I took the pictures for this review before Christmas, in-case you’re wondering why my hair has changed colour again. I’ve decided to review this now because I’m at the stage where I need to decide whether or not I’ll be repurchasing a tube, usually my reviews help me justify or dismiss potential repurchases and I’ve been umm-ing and ahh-ing ove this one!
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer has been a global phenomenon since the brand launched over 15 years ago, it’s a product that has satisfied the niche between barely-there and light coverage although personally, I’ve always viewed it as a sheer foundation rather than a tinted moisturiser. So popular has it proven over the years, that it’s now available in four incarnations: the original tinted moisturizer, an oil-free version, an illuminating version, and most recently… a creme compact.
It promises a healthy “no makeup, makeup look”, which to be fair, is precisely what it delivers. If you’re blessed with a reasonable complexion and don’t like the feeling of heavy foundation on your skin, you may have already fallen under this product’s spell.
I’ve always loved the fuss-free packaging that belies its £33.00 price tag. It says nothing about luxury yet everything about practicality and this tube has certainly seen better days after being thrown around inside weekend bags, handbags, and suitcases. There’s no pump to fail and no wide neck to dispense too much product, it just works as it should. You can tell that this has been borne from the brain of a working makeup artist.
Laura Mercier prides herself and her brand on a flawless skin approach, and boasts that this is their speciality. Indeed, some of the brand’s most cult products focus precisely on skin-perfecting. Refreshing, it’s not too often that a brand can actually live up to claims like this.
I’ve already discussed the coverage, which I’d describe as that of a light foundation. For my dry skin, the original formula works well for me… I can’t imagine really needing an extra luminosity that might be provided by the newer illuminating version of the tinted moisturiser and I’d rather not risk losing any wear time. If you have oily skin, I’d definitely suggest checking out the oil-free version as an alternative to the original as this one certainly doesn’t mattify in any way and you may find yourself blotting fairly often.
My preferred way to apply this is either with my fingers, or if I have a little more time… a dampened sponge. I usually break out my Beauty Blender for the job and enjoy the total control and buildability I get from this method. You can see in the before/after below… the Nude shade is slightly too warm for my winter skintone but as this is something I tend to use in the Summer (it also contains a broad spectrum SPF20), you’ll have to trust that the tonal difference is much less noticeable once the sun has put in a few weeks appearance.
Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer lasts well enough throughout the day not to cause me any grumbles but does need setting with a translucent powder in warmer weather. It’s a truly natural finish product with a little bit of a skin crutch for those of us with unevenness. It won’t cover blemishes on its own, and neither is it expected to.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (2.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%).
Other Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Peg-40 Castor Oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cyclomethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hexyl Laurate, Emu Oil (Dromiceius Oil), Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Peg-15 Cocamine, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Aminomethyl Propanol, Methylparaben, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Ascorbate, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben. May Contain (+/-): Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77019 (Mica).
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is available to buy on counter or online at uk.spacenk.com and urbanretreat.co.uk
As for whether I’ll repurchase? Honestly, it’s probably a little too early in the year to consider it and I’m so tempted by her Creme Smooth foundation that I’ll probably leave it for now.
Are you a fan of the classic Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer?
I think Porcelain would be the perfect winter shade for you. I’m personally a fan of the oil free version, it offers a little extra coverage.
I have been tempted by this for years, but worried a bit about the price. I might give it a go after reading this! On ‘good skin’ days I tend to use Dr Jart’s Water fuse balm over a serum, and pop a little powder over it, but it only comes in one shade which is a little dark for me in winter.
After procrastinating over this for months, mainly due to the price, my best friend bought it for me for Christmas and I love, love, love it. I tend to wear tinted moisturiser and concealer rather than foundation as I am at a certain age now where anything heavier tends to accentuate my wrinkles. I find this gives me just the right amount of coverage withouth having to use too much concealer, but not too much that it settles in aforementioned wrinkles. I also like the fact that it is SPF20 as I have fair skin and wear protection all year round so this is perfect for winter protection, although I may need to look for something with a higher factor for the summer. As I haven’t been using it long the tube should last me for some time and then I will need to decide whether I still love it enought to buy another tube but so far so brilliant!
This is one of my favorite base products, particularly under a light dusting of mineral powder. I remember reading at one point that certain shades don’t include the amount of SPF they’re supposed to, but LM said they were reformulating, so hopefully they’ve done that by now. I have very acne prone skin but I use the regular, not oil free… it’s funny but the oil free version has more ingredients that cause me to break out.
I’ve never tried a Laura Mercier TM, I’ve thought about it but never came around to purchasing one.
I keep meaning to try it, but always hesitate for the reasons you mention – they seem to run warm. I can usually get away with neutral, but a touch too much yellow and it goes to hell on my skin. Maybe I’ll give it a shot in the summer after the current brand I’m using runs out. 🙂
I bought this from HoF after having it applied without seeing how it looked once it had oxidised on my face.
Got home and my face was orange. It went right back. Shame really though, as it gave me the kind of face I’d always wanted..
I find them too pricey… I know Chanel, Dior are also at the same price level but still…
I’ve been using this for the last 5 years, gone through about 3 tubes so far – I am not super in love with it- but it does the job that other tinted moisturisers dont & it doesnt oxidise on my skin, so i’ve just ended up going back to it..haha
I have used the LM tinted moisturizer and I especially love it with the TM primer in Bare Radiance underneath for an amazing glow. I actually like it more than the Nars TM which left me orangey.
Love Mercier products. I’ve tried this one and loved it.