Holiday 2011 - #5 Laura Mercier Book of Nudes

Christmas is just one week away!  Are you ready?  At number five is Laura Mercier's Book of Nudes palette (Limited Edition).  Since the success of Urban Decay's NAKED palette, several cosmetic lines have followed suit and created their own version of a premier nude/natural eyeshadow palette.  What I love about LM's Book of Nudes is that it includes a cheek, glow, and bronzer veil, as well as a dark espresso shadow that can be used as an eyeliner.  The glow veil is great for inner eye, high cheek or under eyebrow highlighting.  Also, the 'Buff' eyeshadow is the perfect shade for an overall sweep over the eyelids.  One of my favorite shades is Bamboo (luster finish/golden brown shimmer).  I like that the eyeshadows are a good mix of shimmer, matte, and glitter.

All this is encased in a cute faux snakeskin pattern cover.  The only thing this palette is missing is a brush or two like they did for the Luxe Colour Portfolio.  But I'll take the space for a decently sized mirror.  Basically, this palette is practical to take on your holiday travels, because it's complete with just the essentials to create a subtle or dramatic look.

Swatches from left to right:
Sandstone (sateen finish/pale peachy pink),
Tiger's Eye (sequin finish/sparkling chocolate brown),
Baroque (sateen finish/warm terra-cotta),
Fresco (matte finish/neutral beige brown),
Granite (matte finish/smoky gray),
Cocoa Brown (sateen finish/shimmering brown)

Swatches (with flash)

Love the faux snakeskin cover!

This set contains:
- 8 x 0.03 oz Eye Colours in Buff (matte finish/ soft neutral cream), Tiger's Eye (sequin finish/ sparkling chocolate brown), Sandstone (sateen finish/ pale peachy pink), Bamboo (luster finish/ golden brown shimmer), Baroque (sateen finish/ warm terracotta), Fresco (matte finish/ neutral beige brown), Granite (matte finish/ smoky gray), Cocoa Brown (sateen finish/ shimmering brown)
- 1 x 0.04 oz Tightline Cake Liner in Ground Espresso (universal black-brown)
- 3 x 0.02 oz Crème Veils in Bronzer Veil (universal bronze), Cheek Veil (matte rose peach), Glow Veil (radiant neutral beige shimmer)

(http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P298100&categoryId=B70)

Must-Have Monday: SEPHORA Color Play 5-in-1

Sephora is ingenious!  Here's how this Color Play 5-in-1 palette works...

There are five subpalettes.  Each contains 10 eyeshadows, two 2 lipcolor/gloss, and one blush.  The colors for each palette are combined to create a certain look.  The palette comes with an empty portable compact, so depending on the look you're going for, you just pop out one of the five subpalettes and insert it in the empty portable compact to take with you wherever you go.  Genius, right?  And the price..$29.50!

This is a great palette to have, especially if you plan on being out of the house all day and just need to touch-up your makeup.

     Since we're on the subject of touch-ups, makeup remover is a must-have.  Since touch-ups usually involve reappying eyeshadows and lipcolors, you only need a small amount of makeup remover.  You should only be using it to remove smears, any outliers, and simply to clean the area where you will reapply your makeup. Below are a few suggestions.  All of them are small enough in size to fit in your bag; contain just the right amount of product needed for a quick touch-up; and inexpensive :)

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads Extra Gentle (CVS $7.99) - light and not oily; good for contact lens users!

Sephora Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads (Sephora $8) - another good remover pad

Bare Escentuals On the Spot (Sephora $5) - This is really good for quick correction on small areas around the eyes.  Each Q-tip/cotton swab has a premeasured amount of formula.  Each pack contains 24 swabs.

Images:

Sephora Collection Color Play 5-in-1 http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P258058&categoryId=B10#

On the Spot Bare Escentuals http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P123204&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true

Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads Sephora Collection  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P235208&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true