Harvey Nichols Edinburgh – Laura Mercier Masterclass with Trevor O’Keeffe*

When I got the chance to spend a Friday afternoon at Harvey Nichols, learning all about Laura Mercier with elite makeup artist Trevor O’Keeffe, you can imagine how fast I accepted the offer!

Laura Mercier has to be one of my favourite brands! I just love how beautiful the products are, the brand’s ethos of enhancing your features is something I can really get behind.

The masterclass was held in the Edinburgh store, and ten of us tucked ourselves away in a corner of the first floor, surrounded by the plushest of winter fashions as we oohed over the newest releases from the brand.

Even before getting the chance to sit down, my Laura Mercier wish list had grown by about a dozen items – the most beautiful makeup sets and kits were laid out for us to play with, and I have to say, they are incredible! I got rather carried away taking photographs, but I thought you’d want to make notes for Christmas!

So, after lusting after everything on offer, the ten of us, plied with a selection macarons and Harvey Nichols prosecco (which is absolutely delicious) were seated so the class could begin.

Trevor started the class by asking Helen to model for him and even without makeup on, she had the most enviable skin and brows! Following the Laura Mercier method of creating a beautifully natural look, Trevor explained that he would create a subtle smokey eye with radiant skin. Since this is the look I aim for most regularly, I couldn’t wait to see the master at work!

After cleansing the skin with the Perfecting Water Moisture Mist and Infusion De Rose Nourishing Creme Helen was then prepped with the Radiance Primer then she was ready for the makeup lesson to begin.

Since the lesson was so intimate, we got to ask Trevor questions as the hours progressed, and when he asked whether to use Laura Mercier’s iconic Tinted Moisturiser or something new, we opted for the latter. Getting to see him apply the Silk Creme foundation, which has the brand’s highest level of coverage was mesmerising. Rather than using a handful of tools, Trevor simply pressed the formula into the skin, keeping it looking light and supremely natural.

Then, a little of the Secret Camouflage and Secret Concealer were applied, to eradicate any shadows or little imperfections. I can’t even tell you how natural the makeup looked – instead of looking made-up, Helen’s skin looked perfect and completely bare! Pro tip – don’t apply your concealers or bases directly around the eyes or around the mouth. Thanks to your skin being thinner, coupled with the amount of movement in the area, formulas can crease, so he recommended just pressing the left overs of your sponge or fingers there for a soft, natural way of covering redness.

It was at this point Trevor shared another one of his tips – press the tiniest amount of translucent powder onto the face to really set the makeup. I have to admit, on a day-to-day basis, I don’t tend to wear loose powders. It’s a combination of keeping my makeup bag as streamlined as possible, and not really having the time, but after yesterday, I’m getting mine back out. Instead of applying the powder with a large fluffy brush, Trevor instead, using a puff, pressed the tiniest amount of it onto the face, first focusing on the oiliest areas, then onto the cheeks and chin. If you find you need to set your eye makeup, Laura Mercier also have a powder which is specifically designed for that!

Then, after perfecting the base, Trevor moved onto adding a flush with one of the brands blush. He had a customised palette of colours, which were all as pretty as each other, and then he moved onto a subtle wash of bronzer. Since we’re rather swiftly moving into Autumn, Trevor discussed matching your makeup to the seasons, so using bronzer at the moment should just give skin a warmth, rather than a full-on tan.

It was at this point there was a break, where we could ask questions, try out new techniques, chat to the lovely Harvey Nichols’ Laura Mercier experts and top up our glasses. After all, all this learning was thirsty work!

Next we moved on to creating the smoky eye. Trevor used a technique which is unique to Laura Mercier, called ‘the sunrise.’ It’s a genius idea. Rather than spending hours drawing and blending, you simply start at the waterline of the eye, using a dark Tightline Cake Eyeliner. Then you blend a softer shadow over the lid (Trevor opted for Caviar Sticks in Khaki and Cocoa, although there’s an awesome set of minis available here). It creates a seriously pretty effect which suits all eye shapes, and I love that you can tweak the intensity to suit where you’re off to!

To balance out the heavier eye, Trevor applied one of the gorgeous lipsticks in an amplified nude shade. I’m such a fan of Laura Mercier lipsticks – the colour selections are insane, and their formulas are perfectly creamy and long lasting. The Lip Glaces are also an awesome option if you’re after some shine!

Getting to sit and listen to Trevor, watch him at work, and discuss techniques, colours and tips with his was a real thrill! Not only is he insanely talented, but he was so lovely, and his enthusiasm was infectious! Both he and his team in the Edinburgh store are incredibly knowledgeable about not only their products, but what will suit your skin tone, type and even the occasion you’re off to! After Helen was suitably glammed up, I chatted with Trevor about upcoming winter trends, and lips are a big thing! In the next month or so, Laura Mercier will be releasing a Velvet Lip product which will be matte, and highly pigmented. They sound divine, and are the perfect way to achieve a rich lip all autumn and winter.

As if the afternoon wasn’t heavenly enough, we were all treated to the most fabulous of goody bags. Tucked inside a Laura Mercier makeup bag was a mini Lip Glace, Caviar Stick, Cheek Colour, and Body Butter. It was a fabulous surprise and such a great way to end a really wonderful couple of hours!

Thank you so much to Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, Laura Mercier and Trevor O’Keeffe for a wonderful afternoon!