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Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
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.ย  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.

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  • 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!

AVAILABILITY: Nordstrom and Sephora

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 / MAC Pro Longwear SPF 10 + LM Loose Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder
Philosophy Supernatural Superbeautiful / With LM Loose Setting Powder

67 Comments

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Shontay Avatar

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.

daphne Avatar

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.

Xtina Avatar

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!

Sky C Avatar

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 ๐Ÿ™‚

Rosalinda Avatar

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.

nicci Avatar

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.

Ivy Avatar

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.

Diana Avatar

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.

Wilcoa Avatar

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!

MC Avatar

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?

Anna Avatar

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.

Lisa G Avatar

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.

RoxyJ Avatar

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.

Jennifer Avatar

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!

Denise Avatar

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!

Jezebel Avatar

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!

jasmine Avatar

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

Erin Beth Avatar

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 ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

jewels Avatar

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.

rashmi Avatar

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 … ๐Ÿ™‚
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 ๐Ÿ™‚

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 ๐Ÿ™‚
love
rashmi

Katie Avatar

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. ๐Ÿ™‚

Katie Avatar

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. ๐Ÿ™‚

mylinda Avatar

I’m glad you finally came out with the full review! Everyone must know! ๐Ÿ™‚ 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 ๐Ÿ™‚ I use a brush half the time because it’s faster. For travel though, I bring the pressed version of this translucent powder.

Kim Avatar

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….??

Moeset Avatar

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.

Ana Avatar

Hi!!

Thanks for the review ๐Ÿ˜‰ 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 wasnยดt so nice as you thought…You know what I mean?

Thanks!!! Love your blog!

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