Laura Geller • Balance n Brighten in Fair • Powder

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cewkittylover on 1/6/2013 10:18:00 PM more reviews by cewkittylover

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

I love how natural this line is! I hate looking like I caked on makeup and the Balance n Brighten gives my skin the soft minimum coverage it needs.

BUT, I noticed that if I happen to go over my face more than once with its accompanying brush, I turn orange. So I would purchase this again, but am crossing my fingers an even light color will come out in the near future, for the days where I need more coverage.

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knitsnbytes on 12/30/2012 8:02:00 AM more reviews by knitsnbytes

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I can't wear mineral makeup, tried Smashbox Halo, which is good but a bit drying. This powder foundation really does what it says--it balances and brightens my mature skin (not many fine wrinkles, normal-dry.) Fair works for me in winter, but it is a bit pale for summer so I switch to Light, which is a bit yellower and darker. When I put this on with a big brush over Spackle or a primer from DHC, my skin becomes even in tone, but not caked with foundation, which is a problem I have with most liquid fnd. It's easy to reapply and carry. For travel, I find this ideal as it's not a liquid and it won't spill or be an issue for TSA. I've repurchased about three times, so I guess I like it. It lasts a long time, too. Easy to adjust how much to apply, and I find a larger powder brush (not the retractable that comes with it) ideal for application.

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Miltonh81 on 10/23/2012 4:44:00 AM more reviews by Miltonh81

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is just ok, the ok is for that it gives a nice flawless finish but I do have to use it over a foundation, the b&b is not enough coverage for my oily open pored skin at all even with my primer. My main issue is that every time I use it my face and neck become itchy and I get red patches of skin I do have quite a sensitive skin but I didn't think that the powder would upset it. I rarely use it now and have switched to bare minerals which is a huge 5 lippies for me!. I think this would be a great foundation for those with a good skin tone needing a slight coverage.

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Prissbella on 10/17/2012 10:40:00 AM more reviews by Prissbella

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

BHT and parabens. Save your money and your skin there are better options than this out there. Check out wet and wild to get the same quality. Seriously can't believe the ingredients list in this crap. Back to QVC it goes.

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amymont on 9/3/2012 5:16:00 PM more reviews by amymont

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

After seeing Laura Geller demonstrating this on QVC I decided to purchase it in fair. I’m an NC15-20 and this product was way too dark and orangey on my skin. It went on easily and my skin looked good, although darker than it should. Being summer I could get away with looking like I had a tan. After a week of use I got blackheads, blemishes and then cystic acne. I checked the product ingredients. The fourth ingredient is Isopropyl Palmitate, which I found upon checking is derived from an ester of paltmitic acide (from coconut) and coconut oil is about a 4 or 5 on the comedogenic ratings scale. I thought this might be of interest to anyone wanting to try this product who is acne prone. I found this on checking “There are several side effects when using personal care products that contain Isopropyl palmitate. It has been known to cause acne, black heads and white heads when used excessively.” (http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/learning-center/Isopropyl_Palmitate) Perhaps daily use would be considered “excessive”. I checked other Laura Geller products and they also have isoproply palmitate high up on the ingredient list, so unfortunately I won’t be using any more Laura Geller products. Laura Geller was enthusing about all the “good ingredients” in her products and talking about how much care goes into developing them. Some of her ingredients are good but I wish she had used something other than Isopropyl palmitate as there's a lot of people who get blackheads and blocked pores.
Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), BHT.

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zissel on 7/23/2012 5:34:00 PM more reviews by zissel

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Sensitive, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Not nice at all. Not enough pigment made my face look dirty.

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jiller777 on 6/29/2012 4:21:00 PM more reviews by jiller777

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I own bare mins, smashbox halo powder foundation and both are really nice. I got this and love it ! I usually wear it over Origins Vitazing which is a moisturizer that has mangosteen, so it loks like tinted moisturizer, without the "tinted greasy feeling" Amazing if your on the go and just need some decent coverage. I personally love to use it "sparingly" as a setting powder of my foundation. It totally gives you an airbrushed look of perfection. Im not one for FULL coverage liquid foundations, cus my skin is in pretty good shape, but pairing with a lite coverage foundation and using this to set it, AMAZING. Routine: Moisturizer Estee Luader Day Wear, Primer/benfit porefessional, Estee Luader DW "Light" and a light dusting of the "Light shade" in the LG B&B. I use a small kabuki or powder brush. Leaves u with an amazing finish, radiant, non cakey, FLAWLESS !

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*TOP REVIEWER* BigEars on 6/9/2012 7:43:00 PM more reviews by BigEars

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

When I read some of the reviews I think that some folks have bought the wrong colour. If like me you are super pale get the PORCLAIN. This has a mix of cream, pink and pale tan that goes on great without streaking. I am now so old that I rarely get spots but casting my mind back to when I did, I would have needed a concealer under this product. I much prefer the baked consistency to Bare Minerals which tends to be so messy to use, I have to make-up before I dress. Also the BnB has a matte finish while the others tend to be too shiny and go oily in the heat. I got a free brush with this and I love the fact that it retracts and so stays clean.

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heatherrose20 on 6/1/2012 4:38:00 PM more reviews by heatherrose20

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I heard a lot about Laura Geller products from YouTube beauty gurus and decided to give this a try. I bought the balance-n-brighten in fair and I absolutely love it, especially paired with the bronze-n-brighten, also in fair. The balance-n-brighten is matte and has a mix of pale beiges with some bronze and yellows. I use it as a setting powder over my concealer. I don't use it over my entire face because I would lose that dewy look if I put this on all over. It works great as a setting powder, doesn't look cakey, and doesn't settle into fine lines. Just don't go overboard with the application, otherwise you might get some cakiness. Overall, love the Laura Geller baked collection, and definitely recommend it.

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snugsmontreal on 3/15/2012 9:51:00 PM more reviews by snugsmontreal

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

pros: smooth, pretty, convenient packaging, nice finish (matte)
cons:orange, NOT fair, expensive, cystic acne? (my sister, not myself)

so i got this from my sister who bought it and it gave her cystic acne. while this did not give me any acne of any kind, this is so dark i could use it to contour practically! it is fair my NO stretch of the imagination, i look like i'm wearing bronzer. the coverage would be light/med it does leave a nice matte finish without being flat. if this came in an actual fair color maybe i would consider it but the fair color as it is now is not fair and not flattering. blonde hair/blue eyes/freckles beware...this is not for you way too dark.

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CallieIsHere on 9/21/2011 1:14:00 PM more reviews by CallieIsHere

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I'm sorry, Laura, but I don't think I would buy this again. While it looks natural, it's too orange for my fair skin. I'm trying to use just the sections that don't have the darker marbling, but why should I have to do that?
It does a fabulous job for coverage, that's why I'm giving it a 3.. but again, it's simply too orange.. )=

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*TOP REVIEWER* Merrydothe on 8/22/2011 3:45:00 PM more reviews by Merrydothe

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Laura Geller's Balance and Brighten showed very good promise when I first tested it. The packaging is simple but cute and the product is very cool looking the pan. My personal pan was swirled with a pink to neutral tan, white and yellow. When the colors are all swirled together, the result is about an NC20; which was my first problem (I'm very NW20). This stuff is pretty yellow. Fine whatever, I can work with that. The coverage is light to medium, which is totally fine with me and I prefer that. Its totally build-able. I applied with my e.l.f Complexion Brush. After a few days of wear, I noticed big hurty pimples popping up. This was the only thing I'd changed so it must be the culprit. Its a shame because I did like it even though it was a bit yellow for me. I'm sure this would be incredible on someone who isn't as breakout prone as I. Back to LM Mineral Powder. :)

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tweety1973 on 7/3/2011 4:29:00 PM more reviews by tweety1973

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

"This is a product I didn't think would ever be anything special, but I was however intreasted how many positive review and was Intrigued into finding out why it was such an amazing product I am a fan of bare minerals and love the way it feel on my skin and looks but by the end of the day need refreshing, I bought this product and was shocked at the results I got from them it went on like a dream and the compact is so much easy than bare escentuals and at the end of the day it looked as fresh as it did when I put it on in the morning , the way I put the foundation on is with my handy kabuki brush from bare escentuals so quick and easy I use a very small amount and I buff into the skin , I don't think I will ever go back to bare minerals except for there mineral veil looks gorgeous with this make up thank you Laura geller you truly are amazing x

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msmommarn on 5/22/2011 12:11:00 PM more reviews by msmommarn

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

At first I felt this was going to work like any other pressed powder. What you must know that this is not a pressed powder. It is a medium to full coverage foundation. This is a product that starts its life as a liquid and is baked.
Applied with a kabuki brush and concealer brush, this stuff has great coverage. Very light feeling. Every time I put it on I feel naked as though I forgot foundation. I check the mirror and see a super nice matte finish that evens skin tone and covers well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* angellove1705 on 10/24/2010 4:24:00 PM more reviews by angellove1705

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

First off the color shade on this is a little off. This is a little dark for me but I make it work with a lighter concealer. I saw Laura promoting this on one of the home shopping shows and I was pretty impressed with this. So I gave it a try. I am so happy I did. The first day I wore this my husband was staring at me and finally said how amazing my skin looked. I was so happy to hear that. I have really bad acne and it takes so much effort to get my skin to even look a little nice. This product does that. I use primer as normal and then a liquid concealer. If I need to I will touch up my concealer after the powder, but I usually do not have to. This goes on so lovely and it literally takes me no time to get my whole face done in a lot less time then it usually takes me with some of my other makeup. I find myself wearing this more then any other makeup because it is so easy yet makes me look so radiant and healthy. I am completely sold on this although I would love to see it in a fairer color, like snow white fair. I would advise to make sure you have the Retractable Baked Powder brush to use with this. I have tried other brushes and none smooth this on as well as that brush does.

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*TOP REVIEWER* harls321 on 9/3/2010 5:16:00 PM more reviews by harls321

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I have a light medium skintone and this was a good match however it does not provide enough coverage for me as my other powder foundations. It does nothing for my oily skin as I am always blotting my shine with this. I do like the finish since it never looks cakey no matter how much you apply. It also feels so lightweight, like nothing is on. I guess I will use it as a finishing powder instead.

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Allthatglittersisnotgold on 8/29/2010 7:33:00 AM more reviews by Allthatglittersisnotgold

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using Laura Geller products for around a year now and have used a couple of 'Balance n Brighten' compacts within that time.
I like the consistency, I think it gives great coverage for a powder foundation (and I have alot to cover) but, as previous reviewers have stated, it is far too orangey for my fair skin, particularly when I'm layering it! It looks fine when I first put it on, but then I get outside during the day and catch myself in a reflection and I look like I've just been recruited at Willy Wonka's. Apparently Laura is bringing out a 'fairer' one, which hopefully won't be orange, and I could wear alone without liquid foundation underneath to even out the orange, but this could take a couple of years to be released, bummer! Also, even though the compact is handy, I wouldn't dare take the full size out with me in my handbag, they're so fragile, they crack so easily (from personal experience) and make a complete mess, so I guess in that respect they're not that ergonomical. I actually have the baked to go version just for taking out with me. So overall I like this foundation, but I'd love it if it was fairer as unfortunately, I'm no umpa lumpa.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jarona on 7/21/2010 1:22:00 PM more reviews by jarona

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

Well..I'm a big fan of Laura Geller. I absolutely love the Baked Body Frosting--love it! I also love the Eye-Rimz shadow/liner--the pigmentation is amazing and it lasts and lasts. The eye spackle is amazing as well. I've watched Ms. Geller on QVC and to tell you the truth, she comes across as so amiable--I just could not wait to receive this Balance n Brighten! As I am very fair skinned, I naturallyl ordered the fair. OK--for all you fair-skinned, freckle-faced women such as I, do you have the jackie-O-Lantern syndrome like me? I'm telling you--whenever I purchase any foundation I have to to the orange test. So many products turn my face into a little oompah-loompah, jackie-o-lantern cutie! Same with eye shadows and lipsticks!
So I get this BnB, I practically rip the box apart because I'm as excited as a kid in a candy store. No sooner does the foundation hit my face that the orange-haze appears! Oh, I cannot tell you how beyond dissappointed I was..and I'll tell you, I was really upset at Laura Geller!
Yes! She is a make-up artist with a line of great products. Ya think after all the research she does that she would find a product that does not turn orange! Oh the humanity!!
I WOULD purchase this product again if Ms. Geller happens to come up with a formula for fair skin that doesn't turn orange. The baked body frosting doesn't turn orange--and I use it on my face all the time--so why can't a foundation have a similar formula.
Anyway, that's it. If your face has the slightest tendancy to turn orange please keep far away from this!

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Tralana on 5/16/2010 3:43:00 PM more reviews by Tralana

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Just like the last poster, I got this in the "on the bright side" collection from QVC. I used to use bare minerals, which was always just so annoying to use. Let me tell you..after using this, I threw away ALL my other foundations! This stuff covers like a dream, idk why ppl complain about the case, it's cute and all the LG products have their own mirror. I just use a retractable brush with it..I love it! And also, they're going to start selling the banish n brighten I think in July? It came with my package and it's a awesome concealer! The concealer and this foundation are my HG! Covers everything, even the redness!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* PinkLily on 5/12/2010 12:02:00 PM more reviews by PinkLily

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Love love love this! It is the best powder foundation I have ever used. I have it in Fair because I got it in a kit and they had only Fair available. I'm glad they did because I think Medium/Regular would have been too dark for me. I don't consider myself particularly "fair" but I think I am more pale than I think... lol Anyway... on to the review.


I use a powder brush and lightly spritz some facial spray on the brush and then sweep that over the pan. This alleviates any loose powder flying all ove the place and being wasted. (I read some reviews - I can't remember if it was on here or on qvc.com - that had complaints about the powder being wasted from merely swirling your brush in the pan.)


This powder sort of "melts" into your skin (I use it over either the Pure Luxe eraser primer or the Mally Beauty primer) and leaves a very nice finish. It's not shiny at all - but not flat matte. It's juuuuust riiiight. The coverage is relatively sheer. Sort of "your skin but better." I use a concealer brush and apply to areas that need more coverage.


All in all, I'm really glad I bought this powder. The kit (I can't remember the full name but it was something about brightening) was probably not worth it but this powder is 100%.


My only complaint is that the packaging looks cheap. But that's not a big deal to me. I'm not using this for touchups in public, so I don't care that much.


I wish I had known about this powder and had bought loads when it was on sale at Sephora. Oh well.

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