Laura Mercier Sun Drenched Tinted Moisturizer Blush
Sun Drenched
Laura Mercier Sun Drenched Tinted Moisturizer Blush ($28.00 for 0.5 oz.) is a rich, deeper coral-orange with strong, warm undertones and barely-there pearl that wasn’t really visible in person. The texture was lightweight, fluid, and spreadable with a gel-like feel, so watery and runny in a way but had some glide to it.
The product applied evenly to bare skin with fingertips or a brush, while it was fairly workable with fingertips on top of base products, there were a few instances where it seemed to shift my base products ever-so-slightly so a brush was more foolproof. It had semi-opaque color coverage, which was more pigmentation than marketed (but may not be a bad thing for some!). It lasted well for nine hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Quarters (P, $8.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sydney Grace Thinking of You (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Liberte (2022) (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ILIA Stutter (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Chanel Brun Rouge (604) (P, $45.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- ColourPop Overdramatic (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Chanel Lumieres de Kyoto (LE, $70.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Shiseido Alpen Glow (06) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Retro (LE, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Natasha Denona Glam Dark (Cream Blush) (PiP, ) is darker (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.5 oz. - $56.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "hint" of color and give "12 hours of weightless tinted hydration." While they're billed as a blush, the brand noted that they were "safety tested for use on lips, cheeks, and eyelids." The brand recommended applying with fingertips and that it could be applied in layers to build up coverage "where needed."
It is a formula that starts of liquid and more fluid but dries down and has more of a 'set' finish, which is better for longevity but means that it is best to apply one cheek at a time and make sure to blend without distractions! I didn't feel like I had to rush to apply at all, but I found that the most foolproof way to work with these was using a fluffy, synthetic brush swirled in product I had dispensed on the back of my hand (you won't need much for a sheer layer).
I would argue that this was a moderately pigmented product, particularly with mid-tone and deeper hues as they seemed less apt to sheer out compared to some of the lighter colors I tried. As it was a liquid product, it was more or less pigmented depending on how much product one used, and it was fluid enough that it was hard to get a consistent amount of product out in a "squeeze." This was why I liked to put a bit on the back of my hand and then pick up product from there, as it ensured I didn't pick up too much product in one go.
The product applied evenly over bare skin as well as over foundation, though I felt like when I tried using my fingertips, it wasn't quite as reliable in results when used over foundation--it occasionally shifted base products around. I would recommend letting the product dry out slightly (about five seconds) before applying over base products if using fingertips; this let the blush become a little less wet and seemed to minimize shifting.
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Seed Oil, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Polysorbate 60, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Phosphate, Disodium Edta, Potassium Hydroxide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Xanthan Gum, Alumina, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain/Peut Contenir/(+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
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.
I’m going to stick with getting LYS Epic for my orangey fix. Then again, I may not have to because Nars Afterglow contains Exhibit A. Which one could sheer out to a softer, more orange-coral, I’m guessing?
Ex A is one intense animal. It’s overpowering if I more than breathe at it. MO is that it looks better and better, the darker your skintone. Esp cool dark, for the contrast. On me, it’s a straightforward warm red with no leaning towards coral. Ymmv, of course.
Yes, it definitely is a super intense color that is not everyone’s jam! I’m going to apply it with a stippling brush that’s had the excess tapped off first. Which is what I do with UD Quiver, another intense, but cooler red.
Not my shade but I think it would look lovely on you, Nancy. I need to break out of my blush rut. I will see how I like the PMGL Bridgerton trio that I picked up from the Sephora sale. I have never been attracted to anything in the orange, coral range in either cheek or lip products. With my super fair skin, I have to be careful with every blush I apply. I always end up really swirling most of it off either onto my hand or into a tissue. It is easier to build it up than try and powder it down.
Oo that sheers out nicely, colorwise!
Really lovely – great range of shades and a beautiful finishes.