Wedding Palette Auditions: Laura Mercier Toolbox: Makeup and Beauty Blog: Makeup Reviews, Beauty Tips and Drugstore Beauty Finds

So far, 44 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

1. Meaghan said, on November 17th, 2008:

Love the lipstick but the eyes aren’t doing it for me…do you have satin taupe or something else that is in the brown/purple/ grey smokey family? What about mauvement pigment?
2. Elena said, on November 17th, 2008:

Ooh, I love this look on you! I can see you changing the purple for more shimmery browns and golds, maybe. It has the right level of impact (if that makes sense, lol) to work for a wedding. I love, love, love the lips and cheeks, though! It’s my favorite of the Laura Mercier/Stila looks you’ve done so far.
3. Luv J said, on November 17th, 2008:

Having been a bridesmaid a gazillion times, I learned to wear makeup like a bride.. no ott shimmers.. more matte and subdued colors since you get photographed as much as the bride herself and matte makeup seems to do well in pictorials. I do use a highlighter and contour blush.. makes a big difference.

Although I did learn that no matter how perfect my makeup appear in photos.. can’t say the same for most of the dresses I was made to wear! *ugh*

Well at least you got lucky with yours Good luck with the makeup!
4. Thumper Too said, on November 17th, 2008:

I think you look fantastic! If you were going to tweak, don’t change the lips and the cheeks–they look great on your complexion and look good with the dress! Good luck
Thumper Too´s last blog post..Cold Night.
5. Erica said, on November 17th, 2008:

I agree no sparkles, use matte colors as they do come out better in pix. A smokey eye would be ok, but subtle…We don’t want to out do the bride. Pinks are usually flattering on most, no?

Erica´s last blog post.."Doctors of the revolution…
6. Tiffany said, on November 18th, 2008:

You look great and that palette is to die for!
7. Lily said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Karen!

First time posting! That look is way cute! I would keep the lip color though, it looks great on you!

Anyway, I wore a dress almost the exact same brown as a bridesmaid this summer. I wore a pale-ish matte pink and brown eye, highlighted in the middle with a low-shimmer pink/gold and then used black Liquidlast. The Liquidlast did not move at all despite high temperatures and I even had trouble taking it off that night over 12 hours later. If you think you may be crying, consider that? Good luck!!!
8. Erica said, on November 18th, 2008:

I loveee this look! Im not too sure about the eyes for the wedding, but the lips look REALLY good. I am thinking maybe you could try a cream/offwhite ish type of color on the eyes? That would be pretty and look good on you without taking any attention away from the bride. Im glad to hear your hubby is back, you guys just need to stay strong and know that your whole family can pull through.
9. Anna said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Karen !

Love the dress, very nice and elegant.

I like the eye colours of the palette, the lip colours are too dark for my colouring and I can nevr rock darker lip colours
10. Ms. Britt said, on November 18th, 2008:

I like it, but I don’t love it. I know it’s almost winter outside, but it’d be great to see you in something warmer. I think I’m still leaning towards Stila’s FCL #2. I love the pink cheeks but the lips are too bright. I’d love to see some really strong, fierce eyes and a more neutral lip. Try a smokey taupe/brown eye with some copper as an accent maybe?
11. Jaime said, on November 18th, 2008:

Have you tried the Beiges de Chanel quad? With that cheek and lip that you’re sporting above (gorgeous!), it might look nice with the dress??
12. Katee said, on November 18th, 2008:

Great dress!! It is refreshing when the bride picks out something nice.

Katee´s last blog post..China Glaze Romantique Spring 2009 Nail Polish Swatches!!
13. Laurie said, on November 18th, 2008:

I think you have a palette winner! You look beautiful - your cheeks are glowing!

I think it compliments the dress (which is so cute) well!
14. Julia said, on November 18th, 2008:

I think it looks beautiful! I have this palette and have really been enjoying it. The lasting power of the kohl liner is superb and I’m enjoying her new eyeshadow formula!
15. yadiq said, on November 18th, 2008:

i think this is on the right track

beiges de chanel with a touch of warm gold i think would complement both your skin and the dress a little better

the warm undertone of this dress would really look great with some gold accenting

dont change the lips! or blush for that matter

but this look is fab! i love it but not for the dress esp since your gonna be crying !
16. Luv J said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hey Karen,

Have you tried the “Cargo Color Palette in Vienna look” with the dress? I loved that FOTD.. the colors are quite neutral.. blush and lips are perf.. subtle but not washed out. Also, do an outdoor photo after you put together the look see how it photographs in sunlight..
17. Amanda said, on November 18th, 2008:

great palette, great look….but not sure it goes with the dress/event. Now that I’ve seen the dress this is what I would do:

gold and brown eye-soft gold on the lid or crease, brown/deep bronzy liner (a gel if you’ve got it!). Make the top liner a bit smudgey so it’s slightly smoldery but not full out “smokey” and over the top for day and church.

I agree with others about shimmer and photos-not too much shimmer on the cheeks due to photos. Do a peachy-rosy matte cheek (if that exists!) and a medium rose lipstick with just a *touch* of peach gold gloss….

I’m not sure if all this exists in ONE palette though…good luck, can’t wait to see what you do. I’m sure it will be fab.
18. Amanda said, on November 18th, 2008:

ok, me again. I was curious and went back and looked. I totally agree with Luv J above-the cargo vienna palette look is awesome!!! I would just swap the blue liner on top for a dark gel liner, and add a darker lipstick under praline. But the chanel blush looks PERFECT in that photo, and the colors of the vienna palette are right on for the dress….just my opinion of course.
19. Jen said, on November 18th, 2008:

I think you look fabulous!
20. Shiny said, on November 18th, 2008:

I’m with the other ladies in that the cheeks and lips look great and that something with some gold tones would look really nice on the eyes. I think you’re going to look lovely, that dress is really flattering - props to the bride for not putting you in an organza toilet roll topper.
21. Karen B said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hmmm, the look is great but I agree that it would look prettier with the dress to go more into the browns/golds family. Maybe with a little copper accent? I think that would look fab.
Love the lip colour just the purplish isn’t doing it for me.
22. TUPRNUT said, on November 18th, 2008:

I agree totally with Yadiq - go for the Chanel quad!!!
23. PeeChee said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hey Karen!!

I’ve been so busy! I’m still lurkin’ the site but don’t have much time to comment at work. You look fab and give Jen my regards! I’m in the midst of planning Cindy’s wedding festivities myself and with the same dilemma as you…”how should wear my makeup?”
24. Judy said, on November 18th, 2008:

I love this look - my favorite of all the ones you’ve tried. I hear you on the crying thing - I was maid of honor at my best friend’s wedding and even though I thought I wouldn’t cry, I totally did. Let us know!
Judy
25. Vivian said, on November 18th, 2008:

I’ve seen the Toolbox and I’ve swatched them. The lip colors are kinda similar in some way. And the brush, it is scratchy on my swatched backhand - i forgot if it was the lip brush or the eye brush. However, I am thankful that they put the lip color on top of the eyeshadow! Still havent decided to get it yet, but the eye colors sure are pretty.

the lash dazzle you are wearing, I can’t really see big difference. So, can you tell me how it looks with bare eyelashes only? thnaks
26. Glosslizard said, on November 18th, 2008:

Feeling better today!

Don’t worry too hard, whatever you choose, you’ll look beautiful as always! Now not to sound too predictable here, but I want golds! Golds! You have such a perfect complexion for those warm shades, and the dress is perfect to complement that type of look! How about an eye look with the Shu Uemura Mystifier duo or the Laura Mercier Golddigger collection? Round it out with a warm blush (Enchanteresse?) and a neutral pink lip, maybe with a touch of Chanel Goldlights (if it seems appropriate)! I just love seeing the looks on you that I can’t pull off so well myself!

Also, FYI, Benefit’s She-laq is excellent for setting eye looks but good!
27. gio said, on November 18th, 2008:

The dress is beautiful! You look gorgeous, I love the lips!

gio´s last blog post..Beauty Dictionary: All About Eyeshadow
28. Megan said, on November 18th, 2008:

I like the look, but not so much with the dress. I’m for mattes and something with pinks and browns or taupes, or browns and golds. I think it will work well with the dress and compliment your coloring more.
29. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Meaghan,

Yeah, I have Satin Taupe. It’s not my most easily wearable color. I have a friend, though, who rocks it like there’s no tomorrow on the lids…

I’m thinking about abandoning the purple idea, sigh.
30. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Elena,

That’s a good idea. I’m leaning towards something like that.
31. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Luv J,

Thank you for these tips. I am going to raid my matte stash tonight.

This is my first time being a bridesmaid so I guess I got lucky with the dress. I also already had a pair of shoes that match it perfectly (that I got on sale!).
32. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Thumper Too,

Thanks. Maybe I’ll do a subtle brown and beige eye and add some black gel liner on the upper lash line a la Angelina Jolie.
33. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Erica,

Yeah, I hear ya. I’m lucky that my friend is pretty much letting us wear whatever hair and makeup we want… I gotta remember to keep it subtle.
34. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Tiffany,

Thank you!
35. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Lily,

Your look sounds really pretty.

I think I am either going to do a matte pink and brown or matte brown and beige eye with black liner on the top. Simple, elegant and not too much work!

You are so lucky that you can rock the Liquidlast. I have a really hard time with the application.
36. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Erica,

Thank you for this note, hon. We’re trying… it’s hard when your family is far away. Sigh.

Good call on the cream/off white. Others have suggested it as well, so that’s what I’ll probably go with in the end.
37. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Anna,

Thanks! The bride, Jen, let us choose the style of our dresses. I like
this one a lot.

The eye colors are quite beautiful in person! If you saw it in real life I think you’d fall in love. Ahh… maybe you could use the lip colors as a wash?
38. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Ms. Britt,

Good idea! I will see if I have time to try that tomorrow, too.
39. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Jaime,

I have that quad. It’s around here somewhere…

I think Tabs hid it from me.
40. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Katee,

Yeah, I like the dress, too. I think the sash adds a nice element.
41. Karen said, on November 18th, 2008:

Hi Laurie,

Thanks. It’s a super cute dress. I think I might actually be able to wear it again!
42. Marisol said, on November 18th, 2008:

I just want to say that the dress is fabulous! Have fun!

Marisol´s last blog post.."Our girl is coming home…"
43. Jan Brod said, on November 20th, 2008:

I missed it if you mentioned what the other attendants and your BFF are doing makeup-wise. I think this has to be the most important consideration! I love the Laura Mercier look here. I may be being boring, but don’t go too strong and upstage everyone else. I’m surprised they didn’t demand a coordinated look from you considering you makeup chops! You look gorgeous, have a great time!
44. Jan Brod said, on November 20th, 2008:

Actually, I’m changing my tune-I know you like shimmers, but I agree about mattes for photos and for 20 years from now-you might be dating yourself with shimmers. I got married in 1986 and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I kept everything very classic. Only my husband’s dorky oversized glasses give it away! We thought they were normal, honest… I still would e-mail the others and say “honestly, how much makeup are you wearing and are your colors more subtle or bold?”. You don’t want to all be changing your looks an hour before the show begins, believe me!