishi says
August 23, 2013 at 3:54 pmI see the girls at the office fawning over makeup. I also see them buy makeup. However, I hardly see them have these makeup on. I once said to them that makeup on the vanity at home does nothing for the face at the office. They said that they buy the makeup for ‘special occasions’.
Yeah right, that will be ermmmm..never..?
Paris B says
August 24, 2013 at 5:52 pmHahaha! You share my thoughts Ishi 😛
gio says
August 19, 2013 at 1:38 pmLove this smokey look! It’s sultry and chic. It really suits you.
Paris B says
August 19, 2013 at 3:14 pmThank you Gio 😀
jk says
August 19, 2013 at 5:46 pmThe Mystical eye shadow is oh-so dangerously tantalizing. Itch.. itch.. and this is fresh from me declaring that palettes work better for me.. arrgghhh… I want.. Love them smokey eyes..
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 4:30 pmIt’s true JK, I proclaimed myself into palettes and next thing you know, I’m waxing lyrical about a single 😛 On the other hand, this would qualify as one of those exceptional singles (although you can do this trick with any sparkly/shimmery black shadow 😉 )
Claire says
August 19, 2013 at 7:02 pmthat eyeshadow is so tempting! you look amazing! I am into such shades, especially now when the fall season is coming. the whole collection is looking nice, I may pick up something for me xxx
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 4:38 pmThank you Claire 😀 It’s actually a little intense to wear here since we don’t have Fall and Winter when I’m quite sure it would be more appropriate. That said, the whole collection is quite interesting. There is another shadow in there that is white with black lines across it, that looks like a chocolate biscuit, and that comes out a pretty silver!
Parita says
August 19, 2013 at 7:47 pmwow the highlighter looks so pretty!
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 4:39 pmI thought so too! It gives the most beautiful glow.
Ika Roseworn says
August 19, 2013 at 9:56 pmU look hawt!! I can’t, for the life of me, where dark colours. Especially black. It somewhat ages me, makes me look SO fierce, and accentuates my dark circles. My smoky eyes are not too terribly smokey as I’m a little light handed with darker colours. I’ve never really tried LM, except for their UC concealer. But that highlighter looks gorge!!
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 4:41 pmThank you Ika 🙂 Black is a very intense colour, I will agree and it is only in recent times that I dare wear straight black. Previously, if I wore black shadow, it would be only as a base, or on the sides. You could say I’m growing into the smokey eye look LOL! If my eyes look tired, I draw in a light shimmery shadow on the lower lid. It makes you look less tired. Try it next time 🙂
PositivelyNice says
August 20, 2013 at 6:48 pmBlack Carat is almost like this one! I love using Black Carat for a one colour one minute smokey eye too!
Paris B says
August 22, 2013 at 5:32 pmGood eye! I have been eyeing Black Carat for a while too. I like smokey khakis!
summer says
August 21, 2013 at 6:18 pmthe eyeshadow is beautiful and YOU look beautiful too! your skin really is amazing now!
Paris B says
August 24, 2013 at 4:56 pm*blush* Thank you Summer! 😀 Skincare regimen is paying dividends! 😀