Meet Makeup Artist Laura Mercier
Known for her specialty of creating the flawless face, Laura Mercier is a world-renowned makeup artist and creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, Skincare, Body & Bath and Fragrance. As the personal makeup artist to celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts, and as a contributor to cover designs and editorial shoots, Laura creates looks that are both flawless and accentuate one’s natural beauty.
Raised in Provence, Laura began her training at age 17 when she entered painting school in Paris. After deciding to shift her talents from the canvas to the face, she attended the Carita School where she specialized in makeup application. Subsequently, she was asked to represent the school as a makeup artist and instructor. Before long she began working closely with Thibault Vabre, a well-known French makeup artist.
In 1985, Laura moved to New York when she was asked to join the team to launch American Elle. She immediately began working on advertising campaigns for Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, and Clairol, as well as editorial spreads for magazines including Elle, Vanity Fair, Glamour, and Seventeen. While working with clients such as L’Oreal, Maybelline, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Banana Republic and many other cosmetic and clothing companies, Laura began working with Madonna on her looks for print, television and film. Subsequently, Laura entered into a four-year contract with Elizabeth Arden designing the makeup looks for all of their advertising campaigns, and she also worked with Chanel on the company’s beauty advertising campaigns in France.
In 1996, Mercier developed Laura Mercier Cosmetics with Janet Gurwitch, founder and CEO of Gurwitch Products, to benefit women of all ages and skin types. She personally created the colors to satisfy the needs of her clients, based on a classic and always-current palette, rather than seasonal trends only. The line, now in its eighth year, is available in almost 400 stores in 17 countries and has expanded to include skincare, bath and body and fragrance lines. Mercier makes national public appearances throughout the year at stores including Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, and selected Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom stores.
When she is not traveling with clients or for photo shoots, Mercier divides her time between New York City and Bellport, New York.
Raised in Provence, Laura began her training at age 17 when she entered painting school in Paris. After deciding to shift her talents from the canvas to the face, she attended the Carita School where she specialized in makeup application. Subsequently, she was asked to represent the school as a makeup artist and instructor. Before long she began working closely with Thibault Vabre, a well-known French makeup artist.
In 1985, Laura moved to New York when she was asked to join the team to launch American Elle. She immediately began working on advertising campaigns for Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, and Clairol, as well as editorial spreads for magazines including Elle, Vanity Fair, Glamour, and Seventeen. While working with clients such as L’Oreal, Maybelline, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Banana Republic and many other cosmetic and clothing companies, Laura began working with Madonna on her looks for print, television and film. Subsequently, Laura entered into a four-year contract with Elizabeth Arden designing the makeup looks for all of their advertising campaigns, and she also worked with Chanel on the company’s beauty advertising campaigns in France.
In 1996, Mercier developed Laura Mercier Cosmetics with Janet Gurwitch, founder and CEO of Gurwitch Products, to benefit women of all ages and skin types. She personally created the colors to satisfy the needs of her clients, based on a classic and always-current palette, rather than seasonal trends only. The line, now in its eighth year, is available in almost 400 stores in 17 countries and has expanded to include skincare, bath and body and fragrance lines. Mercier makes national public appearances throughout the year at stores including Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, and selected Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom stores.
When she is not traveling with clients or for photo shoots, Mercier divides her time between New York City and Bellport, New York.
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