Beauty brands have stunned us with a plethora of makeup products that help master every step to reach perfection. But, investing in your makeup is not easy. I watch a lot of makeup tutorials on youtube, guess what? Some people may get used to putting on foundation right after finishing their skincare routines. If you have been doing that, you are skipping something in-between. Don’t forget your primer, which imparts an immaculate canvas for your foundation.
In my previous posts, I was upfront about Laura Mercier’s makeup goodies that I have been using lately. There were tinted moisturizers and highlighter. Keeping up the deal, let’s dive into my review about Laura Mercier Foundation Primer and figure out whether this can change the way you do your makeup or not.
1. Include Many Chemical Compounds and Natural Extracts for a Smooth Application
An award-winning primer promises to deliver a seamless surface for immaculate makeup application. It helps soften out the appearance of pores, fine lines and any imperfections as well as allows your foundation to glide effortlessly and last longer. Unlike other typical primers, this product’s water-based formula is enriched with vitamins with a low concentration of the lightest silicones. It tends to keep a fresh, feathery feel on the skin and your makeup stays colour-true for hours. Ideal for all skin types.
Infused with a bevy of skin-conditioners, lubricants and emollients, including Glycerin, Tridecyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lanolin and Stearic Acid. These ingredients are considered safe with low hazards by FDA and EWG. They help the primer leave a moist coating that improves skin smoothness, plumps skin up and alleviates its fatigue. Cetyl Alcohol, Lanolin and Stearic Acid also work as surfactants, thickeners and emulsifiers.
Thanks to them, the product appears homogeneous and diffuses evenly on the skin. Some other emulsifying agents are Glyceryl Stearate and Triethanolamine. Triethanolamine is a strong alkaline substance and is considered moderately hazardous.
Mainly used as a pH adjuster or buffer to neutralize acids and balance the pH level of the product. Triethanolamine is proven to cause detrimental effects on immune and respiratory systems as well as human skin, like dryness, itching, scaling or blistering. So, stay aware! Make sure that you ultimately remove all of the makeup every day.
The formula includes Carbomer as a thickener, a texture enhancer, a viscosity controlling agent and an emulsion stabilizer. Considered a low-hazard ingredient. Its job is to regulate the flow or consistency of the product to become creamier and prevent emulsions from separating into their oil and liquid components.
Plus, formulated with Butylene Glycol to control the product’s viscosity as a texture enhancer. But, it’s inclined to give a thinner texture for faster absorption and a feather-light, non-greasy sensation. Butylene Glycol is also a solvent to unify other ingredients in the formula.
Polymethyl Methacrylate functions as a film-forming agent. It creates a supple and continuous layer that is water-binding to provide a gliding application and a silky feel to the touch. Polymethyl Methacrylate can be a plastic filler, filling in wrinkles and fine lines, but also increasing lubrication.
Ascorbyl Palmitate (vitamin C) and Tocopherol (vitamin E) are antioxidants to revitalize skin protective barriers and mitigate environmental stress. Moreover, they can be known as preservatives to maintain the product’s quality under UV exposure. Another preservative is Phenoxyethanol.
In addition to those chemical compounds, the primer is loaded with plant and fruit-derived ingredients. There are Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Honey Extract (Mel Extract/Extrait De Miel), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Rose extract and Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit extract. All of these tend to replenish the complexion with moisturizing, soothing and anti-aging properties, so that you can find comfort and hydrated.
However, the primer does consist of synthetic fragrances, such as Geraniol, Limonene and Linalool. They are considered skin sensitizers, aggravating skin irritation. Finally, it may contain some pigments, like Cl 19140 (Yellow) and Cl 14700 (Red 4).
2. Hydrating with a Fresh – Very Lightweight Texture
Following a skincare routine with moisturizer is my must-do prior to applying primer. My skin is a type of combination, prone to dry, so that helps me stay hydrated for the entire day. The primer has gel-like, pretty watery consistency with pink undertones. Very easy to diffuse with clean fingers, its texture quickly becomes thinner and transparent.
My skin finds fresh and hydrating as if I have just put on another layer of moisturizer. Despite that, my skin still feels extremely lightweight without greasiness. It takes about 30 seconds for the primer to sink into the skin. Then, on top of the moisturizer, it gives a damp, moderately radiant complexion.
In case, you find it sticky and wet, try to pick another moisturizer with a less creamy consistency. At any rate, I’m pretty sure that the product itself will not cause any annoying oily or greasy traces. Otherwise, for those who are plagued by overactive sebaceous glands, mattifying primer is your go-to. The product does not have any illuminating, sebum controlling, brightening or colour correcting effects. It’s just a typical, ubiquitous primer, having softening and hydrating properties. Oh, and it seemingly provides skincare benefits, according to the product description.
My first impression of it was not good at all. Once I’m done blending the product all over my face, it makes me feel noticeably hot and stinging. That boggled my mind a lot if my skin was going to get an allergic reaction since it’s sensitive on and off. After a few minutes, the obnoxious sensation is gone. I have been using the primer for two weeks, it seems that nothing bad happens until now. But, I still have that damn problem every time I slap it on my face. One more thing I don’t like about the product is its horrendous, chemical-like smell.
Speaking of how well the product works underneath makeup. Literally, my foundation goes on quite smoother and stays long enough throughout the day. The primer helps my foundation’s coverage and pigment hold up for about eight hours. Afterwards, it starts melting somehow and imperceptibly settles into lines around my nose and chin. Creases under the eyes are peskier appearing more noticeable. Also, My usual bumpiness starts peeking out. But, overall, my makeup still remains nice, instead of sliding around and looking worn out or terribly patchy.
To be honest, I barely see the difference in prepping my skin with the primer versus using my moisturizer as a base before the foundation step.
I’m really sorry about this because the result varies depending on your makeup products and how you apply them. Sometimes, when heading out more often, my makeup seems stripped quicker. In the very end, it does not add any outstanding effects to my makeup. For skin with more major imperfections, like dark spots, discolouration, whopping lumps or zits and acne scars, this is not really an excellent option.
The primer is suitable for normal/combination, dry, mature and perhaps, sensitive skin types. It gets your skin necessarily hydrated with plenty of nourishing ingredients. If your skin is very oily and acne-prone, as I mentioned, mattifying primer with an added salicylic acid had better ward off gunked-up pores.
Regarding very sensitive and possibly, dry skin, I’m not sure that your skin will totally get along with it in the long term. I got it quite unpleasant in the first place, I’m wondering, whether someone who is using the primer also experiences that same. Not to mention that the formula contains Triethanolamine, classified as a strong alkaline and a skin sensitizer. Just be aware! Use it in moderation and test a small amount on the jawline areas.
3. Packaging: Plastic Squeeze Tube
Housed in a plastic squeeze tube (50 ml/1.7 oz) with a tall and slim shape and sleek light grey colour. It’s very clean, unlike the glossy black of Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Powder, which easily gets dirt. The tube is weightless and suitable for on-the-go uses. It’s tough and the lid seals it well to keep the product from grime and bacteria. I like everything in the squeeze tube that is way more sanitary than the jar, so I do not get my filthy fingers to spoil the product. You can find all of the information about the product on its cardboard box.
4. My Rating (7/10): Mediocre
I like its hydrating properties, making your skin soft and supple, except for the hot, tingling sensation. Plus, it holds my makeup pretty well for the whole day. I really expect more than that from the primer. So, it’s 7 out of 10.
Hope the review helps you have general ideas about the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I’d love to hear you out. Please let me know in the comment below. Thank you so much for your time! Be always beautiful!