New: Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder in Devotion

New this spring, Laura Mercier's Face Illuminator Powder ($44) caught my eye on Sephora instantly. It comes in four shades, three of which are new, but Devotion called to me. I was not disappointed. This gleaming powder adds an instant touch of radiance. Plus, I read at Allure that she designed the Devotion shade for fair skin tones!

Laura Mercier said, "I developed this product to help women create a radiant look for themselves using a performance makeup artist tool that allows a buildable layer of shine - from subtle illumination to extreme radiance." That's exactly how it works.

This long-wearing, buildable, and versatile highlighting powder can be used anywhere on your face or body. It provides a natural-looking, radiant, allover glow. I'm not sure how the red algae ingredient in it adds to the radiance or texture, but that's certainly a popular ingredient these days.

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder highlights the skin with pure light-reflecting pigments for a color-true, multidimensional, and luminous finish that complements all skin tones. Its non-dusting texture allows for excellent color payoff and applies smoothly and evenly onto the skin without dragging across dry areas. The unique formula brings a stunning gleam to the complexion for an instant glow that is said to last up to eight hours.

I took my compact photo in full sun. As is normally the case, my photo is more true than the online photo. I had a feeling that the pink would be stupendous, and it is. There's nothing wrong with the color shown at the top of this feature, but it's not true.

I applied a swatch with moderate intensity with a sponge-tipped applicator and took my photo immediately below in the same bright sun in which I photographed my Devotion compact. As you can see in the swatch photos, Devotion is fairly sheer, and it gleams - no glitter or sparkle - it adds a sheen to my skin. It's brighter in full sun, but it still gleams in indirect light or indoors.

I took a shade photo to prove it. See the glow below. Same swatch, two vastly different lighting exposures.

I think the shade photo shows how the powder gleams evenly on my fair skin, even without direct light.

I think you will like Devotion if you can wear pale pink. If you can't, there are two other new shades you can consider, both warm gold: Seduction and Addiction.

You can find Laura Mercier's new Face Illuminator shades at Sephora, where I purchased mine, at Laura Mercier's Web site, and at Laura Mercier counters. There is a new shade for everyone.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Bonne Mine Stick Face Color

I love cream blushes, and I love cream blushes in sticks. They are so convenient. I was playing online recently and saw Laura Mercier's Bonne Mine Stick Face Color ($32) at Nordstrom. I immediately ordered two shades: Pink Glow and Peach Glow.

Wake up your skin with a healthy glow. These sheer, blendable sticks give skin natural-looking color with a “no-makeup” radiance that looks soft and sun-kissed. Luminous shades for cheeks and face transform skin into radiant, glowing skin. Four luminous shades.

Pink Glow is shown above. What a gorgeous rose shade! The sheer, blendable formula gives you that no-makeup radiance with a natural, soft and sun-kissed look.

I was more than disappointed when I pulled these beauties from the Nordstrom box. Peach Glow fell right out of the tube. Not only did it have some damage around the edges of the top, it had melted at some point, perhaps in transit, and it was no longer attached to the wind-up mechanism. It's too bad that I have to send it back, although I will ask that it be replaced. It's a beautiful color on my skin.

I took swatch photos in full sun. I applied the shades directly from the tubes, and then I blended them lightly with my fingers. Pink Glow in particular came out of the tube a bit too dark for my skin. I would blend them into my skin anyhow, so I don't think the need to blend the color is relevant to anything.

Pink Glow is a stunning rose pink. I would gush, but I'll leave that to you pink lovers. Peach Glow is slightly more subtle. It's extremely natural on the skin, and I'll bet the shade will work for nearly everyone. There are two other shades available: Bronze Glow and Coral Glow. Both appear to have been created for darker skin tones.

I remember that Laura Mercier offered color sticks in the past. They were called Illuminating Sticks, and they were wonderful. Now, we have a bit more color, making them perfect for use as blush in addition to being "glow sticks."

 Apply the colors to your skin where a healthy glow is desired. Laura Mercier recommends you touch the color onto apples of of your cheeks then softly blend the color up your cheekbones and toward your temples until your desired coverage is achieved. Works for me!

You can find Bonne Mine Stick Face Color at Laura Mercier's Web site, Nordstrom (where I purchased mine), and other Laura Mercier counters.

Photos at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour in Crystal Fantasy and Opal Fantasy from the White Magic Collection for Holiday 2013

Laura Mercier has placed a beautiful trio of Illuminating Eye Colours ($24) on her holiday display: Crystal Fantasy, Pearl Fantasy, and Opal Fantasy. I could easily have purchased all three. The one I left behind at the store is Pearl Fantasy, and it looks nothing like the lavender in the photo above (top right). What I saw was a pearly silver.

This season, Laura Mercier is celebrating inner goodness and bright spirits with illuminating shades to give you true holiday sparkle. Illuminating Eye Colour offers a multidimensional, luminous pearl finish with a soft, bouncy texture for excellent color pay-off and a smooth, easy application. "Be enchanted by a look that’s fresh and luminous, with light-diffused pastels for eyes and brilliant high-shine colors for lips." The two I purchased are beautiful on the lids.

When I first saw Crystal Fantasy, shown at left directly above, I thought it would be too green - too showy. It's not at all. It is beautiful worn alone and smashing when blended or layered with other shades. I had a similar reaction to Opal Fantasy. My first thought was, "Too pink." It's not at all. It leaves a natural-toned blush on the lids - very pretty. You can see in the photo below that the model is wearing Crystal Fantasy, and it's not at all gaudy.

I took swatch photos of both in full, morning sunlight. I used a sponge-tipped applicator and applied them heavily.

Crystal Fantasy is almost silver, except for that slightly green tint that gives it depth and brilliance. Opal Fantasy isn't too pink at all. It's an icy color that makes it work like an accent to any look. Both colors gleam. They shimmer, but in the most subtle way.

I'm very pleased with both shades. I find them full of possibilities I have not had time to discover. I spent a lot of time over this long weekend resting. The work schedule beings again tomorrow. Charlie will miss me when I'm at work.

I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. You can find the White Magic Collection at all Laura Mercier counters and online. The collection is worth a look-see.

Photo at top courtesy of Chic Profile; model photo courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier White Magic Collection for Holiday 2013: Rose Prism Brilliant Glacé

I stumbled upon Laura Mercier's White Magic Collection for the holidays at Neiman Marcus and was impressed enough with a few of the pretty pieces to pull out my wallet. Of the three Brilliant Glacés ($24) on the display, Rose Prism caught my eye. I think I was holding it when I snapped the photo of the display. It was placed right between Pink Prism and Nude Prism.

Brilliant Glacé is a sheer lip gloss with translucent color and brilliant prismatic shine. Non-sticky formula feels lightweight and comfortable on lips. Here are its qualities, according to Laura Mercier.

• Provides a brilliant shine with an iridescent pearl finish
• Gel-like texture melts onto lips and provides translucent colour with a high-shine finish
• Lightweight, cushiony formula, feels comfortable on lips
• Applies smoothly and evenly onto lips
• Enhances the look of lips without feathering or bleeding
• Provides long-lasting color and brilliant shine
• Moisturizing emollient formula conditions and soothes lips
• Creates the appearance of fuller lips
• Non-sticky, non-tacky, non-greasy formula
• Dermatologist tested
• Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive

All in all, I would say that's a good description. The color is Rose Prism is a beautiful, medium-toned rose that's transparent, but still offers enough pigment to impart a beautiful, shiny, eye-enhancing rose color. I love it.

I took swatch photos in full, morning sunlight, and I'm not happy with any of them. I think the color is prettier than my photos make it look. In the photo above, it looks too warm. The photo below is blurry, but the full sunlight makes the gloss look magical. The color is better in the second photo.

This is the only gloss of the three in the White Magic Collection that has enough color to be worn alone, without lipstick. I've been wearing it for a week, and I've found the color fantastic, the wear time average, and the feel moist. If I didn't have so many lip glosses (probably over 300), I'd buy another one.

I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. You can find the White Magic Collection at all Laura Mercier counters and online. I bought other pieces from the collection, and I'll show them to you very soon.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Spellbound from the Dark Spell Collection for Fall 2013

Laura Mercier's Dark Spell Collection, at counters now, is described as mystical, seductive, and captivating - a look that demands attention. The display got my attention when I saw the new Face Illuminator ($42) in Spellbound. I promptly purchased it. I can't resist rose gold.

A beautiful face illuminating hybrid product with a soft rose gold shimmer perfect for highlighting. The unique formula based on high pearl levels provides buildable long-wearing color.

When Laura Mercier is on, she is as great as it gets. Spellbound is exquisite. At the same time I saw it, I also played with her new Rouge Nouveau Weightless Lip Color. It's a good example of Laura Mercier when she's off - in my humble opinion. Only one of the many shades appealed to me: Sin. It was sold out, so clearly it appealed to other Laura Mercier fans as well. If you like matte lip color, you may adore these new lip colors. I don't like matte or flat, so my opinion is extremely prejudiced and possibly unfair.

On the other hand, Spellbound is so enticing in the compact, with its waves of color, that you will be drawn to try it when you see it. What you will discover is one of the prettiest highlighting powders of the year. It deserves an award. It's the queen of the collection, most of which is dark and seductive, but sadly not "me."

When the sun made its re-appearance yesterday, I was finally able to get swatch photos for you. None of them do justice to this drop-dead fabulous shade, which, like a chameleon, will probably look a bit different on different skin tones. I think it adjusts to my skin tone and to lighting conditions.

To swatch, I applied it at the top of my arm with a sponge-tipped applicator. Then I took a very loose, fluffy blush brush and swatched (sorry, unevenly) under my stripe swatch. That was the wrong brush, but my intention was to show you how it might look when applied with a much lighter hand. You can see that the more color you add, the more prominent the rose in this golden shade becomes. I did not buff or blend the color for my swatches.

You can wear this stunning shade anywhere on your face. Use it as a blush or mix it with your blush to create your own unique shade. Use it as a highlighter, sweeping double "C's" over your upper face (tell me in the comments if you don't understand that). Use it as an eye shadow anywhere on your lids. Use it under and/or over your eyebrows. Use it as an illuminating bronzer (depending on your skin tone). It is extremely versatile. As The Non-Blonde pointed out, you can use just about any applicator with Spellbound. Gaia is the brush expert, and she recommended a few brushes for an ideal application.

This Face Illuminator is a powder, but it acts like a cream. Let's call it a very creamy powder. The texture is fabulous - and accommodating. If you feel you didn't apply enough color on your first try, add more. Spellbound layers beautifully and plays well with other makeup colors.

I don't often recommend that you rush right out to purchase new color, but I'm close to making a recommendation that Spellbound is a necessity. Let's call it a necessity for anyone who loves rose gold as much as I do. Laura Mercier was definitely "on" when she created Spellbound.

You can find it at her Web site and at all Laura Mercier counters. I purchased mine at Bloomingdale's.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Baked Blush Bronze in Ritual from the Folklore Collection for Summer 2013

There it was, irresistible, on Laura Mercier's Folklore Collection for Summer 2013 display. Baked Blush Bronze ($36) in Ritual - big and eye-catching, with swirls of bronze, shades of brown, pink, and even ivory. I have enough bronzer to last for life, but I still wanted to play with this one.

Laura Mercier Baked Blush Bronze is a baked powder with five complimentary shades that together provide the perfect, natural color for cheeks and face. Each tile is hand-mixed with a unique design. That's usually good with baked makeup. You get a little bit of every color.

Here's mine. It reminds me of my Laura Geller baked pieces, which are firmly entrenched in my life. I wear her blushes often. This Baked Blush Bronze - advertised and named as a blush and bronzer - will only work for me as a bronzer. It's too dark to be a blush.

I took swatch photos in full sun. I applied Baked Blush Bronzer heavily with a sponge-tipped applicator at the top of my arm. I used a powder brush to apply the larger swatch below.

For some reason in the store, it didn't look this dark. The color is good (nice and brown - not too muddy), but the rich color is too dark for my skin. It will be beautiful on someone with a darker skin tone. Yes, I can try to apply it faintly with a fan brush, but why bother when I have so many bronzers?

My lack of love doesn't mean you won't love it. If you have medium to dark skin, it's very pretty. It offers a slight shimmer with tiny, sparkly particles, giving it life without an unnatural look. I really like it - just not for me. It's a very rare day when I return something, but this piece may have to go back. Like the extremely shimmery eye shadows in the Folklore Collection, it wasn't meant to be. That's sad because it's so good looking - and generous in size.

I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. You can find it at Laura Mercier counters and Laura Mercier's Web site.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour - Eight New Shades

Inspired by Laura Mercier's cult classic Caviar eyeliner, Caviar Stick Eye Colour ($24) offers a new technique to create a glam eye look. In a range of eight beautiful shades, this creamy formula provides endless options for a flawless eye. Each convenient stick is long-wearing, transfer-resistant, and crease-resistant. The color glides onto the eyelids and blends easily, with rich color payoff.

The new shades for Winter 2013 are Seashell, Orchid, Sugar Frost, Sand Glow, Mint Snow, Rosegold, Gray Pearl, and Pink Opal. I poked my toes in the fresh water with Sugar Frost and Rosegold (of course). In my photo directly above, Rosegold is shown in the left; Sugar Frost is shown at right.

These wonderful cream eye shadows adhere to my eyelids for a very long time. Once they set, which happens quickly, they don't budge. I love both the shades I purchased - and I love the shades I already have.

I took swatch photos in full, mid-day sun. I swatched directly from the tubes, making no effort to blend them (they do blend easily). The sun added extra sheen to the already glowing shades. Rosegold is shown at the top of my arm, with Sugar Frost below.

I love using Rosegold to swipe and go. Some glowing color on the lid under the crease accentuates the color of my eyes. Plus, I'm a rose gold kind of gal. I love the color! Sugar Frost is a perfect base color for any other cream shadow. I tried it with Khaki, and it looked fabulous.

You can purchase Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick Eye Colours at Laura Mercier counters, and online at Laura Mercier's Web site (where I purchased mine) and Bluemercury - along with other online retailers.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander from the Arabesque Collection for Spring 2013

There are two new shades in Laura Mercier's popular Crème Cheek Colour included in the new Arabesque Collection: Oleander and Praline. I purchased both, but would like to focus on Oleander today. Laura Mercier's concise description goes straight to the point.

A long-lasting, natural cheek color formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish

If you've tried Crème Cheek Colour, you might want to enhance that short marketing blurb, but it really says it all. Plus, the color depiction on Laura Mercier's Web site is spot on.

This beautiful shade made me think spring. I took swatch photos in full sun after applying it to my arm heavily with a sponge-tip applicator at the top of my arm and a larger sponge (lightly) below. Normally, one would apply this blush with a nice cream color brush. I didn't have one handy at the time.

What a beautiful shade! It's pink in a shade that should be almost universally wearable. It's hard for me to put descriptor to the shade. It's not baby pink. It's not rose pink. What color pink is it? Help me out.

What I can tell you is that it applies with a slight sheen - nothing unnatural looking - just a glow that will make you look dewy and moist (read young). Laura Mercier's cream blushes are a pleasure to apply because they blend with ease and look as transparent as you want. Just apply lightly, and if you feel you don't have enough color, layer another application over the mid-points of the first. You will look fresh and happy.

You can find Oleander at Laura Mercier's Web site with the rest of the Arabesque Collection. You can also find it at all Laura Mercier counters (and the online sites at retailers that carry the line) - in other words, it's easy to find right now.

Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier Arabesque Collection for Spring 2013

Laura Mercier was inspired by the "spirit of light and movement to create a color palette that is soft, ethereal, and beautiful." I swear the makeup gods got together for spring and decided we would have pink or pastel eyes, with pink lips and cheeks. The Arabesque Collection, though, is soft, not bold or intense as some of the others.

The Free Spirit Baked Eye Powder Palette ($48) in shades as soft as a gentle breeze. Apply them dry for a pastel look, or dampen your eye shadow brush for a little oomph.

The Crème Cheek Colour in Oleander ($24) caught my eye instantly. I want it! The cheek color is available in two new shades, this one, Oleander, and Praline, which I'll bet is equally gorgeous, particularly for those with warm-toned skin. Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colours provide a long-lasting, natural cheek color formulated to provide translucent, buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish. They are spectacular.

The new Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($26) in Arabesque looks like a gorgeous light, slightly warm pink nude. It sings on the model for the collection. Said to have a semi-lustrous finish, the cushiony, lightweight texture "feels comfortable, while pure olive oil and vitamin E nourish the lips.

There are two new Lip Stains ($20) in the Arabesque Collection: Shy Pink and Mulberry. Shy Pink is soft and delicate, while Mulberry is a red-plum-brown hybrid. Laura Mercier's Lip Stains provide the visual effect of a stain with the comfort and sheen of a lip gloss, the latter making them extremely attractive. The long-term color with a satin, balmy finish leaves the look of effortless polish and understated sophistication.

A new Lip Glacé in Bare Pink will top your lipstick with the lightest of pinks. The brilliant shine should please everyone. This is a time-tested lip gloss formula with legions of fans.

There's more: a limited-edition En Pointe Nail Lacquer, two new Eye Pencils in Stone Grey (what else for spring?) and Midnight Bleu (can I live without Midnight Bleu?). I have no idea how I'm going to be able to afford all the pretty new colors for spring. If you could only purchase two items from this collection, what would you buy?

You can see the whole Arabesque Collection for spring at Laura Mercier's Web site. I absolutely must get to a counter later today. The mall is very close to the dealership where my car is having its 15,000 mile service today. Perhaps I can take a side trip on the way to get it.

Photos courtesy of Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glacé Collection for Holiday 2012

Every year, Laura Mercier creates a limited-edition Mini Lip Glacé Collection ($38) for the holidays, and every year I purchase one - sometimes two. They are a nice buy, possibly a $64 value as described at Sephora. I'm never sure how they calculate those values. No matter. The set is fabulous.

This year's set of four high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip glosses offers rich, long-lasting color and brilliant shine for creating the appearance of fuller lips.

This set features a sampler of four bestselling shades to give your lips some extra holiday sparkle, gloss, and shine - a bit of lip luxury. Wear the shades solo for a soft-shimmer tint, mix them together to create your own personal shade, or layer one with with your favorite lipstick. You'll find these little wonders very satisfactory.

The set contains four mini Lip Glacés in Blush, Baby Doll, Rose, and Bare Beige. Here's a close-up taken at my house in full sun. The swatch photos were taken at the same time in the same order.

I tried to get one full-on sunshine photo (below) and one turned slightly at an angle to the sun to show how shiny these lovely colors are without help from the sun (above).

There isn't a discardable shade in this set. From peach to warm pink, rose pink to golden beige, these are every-woman shades in a set that was carefully edited to appeal to all of us.

I purchased my set at Sephora, where it is said to be exclusive. You can also find other Mini Lip Glacé Collections at Laura Mercier's Web site and store counters. Make sure to give them a look-see.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Laura Mercier The Flawless Face Book Giveaway Contest

Laura Mercier's The Flawless Face Book Portable Complexion Palette ($58) is a portable complexion palette for a flawless face. For the first time, Laura Mercier has provided her Flawless Face essentials in one portable, take-everywhere complexion palette.

This chic, slim-line compact features Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact SPF 20, plus two targeted concealers, Secret Concealer for undereye coverage/brightening and Secret Camouflage to cover blemishes and imperfections, along with Mineral Pressed Powder to finish and set the look. For flawless application, this palette comes with a travel-friendly Secret Camouflage brush, a double-sided sponge, and tips and techniques in a step-by-step instructional insert. The one I have to give away is Nude. It says it's for fair to light skin tones. I'd say fair to light-medium.

The Flawless Face Book Portable Complexion Palette In Nude comes with these products in the case.

• Tinted Moisturizer Crème Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen in Nude Secret Concealer #2
• Secret Camouflage SC-2
• Mineral Pressed Powder in Real Sand
• Travel-size Secret Camouflage brush
• Double-sided sponge
• Instructions

I can't guarantee, but I suspect that if Sand or Tan is the better kit for you, you might be able to swap it out at Sephora. That's where I purchased this giveaway prize.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, December 1, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment - it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this end; let's see if your mail service does right by you on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Sephora

Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour from the Art Deco Muse Look

Laura Mercier's Art Deco Muse Look is advertised as gilded, glamorous, and striking. If the Illuminating Eye Colours are an indication of the rest of the collection, I agree wholeheartedly.

Laura Mercier's Holiday Collection was inspired by the decorative architecture, style, and mood of the Art Deco period in Paris in the mid-1920s. Laura created rich makeup shades of gold, red, and black to beautifully contrast each other. All items in the collection are limited editions.

Sharply designed and defined eyes are lined in black with gilded, shimmering eye colors as a beautiful golden background. Lips wear super-shiny red lacquer, boldly applied for a stunning statement. The face is contoured and sculpted as a work of art.

The Illuminating Eye Colours ($24) from the collection are exquisite. These four eye shadows (yes, I purchased them all) offer a multi-dimensional, luminous pearl finish with a soft, bouncy texture for excellent colour pay-off and a smooth, even application. These shiny shades apply evenly with no fallout, not always the case for shimmering stunners.

In my photo above, the shades from left to right are Gilded Bronze, Gilded Moonlight, Gilded Rosegold, and Gilded Platinum. Could you choose only one, knowing they are limited editions?

I swatched each shade in the same order as shown above, applying them with a sponge-tipped applicator. I took my photos last week in full sun. I love each and every shade, even though Gilded Bronze and Gilded Rosegold really surprised me.

Gilded Bronze is shown at the top of my arm. Isn't it a glorious grey? While the grey has a tiny touch of bronze that I can see in person, bronze it isn't. The antique gold Gilded Moonlight is a perfect gold that will hold its own with other glamorous shades for the holidays.

Look at the orange-copper of Gilded Rosegold. It's not rose gold, but still stunning - a must have. Gilded Rosegold is unlike any rose gold shadow I own. It defied my expectations when I applied it. The appearance in the compact didn't prepare me for the color on my skin. Sill, I love it. The Gilded Platinum at the bottom of my arm is unique and eye catching. If I had been limited to only one of these four shades, I think Gilded Platinum would have been my choice.

I purchased all of my Illuminating Eye Colours from Laura Mercier's Web site. Although I haven't looked, I suspect you can find them at all Laura Mercier counters. Which one will you choose? You need at least one of these amazing eye shadows. They apply like a dream, and they will light up your look for the holidays.

Photos at top courtesy of Laura Mercier; other photos by Best Things in Beauty