Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

When the name Laura Mercier is uttered, many people think of one product only. That product is the famous, award winning tinted moisturizer, a product that has many Allure awards and is a consistent Sephora best seller. I was first turned onto this product quite a few years ago when Jean Godfrey June covered it (and raved over it ) in her column for Lucky magazine. I was in college at the time and have never really heard of using a tinted moisturizer instead of a liquid or powder foundation. I was somewhat interested in the product but mostly because she raved about it and I love everything that she loves.

Flash forward several years and land right in the middle of a Laura Mercier event at their counter in bloomingdales. Since they had several professional makeup artists right there and no one was in line at that moment, I decided to take a chance on the product and have them use it on my face. I was a bit worried that the coverage just wouldn't been enough to cover my red areas since a tinted moisturizer seems like a plain hydrator that is spiked with just a hint of color. When I expressed this concern to the artist, she recommended that I try using a lighter coverage foundation and look at a heavier concealer instead of heavy coverage foundation used alone. She did my face with the combination of this product and the Secret Camoflage concealer and I caved and bought both products. And the matching Secret Camoflage brush. What can I say? Impress me and I am a pretty easy sale.

The Laura Mercier website gives the following product description and usage details. "Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer is a sheer, lightweight moisturizer with SPF 20 and a hint of color that can be used in place of foundation for a natural appearance while adding a healthy glow to your complexion. Moisturizing formula hydrates skin, softening and easing fine, dry lines. Leaves a natural, dewy finish. Features an anti-oxidant vitamin complex that acts as a free radical scavenger to protect the skin from even the most aggressive effects of the environment. Extremely long-wearing, stays colour true, and wears evenly. Add SPF and a sheer finish to the skin by mixing 50% Tinted Moisturizer into your foundation". "To Use: apply to clean skin and use an outward and downward motion - be careful not to pull the skin. Can be worn with or without Foundation Primer".

I found that the simplest method of application was the best for this product. I tried applying it with a sponge, thinking I could get it one like foundation. It just made the product streak all over the place. I tried applying it over another moisturizer, thinking that it would be twice as hydrating. More streaking occured. The best results came when I applied to it clean skin (using it as my hydrator) with my fingers and just blended it in with the pads on my fingers. Sometimes the easiest way really is the best way...

This product comes in two formulas, one that is oil-free and one that is not. I have bought and used both in the extra same shade (Porcelain - what else?) and find that there is very little different in the texture. If you are prone to breakouts, you might like the oil-free version a tad better but I experienced no issues with either version.

This product gave me even coverage and reduced the appearance of the redness in my cheeks. The use of this and a heavier concealer really helps my red areas without looking like I am wearing a ton of makeup or having my face look cakey. This formula stays on most of the day but does tend to sweat off pretty easily in humid weather.

The only part of this product that I'm not all that impressed with is the SPF 20. Tinted Moisturizers are not applied to the skin with a heavy enough hand for SPF to really even be useful in this product. It doesn't hurt to have it in but I would prefer a product with no SPF and then to add my own under it.

photo courtesy of Laura Mercier