Makeup: Lorac Unzipped Nude, Laura Mercier Belle Nouveau

Text, Vivian Kelly

In a season that is all about bright color, that sounds all wrong, right?

What I mean is I’m in the mood for nude MAKEUP.

Take the bright outfits at Kenzo and Versace in style.com’s “look of the day” survey. The bright green top and skirt and yellow dress are so bright that you need to take it easy on the makeup. Note the Versace model’s dramatic cateye and otherwise bare face. Spring and summer bright clothes are already so attention grabbing that as stylist Yann Varin said, you have to have balance.

Tip: When wearing a bright dress, don’t wear bright makeup – color is great but too much is too much.

Yann Varin’s formula for dressing in perfect balance –  if you haven’t read it  - “A Style Lesson With Yann Varin” .

While I have always liked nude, I’ve had trouble with it, either choosing lipsticks that are overly pale or too brown and muddy for my complexion.

I stopped trying to find “my nude” until Siren PR sent me Lorac’s nude kit to try-out. The idea: that you can get by with very few products and that theirs suit many different skin tones. Add to that, the eye shadow palette comes with easy to follow “day” and “evening” look application directions – love that!

Many of you travel and if you’re like me, you want the packing process to be easy and to have everything put together for you. The Unzipped Nude Kit is all you need to get you through a 3 night 4 day get-away. There’s a blush, a lip gloss, eye-shadow palette, blush, and mascara. The lipgloss has a permanent spot in my handbag because I love the barbershop sign swirl pattern and how well the “Andy” gloss stays on.  It’s got a thicker consistency but it’s not overly goopy and has a delicious creme brulee scent. The blush is subtle and has a bit of plum to it that gives you a natural looking flush and stays on for hours.

Availability

Ulta.com  for the Unzipped Collection, $34

Lorac Cosmetics.com for more Lorac products

This season, Laura Mercier, another of my beauty favorites, has a new, limited-edition Belle Nouveau Collection, which is available on counter May-June.  It’s inspired by Laura’s background as a painter and her love for the Art Nouveau era’s innovative spirit. Kaplow PR sent it over two of the limited edition creme lip prints to try. The collection focuses on soft but daring colors that are playful and romantic. This is a go-to collection if you want to wear color on your face.

Highlights include Laura’s FIRST-EVER colored mascara: the Long Lash Mascara in Bleu and Lavender Cloud Nail Lacquer, a whimsical, pastel color. There’s also an addition to fans favorite Caviar Eye Stick Colour: Turquoise, a rich, bright color, which is ideal for creating a unique eye look.

With this much attention on your eyes, you’ll find the balance you need with Laura’s subtly soft Limited Edition Crème Lip Prints I road-tested. She’s got your particular complexion covered. There’s Nude Beige, Nude Coral, Nude Pink to choose from. They feel smooth and easy – like your favorite lipbalm and retail for $20 a piece. Added bonus – they have a nice sized mirror for easy application.

Lastly, don’t forget the basis of an impeccable nude look - a foundation that eliminates any redness or unevenness. After trying several foundations: MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF15, Shiseido, and Laura Mercier, I recommend Laura Mercier’s oil free supreme foundation for warmer temps as it feels light, but still gives good coverage.  Save the MAC for the harsh winter months when you want more on your face to protect your skin from the cold. What really sold me on Laura’s foundation was how it got increasingly comfortable as the day went on, so much so that I forgot I had foundation on – a first for me!

 

Availability

lauramercier.com, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and select Belk, Blue Mercury, Lord & Taylor, and Macys.