and all at once, summer collapsed into fall
Foreword
Fall is upon us, and to celebrate the cozy vibes, makeup brands offer us seasonal collections. Case in point, Laura Mercier recently released a line of matte eyeshadow sticks. In this post, we will chat about the newly improved formula.
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling
About the Product
If you have been reading my reviews for a while now chances are you have heard me talk about the Caviar Eye Shadow Sticks on numerous occasions. After all, they are a joy to work with. They come in a plethora of colors and finishes more of which you can see in a separate review here.
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color (32 USD; Made in USA) - is a collection of 12 high-impact shades in a pure matte finish. They are described as long-wearing, creamy, and easy to work with.
Packaging: true to the brand's signature style, every pencil comes with a color-matching bottom and, since they are matte, the outer packaging is also mattified. You get 1.64 g/ 0.05 oz worth of product. The Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color is portable and easy to store.
Formula, Texture: Laura Mercier highlights the fact that this line has a new feel to it. The improved formula contains Hyaluronic Acid and Raspberry Stem Cells (hydration) as its key ingredients. I own the brand's original matte eyeshadow sticks and must note that the revamped version is a touch creamier, however, it sets faster compared to the old one.
Shades: I have six shades of the Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color to show you. Some of them are repeat colors, while others are brand new. I can tell the brand decided to focus on wearable tones in the neutral and warm families. Your creams, browns, grays, and taupes. The only out-of-the-box colors are Dusk (dusty plum) and Midnight Blue (blue navy), which lean deep and are quite flattering. I like this selection since these are the colors most of us reach out for daily. Au Naturel is the only shade with a subtle pearl sheen. Dark Cacao (dark red-brown) is hands down my favorite shade here, as it makes any eye color pop.
Shades swatched (left to right): Midnight Blue, Dark Cacao, Peach, Dune, Au Naturel, Vanilla Kiss.
As always, all of my swatches are unedited.
Application: whether you want to use these as an eyeshadow base, eyeliner, or on their own - all options will give equally impactful results. These mattes do not feel dry and glide on with ease, giving you a moment to move the product around before it sets. This is why I would advise my readers to work one eye at a time, to ensure an even blend on both sides. The Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color can be sheered out or layered, depending on the type of look you have in mind. These pencils play quite well together, as well as with other textures (like powder shadows or loose pigments) that would be ideally layered on top.
I would recommend using smaller eye brushes with synthetic bristles with the Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color. Especially for precise eyeliner work.
Wear: this Laura Mercier formula is incredibly long-lasting, transfer-proof, and vibrant. I can have the Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color on for more than 8 hours and my eye looks will still stay intact, with some minor fading and little to no creasing. I do not use a separate eye primer with these, since they are quite waterproof. They do not make my eyelids feel dry or irritated. In fact, I can hardly tell I have something on whenever I wear this product.
Verdict
Whether you are a fan of the existing line, or perhaps are on the hunt for a long-wearing, colored eyeshadow base (that is both uber-pigmented and user-friendly), I think you might really like the new collection of the Caviar Stick Matte Eye Color. This formula is loved by renowned makeup artists and beauty enthusiasts across the Globe for all the right reasons. New mattes are vibrant, blendable, and smudge-proof. They are a lovely addition to any beauty lover's makeup wardrobe. At this point in time, I would not expect anything less from Laura Mercier. I look forward to seeing new shades in this finish, perhaps some forest greens, purples, or lilacs. Other than that, this collection lives up to its claims and deserves an A+.
More online:
sephora.com (USA)
lauramercier.com (USA, Canada, UK)
cultbeauty.com (Global)
PR sample; full disclaimer here
