Welcome to KULALA Beauty Club, where YOU our dear readers help us suss out the best in the beautysphere. This week, we have Joanna (@joannaestella) with her review of the Laura Mercier Master Class Artistry in Light Holiday Illuminations Palette. 

I was stoked to receive the Laura Mercier Master Class Artistry in Light Holiday Illuminations Palette. A religious user of the brand’s Secret Camouflage concealer myself, I was curious to see how their eye makeup would measure up against the other products they’re well-loved for.

At first glance, I was impressed by the amount of product contained within the gold-speckled grey compact. Staying true to their pioneering “Flawless Face” makeup philosophy, it came as no surprise that it was neutral tones that were prominently featured in the makeup palette. Sorted into two categories, the left palette displays warm brown and gold tones for a daytime look, while the right palette contains black and shimmery metallics, perfect for a girls’ night out. Unlike other brands that might try to throw in a funky teal-coloured eyeshadow, or a pop of neon green (all the rage last season), Laura Mercier’s eyeshadow palette screamed “Wearable: For the Girl Next Door”.

Imagine my amazement when the two gold doors housing the 12 eyeshadows slid open to reveal more makeup in store. These include: a highlighter, a contour, and a blush; all of which were stellar. And not just one, but two pots of cake eyeliner – brown for a subtle day look and black for an intense smokey eye. The amount of thought that went into this palette certainly deserves mention, for what’s the point of having eyeshadows and eyeliner pots, if you don’t have brushes to use them with, right? Laura Mercier’s got you covered with not one but two dual-ended eyeshadow and eyeliner brushes.

While this palette certainly packs a punch with its wide array of matte and glittery eyeshadows, it would have been an added plus if the products were longer lasting. I have however found it useful to line my lids with the dark kohl pencil liner (longwear crème eye pencil) included before setting it with the cake eyeliner for longer lasting power.  I would also have preferred for the brushes to have been denser, hence, being able to pick up more pigment.

Regardless, this palette stays true to Laura Mercier’s reputation for delivering that au naturel barely-there makeup look. With shades perfect for everyday wear, day or night, you can be sure I will be putting it to good use!

Thanks, Joanna! Want to join the KULALA Beauty Club? Head on over here to see how you can be a part of it. For more beauty reviews like this, click over here for our “Best of Beauty” series. All photos here were taken by Joanna.