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Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – Putting an iconic product on trial

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You know how each brand has their iconic product that people associate with a brand? For Laura Mercier its the Tinted Moisturizer.

I’d wanted to try it for a long while, but I’ll be honest. Laura Mercier as a brand is a little underwhelming for me so I tend to overlook it. One day however, on a whim, I decided to check out this iconic Tinted Moisturizer at the Laura Mercier booth at Bangsar Village II.

laura mercier tinted moisturiser review

Now I’m not a fan of tinted moisturizer because I don’t get 2-in-1 products. So why get it? You ask. My answer is that I’m curious as a cat and I wanted something I could take on my travels that would be quick to apply and not make me look too made up. As good a reason as any eh? 🙂 Question is, did it fare well?

My shade is Porcelain. I do find that it oxidises a tiny bit on my skin so although it looks a little too white when first squirted out, it actually suits my skintone quite well. You might want to bear this in mind if you plan to take a look at this one. The next colour up is Nude which applied a touch yellow on me.

laura mercier tinted moisturiser porcelain review

I use only quite little as I do not use this as a moisturizer, but as a foundation. In other words, I use this after I’m done with my day skincare regime. It is quite strongly tinted so it works quite nicely as a very sheer foundation – just enough to even out redness in skin and to even out skintone in general. I’d say its quite pigmented for what is a “tinted moisturiser”. If you like foundation with more coverage, don’t bother with this one.

For myself, I use just a dollop, spread between my hands and then on my face. A dab of concealer, a touch of powder and I’m good to go! Perfect for quick morning routines and for use on holidays when I rarely put on much makeup otherwise.

A 40ml tube retails at RM159 which is pricey but since I only really use a dollop each time, it can go quite a long way. It contains SPF20 but for me that’s immaterial as I apply this over my regular sunscreen. If you don’t like using sunscreen or do not use it (and if not, why not?!) SPF20 is better than nothing.

Pros: Light sheer texture, Evens out skin tone well, Only very little is needed

Cons: May be considered pricey, Should not be called moisturizer when it isn’t quite a moisturizer, May oxidise a little

Since this is called a tinted moisturizer, I wanted to see if it served to moisturize my skin. I will say that it does not make my skin very oily nor does it make my skin feel dry. In that sense perhaps it does help add some moisture to the skin even while acting as makeup. I tried using it in place of moisturizer but it does not work so don’t bother trying it. Its one of those products that straddle the line between skincare and makeup. I like that it comes in a tube with a nice nozzle because it makes it easier to dispense the right amount i.e. not too much.

So does it live up to its iconic rating for me? It works for me because I like something lightweight and it does not make me oily nor break me out and is perfect for those on the go. I however think this one works well for those who already have fairly good skin or who like something lightweight and sheer, because it offers hardly any coverage otherwise.

Have you tried this iconic item and if you have, do you like it or hate it? 🙂

Paris B

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 retails for RM159/40ml at Laura Mercier counters. The SA I had at Bangsar Village II was friendly and helped colour match me, even warning me about the slight oxidisation. I went once before but one isn’t as helpful nor as friendly as the other.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.50%, Meradimate 3.50% Ingredients: Purified Water, Cetearyl Alcohol (and) PEF-40 Caster Oil (and) POE-20, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4, Isostearate, Cyclomethicone, DEA-Ceryl Phosphate, Hexyl Laurate, Kalaya Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Cetyl Dimethicone Copolyol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Propylparaben. (+/-) Titanium Dioxide, Iron Ixides, Mica

39 Insightful comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

39 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. I’m looking for something other than my Revlon Colorstay foundation, and was wondering if this would work instead for something lighter. ^.^ But… the price… Should I stick to BB creams with primer instead?

    Reply

    • Its certainly lighter on the skin than the Revlon. You know how I feel about BB creams LOL so if you really are asking me, I’d say I’d use this and not BB creams 😛

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      • And so the broke intern has another lemming… ^.^ Guess I’ll have to say Bye Bye to my Call of Duty Black Ops (Non-pirated) ahahaha ^.^ Thanks for the tip, though.

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        • Here’s another tip. Go to the LM counter, get yourself colour matched and ask to try samples. This way, you’ll know if this is something you might like to use in future. Its a permanent item – no rush! 🙂 Perhaps if you really like it, you can reward yourself as a treat for completing your internship successfully! 😀

          Reply

    • Hey hanny, for a sheerer coverage of Revlon Colorstay, try dotting it on your face and blending it out with a damp makeup sponge (the wedge kind). It’s a lot more comfy and looks far more natural. =D

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  2. I LOVE EET. I think I might have gotten the wrong shade, though. I’ve stopped using it. Maybe when I tan up a little in summer, I’ll use it again. Like you, I use this as a foundation. It doesn’t break me out at all thankfully and the spf is irrelevant. I slap on another layer underneath 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks to you raving away at me lah… After checking the swatch in person, I guessed Nude might be too dark for you. You aren’t that much more tanned than I am I’m sure! Do you find it oxidises a little?

      Reply

  3. I love this product! Have been using it heaps and Nude works for me very well. Since I rarely use liquid foundation, I’m more than happy to use this as a 2-in-1 product.

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  4. This is the brand of TM I’ve forever been lemming, then put off for quite some time, then think of purchasing again! This brand just confuses me! Hahaha I want it it hurts, but when I’m in front of the counter, I would tell myself I don’t need it! hahahha

    Reply

    • I know exactly how you feel cos I felt the same way! Whenever I stand at the counter, nothing interests me. But I had to get this one after all the raves from geekchic and I’m glad I tried it 😀

      Reply

  5. I remember liking how natural this tinted moisturizer looked on you. I’d say its something I’d seriously consider using myself since I don’t like the added hassle of foundation. 😛

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  6. Pricey indeed. This is one of my recent purchases but I purchased the one in Oil Free (Nude) since my face is an oil slick 🙂 I am loving it, pricey but product is really high in quality 😉 And Laura Mercier brand is a very good brand. No regrets!

    Reply

    • I saw the oil free version too! I’m glad you picked out one that suits your skintype and that you like. You’re right – I have no regrets getting this one too as the quality certainly befits the price 🙂

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  8. I really do love the Laura Mercier TM. I use the Oil Free version in the shade caramel and it has been my HG for close to 2 years. It is light on the skin but provides quite a good coverage for everyday since I hate putting on liquid foundation every morning.

    Reply

  11. Hi! I love this product too! Am wearing it now. Bought mine almost 2 years ago, and there’s an expiry date of 18 or 24 months from the day you open the tube.

    I’m still using mine though and it’s okay so far. Not separated or smelly yet. I use it as a foundation. Mine is in Porcelain too but it’s the oil-free version. Think the price hasn’t changed in 2 years.

    Reply

  12. I have the oil-free too! Er, yes, it might oxidise a little. And I don’t think it is that long-lasting. But there is a magic to it that I can’t place – it makes my complexion more even and natural. I don’t quite understand how it works!

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  13. I love this! Makes my skin so nice and glowy. 😀 I don’t think I’ll ever go back to foundation.

    I use the regular formula too but haven’t noticed any oxidation. I have heard this occurring with the oil-free version though.

    Reply

    • Yay for another fan of this iconic product! I came across some complaints about oxidization but they did not mention which one they used. In my case, there is definitely a tiny bit of oxidization but its all good 🙂

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  14. I need to try this in Porcelain! I got it in Nude last year and hated it because it seemed so awesome in the beginning until I realised it oxidized after while, making my face look mismatched. Then I forgot about it and used foundation for a while because of some bad breakouts and skin reactions. Rediscovered it a few days ago and realized how glowy and awesome the finish is!

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  15. My ex-SIL gave a tube to me from a goodie bag once. It lasted ages. When it finished found out it cost RM199 for a tube! Did the price go down btw? I liked it but prefer something with more coverage, but it was great for lazy college mornings 🙂

    Reply

    • It was Rm199?! I don’t think I could pay RM199 for this item. Even at RM159 its already more expensive than many department store brand liquid foundations even if there is more in the tube. Its one of the best things for a quick “My skin but better” look 🙂

      Reply

  16. I’ve tried the oil-free tinted moisturizer and my shade is nude. I find it too beige and it turns dark pink on me, not really a good match but this was what the SA recommended. I didn’t find this item remarkable at all, just a so-so tinted moisturizer. I this our local drugstore brand of tinted moisturizer is actually better than this, but that’s just me.

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  18. hey, good review!
    So i have a question for you- is it necessary to apply a regular (non-tinted) moisturizer prior to applying a tinted moisturizer? I am actually looking for a sheer not-too-heavy coverage which is why i am looking to this product. my complexion is actually quite good (not oily and pimple-less) at all times. so basically i am using this tinted moisturizer in place of a regular liquid foundation. i read online that you can prime on your bare skin or you can prime after moisturizing then apply the tinted moisturizer. ahh so confused! Thanks xx

    Reply

    • Technically, the tinted moisturiser works as a moisturiser so technically, you can use it directly on cleansed skin. However, if you use it as a makeup item (as I do) then I use it over my normal skincare. As for using a primer, it will help smoothen the skin and help foundation and base last longer, but it isn’t necessary. It would depend on your skin and your personal preferences.

      Reply

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