How to fake 8 hours of sleep

MANILA, Philippines - Somewhere in a parallel universe where cake doesn’t contain an ounce of fat and waxing doesn’t hurt one bit, everyone wakes up impossibly fresh. But on this side of the cosmos, there are rules: desserts need to be consumed in moderation. Waxing requires mild ibuprofen prepping. Looking impossibly fresh is the result of sleeping early or being 12. But, you know, the French have solved a third of the riddle.

One Provence-born art student, after she shifted to beauty school, mastered the art of creating a flawless, wellrested, youthful-looking face. Laura Mercier — world-renowned makeup artist and creator of the world’s most raved about Tinted Moisturizer, among other Laura Mercier Cosmetics products — made looking “impossibly fresh” a daily possibility, no time travel or missing out on parties required.

Just recently, Laura Mercier international makeup artist Jeffrey Tasker visited the Philippines. At the Laura Mercier boutique in Rustan’s, he showed us exactly how this is done using their Belle Nouveau collection, a new line that updates the fresh-faced look with clouds of color and sheer textures, alongside a thorough arsenal of products to create the perfect canvas. “Sophistication without strong definition” is the end result.

Tasker used a flattering but not overpowering Crème Lip Print in Nude Pink for the model’s lips; Caviar Stick Eye Colour in turquoise, a surprisingly wearable shade that he swiped just over the lash line; and Long Lash Mascara in Bleu, a rich cobalt that is versatile enough for day or night, for her upper and bottom lashes. Underneath the pretty hues was   a smooth, even-toned canvas that was achieved through some of the line’s standout products, among which were the Oil Free Supreme Foundation, Eye Canvas, and Tone Perfecting Eye Gel Crème — essentials for getting that well-rested look.

Oil Free Supreme Foundation

Getting enough sleep regularly, compounded with other healthy habits, gives you skin that’s luminous, even-toned, and hydrated. This innovative new oil-free foundation from Laura Mercier that covers flaws, minimizes the appearance of pores and smoothens skin, is the first step towards looking like you’ve had an ample amount of beauty sleep. The lightweight formula glides on into creases, so you don’t look like you’re wearing foundation at all. The oilfree, panthenol-infused formula hydrates the skin while allowing you to build to your desired coverage without it caking or getting slick. It comes in 11 shades, so you have no excuse for wearing the wrong one!

Eye Canvas

Foundation for the eyes seems like the least important step to add to a makeup routine, but upon trying it, it suddenly is the most vital. Reason one: the skin around the eyes darkens easily because it’s so thin and delicate; two: our eyelids get more oily as we grow older, so eye makeup doesn’t stand a chance against the creasin’ and greasin’ that goes on there. Laura Mercier’s Eye Canvas is genius because it glides on like a cream, but finishes really matte and doesn’t budge with accidental prodding. It neutralizes the tone and texture of the eyelid so makeup stays put longer. The best part is that when you use the right shade, its brightening effect frames the eyes and makes you look fresh and awake. I also noticed that it adds more definition to the eyebrows, so you look instantly put-together.

Tone Perfecting Eye Gel Cream

Laura Mercier has expanded its offering to skincare with a line of products that addresses skin problems like lack of hydration, uneven skin tone, skin aging, and sun protection. The Tone Perfecting Eye Gel Crème can get you on the road to looking fresh-faced and bright-eyed. Its dermatologist-tested formula has oligopeptide- 68 and ash tree bark extract, which reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness with regular use, but immediately after lightly patting it around the eyes, the skin becomes smoother and less lined.

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Laura Mercier Cosmetics are exclusively available at Rustan’s The Beauty Source.