The only reason I started wearing liquid foundation was because all these wonderful brands started releasing liquid foundations that were lightweight on skin without wearing like a mask. Yet, so often, lightweight is equated with sheer doesn’t it? Well, this one isn’t, and it’s one of my favourite new foundations (I’m working on a new compilation after my Top 8 fave foundations – Next 8 favourite maybe?) with 2 caveats.
This new foundation is the Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation, which is such a mouthful I just call it the Fluide foundation. It was released early in 2015 and from online reports, seems very well received, and rightly so I feel 🙂
First off, the packaging is sleek and compact. If you ever want a foundation that you can take travelling with you or slip it into a slim makeup pouch, this would be it.
The formula calls for you to shake it up, and I highly recommend you get some elbow action into it. If you don’t, the formula doesn’t mix up properly and the product that squeezes out is thin and uninspiring. Shake it up well, and it squeezes out like a lotion.
Here’s the first caveat.
After you shake it up, turn it over and tap the top of the tube (screw cover facing up) firmly against your dresser top. If you don’t do this, the minute you twist off the cover, the product will explode all over you and create an unholy mess. Believe me on this one because it happened when I forgot.
So, this tip was taught to us by Laura Mercier Global Makeup Artist Benjamin Ruiz when he introduced this to us. After shaking it up, turn it over and tap the top firmly against a hard surface. This will resettle the product and nothing will explode.
But, even then, you will have a problem with the nozzle getting dirty. Not a problem if you clean it up after use. But once you’ve had the product explode once, it does leave quite a messy residue.
I find that the product has a light, slightly creamy texture and a little product goes a long way because the coverage is fairly high. I’d peg it at medium coverage so if you like product with a lot of coverage, you may like this one. It’s a step down and more fluid than the Silk Creme foundation but has higher coverage than a lot of other foundations I regularly use. So I tend to use just quite little product and sheer it out.
I wear Creme which is the lightest shade they have and it’s described as for very fair with neutral undertones. I have to say the shade is fairly neutral, that much I agree because the next shade up, Ivory, which I first tested had significant warm undertones.
Here are some comparison swatches with other foundations I wear and own.
In terms of texture, Laura Mercier’s Fluide foundation is liquid like Urban Decay’s Naked foundation but it has significantly more coverage. It is more liquid than the Silk Creme foundation which is heavier and more matte. Fluide Foundation is more liquid with a smoother finish. I also wear Diorskin Nude in 010 Ivory which has significant pink tones as you can see.
But here’s my second caveat about this foundation.
It’s not easy finding a shade match. There are many shades available and technically, it shouldn’t be hard, but I found it quite hard, because Ivory was a decent match, but oxidised and turned a whole shade darker and warmer on my skin. Creme is a better match, but it tends to be a tiny bit light. Over the day, it does even out, but on initial application, I do sometimes wonder if I have the right shade. I sometimes even things out with a dusting of a beige or slightly warmer powder to make it look better. Guerlain Meteorites in Beige is a good option for times like this.
Here’s how it looks appoximately on me when I wear this foundation. On left is bare skin, redness, pigmentation and all. On right is after a layer of just the Fluide Foundation in Creme. The shade looks a touch light, you may agree but it’s to do with shifts in lighting as well since I don’t have constant lighting.
In terms of coverage, you will agree that the coverage is pretty good. Pigmentation is almost covered up and redness and dark circles are neutralised. But remember, a little product goes a long way so I’d recommend using just a little to start, and build up from there.
I like wearing this one when I feel like I want a little more coverage, or when I want something that lasts me all day and gives me nice, smooth looking skin. I do find that I have to allow it to settle for it to look better so it does look better as the day progresses. It holds up well in our hot and humid weather, and I think it photographs quite well too, except that for me, I find it reflects a bit of a white cast. I’m not sure if it’s to do with the shade. In person, you can’t quite tell, but when I take pictures, then I do notice the base. Still, I like this one despite its pitfalls. It’s comfortable, it hides a multitude of sins and you only need a bit of product each time so it’ll go a long way!
IN A NUTSHELL
The Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation is a lightweight medium-full coverage foundation. You have to shake it up properly to ensure that the product mixes up properly. Then, tap the top of the product firmly against a hard surface so the product settles BEFORE opening the cap. Else, it’ll explode all over you and that’s an awful experience. Trust me on this one. The product itself is lovely. Creamy, lightweight, and offers good coverage. Shade matching maybe a bit of a hassle for those who don’t have very warm skintone though. It lasts well and holds up well in heat and humidity. I enjoy using this, despite my complaints and I have been using it fairly often because you only need a little, as it goes a long way!
PROS: Lightweight texture but medium to full coverage, Holds up well in heat and humidity without melting, Looks smooth on skin, Comfortable to wear
CONS: Liable to explode if you don’t tap it to settle first, Must shake it up properly so the product mixes up well, I found shade matching for neutral-fair skintones a bit of a challenge
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes medium to full coverage foundations but wants a lightweight texture
Here’s the ingredient list for anyone interested in what’s in this foundation.
You do have to squint a little, but I wasn’t up to typing all that out 😛
Have you tried this
I like this, I think it’s a great product because there aren’t many high coverage foundations that feel like nothing on skin. But I can also see how the messiness can get to people if you aren’t aware of the trick about tapping it to settle. So remember, shake, turn over, tap on surface. Only then open the cap and you’ll be in for quite a treat! 🙂
Paris B
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation comes in 24 shades Price: RM189/30ml Availability: Laura Mercier counters and (maybe) Sephora
If I use this there will be a loud bang every morning as I knock this on my counter top! Like how you put the tube amongst some rocks for the photo!
Hahahaa That bang you heard might just be me using this foundation! 🙂
This thing actually “exploded” on me too! 😛
I like how it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin at all. And it does look a tad better after you like it sit on the skin for a bit. However, it made my skin feel tight. 🙁 Sad panda…
Sorry to hear that – sounds like it may have been a bit drying for you. I had it explode once when I forgot to tap it after shaking but it does feel lovely on doesn’t it?
It looks really good on you, Paris. It might look a bit lighter in the photo but it still looks very natural on your skin. I find that even though foundations go on lighter initially, once they settle, they usually look so much more natural 🙂
Thanks Lily 🙂 It does settle into the skin after a while and take on a more natural colour – but I couldn’t wait before having to snap a pic haha!
I love this foundation and I found a perfect match for my skin tone. I think it works best for people with warm tones, medium to dark. The packaging is perfect for travel.
You are absolutely right about the skintones this suits, Esme. The lighter shades tend to be a bit “white”
Hey PB, I managed to get a sample of this. The colour was a perfect match but I found the coverage wasn’t good enough for my acne scarred skin! Like the texture a lot and it didn’t break me out. Oh how I hate my acne scars!
Sorry to hear that Monstro 🙁 How come I don’t remember seeing any acne scars when I last saw you? LOL 😀 The Silk Creme foundation does offer very good coverage if you prefer that 😉
Sounds just like what I need. But the explosion bit makes me hesitant. I just know that\’ll happen to me. Every. Single. Time.
Hahhaa! Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to remember to tap before opening the cap. But I did forget once too. Boom! 😛
I too have it and love it!
I have to say though that now that I have used it for some time it tends to leak less product when you open it. Nevertheless, I will try that tip, so thank you!
And yeah, while I aboslutely looooove the skin like finish and the coverage, I too think that trying to make heads or tails out of the shade selection is irksome! I am not 100% happy with my shade Macadamia so I will probably get a lighter tone when I finish it
Yay! Glad you like this one too 😀 I too am not 100% happy with my shade in Creme but the next shade up was just too dark 🙁 Thanks for letting me know it explodes less the more you use it – gives us all hope! LOL!
I read about the mediocre packaging in almost every blog post that reviewed this! I was actually pretty keen on trying it out until I read so much about the leaky bottle and I’m like ermmm… maybe not. 😛
haha yep, can’t sugar coat their packaging that’s for sure! It’s wonderful for travel though because it’s so portable and skinny. Once you get the hang of using it (the shake and tap) it’s actually all good. But maybe LM should think about changing their packaging to make it more friendly.
Having to remember to bang the lid to prevent foundation explosions may be too big an ask for me first thing! Shame, because it looks like a nice foundation
Haha it does get to be second nature after a while, but I totally get your point. Wish they’d thought it through better!
Think I am a little late on this one. A tip I learnt online for this foundation is to open the cap, use your fingertip (make sure it is clean!) and press on the tip while shaking it. No mess! Every drop of foundation saved! 🙂
That’s terribly clever Ping! Thank you so much for sharing a non-explosive way of using this foundation! 😀