Laura Mercier, the secret behind the flawless faces of Angelina, Julia & Sarah

Laura Mercier is not your typical French makeup artist. She started out as a visual artist, which is seen in every aspect of her work. So, she treats blank faces like blank canvases and transforms them into masterpieces. No wonder her fan base includes magazines such as Elle, Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Seventeen, and Vanity Fair. Other fans include models, photographers, and celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts.

Aside from establishing her own cosmetic company, Laura Mercier has secret techniques of putting makeup and developed products for women to achieve smooth and natural-looking complexions. She once said, "Before applying any color, I always create a fresh canvas – a flawless finish. Making your skin look perfect is the first and most important thing you can do to achieve a truly great look. The key is to enhance your natural beauty – whether you use all products together one day, or just a little Secret Camouflage and Setting Powder when you are on the go."

Thus, the birth of her trademark: the Flawless Face. Not everyone knows the secret behind it. Well, there are just five steps to create the ultimate flawless face in no time.

Foundation Primer

Factoid of the day: canvases need to be primed in order to make the paint adhere to the surface. The same goes for the face. With the heat and humidity here, it is impossible for makeup to last. A little bead of sweat can rub off makeup and we femmes just don’t want that. Laura Mercier saw the need for a product that’s missing from a lot of cosmetic companies and launched her Foundation Primer in 1996. This botanical primer (P1,550) works wonders because it provides a barrier between the skin and foundation. I like this product because it provides an invisible layer that makes foundation last the whole day. Just squeeze a pea-sized amount from the tube and massage all over the face. To reduce puffiness, put the Foundation Primer in the refrigerator before use, which makes it extra refreshing.

Foundation

We all have horror stories about foundation. Before, I used to hate wearing it because it was too thick and made my face look so fake. It was so obvious that I was wearing foundation. The trick is to find the right shade that matches your skin tone. After all, foundation should not make you look darker or lighter, it is there to even out the skin by hiding imperfections. Perhaps the great thing about Laura Mercier’s Foundation is that it can be used only where needed or to provide coverage. And it comes in two formulations: oil-free for normal to oily skin, and moisturizing for dry and mature skin. (The oil-free foundations have already reached Hall of Fame status in InStyle magazine.) Each shade of the highly pigmented foundations was designed to enhance the skin’s undertones and can be applied for a sheer finish or for fuller coverage. Apply with a sponge and work from the outer portions of the face inwards to the nose area. Available for P1,850.

Secret Concealer

If you stayed up all night partying, the worst thing that can happen is waking up with extremely tired eyes and dark under-eye circles. The truth is, they make you look groggy and slightly older. That’s why Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer is perfect to hide horrible-looking under-eye discolorations. Usually, concealers come in heavy formulations that dry out the skin. Secret Conceler (P995) has a moisture-rich, emollient formula designed for the sensitive layer under the eyes. I actually like that this under-eye concealer is easy to blend. Apply with a brush in feather-like strokes and apply under the eyes. Pat gently with your ring finger to blend. Hey, now, don’t leave home without it.

Secret Camouflage

For other blemishes, age/sun spots and humongous zits, Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage will do the trick. This revolutionary concealer (P1,650) is formulated with a high level of pigment. The great thing about it is that the skin will achieve complete coverage with just a little amount of the product. Secret Camouflage contains two shades: one to match the skin’s undertones and one to match the skin’s color. After applying Foundation, use this with a Secret Camouflage Brush and mix the two colors until you get a tone that matches your skin. Apply with feather-like strokes, then gently pat the products with your fingertips. No wonder it’s called Secret Camouflage because it really hides imperfections and people won’t notice them at all.

Setting Powder

To top it all off, use Laura Mercier’s Setting Powder. For P1,550, you get a translucent loose powder formulated with French Cashmere Talc that appears natural on the skin and not "cakey." Since it does not have pigments, it will not distort the color of your makeup. It contains a very unique reflecting ingredient that creates a "soft-focus" appearance for fine lines and wrinkles. Just put some Setting Powder on the puff and press it on the skin in a rolling motion. If you want a pressed powder, try Laura Mercier’s Translucent Pressed Powder, which is formulated like the Loose Setting Powder but in a compact with mirror. This powder is oil-free and won’t build up on lines and pores.

It is only Laura Mercier that can truly appreciate the beauty of the Flawless Face.

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Laura Mercier’s Flawless Face collection is available at Rustan’s Essenses in Makati, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, and Robinsons Place Manila.