Makeup Review: Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15

I have actually purchased Laura Mercier Pressed Powder a long while ago, but the review has been sitting in my Draft folder as I constantly get overwhelmed by other beauty products...I personally think that wearing mineral makeup requires a quite a bit of adjustment if you are experienced with using 'normal' makeup products. The major difference I notice between mineral foundation and the regular ones is, you need very little mineral foundation to create the same makeup look you do with your regular foundation. While the mineral option could be wallet-friendlier in this sense, I will actually advise novice users of mineral makeup products to test out the items before they really wear it for a dinner or date. Another thing to note is, if you are switching to mineral makeup because of your sensitive skin, it's best if you can go for a makeup trial session before your purchase since some ingredients in mineral products, such as bismuth and mica, may also cause skin irritation (read more about mineral makeup and skin irritations by WebMD HERE).

One of the popular brands you may begin with is Laura Mercier. I realize their Mineral Pressed Powder has won quite some attention and applause online. Like most other mineral foundations, the finely-milled powder is very pigmented and it glides on effortlessly. It gives a refined, velvety finish with your pores swiped out in a flash. One important tip for choosing the shade - Always go one or two shades darker! Mineral foundations usually look much lighter on your skin. While my complexion lies somewhere between Porcelain and Nude for Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, the Mineral Pressed powder in Real Sand is way too fair for me (though recommended by the LM makeup artist...). So makeup trial is utterly important!!!

Despite the above rather positive comments, I don't like it! The downside of LM Mineral Pressed Powder is that it's not as water-resistant and lasting as it vouches. Here, I'm not so greedy as to talking about swimming with my makeup on, but simply a hangout on a sunny day. For me, it melted after like 3 hours, leaving patches after dapping dry my skin. The powder also settled into my laugh lines, very badly...a nightmare indeed...I also tried using it on very-moisturized skin, but apparently it didn't work for me either. I have combination skin and I'm 30. It's of course possible that the powder may last longer on normal or younger skin. So again, makeup trial!!!

Although Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (HERE) has been a staple item in my makeup kit, I kinda regret purchasing their Mineral Pressed Powder. To reduce wastage, I brush it on my neck from time to time when the weather is hot and my naked neck may end up looking darker than my well-groomed face.

My verdict - If you are fine with regular makeup products, I still find Diorskin Forever the best (see my review HERE)!

Makeup Review: Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15

Dermalogica has definitely got the right name for their tinted moisturizer. Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 is as sheer as it's named. It feels very different from Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (HERE and HERE). Comparing to Laura Mercier's creamy texture, this one is more like a tinted emulsion which easily melts and disappears on my skin. The Medium shade gives a healthy and subtle summer bronze, with a tinge of golden shimmer, yet the finish is so super sheer that you can't tell if anything's ever applied! It feels absolutely weightless while locking the natural layer of moisture in your skin. Texture-wise, it's superb!

BUT Sheer Tint Moisture doesn't go into my summer fav list for two reasons. Firstly, it doesn't provide any coverage, at least not that I can detect. But the golden shimmer does brighten my skin, especially under the sun. Although I don't have much blemishes on my face, I'm still more tempted by other lightweight products that offers a light coverage, however natural I prefer to look that day.

Secondly, it doesn't offer a broad spectrum of UV protection. With only an SPF 15, my face will only be protected for less than four hours, which means I either have to wear another layer of sunscreen underneath or I should make sure I won't stay under the sun the entire day. I do have other handier and more multifunctional items in my makeup bag...

Sheer Tint Moisture in Medium - Before rubbing

After rubbing

The verdict? Rather than using it as a tinted moisturizer, I personally think it's perfect for contouring. The subtlety, the sheerness, and the golden sheeny finish are simply alluring.

New alternative to foundation: Dr. Jart+ Blemish Base vs. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

I've been a big fan of the tinted moisturizers by Laura Mercier (See HERE and HERE). The buildable coverage and perfect moisture balance never fails to even out my skin tone and give my face a barely-there finish. But since Sephora temptingly recommends this Water Fuse Blemish Base (a.k.a. BB cream) by Dr. Jart+ (Hot Now Vol 3 video HERE - I couldn't upload it as it's only sent to subscribers and is not searchable), I decide to test it out.

Dr. Jart+ is a medical skincare/cosmetics brand founded by a group of Korean dermatologists, which I suppose implies that it's safeR for sensitive skin. The brand is steadily gaining popularity in Asia these few years (no official retail in HK though), and yes, it's now available at Sephora HERE!

BB cream has taken Asia by storm because of its light texture and the myriad of functions it serves, including the basics like hydration, oil-control, UV protection, and skin correction. Many of them also provide vitamin boost, as well as whitening and anti-aging effects...practically everything under the sun! Dior has just launched a BB cream this season, but its sold out shortly after so I haven't managed to get my hands on it. It can be worn alone or under foundation as a primer.

The many things that I like:

This Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Blemish Base contains natural water-binding agents, such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice; and citric acid, a natural collagen building and skin whitening agent which nourishes my skin at the same time. It also comes with SPF 27 (PA++). And unlike wearing a sunscreen, this BB Cream is not greasy or sticky AT ALL! In fact, it's noticeably more lightweight and it offers a better coverage than Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. Literally feels like my skin! Although some people really wear it alone, and I mean ALONE, I do set it with my Mac Blotting Powder. I detest any amount of stickiness and I also believe that the blotting powder can 'preserve' the look for longer hours. And at least for me, it does really last longer than Laura Mercier TM. It manages to stay put for 10 hours (the longest I've tried) without visibly cracking, sliding, melting, and going dull-looking! I MAY need to touch up with my blotting powder once. But it's good enough even without any retouches. AND what makes it phenomenal is that it's sweat-proof! My elevator happened to be under service today and I had to climb 20 stories to finally get home! And guess what?! The BB cream was still in place after gently dabbing dry my sweaty face!!!

In short, the Water Fuse Blemish Base is sheer and super duper comfortable for long wear...and a little goes a long way!

The only thing I kinda dislike:

It only comes in ONE shade...the product description says that it will only give a slightly fairer complexion, which will blend into my skin to give a natural brightened look after a short while. But I seriously doubt if it works for medium or darker skin tones. Laura Mercier TM in Nude is perfect for me, but I guess my skin tone is the 'darkest' that can 'naturally' carry this BB cream.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Oil free)

Although I recommended the non-oil free version of Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, I bought the oil-free version last Saturday because Porcelain seems too fair for my complexion. After using it for two days, I love the oil-free version even more!!! The coverage is just as good, and this water-based formula is so lightweight that it feels like my own skin! It's a must-have, especially for the lazy bones!

A natural touch for combination skin

I wear foundation whenever I step out of my place. I just can't accept letting anybody see my true haggard self. The most recent foundation I used was Mac Studio Fix Fluid, which I usually set with Mac Select Sheer Pressed Powder. But I look cakey with or without powder, and even hideous under the sun. I will review Mac's foundation in another entry. Anywayz, for better skin in the long run, I'm hunting for a lightweight product which can even out my skintone with light-medium coverage, and more importantly, can last for the whole day without much touch-ups. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20 (it's not the oil-free one) is my answer! I have to confess that because of my combo skin, I still have to use foundation fluid on my T-zone for better oil control and lasting coverage. But as the name has prompted, the tinted moisturizer really works like a moisturizer and I just have to apply it on clean bare skin - how easy! I do have a bit of spots around my apples, but this tinted moisturizer almost covers them all with just a thin layer. I don't even think I need to use a prep or corrector under it. It's very buildable, like lots of other foundation. I usually dab a bit more on my cheeks and chin to brighten the dull areas. My skin feels soft and looks perfectly natural and energized. Depending on the humidity, I may selectively apply some Mac Blot Powder or Select Sheer Pressed Powder on my T-zone, jaws and chin (with a powder brush). To add some natural rosiness to my cheeks, I use Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge 11 - Pale Pink. Dab it on your apples with your ring finger and spread the edges. The pink rouge will blend into your skin and become part of it, making you a rosy, innocent baby! =)