Monday, June 2, 2014

Mercier Mondays #1 // Tinted Moisturizer and Foundation Primer

To kick off my June Mercier Mondays series, I thought it appropriate to discuss the first products I ever purchased from the brand: the tinted moisturizer and foundation primer.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Foundation Primer - Currently working through Sephora deluxe sizes - a little goes a long way!
Currently working through Sephora deluxe sizes - a little goes a long way!
Laura Mercier is known for their "flawless face" technique, and their cult-favorite tinted moisturizer is part of the flawless face line up. While there are 4 variations to choose from (illuminating, oil-free, crème compact, and regular) all are packed with broad spectrum SPF 20. The regular version (in the shade nude) remains my favorite across not only Laura Mercier's product lineup, but across the product lineup of any brand out there. It is indeed my holy grail foundation.

Rarely do I wear full coverage foundation. I'm quite pleased with my skin and though I wouldn't consider it perfect, I do like to let it show through rather than cover it up. More often than not, I opt for sheer coverage products, so I most often reach for a tinted moisturizer as my base.

Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer delivers the sheer coverage I'm looking for without ever being cakey or heavy. It is easily buildable if you desire another layer of coverage and blends with ease. While most products with SPF can give off that sunscreen smell, this tinted moisturizer has no detectable scent. It never clings to dry patches, living up to its duties as a moisturizer, and I sometimes reach for this product for spot touch-ups when wearing other foundations that can cling to my dry patches. Best of all, it's great for quick applications if you're in a rush, sinking into skin immediately and leaving no evidence behind that you're wearing makeup while still blurring minor imperfections and creating an even complexion. So confident I was in this product's ability to give me a "my-skin-but-better" appearance, I wore it on my wedding day.

Before
Before

With primer and tinted moisturizer + minimal product (mascara, under eye concealer, eye shadow primer + neutral shadow, translucent powder, clear lip balm)
With primer and tinted moisturizer + minimal product (mascara, under eye concealer, eye shadow primer + neutral shadow, translucent powder, clear lip balm)
Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer was the first makeup primer I had ever tried before. For someone on a student budget, like I was when I purchased my first tube, it may seem like an expendable part of one's makeup routine. As I learned, however, a primer can not only aid in the application of your product but also extend its wear, making it a workhorse that earns its keep in your collection. There are a whopping 7 primers in the Laura Mercier lineup that go the extra mile by illuminating, bronzing, hydrating, or other functions, but again I remain loyal to the tried-and-true original formula. While you can apply the tinted moisturizer without the primer, the primer definitely adds more ease to the application and extends its wear time. The colorless formula also doubles as skincare, containing vitamins and antioxidants that nourish the skin. Because it does such a great job, I have yet to stray from this favorite and have never purchased a primer from another brand.

As a self-professed product junkie, that fact alone speaks for itself.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - $33

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Sunscreen - $43

These are not affiliate links.

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