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Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Laura Mercier Face Illuminators in Addiction & Seduction Review & Swatches

Last Friday, I wrote about the differences between illuminators & highlighters. I really loving using both! During Sephora's VIB Rouge Sale (earlier this year), I purchased two of Laura Mercier's Face Illuminators: addiction and seduction (there are four shades altogether, but I didn't feel ... indiscretion & devotion ... would compliment me). Overall, I felt her illuminators looked really chic, luxurious & sexy! I wanted to try something high end. So here are my thoughts after trying them.

 Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Laura Mercier Face Illuminators in Addiction & Seduction are Sweet


Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Addiction (Gilded Gold)

As I'm delving into this new territory (highlighters/illuminators), I'm realizing GOLD'S can look very different! I thought Laura Geller's Gilded Honey was soft! Well, not compared to Laura Mercier's! If Laura Geller's Gilded Honey is too much for you, than this is your Gold! HaHaHa This will give you a golden glow as if a pixie just sprinkled golden fairy dust across your face! HaHaHa It's very soft, light and GOLDen! It gives you a classy, soft and sophisticated look. You could easily wear this to the office or out to dinner. It's nothing harsh! It's not bold! It's just pretty! You feel even more beautiful. I really like it. I applied this on my nose, cheeks, and cupids bow.  It has some sparkle, but it's not glitter by any means.


Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Seduction (Soft Bronze)

Don't Laugh (ok you can laugh)! When I first applied Seduction, I looked like burnt toast! Not very seductive looking AT ALL! LOL I had to remove everything, rethink and reapply. So I decided to use it as an all over illuminator and NOT a highlighter (where I'm pin-pointing areas, like I did with Addiction)! I applied my makeup. Bronzed my face with the Too Faced Sweet Tea Bronzer. Then I dipped a powder brush into the Seduction Illuminator and dusted it lightly all over my face. It created a wonderful glow (you could do the same with Addiction). If I applied this directly to my nose, cheeks & forehead (brush or use of my finger), I would look too brown, burnt AND striped in those areas. LOL >.< So with that said, I would advise lighter skin-tones to stay clear of this one unless used the way I did (with bronzer). I think this would look AWESOME on darker complexions. I think they could really rock it. But I Thank God I can still use it.


I love both of these. I give them a Sweet rating. But I do have two gripes! One, is the packaging. The illuminator itself is gorgeous. The design is breathtaking. But the package it's encased in feels very plastic, is very bulky and feels very cheap. The lid should've been thinner & sleeker in my opinion. I think that would've made a world of difference. The second gripe is the price! These are $44 each! They're very pretty, but $44??? Come on! Maybe that's why I expect better packaging! LOL The end result is a very polished & sophisticated look. So I don't regret buying these, but I would look for something else comparable instead of repurchasing these. Just like the Laura Geller illuminators, these are hard in texture also and are great for all over application on the face. I hope this review helps.

{foundation: too faced born this way in sand; concealer: urban decay naked skin in medium; lipstick w/addiction pic is milani d'oro; bronzer: too faced sweethearts sweet tea bronzer; lipstick w/seduction pic is nyx wicked in wrath}
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33 comments

  1. I really really like the lighter shade!
    Its sooo beautiful, woooow!

    xoxo, Colli
    tobeyoutiful

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  2. Those highlighter to die for the first shade look stunning on you I want them lol. Have a great day.

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  3. These both look great on you, Kim! I love Addiction, and LOL on looking like a burnt toast with Seduction at the first go. I love how you always figure out a way to make a product work! That's too bad about the packaging though, coz for that price....yikes! I usually like LM packaging but I guess sometimes, there are misses...sigh....

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  4. They look so beautiful, even to just look at! HA!

    http://asequinloveaffair.com

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  5. Both of these are very beautiful Kim!! You look so bronzed and Sunkissed with Seduction!! And Addiction looks like something that I would love! That's awesome you can use these all over your face and it's not too much. Reminds me of the hourglass ambient light powders since you can do that with those!! Too bad the packaging looks cheap! And the pride is high! But sometimes it's nice to splurge and get ourselves somethings luxurious!

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  6. Well, I have yet to get to THAT post where you write about the difference of these two products... I am behind ! but I am catching up. I use to wear bronzers and even have the kabuki and fan brushes, but its been a while...

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  7. Eek burnt toast is not what one would ever want their makeup to resemble but your reapplication of Seduction is really pretty and gives your whole face such a lovely lit up look. Bummer that for $44 they couldn't do better on the packaging though.

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  8. The packaging and design of these is beautiful but I prefer the highlighters you posted about the other day. They are more pigmented. This would be better for someone looking for something subtle.

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  9. These shades are beautiful on you Kim. That is super expensive. Cosmetic companies must have the highest markup of anything. Crazy!

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  10. I am totally in love with your blog!!
    Very detailed review and pictures. You look so lovely too :)
    I am following!

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  11. I LOVE the way 'Addiction' looks on the skin, so beautiful! Did you apply blush or just the illuminator? All I see is glow, haha, and I love it! Thanks for the tip on applying 'Seduction' because I have color that's similar in my makeup bag and haven't used it because it made me look a little...dirty. The color is still really pretty, so now you've given me an idea on how I can still wear it. I agree about the packaging, for $44, it could've been a lot better, it looks more like a drug store brand on the outside, so by looking at it closed, you wouldn't see the value in it being so much. BUT, they are really pretty! Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, I really enjoyed the review, as always! I hope you're having the best start to your week so far!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

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  12. These are such beautiful shades for highlighting, love them both. Lovely swatches.
    GlamupGirls

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  13. That is an awful lot of money for an illuminator. But - these do both look gorgeous on you, Kim! So you can look at it as money well spent :)
    xox,
    Cee

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  14. Those highlighters are very pretty

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  15. Shame that the second shade wasn't as easily wearable as the first and you had to rethink how best to use it Kim. But they both do look lovely on you, even if they are a little expensive.

    Away From The Blue Blog

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  16. Addiction looks so beautiful! I actually haven't tried any Laura Mercier products. I only have a JCP Sephora near me and they don't carry any LM products in store. I like to swatch products, especially when they are pricey, before purchasing them. I've seen and heard a ton of rave over her matte highlight, it looks beautiful, do you have it or have you swatched it?
    Both of these look great against your skin, Kim! Glad you were able to make Seduction work for you too. PS - I noticed you unfollowed me on Instagram...not sure if there might be another IG glitch, or if it's something else.
    Hope you are having a good day so far! <3
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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  17. I still haven't made my mind about the powder illuminator, I would probably use it as a highlighter until I get a nice sun kissed tan!

    Ela BellaWorld

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  18. The Gold illuminator looks great on you Kim than the Bronze. I don't think this will look great on me.

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  19. Both products look very good ln you the second look as natural tan, the brand have nice design.

    www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

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  20. Love the video! Really shows off the pigmentation!

    Briana
    www.beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com

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  21. I swear, out of all makeup, highlighters/illuminators and eyeshadows always suck me in. These are sooo gorgeous <3 Ahaha and I wouldn't mind looking like a fairy sprinkled pixie dust on me! :D

    The Dragonfruit Diaries
    Visit my YouTube channel!

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  22. Proper packaging is KEY! Hope you find a better (and cheaper) one! (when you do, please tell us)

    Passion Blog | BCfactor.blogspot.com

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  23. Yikes, burnt toast is never good! the Illuminator really has such a beautiful gold glow - thanks for the review!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  24. I don't think I have any illuminators in my stash, the one that comes closest is Hourglass Dim Light a illuminating powder that can be used all over. You're right about the price though, $44 (which would be more in $CAD) is a little too much.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  25. I love both shades and the packaging. What a difference they make!

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  26. The effect of the two shades is totally different! You rock both looks but I prefer the natural glow given by the first one. I'm into strobing too :-) Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose NEW POST

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  27. Wow, such a beautiful glow!! ☺
    Nati xx
    www.simplyartdicted.com

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  28. They are beautiful! But I'm with you, that's quite a lot of money to pay for a product like that.I really only like splurging on foundation!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  29. These both look so pretty on you! I just love the design of them!

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  30. These illuminators seem lovely....great review.
    p.s. I absolutely love that lipstick on you....you look very pretty! fab make up look!

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  31. You look beautiful Kim. Both highlighters are stunning. I love the soft bronze one. It would look lovely on tan and honey skin like mine ;-)

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  32. So glad you reviewed these! I like subtle when it comes to my glow, so I think illuminators are for me!

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  33. I love the packaging ♥ if I were to purchase I would probably keep as a collective item hahhah the products seems to be too pretty to ruin in swatches hhaha.

    ♡ http://kayxcake.blogspot.co.nz

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