This product provides great coverage and goes on smooth. I always wet the applicator...a dry applicator makes the product too thick (at least for me). The color blends well with my skin, and sits well on my skin as well. I've had problems recently with liquid foundations not working well with my skin as it has aged but this foundation is just perfect!!!

I love this product! I've been using this for years and my mom has used it even longer. The colors are tricky and I agree there is an orange undertone to some of the colors. Porcelain and ivory work well for me without orange. I admit that I do not like this as well in humid weather because it feels too heavy but if you want coverage you will not find a better product. I have tried them all. I like the cream foundations and I like the portability. I must admit I have a big supply and have not experienced the new packaging yet. The old packaging is worth the price it lasts forever as alittle of this stuff goes a long way.

I don't know what has happened to Merle Norman. I used to love their color match. Lately everything seems to pull pink or so neutral it washes me out. I explained my skin in great detail to the SA. Explained I like full coverage and need my makeup to stay put. This is what she recommended.

This is the worst foundation I have tried in a long time. Applies beautifully. Within 10 minutes it starts to break down on my face and sank into my pores. I am not a lumberjack or landscaper, I work in an office and by 10am my hair was sticking to my face. By the end of the day I was a greasy, spotty mess. I tried this over a week with different primers, moisturizers, setting powders, etc. to no avail. It transferred to everything and completely wore off where my sunglasses touched my face. The final straw was a nasty breakout. To top it off the owner of the store is hassling me about returning this.

I am officially done with Merle Norman. There are so many good options these days and much better values. Although they do have lovely color products, they are overpriced. There are a ton of places such as Dillard's and Sephora that give you samples, coupons, lots of freebies, and more than one person manning the store.

Love this product. It gives the best coverage of any foundation I've ever used. Covers alot of skin discolorations. Last's all day also.

About 3 months ago, I had the bright idea to try the OCM. Let's just say it was not for me...as in it gave me worse acne than I've ever had. Ever. I was using Benefit's Hello Flawless foundation when my skin was at its worst, but the shade became too dark for me the farther into winter it got. So I went to our local MN and picked up some of this stuff in 'Ivory' as well as the coverup. The foundation has GREAT coverage. So much so that it can look like you're wearing a mask. Also, the shades tend to have a little bit of a red/terra cotta tinge to them. It wouldn't be too terrible if I wasn't super pale, but the red undertones just showed up too much on my face. The coverage was great for my acne, but I didn't like wearing a 'mask'. This would probably be great for darker-complected gals!

tried this product after cargo and let me tell you all their colors run on the pink side. this creme to powder was nnot good. i live in texas therefor its humid all day this product only lasted 4 hours before the oil broke through on my nose. i did not use a primer with it but when i put this product on my face i had to rub it in extremely well or else it looked like a mask. it did not break me out at all overy all it had a satin look to it.

Summer is over and my skin is getting drier already, so after trying a few fancy foundations I went back to good old Merle Norman. I've used their Powder Base foundation on and off for 30 years, but decided to also try the Total Finish since some of the reviews say it's actually more moist than powder base.

I don't like a heavily made up look, so I applied a small amount with a damp sponge and was able to easily spread it all over my face. I used a damp foundation brush to get around eyes and nose, then I patted it in with my fingers to melt it in. I can still see my skin through it, but it looks much better. There's really no need for additional concealer, because this stuff will cover anything. It feels very good on my dry skin, and I love that the main ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. They were probably the first to use minerals! It must offer sun protection, even though there's no SPF listed.

I am using "Porcelain." It looks very dark in the pan and even darker on the sponge, but goes on the skin like porcelain -- a light shade that blends perfectly with my skin. I've never had trouble with any Merle Norman foundations turning orange, etc. And btw, I have the "old style" packaging. I don't know if they responded to consumer complaints and went back to the old compacts or if the store in my area still has the older ones laying around, but there's plenty of product and it's in a nice, flat compact. I am pretty sure that I can put this in my carryon without having to put it aside as a liquid or gel while traveling, which is important to me.

This is a Phonemail product! I only have one problem I've used this products forever and they chabged the packaging but they said they are going to re deepened the pan! But other than that it hydrates my dry patches and doesn't enlarge my pores!! It's very full coverage a little goes a long way!!! All in all its an amazing foundation!

why did merle norman change its best product, smaller amount and bad compact. has anyone else noticed this. it does not last any time, the old beige compact had more in it and the compact was easier to use. Bad decision, merle, I am looking for a new product and have used total finish since the 1960's. SAD!!

I love this product. I am fair as can be in the winter and get pretty dark in the summer. I lay in the tanning bed. I wear NW30 in mac in the summer and Im not sure if i like the mac quiiiite as much as this. I wear Deap Neutral (C) in this in the summer and it goes perfect with my skin. Because of the heavy coverage you can apply, you can get an airbrush flawless finish even if you have freckles all over like me. For me heavy application still matches my neck. I had a friend in college who also wore NW30 in mac and this was her shade in this merle norman foundation. With this makeup my freckles do not exist. its great for going out at night but after awhile dont brush up on your Bf's shirt haha. In pics it gives you a almost dewy nice look so I feel it looks more natural than mac. Maybe you could say almost a cream blush texture as a foundation. I look greattt in pics with this makeup. It is a little much in the summer so that is why im going to try out a lighter feel with teint miracle from lancome. I orderd it in Bisque 4w but I hope its not to light. My Cousin wants this merle norman total finish as a concealer after stumbling upon it in my makeup bag..you can decide the coverage tho. If you dont want heavy coverage put less on if you choose and its only twenty bucks. p.s Alabaster Beige is perfect for me in the winter no orange..just great and matches neck
---I am wearing deep neutral in my pic on here .. I have freckles all over my face lol. (light freckles) ..hope this helped someone..I like details and color compares from other brands..that helps me