Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder & Foundation Primer Protect – Photos, Details & Some Thoughts

Hello!

Laura Mercier has recently premiered 2 new products to add to their line of base makeup – the New Smooth Finish Foundation Powder and the Foundation Primer Protect. These 2 new products join the family of Flawless Face products, giving consumers more choice.

Let’s take a closer look at the new products, starting off with the new Foundation Primer Protect (S$55).

With the Foundation Primer Protect, Laura Mercier now has 6 different primers to choose from – the original Primer, Radiance, Mineral, Oil-Free, Hydrating and Protect. Foundation Primer Protect is the only primer among the 6 that is enhanced with sun protection at SPF30 PA+++.

The active ingredients in Foundation Primer Protect include Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone. It contains the same oil-free formula and has been tested for wear on sensitive skin.

Packaging-wise, it remains the same as the rest of the primers – a beige-coloured squeeze tube with a needle-nose nozzle that helps control the amount of product dispensed.

I have a deluxe sample of the original Foundation Primer and am going to make a quick comparison.

The Foundation Primer in the original variant has a thin, gel-like consistency and is almost a little watery. The new Foundation Primer Protect on the other hand is thicker and has a creamy consistency. While it looks much heavier in texture, once spread out, it absorbs into skin quickly for a velvety-matte feeling. It almost feels like a moisturiser going on and the texture reminds me of my beloved Olay White Radiance Sunblock – skin feels soft and hydrated.

One thing about the new Foundation Primer Protect – a little goes a LONG way. 2 pea-sized dollops are sufficient for face and neck.

True to Laura Mercier’s claims, the formula isn’t chalky and neither have I noticed any white-cast, with its “Colour True Complex”.

Next up, the new Smooth Finish Foundation Powder (S$72).

Laura Mercier actually created 20 shades of this new compact powder – in Singapore, 10 shades are available – #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 17, 19.
Let’s take a closer look, starting off with the packaging. It comes in a chocolate brown compact that flips open to reveal 2 layers – one for the powder pan and the other to store the sponge.

I was matched to #12 but I think #10 would be more suitable (the lighting in Tangs is tad on the yellow side so be careful, especially if your skintone, like mine, is really in-between shades).

The beautiful thing about this powder is that it feels ABSOLUTELY WEIGHTLESS. I used a small kabuki brush, as I do with all my powder foundations and compacts, to apply the powder and as it was going on my skin, I didn’t feel anything much. But I could see it blending atop the light layer of foundation I already had on and it felt so smooth and so seamless. It doesn’t kick up powder when the brush touches it (even when I press a little harder) and does not leave a powdery feel on skin. Just smooth and even – I can totally identify with Laura Mercier’s claim that it wears like “second skin”.

It hasn’t been that long since I received this so I haven’t been able to road-test it much – but I can say for sure that from my experience hitherto, it doesn’t break down in patches nor melt despite the oilies and perspiration.

Base: MAC Prep+Prime Face Protect SPF50 PA++; Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Protect SPF30 PA+++

Foundation/Powder: Shu Uemura Face Architect Smooth Fit Fluid Foundation #734; MUFE Full Cover Concealer #12 & #14; Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder #12; Chacott Enriching Powder HD (as a finishing powder)

Eyes: MAC Black Grape Pressed Pigment ; Too Faced Glamazon Eyeshadow; MAC Carefree Pro-Longwear Eyeshadow

Eyeliner: Kiss Me Heavy Rotation Liquid Eyeliner; Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink (lower lash line)

Mascara: Laura Mercier Faux Lash Mascara

Cheeks: MAC Fleur Power

Lips: Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Risk It All Lipstick

Sephora ION has a play area (towards the back) dedicated to Laura Mercier’s new base products. In addition to Sephora counters and Tangs Orchard, Laura Mercier is now also available in Takashimaya’s Cosmetics department and will have a counter in the soon-to-be-opened Robinsons Orchard in end-Oct 2013. You can check out more about upcoming events on Laura Mercier’s Facebook page HERE

Laura Mercier’s Global Makeup Artist Michele Coulombe will be in Singapore soon – Laura Mercier has several activities like Makeup Lessons and Makeup Shows lined up – details are indicated below.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week ahead!