Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection, Review & Swatches

It quickly became one of the most talked about releases of this season. It fell like a bomb onto beauty blogosphere. I am talking about Laura Mercier's holiday palette, which hosts 12 gorgeous shades of mattes and satins. It is natural but it is plummy, so I felt, if it had lips, it would shout my name when I first have seen the review in Lipstick Boulevards last month. 

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection

It is natural, yet not boring. It is shimmery but also matte. It is butter smooth but not powdery. This one is heaven in a palette. Or a palette in heaven? ;-)

Outside of US, it is hard to reach though. I searched and searched for it. Biggest Laura Mercier counter in Germany must have been the one in Breuninger Stuttgart. They received each and every holiday item but only this one was missing. I later on found out that it is Sephora Exclusive and this usually means Sephora US exclusive, so I don't think other Sephora's such as France, Spain etc. received it. Not fair isn't it? Well, it turns out there is a way... But before all that, let me introduce you to the shades first.

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection

Left part of the palette consists of lighter shades for highlighting, blending or inner corner. Those are nicely balanced shimmery, satin and matte shades. 

Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

Sparkling Dew: Very light almost white peach, satin finish

Guava: Light peachy pink with satin finish

African Violet: light mauve with golden shimmer, my favorite LM shade!

Vanilla Nuts: Warm white, matte finish

Primrose: Pale pink, satin finish

Fresco: Light tan shade with matte finish

Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette (L to R) Sparkling Dew, Guava, African Violet, Vanilla Nuts, Primrose, Fresco

Right hand side of the palette has deeper shades to smoke it out. These are mostly mattes with stunning quality. They can be used to define and to line the eyes but also all over the lid for a Rock'n Roll look.

Left side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes

Plum Smoke: Mid-toned lavender mauve with matte finish, so gorgeous!
Kir Royale: Mid-toned reddish plum with satin finish
Violet Ink: Deep blackened cool purple with matte finish
Bamboo: Mid-toned beige taupe with golden shimmer
Truffle: Deep Warm chocolate brown with matte finish
Espresso Bean: Deep cool black brown with matte finish

Right side of Laura Mercier Artist's Palette (L to R): Plum Smoke, Kir Royal,Violet Ink,Bamboo,Truffle,Espresso Bean

Today I wore this palette and I probably can't express how much I love it. For that I have to jump out of the monitor, hold you by your shoulders and shout my love with a loud scream, then you would understand. Below I used African Violet all over lid, Kir Royale on the crease, Violet Ink as a liner, Sparkling Dew on the inner corner and Vanilla Nuts under the brow bone. This is only one of millions of things which passed my mind in the morning. I might be back, with more looks, who knows ;-)

In-action: Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes from Holiday 2013 Collection

Also be sure to check out the posts of Tracy, who inspires me with her gorgeous eye looks and  great swatches of Martha. 

Us residents can pick theirs during Sephora sales right now. What about those of us unlucky ones everywhere outside of US? I mind you, there are very good offers in eBay. I got mine for only 40$ *grins*. 

EDIT: A new look is requested by the lovely readers, so here is one more. I may update this post with more looks as I go on enjoying this palette. This one is more brown/neutral to show that this is also possible with the second raw of the palette (warm tones). In that one I used Bamboo (lid), Truffle (outer corner), Espresso Bean (crease and liner) and Guava (inner corner).

Final thoughts: Naturals and plums, buttery soft and blends like a dream, no frosts, just satins and a lot of mattes. This one might be my favorite holiday palette... Not this year, but ever.

What do you have on your holiday wish list?