Are You Cool Enough for the Laura Mercier Black Tie Collection?

Laura Mercier wants you all smoked out for your black tie events, ladies, and to help us look the part she’s released the Black Tie Collection, a small offering of six eye, lip and nail products for the holidays.

You may not have known this about me … but I’m obsessed with makeup (LOL!). I go through phases, like my current obsession with blue eyeshadow.

Beyond my minor makeup infatuations, though, are my more serious addictions, i.e. the cravings that last longer than a few weeks. Smokey eyes fall into this category. I am totally obsessed with smokey eyes!

How do you feel about the Tuxedo Eye Colour Eye Colour Quad ($38) and the Gala and Soiree Lip Glace lipglosses ($22 each)?

Tuxedo Eye Colour Quad ($38)

This quad comes with four soft, finely milled eyeshadows (think Shu Uemura in terms of texture) in shades of black and white. I love the texture, but I’m not sold on the colors. The two lighter shades didn’t really sing for me (the lighter shades looked almost chalky on my skin tone), but I bet they’d work better on girls with cool-toned, lighter skin.

• Shimmery grey-black
• Matte cool black
• Shimmery silver white
• Matte white

The darker shades, on the other hand, totally worked for me. I’m going to get so much use out of both the shimmery black and matte black shadows. I can’t wait to layer them on top of a creamy black kohl pencil with different shades of blue and green shadows, oy!

I had high hopes for the lighter shades but oh, well. Don’t get me wrong — they’re pretty, but probably not ideal for dark or very tan skin. Even so, I could still find cool uses for the silver shade because it is so pretty, like maybe on the inner corners of my eyes, just under the arch of my eyebrow or to highlight the center of the lid.

You’ll totally love this if you’ve got a lighter complexion and can rock the cool tones. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

Gala and Soiree Lip Glace Lipglosses ($22 each)

I’ve been happily wearing Laura Mercier’s Lip Glace lipglosses for a few years now because of their thin, non-sticky texture, super shine and color. LM even threw in a light vanilla taste and smell for good measure. They don’t pack the longest wear time (about two hours) on the market, but, all things considered, I’ve liked them a lot.

The two shades released with Black Tie are going to work wonders with smokey eye looks. Gala looks dark in the tube but applies like a sheer, creamy cranberry. I’m seeing some effortless nude lips that’d look great on warm skin tones. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Soiree, Gala’s partner in crime, is a shimmery clear gloss with silver pearl. Worn by itself it looks a little too frosty on my lips, and I’ll probably wear it on top of a pink lipstick to make it more wearable in the future. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

There’s a lot to like about the Black Tie Collection, but I think it’ll really shine on my cooler toned ladies.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Related Reading...

• I Dream of Dreamy, the New Laura Mercier Collection
• Laura Mercier Bohemia Collection: Swatches and First Impressions
• Laura Mercier Scarlet Passion Collection for Fall, Hella Fierce Eyeliner and Tabs
• Face of the Day with Laura Mercier Mediterranean Sea Eye Mosaic
• Laura Mercier Makeup Event With A Premier Artist

So far, 22 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

1. 1. p. potter said, on November 20th, 2008:

   I really like Soiree on you, I think it looks great!

   I’m so torn on which smokey eye quad to get–right now Chanel is winning out in my mental tally.

   p. potter´s last blog post..The Back of My Hand

2. 2. Amy said, on November 20th, 2008:

   I tried the “Gala” gloss at sephora last weekend. It’s not a color I would typically wear and I was SO surprised…it was so pretty and I loved the texture and cupcakey smell.

   Amy´s last blog post..Will You Remember Me

3. 3. jojoba said, on November 20th, 2008:

   glad i am safe from the eye shadow quad as i don’t wear matte eye shadows! but it is a good looking palette for sure. And i thought the lip gloss was black till you showed the swatches. very flatering colours for your lips.

   nice review again. thanks

   jojoba´s last blog post..Review: Christian Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow Limited Edition 140 Twilight – Night Diamond Christmas Collection 2008

4. 4. Elena said, on November 20th, 2008:

   Wow, Gala looks so dark in the tube, but it looks really good on you. I always shy away from things that looks scary in the packaging, but I’m starting to think I should be a little braver…

   $22 is a little out of my range, but if it really is non-sticky ( I would LOVE a gloss that’s non-sticky ) , I could see myself slipping it on a Christmas list this year.

5. 5. Tami said, on November 20th, 2008:

   Hey Karen,

   I must have the gala lipgloss

6. 6. Almira said, on November 20th, 2008:

   Your makeup collections make me so jealous! =3

   How can you afford it all? It’s a wonder to a starving college student like me! =3

7. 7. Julia said, on November 20th, 2008:

   Great review. I’m a LM fanatic but wasn’t sure what to think about this collection, so I’m glad to see that you liked it overall. And don’t you adore the new eyeshadow formula? I wish I could just snap my fingers and my “old” LM eyeshadows would turn into the new formula. I’m wearing the Master Toolbox eye look you suggested the other day; it looks great!

8. 8. Shana T said, on November 20th, 2008:

   I’m really drawn to this eyeshadow quad but I’m not sure. I’m really pale and I find black smokey eyes can be too harsh on me. I end up looking really sickly! If I do a smokey eye I usually do purple, brown or grey, I don’t know how much use I’d get out of this quad. But it still draws me in….. I think it’s becuase it looks like a checkerboard. Hmmmmmm I guess I’ll have to try it out at the counter first. Oh and I bought my first NARS lipstick yesterday! It’s called Red Lizard (I’m a big fan of red)I’m really lovin it’s color and texture!
   PS: I hope everything goes ok with your mama in law!

9. 9. Megan said, on November 20th, 2008:

   OOh… I like gala a lot…I like the eyes too…I could rock those…but you know with that much black and grey you gotta be careful not to come out like a zombie with some dark circles.

10. 10. courtnie said, on November 20th, 2008:

    Hey Karen,

    Gala looks amazing on you! I love smokey eyes and would love to have the quad above. But I’m really fair skinned and it’s hard to do a nice black smokey eye without making a mess and just looking too.. sloppy. Any suggestions?

11. 11. Glosslizard said, on November 20th, 2008:

    Black and white are nice, but really I’m all about the shades of gray! This doesn’t tempt me so much, but after all is said and done, I’m still lusting over Chanel Smoky Eyes!

12. 12. Sun said, on November 20th, 2008:

    Hi Karen,

    I’ve wanted to check out the palette, too, but the lighter shades do not call out to me. Do you have any ideas for dupes of the darker shades? Also, have you tried the Dior Twilight palette?

13. 13. Marisol said, on November 20th, 2008:

    It’s pretty but doesn’t intrigue me as much.

    Marisol´s last blog post..Unusual Survey

14. 14. Thumper Too said, on November 20th, 2008:

    I like it! I agree about the lighter shades, it probably wouldn’t look good on my skin as well since we’re similar. I do love Laura Mercier though! Speaking of which, did you end up continuing to use that Oil-Free tinted moisturizer from LM you reviewed awhile ago? I remember reading you liked it at least initially…

    Thumper Too´s last blog post..Chicago, Illinois 1

15. 15. Mariah said, on November 20th, 2008:

    These look cool, although can you really call it a color quad if it’s achromatic? LOL! But really, I have a total lemming for that Caviar Dreams nail lacquer from this set! It’s all duo-chromey and gorgeous, and I’m on a nail polish kick!

    Mariah´s last blog post..Kitty dilemma?

16. 16. cloudburst said, on November 21st, 2008:

    I love Gala and will be picking it up and was impressed by the texture of the quad. But I’m gaga over Caviar Dreams nail polish…run don’t walk to get this iridescent black pearlesque polish!

17. 17. Karen said, on November 21st, 2008:

    Hi P. Potter,

    Thanks!

    Both quads are very pretty… hmm, I guess if you want a flashier eye then go for the Chanel. It has much more shimmer and sparkle. The Tuxedo quad is a bit more understated.

    Happy Friday.

18. 18. Karen said, on November 21st, 2008:

    Hi Anna,

    Me too! I didn’t expect it to be so wearable. I thought I’d end up looking gothy. Did you end up getting it?

19. 19. Karen said, on November 21st, 2008:

    Hi Jojoba,

    You’re welcome! I was surprised by the lipgloss, too. Have a good weekend.

20. 20. Karen said, on November 21st, 2008:

    Hi Elena,

    Definitely put this one on the list! Maybe pop by the LM counter first, though, to make sure that you like the texture. It’s seriously not goopy or sticky!

21. 21. Karen said, on November 21st, 2008:

    Hi Tami,

    You must! It’s fab.

    Happy Friday!

22. 22. ferarri said, on January 2nd, 2009:

    I have got so many muted blacks and shiny black eyeshadows that I could easily dupe that look without buying more. Thanks to my palette collections. I bought the Elizabeth Arden Stacked color makeup box and found a nice slate color there. The white is easily duped from my estee lauder blockbuster range. I will pass this one.

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