Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Medium Deep Review

 I've had this powder for years and years now. All the while meaning to write a review. I was in need of a powder and remembered this being a really popular one so I picked it up just to see if it's worth the hype and actually worth the $39.00 price tag. I don't think I paid that much for it. I feel like I paid $30. Price Jump?  I do see they have the mini now though which is a better price tag to just try it out.

Laura Mercier claims:

Cult favorite and winner of major awards, Laura Mercier’s “Best in beauty” Translucent Loose Setting Powder is beloved for its instant blurring effect, 16H wear and iconic soft-focus finish with zero flashback. Truly translucent, the #1 Setting Powder* is Laura’s makeup must-have to set and maintain the color of your Foundation. Exceptionally milled to deliver incredible staying power without weight or texture so skin looks and feels soft, smooth and flawless from day to night. It’s no wonder, 1 Translucent Loose Setting Powder is sold every 20 seconds!** In 3 shades for virtually all skin tones including dry skin, combination skin and, especially oily skin. 

Beloved for Blurring: 92% of consumers say the powder instantly blurs imperfections.****
16 Hour Soft Matte Finish: sets makeup for 16-hours of transfer resistant wear, with 95% of consumers saying it controls oil all day****making it the best setting powder for oily skin types.
Reduces Shine: 86% of consumers say the powder reduces shine throughout the day.***
Feels Breathable: 95% of consumers say the ultra finely-milled powders feel lightweight on skin and allow skin to breathe.****
No Texture: 89% of consumers say the powder doesn’t settle into imperfections and never looks cakey.****  
No Photo Flashback: take our no photo flashback test and say good-bye to flashback with our anti-shine powder formula!
Truly Translucent: 84% of consumers say the powder is translucent upon application for a naturally flawless look.****
Smoothing Effect: 94% of consumers say the powder gives a smooth look to skin!****
Foolproof: our artist-inspired “press & roll” technique ensures the perfect application every time, with 91% of consumers saying it applies effortlessly.****
Best Setting Powder for all Skin Types: oily skin, dry skin, combination skin

Does not clog pores. Dermatologist-tested. Suitable for all skin types, including oily skin, dry skin, and combination skin. Non-comedogenic. 

Three Shades for Virtually All Skintones 
Translucent: Perfect for Fair to Medium Skin Tones. 
Translucent Honey: Sets medium skin tones with olive and golden undertones. 
Translucent Medium Deep: ideal for medium-deep to deep skin tones. 

Key Ingredients
Vitamin C + E Powders: powerful antioxidants known to support a more even toned complexion overtime 
Botanical Blurring Powder: silky, finely-milled plant derived powder blurs the looks of pores and absorbs excess oil  
Skin Conditioning Powder: natural amino acid powder that melts into skin for an undetectable finish 
Ultra, Finely-milled Texture: becomes one with skin, without emphasizing texture, imperfections, or dry patches

*Based on #1 US Rank by NPD Group Inc in Prestige Retail, YE 2020. 
** Based on Laura Mercier US wholesale YE2020 
***Based on Consumer Perception Study of 63 subjects with Translucent Loose Setting Powder and Flawless Lumière 
****Based on Consumer Perception Study of 63 subjects with Translucent Loose Setting Powder alone

Made in USA

That's a lot of claims. I don't think I've used a product before that made so many claims. I know the translucent is the one that got the most hype but when I saw it came in a deeper shade, I had to get it. I didn't want to risk the chance of flash back or any white cast although one day I might pick up the translucent mini. That is if I ever finish up this container. Powder lasts me forever because I don't use it all the time and don't wear foundation regularly anymore. 

I really do like this powder. I can definitely see a difference between this and the cheap powders in the drugstore that always looks slightly ashy on me and made my skin overproduce oils. I will say the powder itself is a little cooler than my skin tone, usually it settles in as the day goes on though. This was especially helpful when I was wearing a very warm orangey foundation. It cooled it down, which was helpful.

I don't think it helps my foundation last any longer than if I didn't use it. I've tried it with various foundations and never really noticed any significant difference in lasting powder with or without this. 

I do really like the finish of it though. It goes on and kinda gives you a semi matte finish that maintains luminosity. I'm always impressed with the finish when I put it on. Some powders I've tried in the past have sent my skin into oil overdrive where I get even more oily after powdering. Not so with this. But my skin oils do come through this after a few hours and for the most part I think it just looks like glow-y skin. I like the effect. 

Mostly just on my on my cheeks and chin though. I usually skip applying this to my forehead because I think it makes my forehead look lined and aged. On the rest of my skin it goes on smoothly, doesn't emphasize texture and doesn't look powdery or cakey. It's just my forehead that I don't like how it looks.

One thing I really dislike is the packaging. It's a nice feeling little tub of product. BUT I wish there was an extra stopper or something to control how much powder is flowing out the holes. I traveled with the powder at some point and it's messier than it should be because way to much just sits in the top. For a $39 product, this should be better. 

It adds a little bit of coverage depending on the foundation. But not much.

My favorite brush to apply it with is a brush where I can really press it in. I did like it with a Beauty Blender too but it's more work than I want to do all the time with having to wash the blender afterwards. If I am already using it (depends on my current foundation) then I will use it. I really like the Omnia Angled Stippler to apply it. It's smaller and offers great control and pushes it into your skin. I don't really own a puff, I prefer brushes because they outlast puffs (better for the environment too!)

I haven't really tested it for undereyes. I mostly use it as an all over powder. I could probably use some under eye concealer but that's usually the skip I step. So that means I also haven't tried it for baking- which I probably never will be because I feel like that just dries out your under eye area and who has the time? Actually I probably do but you won't catch me taking the time to do it.

Overall, I really do like it. So far, this and the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural are the only powders I could see myself repurchasing. But I would definitely try out the translucent next time that way I can be sure it's not altering the tone of my foundation underneath. As long as my foundation doesn't run on the cooler side- this works perfectly!