Laura Mercier is a French make-up artist who has lent her name to a line of cosmetics.

History

Raised in Provence, Mercier 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, Mercier 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 Mercier 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'Oréal, Maybelline, Victoria's Secret, GAP, Banana Republic and many other cosmetic and clothing companies, Mercier began working with Madonna on her looks for print, television and film. Subsequently, Mercier 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 her own line 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 tenth year, is available in 400 stores in 21 countries and has expanded to include skincare, bath and body and fragrance lines. Mercier makes national and international public appearances throughout the year at stores including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Henri Bendel.

When she is not traveling for photo shoots or working in the lab perfecting and creating new products, Mercier divides her time between New York City and Bellport, New York.