New From Saks: Laura Mercier Premier Beauty Collection

It's that time of year when Laura Mercier releases several limited edition value sets at Nordstrom (here), Neimans (here) and Saks (here). Each store has their own special kit with exclusive items including a mix of full size products plus minis for $68. This year, the Saks Premiere Beauty Collection appealed most to me with the following items:

• Brown zippered bag with a paisley lining
• Full sized Tightline Cake Eye Liner in Ground Espresso
• Full sized Lip Glacé in Pink Lilac (sheer milky lilac pink)
  
• Eye Colour Duo in Dusk (shimmery pink-lilac) & Chocolate (shimmery brown)
  
• Mini Black Full Blown Volume Lash Building Mascara
• Double-Ended Pony Tail/Flat Eye Liner Brush

To break down the cost per full sized items: Liner $22 + Eyeshadow $22 + Lip Glacé $22 = $66. For the additional $2 you get a decent sampling of other items not to mention a nice travel brush (I've collected a number of mini brushes from LM sets over the years and rely on them when traveling).

I purchased this sight unseen online, mainly for the new Lip Gloss, Eyeshadow Duo & Brush. I plan on regifting the other items. I've had the Cake Eyeliners used on me on multiple Laura Mercier makeover events but I prefer pencil or gel liners to liquid or cake (so this item won't be swatched). Dusk/Chocolate is a gorgeous combination - I already have Dusk in a mini sample size and like that it's lilac and cool-toned but not too purple. I find that lilac/lavender eyeshadows can sometimes look dated.

Pink Lilac is beautiful in the tube but very sheer and practically invisible on the lips. I think it will make a good enhancing color for sheer pink and lilac colored lipsticks.

Overall a great value and nice combination of colors. I would have preferred something other than the cake liner since there is already a dark shadow (Chocolate) - like a blush or lipstick, but I know it will be easily regift-able. The lip gloss is pretty but sheer and light, perhaps it will show up better on girls with lighter lips or lighter skintones. I know I'll get a lot of use with layering it, but I would have preferred more pigment and color. The set also comes with a mini instruction card but I found it very basic.

Have any of you checked out any of the Special Edition sets at Saks, Neimans or Nordstrom? Did any of you pick one up? Thoughts/rants/raves?