I dunno what was going on at the dentist’s office today — maybe the staff felt like starting the Thanksgiving holiday early — but they were playing some crazy-@ss samba music over the speakers! If someone hadn’t been rutting around inside my mouth at the time with a very sharp hook, I totally would’ve been down to shake my maracas.
But since the tunes didn’t have any lyrics that I could mentally sing along to (they usually play oldies), I kept hearing things in the other rooms… Scary things, like the whine of a very loud drill, and snippets of a convo with the words, “probe” and “bleeding,” being thrown around repeatedly.
Oh, gawd!
Somehow, I managed not to lose my sh*z. No tears or passing out, so yay for small victories!
After my visit, though, I felt like I needed a treat, so I sought solace at the closest peaceful refuge — the makeup counter at Nordie’s. 
I’m almost ashamed to admit that I nearly pushed through a gang of older ladies clad in Burberry from head to toe to get to the new Art Deco Muse display at the Laura Mercier counter.
It caught my eye from across the store… So much shimmer, so much red and gold and OM NOM NOM!
I’d seen the collection online a few weeks ago and, truth be told, didn’t think much of it at the time. Hrmph! Looks like pretty standard holiday fare with red lips and gold eyes.
But, GURL! I must say it’s much more compelling in person.
Inspired by mid-1920s Parisian Art Deco, the limited edition holiday launch features metallic shades like gold and bronze, and rich reds, burgundy and black.
The quilted Illuminating Eye Colours ($24 each) spoke to me. I love shiny metallics, and I almost swooned right there in the store after swatching the four shades on the back of my hand.
Laura did not hold back on the pigment with these powder shadows, and they’re so downy soft that they practically melt into my skin…
I hope I dream tonight, and in my dream I’m wearing Gilded Bronze. On my NC 42 skin, it’s a beautifully warm (at least I think so) grayish taupe.
Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Moonlight ($24)
Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Bronze ($24)
Lip Laquer in Lip Rouge ($24)
Illuminating Eye Colours from the left: Gilded Rosegold, Gilded Moonlight, Gilded Platinum and Gilded Bronze ($24 each); Second Skin Cheek Colour in Wild Bouquet ($24); Caviar Eye Liner in Black ($22; I had to swatch it dry, but usually it applies much more pigmented when applied wet)
Illuminating Eye Colours from the left in Gilded Rosegold, Gilded Moonlight, Gilded Platinum and Gilded Bronze
From the left: Crème Smooth Lip Colour Lipsticks in Deco House, Tamara Rouge and Sienna ($26 each); Lip Glace in Gilded Veil ($24); Lip Laquer in Lip Rouge ($24); Nail Lacquer in Moderne Red, Noir Glace and Crimson ($18 each)
Crème Smooth Lip Colour Lipsticks in Deco House, Tamara Rouge and Sienna; Lip Glace in Gilded Veil; and Lip Laquer in Lip Rouge
Oh, and the glosses? The Lip Glace in Gilded Veil may not look like anything special in its tube, just a standard gold gloss, but it turns into a complex peachy pink gold on my skin. I only swatched it on my hand at the store, but I bet it looks gorgeous on the lips, either by itself or layered on top of red lipsticks.
As for the $24 tomato red Lip Lacquer in Lip Rouge ($24), it’s like a double rainbow all across the sky. So intense that I don’t just think my heart skipped a beat when when I saw it; I’m positive it did.
Three red lipsticks ($26 each), three nail polishes ($18 each), a powder blush ($24), two eyeliners (a $22 cake liner and a $24 liquid liner) and a mascara ($24) round out the release.
The Art Deco Muse collection seems like pretty traditional holiday fare, but I like that. Sure, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but Laura handles it elegantly and well. There’s just enough shimmery spice, and intensity from the reds, to really pique my interest.
If you like classic holiday makeup as much as I do, definitely spend some time playing with Art Deco Muse.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Gilded Rose Gold-OH MY! I have a thing for rose golds! It’s so pretty! I need to check it out in person!
Tracy@Beauty Reflections recently posted … Lipstick Bandits Vamp It Up
Hi Tracy,
Me too! It’s really cool to see the color popping up this season in makeup and accessories.
How’s your week going so far? Good, I hope!
I think that taupe shade is gorgeous. Love the collection!
Hi Aelyn,
It’s my favorite too. I absolutely love it!
Have you worn Laura Mercier before? I think her line has tons of hidden gems.
I really like this collection. I bought all eyeshadows, Tamara Red and Lip Rouge (which I’m wearing today and adore so far
).
Hi DaniB001,
Oh, nice! Which eyeshadow from the collection is your fave and why?
Happy Tuesday, btw.
So far it’s Gilded Moonlight. Applied dry and wet it’s an amazing colour on the lid. Gilded Bronze is also a nice colour in the crease. A combination of these two I’m waering for the third day now
It goes with nearly everything and a bold lip with it is a nice touch
I’m with Tracy – the rose gold has it! Love these shades, and the gloss would definitely be at home in my collection
thanks for sharing Karen!
Hi Sadie,
I’m thinking of going back to the counter and “visiting” with Rosegold again today. Maybe if it asks a nice lady to take it home… LOL!
Are you ready for Thanksgiving?
I think you definitely should! I live in the UK so don’t usually celebrate Thanksgiving, but my NYC pal Kate is in town this weekend so we may have a meal or something for her. I would certainly never turn down an opportunity to eat some turkey or pumpkin pie! How about you?
Gilded Rosegold, Gilded Bronze, and the Wild Bouquet blush WILL be mine!! HOW did I not check out this collection earlier?!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: Becca Mineral Blush in Sweetpea Review & Swatches
Hi Becca,
You need this collection in your life!
Ahh that Gilded Bronze is calling my name!!!
Yay for not tearing up! You go girl!
Hi Sunny,
Hahaha, it’s a dental miracle!
This palette is great for the holidays. Those red lipsticks are so vibrant!
Hi Marla,
Yup. Pop a wee bit of gold gloss on any of ‘em and you’ve got some serious magic!
Eep. I’m jonesin’ for those lipsticks. And I don’t even like red lipstick!
Hi Carina,
The reds are so rich! Have you ever worn Laura’s lippies before? They’re pretty great.
They’re actually my next planned purchase
So festive – I totally dig this collection!
Me too! It’s really gorgeous in person. You’ve gotta check out that gold gloss…it would look fab with your bright lipsticks.
Speaking of brights, are they in the plan for your Thanksgiving look this year?
Wow! This collection looks amazing! I think I need some Laura Mercier in my makeup collection. Those eyeshadows are right up my alley, too! The gilded rose gold and the gold remind me of L’Oreal Infallible shades Amber Rush and Eternal Sunshine.
Oh my! I wouldn’t mind if the Gilded Eye Colours and lip glosses show up under the tree with my name on it.
I just love Laura Mercier and wish I can afford more of the line. Damn so expensive!
Arianne (Glitter Geek) recently posted … My IMATS Toronto 2012 Haul, Photos and Experience
I LOVE the nail polishes, before I started getting more and more shades – red, crimson and black were my three must haves
Marina recently posted … Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream Review. Rave
Even though the colors are quite classic Holiday shades, I think this is a super beautiful collection! Lip Laquer in Lip Rouge in absolutely stunning! Would you be reviewing any of these Karen?
Ankita@corallista recently posted … Tutorial : Kristen Stewart Smokey grey eye makeup
Love those shadows! I might have to get that bronze! But Karen – what did you do at the department store with that nail polish on your arm???
I walked around the store with my arm like that, LOL!
Oh my glob, I want all of it! I have one LM product (a lipstick) and it’s so quality, I wish I could afford her products more often!
Whooo boy! Everything in this collection is so pretty! I love those types of metallic shades. Those reds are lovely! You are one helluva beauty blogger for swatching nail polish on your arm
.
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted … 100% Vegan Bath and Body Products from The Gnarly Whale #HolidayGiftGuide
Hi Karen,
What thoughts do you have about how these shadows compare to the metallic cremes? Are they different enough to warrant purchasing?
I could almost wear Gilded Moonlight every day. It is fantastic! Afraid to buy the other colors, because I might never use my other hundreds of shadows again. LOVE LAURA! Thanks for the feature.