Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator Review & Swatches
Inspiration
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator ($44.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had medium, buildable pigmentation with a smooth, moderately dense consistency that was firm but not stiff to work with (it felt like a baked powder–a smidgen dry but not in a bad way) and blended out easily. The intensity and coverage were very much in line with the brand’s description, and as I layered the product on my skin, it became more shimmery and metallic, too. It semi-sheer to medium coverage, it had a soft glow that didn’t emphasize my skin’s natural texture. It wore well for eight hours before fading slightly on me.
100% of the proceeds of this shade are donated to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- OFRA Blissful (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Afternoon Glow (P, $48.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Maldives (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Temptation (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Rosemantic (LE, $39.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Taffy (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Rose Twinkle #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Liquid Lustre Gold (P, $9.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Amber Gold (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Morning Glory (P, $9.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$45.00/0.3 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
According to the brand, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator ($44.00 for 0.30 oz.) supposed to be a “long-wearing, buildable” highlighter that gives a “natural-looking” glow. The formula was typically more buildable from medium to opaque coverage with a noticeable sheen that could get more frosted/metallic if applied heavily but didn't emphasize my pores. The texture was smooth and blendable, but there was a bit of dryness to it that seemed common to this type of formula (think MAC Extra Dimension, NARS Dual-Intensity, Estee Lauder Gelee, etc.). On my normal-to-dry skin, the highlighter tended to last around eight hours.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Face Illuminator swatches.
Inspiration
PPermanent. $45.00.
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
Laura Mercier Inspiration Face Illuminator
My first thought was how much it looks like Smashbox Rosemantic, which I bought to use as a shimmery blush back when the Petal Metal products were released. I think I’ve only used it once in all this time. But seeing LM Inspiration is inspiring me to start using Rosemantic.
Definitely in that vein!
I love this. Beautiful color. I need another hightlighter like I need a hole in my head, but this is just beautiful
It’s a beauty!
Because all of the proceeds go towards Ovarian Cancer funding for research and treatment, I’m in. Only snag is that I have Smashbox Rosemantic. I think they are different enough to own both, though. Especially for such an important cause. My biological mother’s side of my DNA cocktail has a solid history of ovarian and breast cancer.
I hope you enjoy it, Nancy! It’s great that they’re doing 100% proceeds!
Just beautiful – love the shade, the finish – everything.
I love that they are giving 100% to the Laura Mercier Ovarian Cancer Fund. I could buy it just for that. I just have to keep my fingers crossed that it’ll suit my skintone.
I’m adding it to my wish list as I forget things when there are so many products being launched.
Very pretty and definitely a worthy cause!