No-Makeup Makeup

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to have my makeup done by Jerry Johnson, Global Artist for Laura Mercier. You know by now that I’ve always been a fan of a more natural look, which is why I’ve been a fan of the Laura Mercier brand. It’s not about looking “done,” it’s about looking naturally gorgeous and radiant… as if you just woke up like that. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

He started by applying Laura Mercier’s primer all over my skin. I use the regular formula (but LM also carries oil free or hydrating options.) Next up he applied Laura’s signature tinted moisturizer, in nude. I’d actually been using this product for a while before he did my makeup… but in the wrong shade – oops. Again, he used the regular formula on me (vs. the oil free version.) Next up, he applied the Under Cover Pot (in #2) to lightly conceal red spots + imperfections. I fell in love with this product. It is actually three products in one… a lighter concealer for under the eyes, a slightly darker one for blemishes + redness… and powder on the bottom to set it in place. (You should always, always set your concealer with powder to ensure it lasts all day.) Everything you need, in one tiny little secret-agent kit.

I also wanted to note that while Jerry used the tinted moisturizer on my skin, Laura Mercier also has just released their new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide, which is pretty amazing. I save it more for special occasions (and use the tinted moisturizer daily) but it’s a really nice product and I don’t usually like foundation. My shade is “Vanille”, and I love that it just sinks right into your skin, easily blending in to make your skin look prettier and more finished than tinted moisturizer… but never caked on or obviously made up.

Once my face was set, he added a little bit of color to my face with their Second Skin Cheek Color (in Wild Bouquet.. the perfect peachy pink) and my lips (the Stickgloss in Rosewater.) Then, he added just a little bit of bronze to my face using their Matte Radiance Bronzer in #2. Boom… natural makeup!

One last thing… Jerry swears by LM’s Purifying Cleansing Oil to take it all off. Though I’ve always loved cleansing oils, I didn’t know why they worked so well. It’s actually quite simple… oil binds to oil, lifting dirt/oil/makeup out of your skin and breaking it down. For that reason, cleansing oils are actually (far and away) the best way to remove your makeup.

Jerry’s Tips & Tricks:

1. Good skincare is the primer for a flawless face. If you take good care of your skin, the products will be the icing on the cake.
2. It’s always easiest to add more vs. take it off. Use a light touch and slowly build your color. In the past, I always assumed that makeup artists took so long because they were putting more product on. That’s actually not the case (at least most of the time!) The reason it takes the pros so long to apply your makeup is that they’re just applying it in thin, precise layers… vs. using a heavier hand (which I’ll admit I’ve been guilty of in the past, especially when it comes to the bronzer.)
3. Trends are great, but beautiful skin is forever. It’s important that your tinted moisturizer or foundation be perfectly matched to your skin. It’s actually very normal to have a few different shades + switch up your shade depending on the season.
4. If you’re sick (I was when I came in), bronzer will help combat that. Remember to take the bronzer all the way into your hairline for the most natural look.
5. When applying concealer, don’t forget to apply it to the inner corners of your eyes. Jerry explained that this area gets rather shadowy, and actually applied it all they way up the side of my nose to just below where my eyebrows start.

Thank you to Laura Mercier for sponsoring this post.