The Laura Mercier Editorial Eye Palette Intense Clays Will Give You Major Makeup Inspiration

I’ll be the first to admit, while I can appreciate the artistic work behind a fierce eyeshadow look, I’m not the most skilled. But when the Laura Mercier Editorial Eye Palette Intense Clays came across my desk, my interest was immediately piqued. Maybe it was handy size, which happens to be the exact same size as my wallet . Maybe it was the bold hues that also felt classic and not too wacky. Either way, for some reason I wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

The Laura Mercier Editorial Eye Palette Intense Clays contains six super pigmented shades that, depending on how much you build them up, could work both day and night. There are three mattes—a black, a midnight blue, and a blackened brown—and three metallics: a rust, a pewter, and a pinkish platinum. When swept on with a brush, the shadows leave behind a sheer wash of color, but when smudged on with your fingertips, you get more of a velvet-smooth trail of bold pigment on the skin. (The metallics are particularly gorgeous pressed into the skin.) I didn't try it this way, but I'm guessing each shadow would also be great as a liner applied with a firm, wet brush. Because the clay formula feels almost wet to the touch, patting the shadows along the lid was both satisfying and completely comfortable. And I think that's why they felt so usable to me. I could use my fingertips to shape my look, rather than dabbing on with a finicky brush. And I haven't even told you the best part. The Laura Mercier Editorial Eye Palette Intense Clays comes with a big pan of its very own setting powder.

Now, I’ve heard of using an eyeshadow primer like before, but a setting powder specifically for eyes was news to my ears. So here's what you should know. For starters, a little goes a long way. (I learned this the hard way after tapping way too much on top of my eyeshadow, which ended up looking like a dusting of finely milled snow.) Instead I'd suggest really shaking off your brush, then dusting on the very lightest layer. Then you're money. The powder adds a hint of shimmer, a bit of light-reflecting dimension and also works as a buffer if you want to diffuse your eyeshadow color a bit.

Hannah Choi/Allure

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More palettes to experiment with:

1. Every Single Holiday Palette in One Place
2. Here's How to Get the Urban Decay Afterdark Palette Today
3. Tarte's New Palette Just Made December Even Better

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In the past I’ve turned to fellow beauty junkie but more skilled friends to help me pull-off pretty eye makeup. (Shoutout to Lauri!) But this palette has made me feel like a makeup Monet, or at least one in training. Of course, I'm still holding out to sit in on one of [Mario Dedivanovic's Master Class]'s(http://ift.tt/2hRiaoI) to learn a few glam skills from a real makeup OG.

The Laura Mercier Editorial Eye Palette Intense Clays is available now on lauramercier.com for $48, and will hit Sephora stores starting January 2017.

Now watch as a makeup artist talks this makeup beginner through her first smoky eye look: