Laura Mercier Mode to Modern Caviar Stick Set Review, Photos, Swatches
Mode to Modern
Laura Mercier Mode to Modern 4-Piece Caviar Stick Set ($38.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a new, limited edition set featuring four, miniature-sized jumbo eyeshadow pencils. All four shades can be purchased individually if that is preferred. The Caviar Stick formula is supposed to have “easy application with “long-lasting color” that “blends and layers beautifully onto the lids with rich pigment-payoff.” This year’s set includes two matte shades and two shimmers. All our shades were richly pigmented and long-wearing with textures being creamy and non-tugging.
Value
A full-sized Caviar Stick retails for $29.00 and contains 0.05 oz. or costs $580.00/oz. This set contains $69.60 worth of product.
Mode to Modern
LELimited Edition. $38.00.
Vanilla Kiss
Vanilla Kiss is a light-medium beige with warm, yellow undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had rich color coverage in a single stroke, and the texture was moderately creamy with a thicker consistency compared to the other shades. The formula took longer to dry down, so there was more time to work, but it was also more prone to lightly creasing as it was setting, so I had to pat it back into place after about 20 seconds to smooth it back out. From there, it lasted well for eight and a half hours before more creasing occurred.
Top Dupes
- LORAC Undressed (PiP, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #1 (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Summer Breeze (LE, ) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
- Hourglass Monochrome #1 (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Juvia's Place Kesi (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Paper Tiger (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Kaja Modern Beige (PiP, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Damned (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Buxom Mix & Mingle (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Naked Truth #2 (DC, $2.29) is darker (95% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Citric Acid, Silica, Tin Oxide. May contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 75470 (Carmine).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Vanilla Kiss
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Rosegold
Rosegold is a light-medium gold with warm, orange undertones and a frosted sheen. The pigmentation was opaque in a single stroke, and the eyeshadow applied evenly and smoothly to bare skin. The texture was smooth, lightly creamy, and easy to work across the lid as it did not tug or drag. The eyeshadow stayed on well for nine hours before creasing faintly.
Top Dupes
- Laura Mercier Rose Quartz (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- NARS Endless (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Steady (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Sunset Chaser (LE, $4.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Moira Showtime (P, $7.50) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- LORAC Rose Gold (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Half Baked (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Icon (DC, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Dior Poncho #1 (PiP, ) is darker (95% similar).
- LORAC Rose Gold (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Mica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Lecithin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid. May contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Rosegold
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Au Naturel
Au Naturel is a light-medium beige with neutral-to-warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. It had opaque coverage in a single layer with a creamy, moderately emollient texture that was a bit thicker compared to the shimmery shades. It applied evenly to bare skin and lasted for nine hours before creasing faintly. The matte finish seemed to dry a bit faster than the shimmer, so work quickly for the easiest blending.
Top Dupes
- Tarte Drive (PiP, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Lethal Cosmetics Midway (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Razzle (LE, $4.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Camouflage (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Narciso (P, $8.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Royal Rendezvous (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Inglot J329 Taupe (LE, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tongue Tied (PiP, $4.50) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Boa (LE, $4.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes #5 (LE, ) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Mica, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Lecithin, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopherol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Citric Acid, Silica, Tin Oxide. May contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 75470 (Carmine).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Au Naturel
PiPPermanent in Palette. $29.00.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a medium-dark, plummy taupe with warmer, brown undertones and cooler, silvery pearl. It had good pigmentation in a single stroke with a lightly creamy texture that glided across the lid without tugging. The formula was remained blendable for about 30 seconds after applying it to the lid, and then it set for a solid nine hours of wear. The version in the set seemed to be a bit darker than past year’s sets.
Top Dupes
- Sleek MakeUP Paradise on Earth (PiP, $9.99) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Dragonfly (P, $4.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Hourglass Infinity #3 (PiP, ) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Liar (PiP, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever I544 Pink Granite (DC, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo (DC, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Mortal #5 (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Until Dawn #1 (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Vintage (49M) (DC, $29.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Tarte Ring-a-ling (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar).
Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Mica, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyethylene, Lauroyl Lysine, Ozokerite, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Lecithin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Citric Acid. May contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Nice. Just for yuks, hours after app for glass bull, et al, put the au naturel over them. (My yin/yang was more like the Fs in your MLP. Whole lot like them. Maybe there’s QC issues, occasionally.). Anyway, liked the effect. But what I wanted readers to know is that these caviar sticks CAN apply over powders. We think of it as being the other way round. ‘Course, ymmv, and I’d play with it first.
Thank you for the tip, KJH!
That’s nice to know!
What excellent value. I really am sold on the Lise Watier shadow sticks (and also Essence – so unbelievably inexpensive but the colour range is very limited) but if this set is available at Sephora, I am for sure going to check it out and if they’re not too similar to the LW ones I have, I will GRAB this.
SCORE!!!! I called my local and they have this and have put one on hold for me. It burns a bit that this is FIFTY BUCKS in Canada but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!
I hope you love it, Mariella!!
Lise Watier is Canada’s great revenge on the US makeup market. I don’t think she’s even on ASOS. Love the looks of her stuff. And miss Bourjois, too. Great that you found a dupe you love.
Mariella, sounds like you’re a fan of this type of product – have you tried the Kiko Milano version? (Long-lasting Stick Eyeshadow, I think…). For like $10 they are a solid dupe of the LM version and even the byTerry Ombre Blackstars. Rosy Brown pretty similar to LM Amethyst.
Kiko’s not available here in Canada. The only Kiko product I own is an e/s quad that I purchased when I was in Italy. I wish I’d known about those e/s sticks then but the LW ones are a nice option to have.
I love the LW shadow sticks, and many of their other makeup products, brushes and skin care too. Our secret we can gloat over.
Stephanie, have you tried their “cream to powder” eyeshadows (I think they’re called “souffle”)? They are better than Chanel and come in outstanding colours. One that isn’t available from their site any longer – isn’t listed there – but still seems to be in some of the stores – is the colour Sortilege, which is so gorgeous. Their Rouge Intense Supreme lipsticks are also really gorgeous.
The Lise Watier lip liners are gloriously creamy.
Do you have any creasing issues with the eyeshadow sticks?
Thanks for reminding me about that brand!
No creasing at all, BooBooNinja. Generally, I put a bit of UDPP under them (I use it under everything, all the time) but there have been several times when I’ve worn them without a primer and they don’t budge after they set (but are easy to blend for 30 seconds or a minute, which is nice…that bit of time to soften the edges, etc. is something I appreciate). Maybe I should try the other LW lip liners. The only one I’ve used is the “virtual” one. I’m not a big fan of lip liners generally – the only colour one I own is Dervish from MAC which is pretty much the same colour as my lips. I dread ending up with that look when your lippie has worn off but you’re left with a strong and obvious line of pencil around your lips. It’s a look I’ve seen often and I really associate it with The Jerry Springer Show – that sort of vibe! So I’m very “lip liner shy”. I wish LW’s website was better too. It used to be quite good and even had a “reviews” option but now, it is pretty dismal.
This is a truly stunning little set, gorgeous range of neutral shades, a wonderful rating and at a fabulous price.
I so agree with you
I was genuinely looking into this set!! I think i’m going to get it!! Thank you Christine!!
No problem, Shannon! xo
Maybe Laura Mercier should be giving Christine a commission. I would never even have known about this little set but for this blog!
I think I love these….
I have purchased the caviar holiday sets every year since they began offering them and also bought extras for gifting.. The sets always contain Amethyst (my most favorite)and Rose Gold (not so favorite) But this year, I think I’m finally over them. I have really been snapping up too many new powder shadow palettes and I have started loving those CP super shock shadows!
A cute set of easy to wear shades. There is some shade overlap with my Bobbi Brown collection but certainly worth a peek the next time I’m at Sephora.
It is great value for money, but the first three shades look too similar for me. I am not sure if I would get much use out of all three. A little more diversity would have won me over.
Well, I already have Rosegold and Amethyst so I wouldn’t pick up this set for myself, but I love the look of Au Naturel! It’s going on my Sephora list 🙂
At first glance, I thought these were for the face. I love Laura Mercier products, and these are so pretty and have such great ratings, but I’m pretty awful at applying anything other than powder eyeshadow, so it’s a pass for me.
(Just a side note: I love the descriptive oxymoron “miniature-sized jumbo.” I get what it means, but it’s still funny.)
I love these, but I do wish they weren’t redundant with previous years’ colors.
Maybe they do it on purpose, haha
I don’t use much eyeshadow but the Amethyst Caviar Stick is one of the few I love (and actually like on me!). It is so easy, versatile and flattering, and doesn’t crease. I like this year’s set better than the holiday 2016 one – might pick up one during the sale!
I got LM Au Naturel as Sephora freebie, was very impressed with the wear. I also swatched all the matte ones in store, very impressed, will pick up French Kiss and Blossom at next sale
I like it, but I’m inclined to believe that this particular set would be rather light for me. Well, unless I used each separately instead of together. Kind of defeats the whole purpose of having them all together in a look, though. There was a beautiful set from a few years back that I now wish I’d bought.
I love this set. I wasn’t prepared to!
Its been sitting in my cart at Sephora for days now. I’m so loving this set, but at $50 Canadian… ouch.
I’m certain I wouldn’t spend $50 for 4-colour pan palette.
Let’s see if my want wins over my need.