Laura Mercier Chai Blush Colour Infusion Review & Swatches
Chai
Laura Mercier Chai Blush Colour Infusion ($30.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a medium, rosy mauve with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had sheer, buildable coverage–up to semi-opaque with three layers–with a thin, stiffer texture that was harder to pick up evenly with a brush and more challenging to apply and diffuse on my skin as the color didn’t spread or diffuse well. I found that it darkened noticeably after application, which can be an issue with thinner, matte powders. This shade stayed on well for eight hours on me before I noticed fading.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop I Need Space (DC, $12.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Blushbaby (P, $24.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Coast to Coast (DC, $12.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- KIKO 105 Dark Rose (P, $12.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Rose Temptation (LE, $45.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Hourglass Mood Exposure (P, $40.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- LORAC Caribbean (LE, $23.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Physicians Formula Plum Rose (P, $12.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Puppy Love (P, $10.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Sur (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, brighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.2 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "sheer, buildable" coverage that "blends seamlessly with skin" that lasts for "10 hours." I purchased two shades--one shimmer, one matte--to see how they performed before considering purchasing more of the range. The texture of both shades was rather thin with a firmer consistency that wasn't as blendable as I would have expected, though it had the sheer coverage that was described. It was buildable from sheer to mostly opaque coverage, though the shimmer shade I tried was easier to build up. They lasted around eight hours on me, which was solid wear, but it was shy of the 10-hour claim.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Magnesium Myristate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lauroyl Lysine, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Red 7 (Ci 15850).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
It’s a gorgeous color on your cheeks. It’s too bad it didn’t perform better.
Thank you!
C+, oh dear. That cements my starting a MAC blush palette, beginning with Blushbaby! A superior dupe to this fail.
On a separate note; your entire look above is thoroughly gorgeous!
I’m so glad I only bought two of them, lol!
Thanks for reviewing! I caught this release on Big S and had the shade Fresco saved as a possible purchase . I’m def holding off based on the result here. Mercier is usually fantastic for powder products. How disappointing!
Yeah, I was surprised it wasn’t softer/more blendable. The sheerness was expected, but it has to play well with the skin/bases!
A lovely shade, but disappointing from a brand like Laura Mercier.
I agree!
Looks great on you! Very natural-looking.
Thanks, CL!
Chai is such a gorgeous shade; what a shame it didn’t perform better 🙁
Beautiful on you, ty for this review, just a shame Laura M. changed a good thing IMHO with these blushes I can tell.
:/ I’m light skinned but had my eye on this tonight…not now ty ty lol. I have about 5 of her other blushes used to LOVE her Potpourri Cheek Colour and Rose Bloom plus many more, Potpourri a very nice light brownie pink, many loved it and were disappointed it was no longer sold. Now seems all may be gone, I just looked at her website 🙁 I’m clearing all mine out/donating and now have room for many new ones/brands still own slews of others 😉
I have been backing away from Laura M. these over the yrs. as he has been taking away her staples like the beloved cheek colour blushes and lipsticks, like why? Grrr.
Oh no!! 🙁 I’m sorry one of your faves is gone! Do you see any in the updated range that might be more similar? LM just sent over some press samples, including a few more shades here, so I’m curious if any of the others are better.
No, since I haven’t seen these new blushes in real life to compare, but by looking at swatches online these new blushes just aren’t like the ones she has replaced with these. Unfortunately Laura has discontinued that entire powder blush color line ( I love/used) so many ..but it will be fun venturing out to find diff blushes now 😉 I gathered her discontinued blushes the other night put them in that infamous box of products tried, discontinued and tired of. Found a few blushes in my vanity I’ve ignored a long time and they’re great!.
She’s changing things too fast. Many items I truly disliked the past few years. Losing my desire for Laura’s line.
Again ty….was gonna buy Chai sight unseen! Hope you try another press sample of that blush I’m curious…I just love your site!
Just to throw out another opinion, because your grades influence so many people (myself included), and I have found my only point of disagreement with you is one of Laura Mercier’s blushes (you gave it a C-minus; I have it in my favorites drawer and bought a back-up), I wanted to say I bought Chai and wore it for a full day yesterday. I love it so much I’m going back for the other colors (having had similar luck with Fresco, which I wore it with). FYI, the brush I used was the new blush brush from Clarins.
The blush I referred to above was LM Cheek Melange in Sensual Reflections. If anyone else loved that, they might like Chai as much as I do. I use any brush with that one.
Hey Emily!
You might also consider leaving a formal review as that’s another way for people to see actual reviews (in case they miss it in the comments) 🙂