Laura Mercier Fall 2011: Canyon

I spotted Laura Mercier’s fall collection on the counter this past weekend, and the first thing I noticed was her outrageously gorgeous promotional image.

This collection might not scream “fall” as loudly as some brands, but I think it’s versatile and pretty. It’s just fall enough to feel fresh, but it’s still wearable the rest of the year. (I don’t actually change my color choices much with the seasons. I seem to wear more brown eyeshadow in summer; more grey in winter.)

Let’s start with the eyes. Chocolate (limited edition) is a Lustre formula — the only non-Sateen of the group. It’s a purple-brown shimmer with gold multicolored sparkles. Stellar (a repromote from the permanent line) is a soft, satin-finish, warm pink-white. Canyon Clay (limited edition) is a satin-finish, warm, muted/dusty clay-pink. Pine Bronze (limited edition) is a satin-finish, muted, mossy, forest green. Gold Dust (a repromote from the permanent line) is a shimmery, very pale yellow gold. Cedar (limited edition) is a satin-finish, warm, leathery yellow-brown. Laura Mercier shadows are $22 each.

These two eye kohl pencils are repromotes (I swatched them ages ago), but it’s worth remembering how nice they are for the inner rim of the eye. Antique Jade is sheeny dark green. Brown Copper is sheeny dark, warm brown. Each is $19.

The Canyon Sunset Cheek Melange is a three-color blush. The photos online were a bit confusing, so I took a picture of the used tester next to a new product (click to view at full size). There’s just a very small amount of gold and shimmery magenta overspray, but the three colors go all the way through the product.

I swatched it, first lightly, then heavily, rubbing my triangle sponge through all three colors. I was surprised how light and pink the mixture turned out to be (multicolored or variegated blushes always comes as a surprise to me). The blend was a warm, pale pink with a slight glow (no shimmer or frost, no sparkle, but not matte). Canyon Sunset is $40.

The lips are actually my favorite part of this collection — it feels so novel to have a range of options that still meet the definition of “fall.”

The first four lipsticks are Creme Lip Colors ($22). Bing Cherry is a deep crimson, and though it’s new, it’s NOT limited edition. My favorite (of course) is Italian Summer — which isn’t actually a new shade. It’s permanent to the collection, but I’m so glad Laura decided to rehighlight it. It’s a desert-canyon-coral-rose (deeper, brown-ish, muted, very warm red). Espresso is new, and will also be added to the collection. It’s a rose/purple brown. Discretion is another repromote, a light, warm pink-beige.

The four glosses are Lip Glaces ($22, pigmented, doe’s foot applicator). Desert Rose (new, permanent) is a mauvey rose. Mauve Plum (new, permanent) is a dusty plum. Quartz (new, permanent) is a warm, dark brown (like reddish chocolate) with gold multicolored sparkles. Brick (new, limited edition — noooo! Whyyyyy?) is a warm brick rose.