HAVE YOU VISITED LAURA MERCIER AT ABU DHABI BEAUTY WEEK YET?
Would you believe us if we told you it was possible to achieve a flawless complexion using just four products? Well, it’s true, but you don’t need to hear it from us; In honour of Abu Dhabi Beauty Week, Laura Mercier’s Artistry & Education Director EMEA Michel Couloumbe chatted to Grazia to break down the four steps you need to perfect a flawless, mask-proof complexion.
What is the four-step technique to achieving Laura’s Flawless Face?
After applying your skincare routine, the four steps to achieve Laura’s Flawless Face are: First, use a pearl-sized amount of the Pure Canvas Primer all over the face. Secondly, apply your Tinted Moisturiser or your Foundation followed by your concealer and/or camouflage. Lastly, to set your make-up for the entire day, apply the Translucent Loose Setting Powder.
How do we apply Laura Mercier’s much-loved Translucent Setting Powder without looking cakey?
This cult favorite and multiple award-winning setting powder sets make-up for 16 hours without adding weight or texture. The technique to flawlessly set your make-up is to pour a small amount of the powder into the lid. Next, using your Velour Puff (not a Powder Brush!), dip the folded Puff into the lid to pick up some powder. Fold the Puff and massage the powder into the Puff so it’s evenly saturated. Tap the Puff on the top of your hand to remove excess powder. Fold the Puff back in the original way. Gently “press and roll” the Puff on the face working the powder into the skin; the powder should disappear. Here’s a pro tip: To see if you apply enough powder, touch the skin. If it feels tacky to the touch, then you need more powder
What’s the best technique to make sure our make-up look is mask-proof?
By simply applying your Translucent Loose Setting Powder!
LAURA MERCIER’S TRANSLUCENT LOOSE SETTING POWDER COMES IN THREE SHADES: ORIGINAL, HONEY AND MEDIUM-DEEP.
What are your favourite tips and tricks for a flawless complexion?
To have a flawless complexion at all times, I would recommend to be attentive to the needs of your skin and adapting your beauty routine accordingly. Your skin will have different necessities depending on the season and the time of the year. For complexion products, less is more! Laura always encourages to use a foundation only to even out your skin tone and she recommends to apply it only where you need it. Using the proper tools and brushes will make a big difference on the final look and finish on your skin. Pro tip: It seems basic but make sure you always work with clean tools and brushes!
What is the importance of primer?
It’s a key step for any make-up look! As an artist, Laura knows the importance of prepping the skin for make-up, just as an artist would prep a canvas, and that is why Laura revolutionised primer. Laura’s primers create a flawless canvas for make-up application. The silicone-free, water-based formula seals in skincare and creates a protective barrier that extends make-up wear. Use Laura’s primers to create a smooth, even surface for make-up and keep it fresh and color- true for hours.
How can we make sure our foundation stays put in a Middle Eastern summer?
If you live in or travel to hot and humid countries, start by adapting your skincare routine to your climate. If you live in the Middle East in the summertime, my advice would be to use oil-free and oil-absorbing formulations. My recommendation would be to start with the Blurring Pure Canvas Primer. This innovative, oil-free and oil-absorbing primer creates an instant mattifying filter and blurs the skin’s appearance for a soft-focus effect. The breathable, silicone-free formula seals in skincare and creates a protective barrier that extends make-up wear while helping to control oil breakthrough. Another great product for hot climates is the Flawless Fusion Longwear Foundation. This oil-free liquid foundation with a matte finish and weightless medium to full coverage will provide you with 15-hour wear. This high-performance, long-wearing formula is transfer, sweat, humidity and water-resistant!
Last but not least, don’t forget to set any cream or liquid formula with the Translucent Loose Setting Powder of your choice (Original, Honey, or Medium-Deep)!
CREATE LAURA’S FLAWLESS FACE USING PRIMER, FOUNDATION, CONCEALER AND THE BEST-SELLING TRANSLUCENT POWDER
What is the best way to apply foundation for a flawless finish? Do you prefer to use your fingertips, a sponge or brush?
My preferred way to apply a foundation is by using a sponge; our Flawless Finish Makeup Sponge. Laura’s tool is a dye-free make-up sponge designed to hug the contours of the face for smooth, even application and minimal product absorption. The s-curve shape hugs the contours of the face so you can stipple, apply and perfect make-up with a flawlessly blended finish. It is created to absorb minimal product, so make-up goes on the skin rather than in the sponge. It’s an antibacterial-treated and latex-free sponge material ensures a fresh, glowing, perfecting result.
My tips for make-up application using a sponge:
Use sponge dampened (for sheer coverage) or dry (for full coverage), pick up a small amount of product from back of hand. Press the curve-shaped side into product, smooth away and dab to desaturate. Press and stipple to blend the product onto the face, using the S-curve to hug the contours of the face as you apply. To perfect, use tapered edge or pointed tip for targeted application around eyes and nose.
My tips for make-up application using your fingers:
Using fingertips, pick up a small amount of product from back of hand. Press and apply foundation, starting from the outside of the face and working in. Working in small sections, press and blend the foundation to ensure it blends seamlessly into the skin.
My tips for make-up application using a brush:
For the fullest coverage application, use the Crème Cheek Colour Brush. Working in small sections, add product sparingly from the back of your hand. Finish by pressing foundation into the skin with the palm of your hand, so the warmth creates a seamless finish.
VISIT THE LAURA MERCIER POP-UP AT ABU DHABI BEAUTY WEEK TO SHOP YOUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS AND RELAX AFTER A LONG DAY OF SHOPPING
What is the most effective way to conceal dark circles? And how can we build our concealer without it creasing?
Concealing dark circles can be difficult. To brighten the under-eye area, I love using our Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer. This is Laura’s best-selling, medium-to-full coverage weightless concealer. Not only does it conceal, but it perfects, hydrates and blurs the under-eye area with 12 hours of crease-resistant wear.
For seamless coverage that won’t crease, use the doe-foot applicator wand, dot Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer under your eyes, over discolorations and imperfections, and onto any areas of darkness. Gently press and blend with fingertips, using the warmth of your fingers to create a seamless finish. This formula feels undetectable on skin while smoothing the look of the fine lines. Once set, the breathable concealer is on for a 12-hour wear that is transfer, sweat, humidity and water-resistant.
Where are the key areas to apply translucent powder?
The purpose of the Translucent Loose Setting Powder is to set your make-up for longevity. Use it anywhere on the face, on top of your cream and liquid products to set them in place for 16 hours!
If you had to choose, would you rather go without setting powder or concealer?
Tricky question! It’s all about your personal preference, priorities and time in the morning! My personal choice would be to go without concealer as they are not my main focus and as I have to wear a mask at all times; I love using our Translucent Loose Setting Powder to set my foundation so it keeps my mask clean!
- Visit the Laura Mercier pop-up, Café Mercier, at Abu Dhabi Beauty Weekuntil 20 February in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi to shop everything you need to create a flawless face, and to experience the innovative pop-up making its appearance in the region for the very first time. For more information about Abu Dhabi Beauty Week, visit retailabudhabi.ae.
Photos: Supplied and Instagram LauraMercier
