Customer Reviews

Laura Mercier Presents "The Flawless Face" [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Laura Mercier may indeed be a very talented makeup artist when it comes to celebrities, who as we know are blessed with good looks by God. However while viewing this brief and rather primitive video I failed to notice dramatic changes after her makeover of 6 "ordinary" women. I didn't discover any new makeup tips for myself either. In my opinion this video is for people who have no idea about makeup whatsoever, as it provides very limited and basic information on techniques and products. (Without saying, Laura Mercier advertises her own skincare and makeup lines only). I also find Laura's roundtable discussion about the purpose of makeup to be a waste of time in this 27 minute video. My expectations for this video were much higher.

This video is expensive; it is also good but only for what it sets out to do. I don't think the video pushes Laura Mercier's products as much as it explains how to use them. It presents Laura's "beauty philosophy" and demonstrates how to use her tools (e.g., brushes) and products. Anyone wanting a course or even a semi-comprehensive compendium of tips on how to apply makeup and choose colors will be bitterly disappointed. I already had the tools and makeup, but I had difficulty recreating the fabulous look done at the makeup counter; I bought the video because I needed to observe the technique (not just experience it).

I learned a lot about product application and brush technique from watching Laura work -- and you do have to watch closely, repeatedly, and preferably in slow motion. Laura's explanations are very brief and not nearly as informative as her demonstration. I also enjoyed seeing a multi-ethnic group of faces get the treatment.

On the down side, the round-table discussion that pops up repeatedly throughout the video was minimally valuable; the points could have been made in less time in another format, leaving more time for the makeovers or for more faces in the 30-minute program. Also, the video is a bit out of date. Laura has been refining her line of products and, correspondingly, her techniques.

All in all, the video met my objectives except for price. It's too expensive for what it delivers....On the other hand, if you've bought Laura's products or are thinking about it, by all means shell out the extra bucks and get the video. Unless you're a master, it's nice to have the instruction manual.

I have to agree with the reviewer who found this video lacking. If I had realised what it was, only 30 minutes, and none of Laura Mercier's glamour work--but mostly an advertisment for her line of cosmetics--I would not have bought it. It certainly doesn't seem worth the price--there's lots of filler (short bios of the models, Laura talking about her "makeup philosophy", asking the models questions about how long they want to spend doing makeup on a daily basis, etc.) and not a lot in the way of makekup tips, for example, there are only about 10 seconds on the eyebrow--I'm not exaggerating. Laura talks about a minimal makeup routine, but then there are about 8 products in that routine. The makeovers of "real women" are nice, perfectly appropriate for everyday, and the results she gets on an oriental woman with acne are very impressive. Otherwise there was nothing here that you couldn't find in a good magazine like Redbook. I was hoping for some insight into Mercier's glamour makeup, but her work in glamour was only mentioned at the beginning and ending in a somewhat misleading way. Furthermore, the women being made up looked fine after they were made up--and so would you and I if Laura had done it; but doing it yourself is a different matter, and not addressed at all. Oddly, there is a credit at the end for "Directed, Produced, and Written by..." and that credit goes not to Laura Mercier, but to a man I've never heard of. Sadly, I can't recommend this video to anyone except perhaps Asian women with acne.

i never take time to rate things, however, i am taking the time to say this....this video is simply an info-mercial that you buy. as much as i admire laura mercier's work, i just can not believe that this video would be so deceptive. basically, it is an extremely vague promotion of her products. if you want to learn what you would from this video..simply pick up "allure" magazine. there is nothing to be gained from buying this video. totally unsatisfied. shame on you, laura mercier.

I almost bought this video based on all the hype I read about it in the popular fashion magazines. But luckily a friend bought it first and I got the chance to view it (and I am so glad I did)! I agree with the last two reviewers. Don't waste your money. If you're really curious - rent it!

This tape was very basic. It seemed to promote her products more than anything else. The tips were for the biggener.Most of the tips you could get out of any fasion magizine. Laura has such talent I really expected more. I would get kevin Aucoins books. They offer lots of great tips. I just hope he comes out with a vidio!

For me, Laura Mercier has an unerring eye when it comes to looking at a face and providing a woman with cosmetics that enhance what nature has given her rather than camouflaging what some might consider to be flaws.

While growing up in France I understand that she studied painting, and she brings this expertise to her makeup consultations. Thus, I was most happy to come across this video with personal hints from Laura.

It was important to me to learn what she considered to be necessities as far as makeup tools were concerned, and I also appreciated her comments about making the most of who we are.

Sounds like common sense to me, and I really appreciate that.

This is an excellent video for those who really want to explore the different makeup tips that Laura has mastered. She is a true "makeup artist". Although I thought that I knew plenty of makeup techniques, there were several that she used that I hadn't thought of. Also there are different perspectives for several different skintones/ types. An excellent video indeed!