In continuing to explore LAURA MERCIER’s Belle Nouveau Collection, we come to the bronzer in the collection, specifically, the Sheer Crème Colour in Copper Glow Veil ($35 @ nordstrom.com). This is a cream formula and it got me thinking about bronzers overall. What do you like about bronzer and what do you dislike? It can be tricky because you don’t want the color to look muddy, like you have a dirt mark on your face, but rather to just nicely highlight different areas of the face. And because you use so little, when you find a good one, it can last a really long time.

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LAURA MERCIER just came out with the Spring 2012 Colour Story: Lingerie Collection, which focuses on the soft romantic colors and fabrics of the Victorian Age. I guess everything old is new again as I think these two shown here in their packaging are so in line with 2012’s Pantone Color of the Year, which is Tangerine Tango.

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I’m a little late getting to LAURA MERCIER’s limited edition Kohl Eye Pencil Set ($45 @ sephora.com) as they came out as part of their holiday collection but they are worth the wait. While I think the colors look kind of hard and dry in person, they couldn’t be smooth or easier going on. Kohl liners are known to be both, which makes them great for smudging but you still have to investigate.

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Of course price is always a factor when picking out a gift for someone in your life. However, if it’s something so spot on and not too much more than I wanted to spend, I’ll usually get it. For me, nailing the perfect gift is so important as I know how both sides of it feel – you receive something you’d never wear/use/give the time of day (do you even know me??) and then the other side of when someone gives you something so spot on, it gives you chills! So my 2011 Holiday Beauty Gift Guide will run all over the map when it comes to price points.

I'm so excited for this feature and have been sitting on some of these products for a few weeks now!

And how do you know it’s a gift pick? This year, the feature will have two crossing candy canes. So let’s kick off the picks with LM ...

I’m a firm believer in giving a gift that will last many months to come. When it comes to the beauty-ista in your life, there’s nothing better to receive then a good set of makeup brushes. LAURA MERCIER’s Travel Brush Set ($85 @ macys.com) is all the basics in a convenient and compact set. Each brush is double-sided and is tucked in a removeable mesh pouch that holds on using magnets. Love that.

Set includes:
- Double-Ended Secret Camouflage Powder Brush
- Double-Ended Allover Eye Color Ponytail Brush
- Double-Ended Flat Eyeliner/Smudge Brush
- Double-Ended Brow Definer/Brow Grooming Brush
- Finishing Brush

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

Do you change your foundation each season? Like in the summer for example, do you only wear mineral makeup because it gets so hot? I find I don’t really have a pattern when it comes to the different types of foundation out there. I do find myself gravitating towards powder foundation mainly in the summer and them randomly throughout the year. Just something to think about!

So speaking of foundation, I’m really feeling LAURA MERCIER’s new Crème Smooth Foundation ($50/1oz @ lauramercier.com). First off, this 1oz size looks so huge in the glass jar it comes in and a little goes a long way. This gives medium to heavy coverage that’s totally buildable and it contains not only the anti-wrinkle ingredient Dermaxyl but also those optical diffusers. Available in 6 shades.

This formula also comes in a Toffee Bronzer shade that I’ve been using to practice contouring my cheeks. Do you contour your features?

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes

Remember last year when I promised to pay more attention to blushes and wear them more frequently? Well, I didn’t really meet the challenge. So, I’m hoping to renew my passion with all things blush. Here are three mineral ones to get me and you excited again and remember to use a light hand when applying. L to R counterclockwise:

MIESSENCE ORGANICS Mineral Blush Powder in Ginger Blossom Silk ($24.50 @ miessence.com)

YOUNGBLOOD Pressed Mineral Blush in Nectar ($23 @ ybskin.com)
LAURA MERCIER Mineral Cheek Powder in Coral ($22 @ nordstrom.com)