Because there is nothing that excites us more than a new foundation formula
Foreword
I feel like time stops when new high-end foundations come out; especially if it is a hot release from Laura Mercier. I have been testing Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation for a couple of weeks now and in today's post I am going to share my final thoughts with you guys. If you are curious to know more, then please keep on scrolling!
My Skin: light-neutral undertone; dry, sensitive.
About the Product
Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation (48 USD; Made in USA) comes in 30 shades (carefully split into warm, neutral and cool undertones) and claims to provide 15 hours of weightless wear, give you radiant finish, medium-to-full coverage and be suitable for all skin types. It is infused with natural, skin-loving and hydrating ingredients such as Silver Ear Mushroom Extract and Vitamin C.
Packaging: as per usual you get 30 ml/1 oz of product here, housed in a beautiful glass bottle. This packaging has that nice high-end weight to it, but despite its portable size, might not be the most travel-friendly option (I would recommend pumping it out into a smaller plastic container if you want to travel with it).
Formula, Texture: similarly to my favourite Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation (review here), this one has quite a bit of pigmentation to it, despite feeling uber lightweight on the skin. Formulas like this are [in fact] my absolute favourite - you can easily sheer them out or build them up to a desired level of coverage and they will still feel/look just like your skin. This is, however, a slightly more liquidy texture, which ultimately means that it is going to spread out easier than Flawless Fusion Foundation I just mentioned earlier. Both are incredibly similar in terms of coverage (not finish!) though. The new foundation has a very faint, hard-to-label scent to it (one that is going to disappear soon after you apply the product).
Application: you might have noticed a new sponge here; please meet Laura Mercier Flawless Finish Makeup Sponge (20 USD; Made in Japan). This little guy was designed to be used with the new foundation and unlike most rivals out there, it does not expand in size if you use it wet. It has a nice s-shaped curve to it, which means it is going to hug contours of your face better than any other tool. It is a bit firm to the touch compared to other popular sponges, but gets the job done in one go. Blurs pores, yet absorbs a bit more product than needed. If you like this type of [dry] sponges, you might give it a shot. Personally speaking, it is a nice thing to have, but is not an absolute necessity.
As for the application itself - Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation glides on like silk and blends seamlessly. Little goes a long way, so I would recommend building it up gradually. This formula does not lack in the coverage department, so you won't need a lot of product (especially if you prefer more of a light, light-medium coverage). It did not sink into my pores or accentuate dryness, but I would still recommend exfoliating and moisturizing your skin well before using any kind of foundation, including this one. There is nothing that saddens me more than seeing women try out new products on top of a "rough" canvas, if you know what I am saying.
Finish, Wear: as promised, this formula gives you a natural-radiant finish and incredible wear time. When I say "long-lasting" I truly mean - all day long type of a deal. Never feels sticky, tacky or cakey. Stays put and actually might get dewier as the day goes by; you can always alter the level of radiance by adding the brand's very own (and iconic) Translucent Loose Setting Powder (review here). Use a powder puff or fine brush, depending on how much you want to matte your base down.
This is your second-skin in a bottle. Looks great in real life, photographs beautifully as well. I seriously can't think of a single negative thing to say about this product! It is what foundation dreams are made of. Hey, I trust it so much - I wore it on my birthday.
Shades: while I applaud Laura Mercier for being inclusive and creating a well-curated shade spectrum, I have to say that this new formula runs a tiiiiiny bit more dark compared to some of the brand's previous foundations. I am typically using 2N1 Cashew, but Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation translates a hair more pink on me versus the same shade in a different formula. It still looks amazing, but if you tend to have issues finding your true colour match - try this foundation in person first.
Who is this foundation for? Normal, combination, normal-dry and dry skin types. Can work for oily gals (and guys) as well, but as always, do try a sample before investing in a full-sized bottle. Great for those, who love a natural/healthy skin look and crave something that is going to feel comfortable and last all day long.
Verdict
As a result, Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfecting Foundation did live up to its claims and frankly speaking - this guy quickly replaced some of my other favourites (which, in makeup terms, speaks volumes). It does everything you want your foundation to do: gives good coverage, feels great and what is even more important - looks naturally flawless. Unlike most "radiant" foundations out there, this one doesn't slide around or look greasy after 1-2 hours. It actually stays in place for as long as it is on your face, even if you live in a slightly more humid climate. Other products blend effortlessly on top of it and I want to shout my favourite Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer (works perfectly with this foundation) - if you haven't tried this gem yet, you are seriously missing out! All in all, I am extremely happy with my makeup discovery and give this product A++.
What do you guys think about this foundation? Let's chat some more in the comments!
More online: lauramercier.com or sephora.com
PR samples; full disclaimer here
