Laura Mercier • Foundation Powder • Powder
(280 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.0 |
| Would buy this product again. | 70% |
| Package Quality | 3.5 |
| Price | 4.1 |
| Ingredients | |
jrbmua on 6/9/2009 1:29:00 AM more reviews by jrbmua
Age: 30-35 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
Skin: Oily
Color/Tone: Asian with slight yellow-golden undertones in summer & more on pale side in winter. I've been using No. 2 for 2 years now and have not had any problems with this product. My acne is hormonal only.
Have a few light post-acne marks - not too noticeable.
Good product overall for year round use - color, blend, finish, hides my blemishes fairly well.
I layer this on top of LM's OF TM...just on my t-zone. Mid-day I blot and touch up with this product...controls shine fairly well.
I use disposable applicators for this product.
Update 5/21/12: I no longer use this product. It is a great basic foundation though but I found a mineral foundation that is much cheaper, goes great with my skin, and has spf to boot.
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nina on 5/26/2009 3:02:00 AM more reviews by nina
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Black
I have been using this powder for over a year now. If you want a quick everyday powder, this is it! Like i said, it is good for a quick everyday thing, i dont use this if there is a big nite out, the coverage is just not enough. I generally have pretty clear skin so the light coverage is ok for me, i love how this powder is not drying even though i have dehydrated skin. Most of all, i love the fact that your face just look very natural in photos, NEVER white cast EVER! I would recommend using a base before applying the powder, i myself dont do that because my skin reacts to many products so i have to keep my routine simple. I would also recommend using a thicker sponge (like the shiseido ones) to apply the powder, the laura mercier one doesnt give as nice of a finish i find.
Im a NC 20-25, I use powder #1, i have used #2 as well as #3 before but even though #1 looks very pale in pan but if you blend well, the color is much nicer and verstile, i can wear it all year round even in the summer when im more tanned. #2 and #3 is either too dark or too pink/beige for me. Thumbs up!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* auburngal on 4/5/2009 8:49:00 AM more reviews by auburngal
Age: 44-55 Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
And I don't understand the bad reviews for this product. I received mine in swap, practically new. Color is number 1, which is perfect for me (I wear Stila IPF in 20 Watt or Shiseido foundations in I00 Very Light Ivory). Here's how I applied it: I always use moisturizer with sunscreen, letting it sink in (I have dry skin and rosacea). I used my Posh foundation brush first, then used the sponge to pat it smooth. I finish it off with my fluffy Sephora powder brush and a little more foundation, but I could just as easily used my Clinique loose powder to finish. It lasted all day; I did not need a single touch-up (remember that I have dry skin).
To gals experiencing break-outs: I hope you are cleaning the sponge with anti-bacterial soap often. As a scientist who once worked for Allergan, I do not see how a talc-based product causes break-outs, but I know that a sponge that sopped up oil,debris,and bacteria from your skin will redeposit the bacteria (and other stuff) back on your skin,causing break-outs.
One lippie off for the cost and the fact that you can't buy a replacement powder insert. Hope LM people read these reviews and take note. I paid $40 for my Stila IPF compact plus insert at first, now I pay just $26 for the replacement inserts.
Edited to add: I cut down a Stila IPF sponge; I like using this denser sponger for application as much as the foundation brush.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
faraK on 3/16/2009 11:46:00 AM more reviews by faraK
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive Hair: Black Eyes: Black
i dont understand why is this product so highly rated... it really dries my skin out, looks calky, makes my face look grey and dull. and its not cheap. will not buy this ever again. NARS powder foundation is similiar to this but provides the same or better coverage and is a better product.
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miszczys on 3/7/2009 7:12:00 PM more reviews by miszczys
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
This is my first review ever-I LOVE LOVE this foundation! It trully give you a flawless finish. Best stuff ever!! It took me a while to figure out how to apply it, turns out wet sponge works best for me. Just don't be affraid to really wet the sponge.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
kiune on 3/4/2009 11:39:00 AM more reviews by kiune
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
This gets only 4 lippies because I have to fuss with it for it to work and it only works for me in the winter time because of the color match (only no.1 looks close to my skin tone but it is very pale) and because of the application method. Here's how I do it. It's a great product. But I find that it will only work if I moisturize HEAVILY with a creme and then before the creme has set and absorbed fully into my skin, I apply this powder with the sponge. It looks super dry but I wet my hands a tiny bit and pat the fingers and palms over my face esp over my nose where it looks most dry and it looks like flawless real skin. It looks amazingly smooth as if I have no pores, and covers beautifully. It may sound like a hassle but it works well for me. So for all the girls who say this is too dry looking, just dampen your hands with water and pat the moisture INTO your skin and see if that makes a difference. It should, esp since this is a wet/dry product.
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snoopy126 on 2/17/2009 9:53:00 PM more reviews by snoopy126
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
My combo sensitive skin is quite happy with this product. I have shade WD 2. I like that it is oil free and I don't need to reapply it too often. I find it a bit overpriced though but finding a powder that doesn't irritate my skin is a problem for me so I'm sticking with it. The compact is off good quality but not the smallest and has slipped out of my hands a few times.
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anniemcleod on 1/20/2009 11:16:00 PM more reviews by anniemcleod
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I found the color and finish of this to be perfect as a dry powder over t-zone of my much loved oil free LM TM, however.... should have checked the ingredients before purchasing (something I have not been consistantly good at doing lately) as the main ingredient is talc - I have only recently researched and decided I don't want any products with this in. The pores on my nose became very congested after a couple of days of using. Because of the beautiful finish, I would use again but only special occassions.
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Crystalyze on 1/19/2009 5:00:00 PM more reviews by Crystalyze
Age: 25-29 Skin: Oily, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Blue
I'm so gutted this didn't work for me. I had high hopes after reading all the reviews but this gives bad coverage and in the palest shade looks incredibly chalky on my skin, it looked way to obvious and dull. Not worth the price at all.
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smallvillejunkie on 1/16/2009 5:21:00 AM more reviews by smallvillejunkie
Age: 19-24 Skin: Other Hair: Other Eyes: Other
This powder foundation makes my skin look flawless. My skin is far from horrible, but it's nowhere near perfect either. I have discoloration, and old acne scars. This, on top of my MUFE HD Foundation or Revlon Colorstay, evens everything out and just gives me a great glow. I have combination skin and I don't mind putting on a really matte powder, because my oil starts to show through after awhile and I kinda like a little bit of that dewy look. I'm an NC42 and wear No. 7. NOT No. 6 though, that looks greyish-red on my face. Weird. My only gripe with this product is how little of it there actually is! I constantly try to find other products that will meet up to this and are more affordable, but alas...I'll shell out the $40 for a great product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
CyGraham on 1/13/2009 8:48:00 AM more reviews by CyGraham
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I am very pleased with this foundation/powder in one. It's a little bit on the expensive side, but you really get what you pay for when it comes to this makeup. I use it with the sponge and wet it to apply as a foundation, then let it dry and finish as a powder. It has buildable coverage and it is really great to control shine all day long. I have this color in No.4 which is a tad too dark for me, but will continue to use until gone and then purchase No.3. It gives me a very clean, flawless look and it does not break me out one bit.
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Operadelain on 1/5/2009 11:48:00 AM more reviews by Operadelain
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Blue
I was a little unsure about buying this product because of the price, but I'm am SO glad I did. I've been looking for a powder foundation that could give me the little bit of coverage I need for my red-toned skin. I purchased this in No.1 and while it looks slightly on the yellow side, it is darn near perfect for my ultra pale skin. It may be just ever so slightly on the dark side, but that is hardly noticeable because I don't wear a ton of it. It helps to hide the redness in my cheeks without looking obvious. I've been using this a good 3 months and have not experienced a breakout from it which is a miracle for my skin. I will repurchase when necessary but it seems to be lasting me quite a while. I've applied it with the puff it comes with and a MAC 187 and both give a very nice finish. It doesn't completely control oiliness, but nothing does that for my skin. Overall I am very happy with this product and thrilled that I have something that evens out my skin tone yet still looks pretty natural on me!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
*TOP REVIEWER* oohollyoo on 1/3/2009 6:14:00 PM more reviews by oohollyoo
Age: Unknown Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
im not sure if i will buy this again. theres not a whole lot of product for 40 bucks. and the compact is fragile and the powder can break if not handled w/ care. i love no.5 which was a perfect match for my nc35 skin. med- full coverage but no matter how i applied it my nose always appeared shiney. not oily just dry but shiney and i was not satisfied and went searching for something else. *edit i used this for 3wks and had tiny little blackheads on my chin, cheeks, nose, and under my eyes. and i never had them before, ever!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
alicebignami on 1/2/2009 12:18:00 PM more reviews by alicebignami
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
Great powder foundation. It feels light on the skin (it is finely milled), covers well, looks natural, does not cake, does not set into pores/lines, does not give me any breakouts.
I pat it dry, with the sponge included, on top of LM Illuminating tinted moisturizer (bare radiance). In my opinion it works particularly well with the above mentioned tinted moisturizer, because I get a soft mat, not dry, not cakey finish, but I need to touch it up at least once during the day. The colour I chose is no.3 which is slightly darker than my skin tone if applied on a standard moisturizer but it looks right if applied on the illuminating tinted moisturizer.
EDIT: I bought shade no.2 as well and I think that it looks better at least now that it is winter and my skin is paler. It is slightly lighter than shade no.3 and not as yellow. I have also tried to apply it with the puff included, by patting the puff on the powder and then on my face and the result is very natural.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
pinkykathy on 1/1/2009 11:41:00 PM more reviews by pinkykathy
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Black
It looks really good. Coverage well but i think it's too matt for me. and it's too thick for me. The design for the package is not that good, i mean it's too huge for the amount of what you really have.
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Blondie4445 on 1/1/2009 3:52:00 PM more reviews by Blondie4445
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine Eyes: Blue
Ok all I have to say is this stuff is seriously awesome! I have been on the lookout for a good powder foundation with just the right amount of coverage, to wear over my LM Silk creme foundation! I don't know why I didn't try this earlier on! I have seriously tried almost everything! With this my face never got shiny I didn't have to touch up one time the whole night and it was on for seriously like 8 hours! this stuff beats out anyother product with its flawless look and perfect coverage natural and not cakey!!! I wear it over my LM Silk creme foundation and it looks flawless!
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chessablue on 12/22/2008 8:48:00 AM more reviews by chessablue
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Green
I love Laura Mercier in general. I think her products are beautiful and well-conceived and her colours are genius, particularly the foundations. I am so pale and really have trouble finding powders that look true on me. This powder was a HUGE disappointment.
The good: The colour was great.
The bad: The compact itself was clunky, which is really strange considering you only get .26oz. Nars gives you .4 in a package that's roughly the same size, while both Clinique and Givenchy give you .35 in smaller packages. Is the huge compact meant to fool you?
The powder goes on very dry. It blends easily so there are no harsh lines, but the dryness of the powder means it always looks like makeup, not flawless skin. I tried experimenting with different moisturisers, but it always looked dry fresh on the face. It clung to dry spots and within an hour or so, made me even more dry. As the day progresses, it gets worse. It seems to separate and just kind of sit on top of my skin. It pools into weird powdery zones and when I try to blend it back into my skin with my fingers, I'm just left with white streaks on my face. I couldn't wait to get it off at the end of the day.
I kept experimenting because I couldn't believe LM would put out something so disappointing and the positive reviews here were so encouraging. I guess this just isn't for me. I don't know who this would be good for - maybe someone with oily skin who needs a foundation to absorb and control oil? It's definitely not for someone like me, who has combo skin and just likes powder for its convenience.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
yaya21 on 12/18/2008 9:43:00 AM more reviews by yaya21
Age: 25-29 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Hazel
Ive used this foundation for only a couple days, so i will update as more time has passed. I was looking for a replacement for my studio fix powder foundation which wasn'y blending in the way I liked and realistically was not a great color match. I am a NC35 in mac and purchased the Laure Mercier foundation in No. 4 and it is a very good match. I also purchased the make up forever duo mat powder foundation at the same time to compare each. The make up forever blended like a dream and provided good coverage, but it seems my oily skin prevailed as the makeup seemed to disappear in a couple of hours. But i have to say in pictures, aside from the oiliness, my skin looked flawless, which it is not! I then moved on to Laura Mercier which I found to be a little difficult at first to blend in and that was my fault because I did not let my moisturizer fully sink in, once i did, the application was beautiful and just as seamless as the make up forever. The foundation also lasted my normal 8 hour work day. Yes, i have to blot, but that is a given with my oily skin. Even though i have oily skin, I use benzoyl peroxide products and salicylic acid products, so there are some dry spots that I have to watch out for. I am so far really happy with this foundation because it gives a nice overall appearance and lasts much longer than others that I've tried.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Kristy143 on 12/12/2008 8:53:00 PM more reviews by Kristy143
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I JUST bought this right now at sephora (after returning my clinique i put that money towards this after hearing such great reviews on it).. I heard even the stars wear this makeup! I was ALMOST going to buy the NARS foundation powder but a lady came up to me and told her she broke out really bad from it and i should try LM powder..... anyhow, i just put it on using the white puff that comes in the box and it looks awesome. it covers amazingly but looks like silky almost......and i dont have great skin so i need full coverage and i have very oily skin.this powder even made my texture of my skin look great. And even though the pirce is a bit steep i think it may be worth it?? so far so good........ . I'll add more when i wear this during the day and tell how it holds up. <3
*EDIT: Its been almost a week since i bought this and i still am amazed. Very very pretty powder , alone OR over foundation. it does an outstanding job at controlling oil. and the color is pretty much exact! no break outs. *keeps fingers crossed* ^_^
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*TOP REVIEWER* pmnixa on 12/3/2008 3:22:00 PM more reviews by pmnixa
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I had this in No. 2 and it is a bit dark for me so I got it in No. 1. No. 1 would be too dark for those with very light porcelain skin! I am about NW20 and I find No. 1 to be a good match. This provides a lot of coverage, but I still need to use concealer on some spots. The problem is you have to apply concealer first and then put on the foundation, or you will end up smearing off the foundation. When I first apply this I feel like it's looks dry, but then it seems to melt into my skin a bit after about 10 minutes. I like to use the enclosed sponge and use it dry. You could also use it wet for an even thicker coverage or use the pad that comes with it for a lighter coverage. The sponge works well to apply into creases, around nose, etc. This foundation gives a matte coverage. It is a little uncomfortable (dry) on my skin. I also find it doesn't apply well unless your moisturizer is totally soaked in. If you have any dry patches this will accentunate them.
One thing I would change about this is to make it a bit more "buttery" so that application is more smooth.