Review : Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze gives natural sunlit radiant glowing skin!

 While most Asian prefer to have fair looking skin, there are some of them who likes to have that sunlit radiant glow (or in other word TAN) on face. And you know how our skin would be damaged by going for sun tanning... those harmful UV rays will speed up skin ageing and worst come to worst cause skin cancer! 

With that Laura Mercier has created Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze with a touch of sheer that gives you natural sunlit radiant glow with soft-focus effect. This hydrating, water-based gel preps skin with a healthy glow and creates the perfect canvas for makeup. Enriched with Jojoba Oil and Vitamins A, C and , it kisses skin with golden pearl tint creating a soft-focus, fresh-from-the-sun finish. Leaves skin ready to perfectly embrace foundation, keeping it renewed and colour-true for hours. Perfect for all skin types.

Ingredients: Water/eau/aqua, Hydrogenated Didecene, Glycerin, Pvp, Mica, Ricinus Communis (castor) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (jojoba) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol Isostearate, Glyceryl Isostearate, 1,2-hexanediol, Boron Nitride, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-25, Ceteth-25, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Retinyl Palmitate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Tin Oxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tropolone, Butylene Glycol, Plankton Extract. May Contain/peut Contenir/(+/-): Ci 77891 (titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491 (iron Oxides), Ci 77510 (ferric Ferrocyanide), Ci 75470 (carmine).

Note that this Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze is formulated without parabens or silicone. It has been Dermatologically tested and even suitable for people with sensitive skin.

I was actually quite shocked to see Radiant Bronze colour when I first swatched it beside my Laura Mercier Foundation Primer , the golden brown colour seems to be much more darker than my foundation shade.

As this is a primer, it would prepares and smoothes skin , creating an even surface for makeup application. 

To my surprise once I blend it the colour seems to settle in with a very nice glowy effect. I like how it's not greasy, tacky or sticky!

My review on Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze

When I first swatch the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze I thought the colour would turns my skin into dark tan colour. But after I spread evenly on my skin, surprisingly the result is very natural as it gives a fake sun-kissed radiant skin i.e a very healthy glowing skin! 

The texture is very easy to spread and blend on my skin! As mentioned this is a primer , you can either top up with foundation on top or just have this alone. And applying this Radiant Bronze under my usual liquid foundation does not give me much difference or maybe too little for me to notice. 

How to use Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze

Apply this over moisturizer or onto clean skin before Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer or Foundation. As I want to keep the sun-kissed effect from the primer, I would personally suggest you to apply the primer first before setting it with transparent loose powder. For a better coverage, simple just brush the foundation lightly onto the skin after using Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze. 

I know many girls have pale looking skin and sick without makeup, well this Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze is what they need without needing to put on heavy makeup everyday. And now there is no reason why you need to go for sun tanning and risk your skin with harmful UV rays when you can have a natural sunlit radiant glow with Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze! I don't usually put up a lot of make up on weekends (unless there's event) so that my skin can take a break hence I usually put on this and top up with loose powder before going out !

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiant Bronze is a permanent item and available in all Laura Mercier's counter for RM139/50ml. 

Mary Quant Cosmetics Makeup Workshop

I remembered last September I first came across Mary Quant cosmetics in Muse Watsons in Sunway Pyramid and did an overview post for them here. However I didn't get a proper chance to play with the products so was glad finally get to attend their hands-on makeup workshop last week. 

Just a recap Mary Quant Cosmetics is a brand under a famous fashion designer Mary Quant in UK who was make famous for inventing miniskirt! Mary Quant Cosmetics was born back in 1966 and it's famous for it's brand signature : Black Daisy print on her brand.

Mary Quant's slogan “Be free, be yourself" which she said "I wanted to bring fashion to face". TOtal coordination, created by combining makeup and fashion to express a sense of oneself, is called a 'look'. According to her, Mary Quant is created to allow infinite possibilities in term of coordination. There are no rules that apply to coordination.

And I believe this is how the freedom palette comes about, where we are free to pick any colours we want and put into the magnetic palette. Talk about customisation, this is it!

This is my 2nd time meeting Ms Takaki from Japan. This time she guide us step by step in using Mary Quant's products. Lucky for us she speaks good english so it's so much easier to listen and communicate to her! 

I was very glad to see new puffs and sponge on the table - no gems yay! I am very particular of this when I come for beauty workshop. Thumbs up to Mary Quant for being so professional in conducting workshop.

The first step of makeup, the makeup base.

Put on Mary Quant Oil Zap (RM119 for 20g) on our T-zone or whole face if you skin is oily. And put on Mary Quant Moisture Zap (RM129 for 30g) on the rest of the face, it will help makeup to last longer while hydrating the skin. 

Oil Zap texture is gellish and glides through skin smooth. While Moisture Zapis creamy and need to be spread evenly on our face. After a long day outside, I did not feel my face is drying. It does the job as a hydrating makeup base.

Next to cover up my dark eye circle

I used Mary Quant Eye Gloss (RM79 for 8.5g) to cover my dark circles and dullness. It also helps to make the eyeshadow colours show up. This comes in one universal shade and just need to use a little bit as it's pretty creamy. 

 

Instead of Liquid foundation, we were told to try out Mary Quant Smoo Make Powder Foundation (RM108)  

Comes with 8 shades, this highly highly moisturizing powder foundation controls the light and creates the idea skin colour, texture and a three-dimensional appearance. The texture of this Powder Foundation is pretty fine and smooth, plus it gives medium coverage. 

Mary Quant Brow Line (RM59) comes in 3 shades ; Charcoal grey, Chestnut Brown and Camel Brown. This is also waterproof formula. I used the lightest shade Camel Brown to match my hair colour. Pretty easy to use this one, the down side is need to sharpen it which I am always very lazy to do ! 

Next part is my favourite part do to make up which is my eyes.. this time we are taught to create a special romantic look using Mary Quant Eye Opener Powder Eye Shadow (RM49 without casing). The texture is fine but not all colours are pigmented and picked as well as the others.

I used N-01 (white eyeshadow) all over my eyelid and use P-06 (purple eyeshadow) on the outer corner of my eyes to create the smoky look. Then used V-01 (violet eyeshadow) to blend from the middle to the inner corner of the eyes. Last but not least use R-02 (red marroon eyeshadow) to apply on the corner of my under eyes waterline. Then use Mary Quant Out Line (RM59) a black eyeliner to draw a line as close as to my eyelash. 

To complete the whole look, I used Mary Quant Action Lashings (RM109) which is a lengthening mascara that comes with 7 colours. Very attractive colours right ? 

Mary Quant Action Lashings in 05 Brighton Blue

This is MQ's original two-sided coil and chip brush, which features short raised bristles on one side, and the Oil Gel Formula that gives the mascara its elasticity together create sharp & spectacular long lashes.

I am lucky to born with long lashes and this Mary Quant Action Lashings add extra length to it. Although the colours are pretty vibrant it took a little bit effort to apply coat the colour on my lashes. That completes my eyes make up! 

Mary Quant Blush Baby (RM75 without casing) comes with 14 shades. The colour pick up quite nicely on the brush and must go light handed as it is quite pigmented. Here I used No 13 (Coral) on my cheek and 08 (Baby Pink) to highlight my nose and cheekbone. 

Finally on my lips, I had Mary Quant Moisture Rich Lipstick (RM108) which is a creamy lipstick  

Being a experimentalist, I mixed both colour to get a very nice berry colour! Hehe who says we need another lipstick colour? 

Love how it's not drying on my lips. Very creamy and smooth to apply on!

Finally, I decided to top up another layer of gloss to complete the whole romantic look!

Mary Quant ColourShine for Lips (RM99) comes with 8 beautiful shades. The shade I had here is 06 Cherry Shine. 

This is the favourite product of the day because the shimmer is so fine & pretty. And what I like best is that it's not sticky! 

That's my before and after face, the 2 hours workshop with Ms. Takaki using Mary Quant cosmetics. I had not put on very sweet romantic look for very long time ever since I cut my hair short.. I somehow think the makeup does not suits my hairstyle.... too sweet and innocent lah :P

Oh before I forgot this is the model after picture. She is cute looking and this makeup look really suits her!

The eye makeup that was done by Ms Takaki. Her eyelashes are so long!

A compulsory picture with Ms Takaki who is really nice and friendly! 

Thanks to Mary Quant Cosmetics Malaysia I had fun in the makeup workshop with fellow blogger friends.

Laugh so much that day because was sitting with my crazy friends Juli, Pauline and Alicia ... we are teasing with each other all the time!  Alicia used her monopod to take this pic.. not bad ah.... this angle all the face looked really slim... haha! 

Also... I saw this Mary Quant black daisy shape mirror at the workshop...so pretty... how I wish I could have this on my vanity table!

My makeup under natural sunlight! Am loving my colourful eyelash and lips colour.. so pretty right!

For more information about Mary Quant, please visit

 http://www.maryquant.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/MaryQuantMalaysia

Introduction of Make Up For Ever HD Cosmetic Range

Make Up For Ever has been for Malaysia for quite some times and they have some ups & downs and I was glad to find out that they have finally settled down and available exclusively in all Sephora Malaysia. 

If you have heard of them before, I'm sure you know how they are popular with their High Definition (HD) and Aqua makeup products. To be honest I have not really explored their brand before and was glad to be invited to learn more about their range in one of their workshop.  

Thank you Stanley Wong (Brand Manager for Make Up For Ever Malaysia) & his team for inviting me to the first MUFE blogger workshop and we would be talking all about Make Up For Ever HD makeup in this post.

He shared how Make Up Forever and how HD range was developed about in partnership with film and TV technicians back in year 2008 to meet the demands of professional makeup artists and everyday women. HD cameras magnify and exaggerate fine lines and wrinkles, imperfections, shine and make-up mistakes. A HD Complexion is the only way to be invisible to high-definition cameras and the naked eye for the most naturally flawless complexion.

Very often we heard about High Definition on TVs, mobile phone and images. 

How often do we heard about High Definition make up. Correct me if I'm wrong that Make Up For Ever is the first brand to introduced High Definition (HD) make up. 

In high definition, an image was presented 6 times more precise than before, which means every detail, line, redness and spot of powder was more visually obvious on the skin. To help counteract the implications of this new digital technology and its superfine granularity, Dany Sanz (Creator and Artistic Director of MAKE UP FOR EVER) began researching on ingredients for new formulas. She even got professional cameramen to test the success of the formulas. After years of trials and testing, the first HD make-up range was born in 2008 with the introduction of a liquid foundation and loose powder that promise to conceal imperfections and yet keep the skin utmost fine. 

Make Up For Ever HD makeup range create a new generation of makeup that is invisible on high-definition cameras and to the naked eye. Thanks to the soft-focus effect of the formulas and the wide variety of shades available, every skin type can now enjoy flawless perfection in their own comfort.

All thanks to Make Up For Ever Malaysia as we had the privilege to see how Jason Ooi who is the Education & Artistry Exec did a demo on one of his colleague Shirley.

I bet a lot of you don't know that he was the one who did the make up for American Next Top Model Cycle 20 winner Jourdan Miller while she was in Malaysia last year. 

Make Up For Ever HD Elixir 12ml - RM148 RM160

An innovative serum that instantly hydrates and adds radiance to the skin. This unique, lightweight elixir absorbs quickly into the skin, instantly hydrating and brightening the complexion. The breakthrough formula contains D-Panthenol and glycerin to ensure an immediate boost of hydration (+520% after 15 minutes) that lasts throughout the day (+175% after 6 hours). Argatensyl is added to provide an immediate smoothing effect. Each ingredient was specifically added to prepare skin for high-definition makeup—so you can count on the camera picking up the perks of this perfecting formula. This product is oil & paraben free.

Make Up For Ever HD Elixir can be used alone right after skincare before primer.

And the beauty of this Elixir is that you can either mix with their HD Primer or HD Foundation and mix it together to use especially when you are in the rush. If you want to have more lasting and higher coverage make up, it's better to layer the HD Foundation on top of HD Elixir and HP Primer.

The texture of Make Up For Ever HD Elixir is very watery and absorb quickly into the skin. I could feel my skin feeling more hydrated, smoother and a little bit brighter. I was told that this Elixir can be used on any part of our face including on our eyes and lips. Apply HD Elixir to the eye area to minimize the appearance of fine lines and puffiness or to the entire eye face to help erase signs of fatigue and dehydration.It could immediately hydrate the dry lips. Do note that only small amount of HD Elixir is needed for the whole face

Make Up For Ever HD Primer 30ml - RM 155 (price remains the same after increment)

Make Up For Ever Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer.HD Microperfecting Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer. 

MUFE HD Primer comes in six color-correcting shades and one transparent shade. And each shades has different benefits.

Neutral : adds natural luminosity to the complexion

Green : minimizes redness - ideal for skin with rosacea

Mauve : counteracts sallow undertones

Caramel : combats ashiness in medium to dark skin tones/warms golden tones

Blue : adds radiance to fair skin/ reduces minor imperfections

Yellow : lightens dark complexions

Pink : brightens the complexion/ counteracts sallow undertones

Note that in Malaysia we only have 5 shades in total which includes one transparent  shade. Like the HD Elixir, HD Primer can be used alone to correct our uneven skin tone or mixed with the HD Foundation. I was glad to found out  at the event that if we bought the wrong foundation colour (or if our skin tone has changed) we can use the colour correcting HD Primer to correct it without throwing the foundation away! 

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation 30ml - RM 175 RM185

An oil-free medium coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible even under the most magnifying HD lens. This foundation creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting. In Malaysia we have 12 shades available to suits for different skin tone. This is one of the best seller under Make Up Forever Malaysia and I could see why because it is light yet buildable with layers. And if you have dry skin better to apply MUFE HDElixir and HD Primer first before applying this so that the skin is hydrated and foundation would be more lasting.

Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush 2.8g - RM125 (price remains the same after increment)

This MUFE HD Cream Blush is a new add on to the HD family. It would replaced the existing one in pump bottle. This new cream blush is an ultra blendable blush with a natural look and finish made specifically for HD technology. It is formulated with the perfect balance of oils, waxes, and powders, HD Blush combines the second-skin look of a cream with the ease of a powder. Created for HD technology, this formula blends into skin with no visible texture for a truly natural flush of color. It’s completely weightless and can be worn over or under powder to sculpt and highlight cheeks flawlessly. There are total of 15 shades under the MUFE HD Cream Blush.

I personally prefer the HD cream blush compared to their old packaging as it's easier to use.

Make Up For Ever HD Cream Blush in 210 Cool Pink swatch

MUFE HD Cream Blush is really pigmented and easy to blend as it turns into powder after I blend it.. It lasts me the whole day after I set it with their HD Pressed Powder.

Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder - RM148 RM150

Another new product that is recently added in to the HD family is the MUFE HD Pressed Powder. A silky, lightweight finishing powder that softens the appearance of fine lines and pores. Created specifically for HD technology, this talc-free professional touch-up powder is perfect for use throughout the day to reduce shine and slightly mattify skin. It adds a soft-focus, naturally radiant effect to blur imperfections, such as fine lines and pores, while remaining completely invisible to even the most magnified HD lens. I tried this and I love how this pressed powder texture is very fine and set my makeup nicely!

I was told that MUFE HD Pressed Powder is best to used with their 124 Powder Kabuki Brush RM205.

A dome-shaped, dense kabuki brush for smooth and even application.This is a makeup kit staple, this brush is the ideal tool for applying finishing powder. Its short, slender handle allows for controlled application while its dense head creates a lightweight, flawless result. This brush features both straight and wavy fibers, and can be used with all loose and compact powders. Although this is made by synthetic I love the soft brush bristle against my skin! 

I was told MUFE would be introducing a full range of Artisan Brushes soon. And this 154 Buffer Blush Brush is one of them and it's selling at RM200.

 Shirley's looked so flawless after Jason used the MUFE HD range on her.

Make Up For Ever HD range is now already available in store! And if you asked me which products should you try first from HD range, my personal favourite would be HD Foundation, HD Cream Blush and HD Pressed Powder. 

And besides the normal make up range, Make Up For Ever also offers artistic, pro range and special effect make up and it's available exclusively in Make Up For Ever Pro Boutique which is located on Level 2 of Sephora Starhill.

Make Up For Ever range is available at all Sephora Malaysia nationwide includes Sephora KLCC, Sephora Starhill, Sephora Paradigm Mall, Sephora Sunway Pyramid, Sephora Nu Sentral and Sephora Gurney Paragon. 

For more information, visit

http://www.makeupforever.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/Makeupforevermy

Note : Starting 17 April 2014, some of the prices of Make Up For Ever products in Malaysia have been increased to be in line with their global pricing.