Laura Mercier Spring 2011 Collection - Silk Road

Laura Mercier's newest spring collection based the hues of the makeup on the products that were shipped along the Silk Road trade routes. I do enjoy when a makeup company bases collections on time periods in the history though I get very disappointed if they stray from the facts or it turns out that nothing matches any of the historical evidence. Laura Mercier states the following as an overall description of this new collection. "Inspired by the precious jewels and raw silks that once traveled the Silk Road, this collection features rich, shimmering shades of violets, neutrals and golds for eyes, and roses for the lips and cheeks." Well, the collection sounds beautiful, now I just want to see how accurate their claim to the history is.

In order to review some history on this line, I decided to ask one of my friends who had done a lot of study into East Asian Studies in her undergraduate degree. I first learned that the Silk Road was actually two trade routes, a north and a south. She wasn't very familiar with the Southern route so I have more information on the Northern route. I am going to make an assumption that if she wasn't familiar with the Southern, then the Laura Mercier collection would be based on the better known Northern Route.

Her response to my question and description of the Silk Road, "The Silk Road was a series of trade routes which stretched from China and Indonesia to the Mediterranean. The Northern route ran west from the capital city of China, Chang'an (now Xian), through Persia, and ended in Constantinople. It was used to spread Buddhism from India to China and to ship silk, jade, porcelain, and other goods to the West. Incense, nuts, and spices were sent to China from Persia". Since Laura Mercier stated that the influences were the silks and the jewels (jades maybe?) so that is what I will be looking to find with some of these shades.

Here is the new collection...

Eye & Cheek Palette - Laura Mercier Eye and Cheek Palette is an of the moment palette that includes 4 Laura Mercier Eye Colours and 2 Cheek Colours in perfect spring shades. This exquisite collection allows you to mix and match eye colours with lively cheek colours to create your own flawless look.

- Eye Shadows -Regal Violet - bold, sparkling violet/Golden Sands - soft pink peach with sparkling gold pearl/Rare Taupe - soft grey taupe with satin finish/Lavender Silk - pale, blue violet with matte finish

- Cheek Colours - Palace Pink - soft pink with shimmering gold/Persian Rose - pink coral with hidden gold pearl

Lip Plumper - Laura Mercier Lip Plumper uses the latest technologies to instantly plump, hydrate, and moisturize for healthier, sexier looking lips. A refreshing, cooling effect builds up over 20 minutes to plump lips, lasting up to two hours. Infusion of unique ingredients pentrate skin, stimulate collagen production and benefically smooth the lip surface. Offer a slight tint to the lips for natural looking lips that are perfectly pouty and kissable.

- Bronzed Berry - deep warm berry with a hint of bronze shimmer

Stickgloss Lip Colour - Laura Mercier Stickgloss cares for your lips while delivering colour in a sheer and sophisticated finish. Part Lip Balm, part Lip Colour, and part Lip Glace. Ultra-hydrating and longer wearing than a traditional Lip Glace.

- Pink Jewel - medium warm pink

- Fuschia - rich vibrant magenta

Liquid Eye Liner - Laura Mercier Liquid Eye Liner adds a touch of interest and delicate ornamentation to your look by gently applying on the upper lid at the lash line. Limited edition.

- Gold Thread - pure gold

Eye Basics - Laura Mercier Eye Basics creates the perfect canvas for eyes by camoflaging eye imperfections and enhancing the durability of eye makeup. Skin friendly ingredients enhance the delicate skin on the eyelids. Botanicals soothe distressed lids. Vitamins A, C, and E provide anti-oxidant protection. Sheer, creamy texture blends easily and smoothly leaving a long-lasting semi-matte finish. Natural clay prevents creasing. Water-resistant. Eyes are primed with this highly versatile product. Use as a primer to alone to add a little color to your eyes. Available in a range of shades to suit all skintones.

Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara - Laura Mercier Full Blown Lash Volume Mascara dramatically thickens, lengthens, curls, and sculpts lashes with each stroke. The lightweight, nutrient-infused formula leaves lashes super-shiny, soft, and clump-free all day long. For thicker, more voluminous lashes: innovative bristle bullet-shaped brush is perfectly engineered to work harmoniously with the advanced Natural Cotton Fiber-infused formula tpo provide high volume, thickness, suppleness, and resistance; uses advanced hair care technology to coat lashes with a "glazing" gel-formula that sculpts, holds, and sets each lash for maximum impact; super-thick, super-full, super-long, super-curled, super-dark.

- Black - black

Kohl Eye Pencil - Laura Mercier Eye Kohl Pencil is formulated specifically for lining the inside of the eyelid and the base of the lashes. Luxurious texture for maximum wearability. Allows anyone to easily achieve the perfect "smoky eye". Soft, creamy formula glides easily along the eyelid. Creates a smooth and well-balanced line. Contains a thicker diameter than the Eye Pencil to create a more pigmented, dramatic effect.

- Antique Jade - deep jade green

Angled Cheek Contour Brush - Laura Mercier Angled Cheek Contour Brush perfectly applies cheek and face products to the contours of the face. Its slanted, rounded shape mimics the angles of your cheekbones for perfect, effortless highlighting and contouring. Custom-sized brush with soft angle expertly shapes cheekbones. Precisely cut, angled shape. Made of 100% natural hair.

Eye Colour Brush - Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush is a soft 100% natural brush perfectly sized to apply Laura Mercier "cashmere" eye colour the to eyelid and brow bone. Flat bristles with tapered, oval tip. Gently blends edges. Approximately 6 1/2"/16.51 cm.

So we have the colors of the rich silks in the eye shadow/cheek palette. The eye liners cover the jem part of the description with the jade and gold shades. So I will give them points for accuracy in their description and their research before the shade creation. So what do I love from the collection product and shade-wise? My favorite piece from the collection is the palette (which is the star of the collection and the palettes are always my favorite). My second favorite products are the Kohl in the Antique Jade and the gold Liquid Eye Liner. I can live without any of the lip colours so this is an eye makeup only collection for me.

facts on Silk Road courtesy of Adrianne Gren
photo courtesy of Laura Mercier