Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Temptalia Staples: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
($34.00 for 1.0 oz.) has been a long-time favorite for me — it’s been my go-to setting powder since I first started using it. It’s been used in over 70 posts!
The one I hav been using is actually a smaller size included in one of Laura Mercier’s gift sets or travel kits (can’t remember), but it was 0.33 oz., whereas the full-size version (which is pictured in this post) is a full 1 oz. It took me six months of regular usage to go through it, so I imagine a full-size should last at least a year with daily use or a year and a half with 3-4 uses a week. I just picked up the full-size during Sephora’s F&F sale last month.
I love it because it sets my makeup, keeps it in place throughout the day, and helps minimize oiliness. It never looks powdery, and it never looks obvious–it has a silky smooth texture as it is a finely milled loose powder that disappears on the skin. The soft, featherweight texture means it never feels heavy over foundation. I like using this with MAC’s 134 brush and dusting all over after finishing foundation and blush.
The only area this product could improve on is working longer than six hours – I do find a hint of oiliness starts to peek through by hour seven or eight, and I’m normal-to-dry, so I imagine that very oily skin types may find they need a touch-up after three or so hours.
P.S. — I recommend only peeling back (or cutting) half of the label, because you don’t need that many holes exposed to get a good amount of product.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! 🙂
- Product: 29/30
- Value: 9/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: It’s fabulous on dry and normal skin types, but it may not produce as stellar results on the oiliest of skin types. I fully recommend giving it a shot, though – one of my staples!
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 / MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 + LM Loose Setting Powder
Philosophy Supernatural Superbeautiful / With LM Loose Setting Powder
Well, you’ve certainly tested it long enough, Christine! LOL I notice you use it all the time. The LM tinted moisturizer broke me out something fierce, so I pass on this. I have the mufe hd and ben nye banana powder to set my foundation. I really wish for an awesome pressed powder, though.
I’ve been meaning to try this! One valuable point to make, too: an ounce is a TON of product! MUFE’s HD powder, for example, gives you .35 oz. for $30! My Sonia Kashuk powder is only $8.99, but that’s for .16 oz. So I actually feel like this probably deserves a 10/10 for value.
I was trying to decide between the MUFE HD powder and this, and I ended up purchasing this. I’ve never worn a translucent powder before, but I really do love it. It’s definitely worth the money!
I’m also deciding between MUFE HD powder and this, seems like lots of great reviews so why not? 🙂
You can find it at Macy´s ..(some stores!)
Hey Christine, are the left pictures using only foundation and right ones foundation+ setting powder?
Yes!
What’s your fave tool to apply with?
MAC’s 134!
Great review! They also have it back in stock at Bloomies!!
I just bought this last Wednesday since I’ve read that you have been using this for quite a while and I figured it would be good to try it too! But I have oily skin and your recommendation said that it wouldn’t be that stellar! So I got scared… But I would still give it a try and let you know how it goes for oily skin 🙂
Let me know! I think it’ll still work – but the results may not be as long lasting, you know? But keep me posted as I would love to hear from someone with oilier skin!
I actually just returned mine because I really didn’t like it. I was so excited because of the rave reviews on Sephora, but I feel it actually made my foundation last less. I don’t like the feel of it, so I prefer to set my foundation with my MSF natural. Maybe I was usung the wrong brush…I used my 129 and my 182.
I got a sample of this because of all the good reviews I read but it wasn’t for me. It includes talc and my skin doesn’t react to that well at all. It was okay though since I didn’t like the finish of this – I could see a white cast even thouhg I didn’t put much on & I would prefer if it was oil free.
It looks great on you. If they ever make a darker version I’d love to try it. No matter what any company says, whitish/light-colored translucent powders do not work on all skin tones.
A good translucent powder is by RCMA for 8.00 . I thought this powder is nice but it cakes up on my skin but the RCMA does not.
i bought it too on sephora F&F sale last month..
I love how you measure how much you use it in blog posts rather than years! lol
i also have this in the travel size and when i went into sephora to pick up the full size, the tester had a sifter in it so you can stop the flow of powder by turning this piece of plastic (like the packaging bareminerals has now). but when I actually bought it, all the actual ones they were selling didn’t have it! so i ended up returning it and will wait when they finally have the new packaging.
Do you know what it’s made of Christine? I’ve tried MUFE’s HD powder and discovered I’m very very allergic to silica (I think it’s the only ingredient). I use MAC’s Sheer Pressed Powder but I’ve been finding I go through it so quickly and am looking for a replacement that won’t look powdery on my dry skin. Thanks!
Hey Wilcoa!
I don’t have the ingredient list offhand, but I do believe Sephora lists the ingredient list! 🙂
I use the MAC prep and prime translucent finishing powder which seems like it might be similar. I have oily-normal skin and I find this one lasts about half the day for me, or longer on the less oily days. Have you tried the MAC powder to know how it compares?
I have – I find it has a touch of powderiness to it that LM doesn’t. I have drier skin, so they last awhile on me, but I do feel LM edges the MAC one out.
thanks so much for the info! I agree – the MAC one seems very powdery, and if too much is used it can look slightly ashy I find.
Have to buy it if you think it is an “A” Christine. They have it in other “colors”, I think. Which one would you think is best for MAC SFF NC40 please? Thanks.
I’d check the Foundation Matrix to see if there is a match – I’m not familiar with the range myself.
Oh I have been wanting to try this for a while, but I did not know if it would be worth it or not. Will be buying it now
this is the best!! i also like MUFE loose mica translucent powder although there is potential for inhalation if you go too crazy with application :0
This is the best loose powder I’ve ever tried on my 40yr old skin!! I’d highly recommend it to anyone out there. 🙂
This really is a good value. It’s a lot of product and since I only wear makeup a few times a week it could last a good long time. In general, I really like LM products.
Can’t wait to try this!
This is my favorite powder as well! I love how it almost gives my skin that “soft focus” look!
I love this type of post, I would love to see more of your staple products. With all of the makeup you must have, I’m super curious about the products that you consider a staple.
Yes! I’d love to see more posts on your staples (HGs). I’ve noticed you used this loose powder for a very long time already and when i log onto Temptalia this morning and I’m so excited to see a review on this finally!
The one thing you can also do is read through my annual editor’s choice awards — those are often staples or would-be staples if I ever stuck to anything for long 😉
How does it stack up against Mineral Veil? You should totally do more “Temptalia Staples” posts! 😀
Haven’t tried that – sorry!
I use Laura Mercer secret brightening powder everyday over my under eye concealer to set it. I use the Mac 217 brush and this powder makes my concealer last without creasing. I think it’s similar to the what your using because its translucent but it’s white.Love it!
Hmm, I tried this for a long time and never liked it. I’m super pale and it oxidized darker than my skin. My skin is also really dry, and this just emphasized that. So it wasn’t a good product for me. Nice to see that it works well for others though!
I use this too! I also like the NARS one-have you tried that one?
I haven’t!
can anyone suggest a powder that’s really good at sucking up oil
i dont wear makeup and i am just looking for a really good mattifying, transluscent powder, some thing a little cheaper, perferably
Have you tried MAC Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder? It gives this amazing optical illusion creating a soft, blurred out effect…absolutely amazing!! Great for oil control, for using over a finished face, or just by itself. Just kind of curious how it compares to this transparent powder…I’ve never tried this powder, since I work at a MAC counter, but I’m just wondering the differences between the two. Thanks a bunch and I love your reviews you give of different makeup lines 🙂 🙂
I find it a bit powdery in comparison, not quite as translucent, and touch heavier in overall feel!
I think I’ll try out some of Laura Mercier’s products! I’m interested in a loose powder foundation… any recommendations?
I haven’t tried her loose foundations!
Wow, it sounds like a holy grail type product for you 🙂 That’s awesome!
I’ve been using this for several years and love it. My skin is extremely oily but no powder will keep it from being so. I use face blotters regularly during the day but this powder makes my foundation set well and looks really natural- you can’t see it.
u know dear .. i searched ur site a lottt for this review .. i know this is ur must have but u never reviewd this earlier … although i also bought this in sephora F&F sale recently for the fact that its my christine’s HG powder … 🙂
but thank you so much for doing a review .. today whole day my page was open as i was like she reviewd this now and i am going to read each and every word 10 – 10 times ahahhah sorry m crazy u know 🙂
if u have time can u tell me how is this diff from mufe hd powder …
otherwise its okay i know u love this and thats more then enough to buy this 🙂
love
rashmi
MUFE doesn’t feel as finely milled to me. I find the way LM’s settles and looks is more natural!
I’ve also found this is a really good thing to use to set eyeliner along the lower lashline. I still use a primer, and then after I have my eyeliner on and blended I take a fluffy brush and dust some along the edges of the liner. I find that this keeps it from even thinking about migrating during the day. 🙂
Oh, I do have a question. What brush do you like for applying this powder? I have a Sigma 150 that I use. It does the job but it feels prickly on my skin so I’m looking for an alternative. Thanks. 🙂
134!
love it! although i did realize that it could get a lil white if you layer it too much. Might try the beige one nxt time!
I’m glad you finally came out with the full review! Everyone must know! 🙂 I did notice how this is used in so many of your looks. This is also my staple Loose Powder although I do wish they would change the packaging to their newer packaging, like for their other loose powder products. All their other loose powder products have the lid for the sifter so you can twist the dial and just have a few holes open. They also used to sell a “travel-size” container for $20. It’s .33oz, like the one you previously had. That was the first one I ever bought.
The method that they teach for applying this makes use of a powder puff and they roll it over the skin to set foundation or tinted moisturizer. Obviously, you can apply it however way you want 🙂 I use a brush half the time because it’s faster. For travel though, I bring the pressed version of this translucent powder.
Hi Christine, What’s the difference between the translucent and coloured loose powders?Which one do you use after your makeup and why?thanks
Translucent are colorless or invisible, while colored means they need to be similar to your skin tone. I use translucent, just because that’s my personal preference 🙂
do you fine that you get a slight glowy finish with this product? Can i wear this after powder or just after applying foundation and blush…???
No, not glowy – it’s translucent, so it just sets for me. Yes, you can!
Hi, My skin tend to get very oily. Have u Ever Tried Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control? Is it that same except for the pressed and shine control….??
I haven’t, sorry!
It does have stuff in it that is supposed to do that (my pores aren’t too large).
Hi Christine
Have u swatched Laura Mercier Mineral foundations where I could see the shades?
I am having trouble navigating.
Thx
Rhonda
I haven’t, sorry! 🙁
Hi Christine, I have never used setting powder before and i am thinking to use one. I heard makeup forever one is good. Which one would you reccomand between Laura mercier and makeup forever? Thank you very much.
LM!
Hi!!
Thanks for the review 😉 I was thinking about buy this powder, but i’m not sure, do you think it’s better than the HD from MUFE or another ones (MAC prep&prime…)?? I actually use the Elf HD powder and I think they are good,I use it even for photography makeup.. but sometimes you try another things and you discover that the other wasn´t so nice as you thought…You know what I mean?
Thanks!!! Love your blog!