I have been using this foundation since last July. I have used many MN foundations in the past like Aqua Balance, Lasting, Cream Base, but this is my favorite by far. It makes my skin look like glass. My color is ML42. I set it with Luxiva Ultra Golden powder or sometimes I'll use the Flawless Effect powder in Naturally Nude. Either way it's perfect. My skin is combo. I highly recommend this.

I have dry skin and love this foundation. The coverage is buildable. If you have oily skin steer away. Try lasting foundation by Merle Norman.

Made my face look cakey. Didn't absorb well at all.

Love this product. Love packaging. Pump dispenses just the right amount. This is a creamy liquid with amazing coverage. You can build to solid without much trouble or spread it easily for more sheer effect. Has wonderful moisturizing properties and gives me just the coverage I want whether I go heavy or light. Doesn't dry my skin or make it oily, however, I think for younger, oilier skin, it may not be the first choice, my skin is dry with a few lines. I use this in a darker than my own skin because I use fake tanner on my body and want my face to look somewhat tanned as well. With the ability to spread it out to thinner coverage, I can take it down my neck for the most natural look ever. My most favorite foundation of all is the Merle Norman loose minerals, but the color range isn't as extensive as I need to match up a tan but not over tan look for my face, so this one is my pick for summer.

Hi ladies! After getting your free advice for years I finally decided to join and give a review. There are actually 2 Merle Norman stores close by, and normally I wear Lancome which is a thirty minute drive and more expensive. I have hyperpigmentation so I need something that will cover my yucky spots, and some lines as I am 40.
I am sorry to say that this is the worst foundation I have ever used-after a couple of hours of watching tv I walked past a mirror and it was shiny and oily. After being outside it actually streaked. So the next day I put clinique's T-zone pore minimizer, which I haven't used once this summer, underneath it. No difference. I even used powder which I normally don't and just ended up with a bigger mess. To top it off it was way to dark.
I want to say that the SA was awesome and refunded my money without a receipt.

I am what some of you referred to as a "mature" person; I also have extremely dry skin, some fine lines around the eyes, but very little wrinkling for my age (I attribute that to Merle Norman skin care). Anyway, I've always had problems w/foundations - until the Flawless Effect came out! It used to be you could see every flaw on my face and my makeup looked caked, skin looked dry. This makeup keeps my face moist all day without looking dewy, people even ask me what I've done - they say my skin looks so pretty! So, for me, it lasts, looks natural and I can't find anything wrong with it!

This is obviously a great foundation for some skin types but not for mine. I have mature dry skin and this foundation is so obvious on me. Even a small amount looks like I've caked it on. It also dries my skin out which I don't need. Back to the hunt for a great foundation.

I hadn't been inside a Merle Norman store in about 20 years. I remember going with my mom and both of us thinking that the make up was too pink based. I didn't wear much makeup back then (occasionally some concealer and translucent powder). I remember thinking that they're products looked like old lady makeup. After that, we never went back.
Fast forward to 2010...
I started wearing liquid foundation last year. I have been blessed with good skin and never felt I needed it. Not to mention that I am lazy when it comes to getting ready/dressed to go out. Well, last summer my face experienced extreme hyperpigmentation for the first time. It has faded a bit, but it's still noticeable without some form of TM or fdtn.
Well, I was reading reviews and surprisingly, Merle Norman makeup was getting good reviews. I figured, it's been so many years since I last stepped foot in one of their stores, they must have adjusted their color selection somewhat.
I went there and asked the SA for a MMU and a medium to full coverage liquid fdtn. She brought out Luxvia Flawless Finish Foundation in L22 and poured a sample. I applied it with my fingers and really liked the finish. It was a perfect match (I wear MUFE HD in 118). It is medium coverage. I applied it lightly and it blended away my hyperpigmentation and left a satin finish. It looked like my skin but better. I was hesitant about how it would hold up throughout the day, which I told the SA. She poured a very generous sample and gave it to me.
Fastforward 2 weeks...
I have worn this 3 or 4 times a week over the last couple of weeks and I have to say that it looks amazingly natural. I put on a light layer all over, then go over my problem areas with a second light layer. You only need a small amount of this product for your entire face. I only need concealer under my eyes (I have super dark circles) and a couple of small, really dark pigmented spots. I top it off with finishing powder and it looks so natural and healthy. It doesn't slide off of my oily nose/chin and doesn't emphasize my semi-dry (winter) cheeks. The foundation doesn't sink into my pores or fine lines. And the big test was whether it would last long enough. Well, it lasts all day (12 hrs)! I don't need touchups. Just blotting once and then a light dusting of powder. I am going to Merle Norman this weekend to purchase a bottle (even though I still have a few more applications left in my sample!).

Flawless Effects is Merle Norman's newest foundation, out almost a year now. It comes in a pump bottle, has SPF 15, and retails for anywhere between $30 and $38. It is marketed for all skin types, as a medium to full coverage foundation. However, as a former MN BA, I can tell you this foundation is not suitable for very oily or more mature skin. It can fade, splotch, and slide on these skin types. I personally wear L10, which is equivalent to Cream in MN's Lasting foundation. I have combination/sensitive skin, and get the best results with FE when I apply primer before, and setting spray and loose powder after. It is medium to full coverage, and gives a natural, satin finish- not matte, not dewey. It does do a nice job if you have the right skin type.

This product is wonderful and flying off the shelves. it can be worn thick or if you apply lightly even sheer coverage...BUT oily skin ppl don't tend to like it...if youre oily this prolly isn't the foundation for you...

I have to go against trend here and say this foundation does not work for me at all. And it's a fairly expensive failure at $34. I think for a young woman with very smooth skin it would be perfect - if you like a "made-up" look, for it is a very obvious makeup. But for oily or older skin, I don't think it will work as well. For my skin, it just made large pores and lines glaringly obvious, and rather than a dewy effect it was just shiny in the wrong places. Also it doesn't last very long, which was actually a plus since it didn't look that good and I didn't have time to wipe it off and start over before leaving for work. The color was a great match, though - wouldn't you know it. Definitely ask for a sample before purchasing this. Especially if you don't have perfect skin or if you prefer a more natural look. This foundation seems to be made for people who don't really need foundation, but feel undressed without an obvious full face on.

I will agree that this foundation has great coverage. However, it melted off and had no staying power for my skin.

Ladies, I have tried the most expensive and best products.
This is by far this is the best! Merle Norman has hit a winner!
I like to look natural, get a glow, and coverage. This gives you all three! If you want glowing younger looking skin this is worth your money. Even my husband noticed how great my skin looks with this on! He loves this foundation on me! This is recommend for all ages of women!

I received samples of this along with other MN I purchased. I plan to purchase a full size ASAP! I love it! I wear Kiehl's TM for everyday wear; however, I have been looking for something with fuller coverage for special occasions. This is definitely it. I wore it yesterday while running around town with my kids and it held up great. I don't know that it's an everyday foundation, but definitely looks nice for dressing up.

I love merle norman products so much this foundation literally made my skin glow and it lasted me all day ,it's similar to their total finish just not as oily. Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad other people have had luck with this foundation, but it is just not for me. My skin is oily, and this foundation makes my face into more of an oil slick. It also makes my large pores and fine lines more evident. Also, there was not an exact match for my skintone. Some of the lighter shades were too pink. I need a light shade that is truly neutral, and they do not have a great color selection in this formula. I DO like the pump bottle, as it is much nicer than the sqeeze tube their Luxiva Lasting foundation is in. That is the only good thing about this foundation- a nice pump bottle.

My grandmother had the most beautiful skin and she used the Merle Norman Powder Base makeup. I tried this one instead due to my skin being an oil slick. I am sold on this makeup. I have used so many different kinds with all sorts of promises. When it comes down to it you really need great skin care to make your face a smooth and clear as possible and just a simple foundation to accentuate that. This is a silicone based foundation so it goes on a little differently than others but the result is beautiful. I use the energizing concentrate before applying this foundation and I get just enough moisture to make this spread better. This makeup needs to sit for a few minutes before you apply your loose powder. I usually get dressed and put on my jewlery while it perfects. The color changes slighlty during this process so be sure you get a sample to bring home and try before purchasing. I know, I said this was a simple makeup and the result is. It doesn't cake, It looks natural and it has great staying power. I am sure that it is buildable for more coverage if that is what you need. Merle Norman products are the best, and they are not just for your grandmother.

Not terrible product, BUT, does look like makeup, i didnt purchase, just got a couple of samples - 22 and 24 for my NC30 coloring it does last all day, but i think i am still better off with the smashbox (light) tinted moisturizer and then estee lauder doublewear concealer for here and there flaws (brown spots and a zit or 2) and then lightest dusting of EL doublewear foundation powder

I really like this foundation. I apply it using a foundation brush and it goes on very smooth. My skin looks so beautiful and natural and it seems to stay put all day long. I have combination skin and am only slightly shiny in my tzone toward the end of the day.
The bottle is nice but it does pump out more than I need in one pump. I only push it halfway down so I don't waste foundation. I use this with the creamy concealer and my skin looks gorgeous. I'm planning on using this for my wedding in september.
It is $30 a bottle but should last quite a while especially if you use a foundation brush.

I am a Merle Norman fan so when this came out I had to try it. I had high hopes from reading the reviews it had gotte. I was utterly disappointed. It was goopy and made my face feel oily. I have normal/oily skin so maybe that's the problem. It wipes off your face extremely easy and it congregated to small balls around my face. YUCK! Just not for me. Very disappointed.