I had been hearing so much about this tinted moisturizer, that I finally hunted it down and found a small shop that sells it last December.
My friend and I went to the store and asked to try some on, and we immediately went insane! Our skin looked flawless. We were pretty much broke by then, so the next day we went back to the store. I got the oil free version, though, because anything with oil makes me run for the hills.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – Oil Free is a sheer, lightweight, buildable foundation that can be worn by all skin types but especially those with acne prone, sensitive or oily skin.
Hydrating, oil-free formula softens skin offering a healthy glow. Helps to prevent excess oil from setting on the surface of the skin. Controls oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. Buildable coverage for those hard-to-cover places. Offers further protection from UVB rays & harmful effects of the environment with an SPF 20. Ideal for troubled skin.
First of all, I really like this product. In fact I love it! However, when writing this review, I made a list of pros and cons, and the cons do outweigh the pros. What I love about it is what the company said themselves: it is sheer, lightweight and gives a beautiful dewy, natural look. I also love how it stays on all day and the SPF is of course, a big bonus! One small gripe I have with it, is that though I love the ‘dewy’ look it intially gives, that changes to ‘oily’ after awhile, (though I think it’s because of the climate here) unless you apply a layer of loose powder over it.
However, I can’t really get over the price. This thing is expensive, and while I don’t use it everyday (or much of it each time), buying it here is too much. Since it’s imported, they have marked up the price and the only place it is sold here is a small boutique, which adds more to the price (from what I can see from prices online).
I’m torn! I really love this product but I refuse to spend almost $90 for each tube; I’m sure I can find something just as good for less.
Oh and just to add – one other con is that my friend, (not the one who bought it with me) who has acne-prone skin, broke out after using this. So for those who have a similar skin type, you may want to ask for a sample first to try it out and see if your skin can take it.
In conclusion – if you have the money and your skin is relatively good, I highly recommend this. It is a wonderful product! However, personally, I will be looking for a cheaper alternative (that gives a matte finish instead) when the tube I have is done. I think I would also prefer something more natural for the skin, so I will be looking into organic or mineral makeup lines. If anyone has any recommendations, please do tell!
Has anyone tried this product out? Do you like it? Does the price bother you or is it just me (and where I live)?
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Whoa! $90 for that sounds a bit too pricey to me. I wonder how much they’re selling this here. Hmmm…. Maybe I should go check out the price next time I’m at the mall.
I use Eucerin everyday protection face lotion spf 30 which is a really good moisturizer but it’s not tinted! I’ve always wanted to try a tinted one but omg $90! Yikes!
I could have sworn it’s about RM120-150 here only. Maybe you can check it out in Msia next time?
Monstro, thanks for letting me know! That’s way cheaper … I can’t think of anyone I know there so hopefully I’ll go there one day – will try to find prices in Europe next month or so. Hopefully it’s a little cheaper there!
I heard of this when I was in search of my own HG tinted moisturizer. Supposedly it’s the best one in the market, but it’s too pricey! I got the Shiseido Skincare TM SPF20 instead, for Php 1700 approximately, and I love it! Coverage is more than sufficient, and it stays on the entire day.
I do agree that $90 is rather pricey but the product sounds like what my skin needs. I would try to see if I can get a sample to try out first.
Kaye – thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t heard about that product yet, will be sure to look out for it the next time I’m at the makeup department. I’m very happy about the SPF 20 too!
Ruth – Yeah, try to get a sample. Though here it’s next to impossible. Ask them to apply some on you and then leave, don’t feel pressured to buy it! When you get home you can assess how it looks and feels after the whole day
Yeah!! Its extremely expensive. I’m currently using BB Cream from The Face Shop and I find that it works as a sunblock, makeup base and a moisturiser as well…
Nur, I have to get my hands on a BB cream… I have been hearing so much about them but I am so clueless on what they actually do! Have you written a review on the one you’re using?
Not to barge into your conversation with Nur, but I have tried two kinds of BB cream: http://chic2cheek.com/2009/01/skin-food-vs-skin79-the-bb-cream-round-up/
Kaye, barge in all you want
What exactly are BB creams, though? Anyone? So far all I can understand that it seems to be a blemish balm, so it’s like an all-in-one base?
You wouldn’t believe tho but my fiance is also using the same BB Cream as me. Infact, he’s e one who wrote a review on it -http://www.ilovelookinggood.com/2008/12/18/the-face-shop-the-skin-extra-bb-cream-spf20-pa/
Basically, BB Creams are all-in-one product. It also helps calm your skin aft facial, during breakouts etc.. However, this is from personal experience and I think like most beauty products it varies from person to person.
I used this for a while before I found something which worked better for my oily skin. This is pretty good, but I agree with you, the price is hefty. It’s more expensive than my usual bottle of moisturiser (I got it in M’sia for RM153).
Thanks Nur, I’d have to research more … I am so behind! I like that it has SPF in it, that’s really important to me!
Tine, what are you using now? I’m trying to find an alternative, the price is too hefty like you said. Been using powders all this while but I think now I need to moisturize my skin so I’m looking for more liquid alternatives.
hi there. i live in atlanta, ga USA and i must agree. this stuff rocks. i have found nothing better. i don;t wear much make up so i justify spending this much. it’s 42 us dollars. which to me is a TON and i have never ever spent as much. BUT i always get compliments when i have this on!!
sorry it’s so expensive where you are–
ps try to order it online and pay the extra for intl. shipping if they have it?!!
Physicians Formula has a line called Organic Wear that is supposed to be all-natural. The drugstore has it on sale fairly often. It’s pretty good- the only downside is the lavender smell when you’re applying it.
$90??? Where are you living and who ripped you off? I just bought this for $42 at Macy’s.
Hey Rachel – so sorry, I should’ve been clear and said $90 my currency… I live in Singapore, and I converted it to US dollars and I paid around US$60…
You’re lucky it’s so much more cheaper there!
Hmmm, this is like a really old post to be commenting on. hahaha. But I’d just like to ask, have you used TBS Skin Primer Moisturise It, or Matte It before? I tested it, feel real good. Just appeared in Herworld Beauty Awards. =)
I personally don’t use primers. Using my sunscreen as makeup base. But I agree with Nur, might want to try just using BB Cream, can skip every if you find the right one. My personal favourite is Dr Jart, though TFS has just come out with their Hydro Splash, which is only $24.
I didn’t know you live in Singapore! haha, hihi.
Fyi, I found a spree selling laura mercier products! It cost $71 w/ handling fee.
http://dooeyspree.livejournal.com/
hey thanks for the review im thinking about buying a tinted moisturizer but im deciding on what brand and what product. i heard alot of good reviews about this product including yours but it is very pricey and i simply don’t have the money to spend on this.
Oh my gosh! my guess was correct! when I read these parts: “imported product”, “marked up price” and “only a small boutique selling it here” I made a guess that you live in singapore! and I was right! haha btw I’m based in singapore too
and I’ve been searching this product like crazy then I made a research.. the boutique is in ngee ann city right? Actually today I was on a hunt of this tinted moisturizer (before researching it) and I stopped at sephora. but because I couldn’t find it, I decided to try their new foundation. It’s called light veil foundation. and it’s a very light, soft looking foundation. and has the same finish as tinted moisturizer only that it lasts longer. you should try it! I bought this in replace of laura mercier, and I ‘got lost’ in your blog while making a research of this product and I was like WOW! $90?? heck I bought this sephora foundation for only $25. even cheaper than that revlon foundation I was planning to buy! hehe sory for the lengthy comment. I was shocked by the price :p
You should really check out http://www.sephora.com. It’s selling for $65 for a full kit and only $40 for the larger edition. Free shipping if you purchase over $50.
I was at the Laura Mercier counter in Myer today and they sell it for $78, which is about $30 too much for me, though it suited my complexion perfectly and looked gorgeous, I really wanted to just buy it!, but common sense got the better of me and I told her I might be back one day with bigger pay check…
it’s highway robbery…
P.S it’s $AUD51.00 on ebay, I don’t know how much that is in Singapore, but surely better than $90?
If you are willing, we could do a stuff swap and I can include this for you
Hey Renee,
Have you tried mixing your mineral powder foundation with your normal moisturizer?
What do you think about it?
Would love a review on the differences in a store bought tinted moisturizer opposed to your own made one!
Really love your blog! Thanks!
So.. I’ve been wanting so badly to buy the oil free version (since reading your blog post on Laura Mercier months ago) and every once in a while I wander into Myer or David jones and squeeze a little bit out of the tester tube and dream of being able to afford the $AU78 they are asking for it. Until the girl whom I spoke to when I was last in the store recognized me and we got to talking about how we are both (coincidentally) flying to Europe in July and how I needed a new tinted moisturizer. So she said she could give me a sample that will last until around the time I fly out. She was going to give me some of the oil free in a small tub, but instead found a small tube (yay!) of the normal (non oil-free) tinted moisterizer and told me, that even though it isn’t the oil-free, it should last me about a month until I come in again and decide if I want to buy the stuff and that I should try it anyway and see what I think. And surprisingly, it’s wonderful! Even though it’s not OIl-free, my skin still looked great even after I’d been wearing it since 3:30 am and looked in the bathroom mirror at lunchtime! SO I am super excited about buying the Oil-free, because judging from how good my (oily) skin looks with the non oil-free, the Oil-free is bound to be amazing! I think it might be well worth the price tag.
P.S wow that was a long winded story. haha apologies!
Hi, i’ve been looking for this for months. where do you get laura mercier product in singapore??
I’m a big LM fanatic and I’m a Singaporean living in Melbourne.
Myers charge a ridiculous price for a tube of LM tinted moisturizer! (AUD78?) Sephora SG might carry LM but I’m not sure but if they do, they would probably cost double or triple the price in USA.
I get my LM fix on http://www.strawberrynet.com (free worldwide shipping) and http://www.kissandmakeupny.com (USD 9.95 shipping)!
I’ve bought almost everything that I need for my face now (TM, primer, lippie, blush, eyeshadow, loose powder, compact, secret concealer), gonna get my LM bath and body creme fix on my next haul!!!!
Happy online shopping, ladies!
PS : Asian ladies who are fair, my TM shade is ‘nude’ (if that helps!)… Sand would be way too dark!
Tip :
For those who have relatively flawless skin and need light coverage – Tinted Moisturizer is probably best for you.
For those who have slight blemishes (previous and existing acne scars etc), Silke Creme Foundation provides medium to thick coverage.
I have been using makeup for over 15 years and I have to say that LM’s products are nothing you have ever experienced on your skin! I have tried plenty of counter labels (not a drugstore brand user) but there is no foundation / TM like Laura Mercier’s ! Recommended to my sister and we have both found our HG foundation ! Amazingggggggg….
It’s pricy but it’s worth every squirt from the tube and I swear with the high quality product, you just need 2 tiny pea-sized squirts for the whole face and a little goes a long way!!! I”m definitely a convert for life!
Laura’s my new “BFF”!!!
For ladies, who don’t mind paying to look good, you won’t regret!
Hi Renee! I am not able to view your 33 comments..sorry for the trouble. Where do you get this Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer from? I heard its from Ngee Ann City..you know the shop name?
Aruna,
LM is available at True Colours in Ngee Ann City. Basement. Little corner next to Zara (where the escalator is located), just in front of the little alley that leads to the ladies.