This is a heartbreaking review for me. I absolutely adore this foundation in the texture, coverage, and color. Laura Mercier has some of the best foundation shades if you are fair and warm-toned, as well as in the light-medium range. I purchased this in 'Porcelain Ivory' which is a very fair ivory with a yellow undertone -- slightly lighter than MAC NC15. It smooths onto my skin like butter, and is very creamy and emollient. The texture is quite thick so the enclosed spatula is very handy. Since I have combination skin, setting with powder was absolutely necessary or else my skin would feel a bit tacky throughout the day. I am so impressed with the beautiful, satiny-creamy finish this gives, it is truly gorgeous and airbrushed-looking. Unfortunately, my T-zone would eat up this foundation and it would melt off during the day, leaving it looking a bit splotchy. I was also saddened to come home with new clogged pores each time I would wear this, despite the Sephora website claiming it is non-comedogenic. But every individual's skin will react differently to a product. In reality I probably should not have bought this because of my combination skin, but I've read others' successes with this who have a similar skin type. So I would only recommend this to dry and normal types, I think if you are acne-prone and combo like I am, this will only feel somewhat like an occlusive moisturizer. I still give this product 4 stars though, because it is beautifully formulated and perfect for normal-dry types.

Before I review, here is some info that will hopefully help determine whether this could work for you.
Mid 40's, fair skin with some pinky-redness, extremely dry, sensitive
What do I want in a foundation: medium to full coverage that doesn't look mask like, long wearing, doesn't dry my skin out.

Pro's
Long wearing
Ivory matches my skin tone perfectly.
Blends easily
Beautiful finish. Dewy without powder. Satin with powder
Covers all redness
Does not dry my skin out. Skin looks and feels great, even after removing makeup.
Easy to apply
Excellent for dry sensitive skin
Doesn't emphasize any dry patches
Fragrance free
Is a little expensive - over $60, but you only need a very little amount.
Glass jar, that comes with a plastic spatula

Cons
Not as many shades
Definitely not for oily skin
Can feel a little tacky without powder or when first applied.
Container won't travel as well as a tube or pump bottle.

I use moisturizer and sunscreen under the Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer. I have used a traditional paddle type foundation brush (Bobbi Brown), Beauty Blender Sponge, Shiseido foundation brush and fingers. By far the Shiseido foundation brush works the best. After applying, I use the BB sponge (damp) and lightly tap it over my face to make sure it is pressed in and blended perfectly.

I use my bigger fluffy powder brush to apply a very small amount of powder. I like using the Smashbox Halo powder in yellow.

The coverage is excellent. I never use a powder on any other foundation. I find it only emphasizes any dry spots. This foundation is so moisturizing that it doesn't emphasize any dry areas. The powder sets the foundation and keeps it from feeling tacky. I would not recommend it for anyone with oily skin. I usually blot around my nose once through the day. No touch ups are required. I have gotten 14 hours of wear in the foundation. I absolutely love it and highly recommend for anyone with dry skin who wants decent coverage. I have pink/light red areas on my cheeks and nose. This completely covers it, it I don't feel like I am wearing a mask.

unlike other comments I really like the container, I think it looks classy and bulky which I like its a statement jar - simple & elegant. I have oily skin, I was worried on the first day I applied it that it would look awful on my skin but I gave the tester a go. I wore it for a few days, the first day it looked like a mess as I'd applied to much making it break apart in areas. I feel the colour is true to my tone although when applied it seems to go alot lighter? I love this foundation for my oily skin in the winter, I feel drying products made for oily skin make my skin more oily because its too dry; this however gave me a wonderful glow that didn't look greasy at the end of the day. It does transfer and I did have to apply powder on my chin and nose throughout the day or I'd look really shiny. Estée Lauder double wear lasted great although I felt it didn't look natural. This covers all of my spots and acne, and acne scarres perfecty. It doesn't glide on!!! you really have to work it in to the skin or it will cake up. I use my fingers and work fast, I find dabbing it instead of rubbing it into the skin gives a fuller coverage. I wear this everyday for work because I feel confident it won't dry my skin but won't make me look like an oily mess after a few hours. I love the finish of the foundation although I hate the texture it feels so thick, I can still feel it on my face BUT it's a small sacrifice when it makes u look flawless without acne. The make up artist said it can work on oily skin when a primer is used and powder is used on top. I couldn't wear this without powder as I am definate it would melt of my face. My partner thinks it looks so natural and not "fake". Looks wonderful but under bright shop lights and up close my spots are visible and when applied in a rush it looks Cakey and sometimes enhances my imperfections. I won't use this in the summer, but in the winter it keeps my oil at bay as my skin feels it doesn't need to produce oil as it hydrated throughout the day. I try my hardest not to touch my face as it doesn't seem to dry..even with powder. This foundation takes practice to get the application just right to make it look good if not then it will look crapp. If you want a quick fix and don't want to spend a while applying it then dont go for it. I wouldn't use a brush or sponge with this foundation as its thick it can easily clog the pores, it glides over with fingers and looks great. It is expensive yes, but you get what you pay for and because its think and will only wear in winter it's worth every penny. Used with Lm primer and powder it looks good. I hope oily skin types aren't put of by the amount of dry skined reviewers. continued >>

I am exactly the opposite of the last review. This is probably the best foundation I have ever used. The color is perfect and does not look heavy. You need to apply this with your fingertips after you warm it up on your hand. It does not oxidize on me. Maybe if you use this with oily skin I could see this happening, but it is not for that type of skin.I have normal to dry. Slightly oily around my t-zone. It does not settle into my pores as the day goes on. It may if you apply too much. I use this over the Laura Mercier radiance primer, which makes this foundation look beautiful or the Smashbox primer which also works great. I just think you have to know how to use this foundation the right way or have the right type of skin for it. Laura Mercier's foundations seem to look closer to actual skin color than most other foundation brands that always add too much pink. This is a great product!

I have combination skin, no breakouts, no potmarks. This product is great, dewy, creamy, when first applied. Color is also true when freshly applied. Unfortunately, after 3 or 4 hours, foundation oxidizes and darkens a shade or two, looks cakey, and the best fix I've found is to wash my face and start fresh. While cakey, it also magnifies pores, not really visible prior to applying the foundation. For the price and limited time of wear where it looks good, I would not recommend it.

I was looking around at the different makeup counters in the mall last year, had never of Laura Mercier products but decided to get a foundation demo and the girls at the counter talked me into trying this. I've been an avid MAC wearer for many years, but MAC foundation compacts do get used up rather quickly and this seemed like I would be getting a lot of product for the money. I purchased in an ivory color. Right away, I found it difficult to apply with a sponge due to the packaging which I don't like at all. Also, it was very uneven looking on my face. My blush brush would drag or get stuck in the gooy residue. It just didn't look good at all. In fact, I bought a mineralized foundation at CVS and ended up using it over this last summer. I finally used up the Laura Mercier in the fall, I made myself use it since it was so expensive but I didn't like it, hard to blend, unpleasant odor, uneven finish, bad packaging for easy use. I will not re-buy. In fact, I don't know that I would be interested in trying any of their products at this point.

I bought this in warm ivory, to use only on my cheeks, which are very dry and dehydrated, unlike my t-zone, which is oily. I just found the texture to be too thick, and though I tried mixing it with argan oil, maracuja oil or primer, this was not only messy, but it was an awful lot of work trying to make a $50 foundation into something that suited my needs. Even after mixing it, I wasn't finding the results to be great--my blush didn't go on evenly, and I was seeing some blackheads and small pustules on my cheeks. It wasn't a difficult decision to return it.

I really like this foundation. I need very heavy coverage so I use concealer first, then apply this foundation all over my face. I only need maybe the size of a dime to cover my whole face. Most people may use a brush or a sponge, but I prefer to just use my hands. It is my exact color match and I love the consistency of the product. I think the only complaint I would have is that it doesn't stay on all day and sometimes it makes my skin appear oilier than it really is. I like that it gives me that dewy look when applied and lasts most of the day. I will keep repurchasing.

I have tried every high end foundation there is, and this one is by far the best! I love the way it looks and the MUA was super helpful and nice. If you have dry skin like me it is worth trying. It is really great and I love it!

Medium-full coverage that covers dark spots and looks completely natural? Check. Non-caking? Check. Doesn't highlight pores or get greasy midday? Check! Matte satiny creamy finish? Check. cannot articulate how perfect this is for dry skin. I have recently road tested and dismissed from consideration the following medium full foundations because they basically don't feel natural and dont meet my minimum above mentioned criteria: after application : LM silk creme, Clarins, Ysl, Guerlain, Smashbox and Eldw. Dry skinned girls - a damp beauty blender or finger is best way to go ver worth the higher price. Less than half the size of a pea is all you need so the small jar should last a long time. HG