The best Laura Mercier products for your makeup bag

There's no denying the joy-sparking effect of lipstick, and just like a great dress, a bright lip says we put in more effort than we actually did! This matte formula wears beautifully throughout the day and imparts vibrant colour with just one swipe. The rounded bullet makes it easy to create a soft, lived-in shape that's not too 'done'. Very French. 

Cheat 8 hours of sleep with this brightening concealer. It scored a whopping 81/100 in our GHI test for its ability to blend seamlessly into skin, tackling both dark circles and blemishes without settling in pores. Testers also loved the moisturising formula and creamy texture. 

You can thank Laura Mercier for introducing 'primer' into mainstream beauty speak. There are now 5 variants in the range, catering to specific complexion needs. 'Illuminating' is senior beauty editor Alexandra Friend's go-to. 

"I was once on a trip abroad with a fashion editor friend of mine, who came down to dinner every evening with perfectly dewy skin and cheekbones that caught the light just so," says Alex.  "She told me it was the Illuminating Primer so I snapped up a tube as soon as I got back to the UK. I’ve taken it on every holiday and trip abroad since – I love bare-looking skin with gleam, and this is exactly right for low-key (but still special) evenings out."

You'd be hard-pressed to find a makeup artist without at least one of these eyeshadow sticks in their kits (it's one of Karl's top two products).  They glide on smoothly and the creamy pigments blend out like a dream. 

"My favourite is Sugarfrost (pictured)," says beauty intern Phoebe-Jane Lee. "I scribble it over my eyelid and blend with a fingertip; it creates a subtle, smoky finish in seconds."

Made up of micro-refined silica, this featherlight powder blurs fine lines and pores without dreaded caking. No wonder it's still the UK's no.1* setting powder.

Apply only where needed, often on T-zone or wherever you've applied concealer, using a small fluffy brush (this is a great option) to minimise shine while maintaining skin's natural radiance. 

*NPD Group

A dusting of this velvety powder is akin to bathing your complexion in the most flattering light. Use a large fluffy brush to gently swish all over the face to add a lit-from-within glow, or simply tap onto cheekbones for extra gleam.

For dry skin types who've yet to find a powder formula that feels comfortable, this buttery-soft texture might just be the one. 

This blush has a silky texture that goes on smoothly without accentuating dry patches or fine lines. "The pigments are sheer enough so you don't risk applying too much," says beauty assistant Medina Azaldin. "Both the matte and sheen finishes are lovely, but I prefer the latter as it lends a subtle luminosity to the skin."

For undetectable coverage, Karl recommends this handy concealing pen. "Blemishes and broken capillaries can sometimes feel like the hardest things to cover without looking obvious,  but this does the job seamlessly," he says.  "Use the 'Correct' end for blemishes and 'Brighten' for brightening the under eye."