Review: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 - Nude

I hit pan on all 2 or 3 of my foundations, so I went to Sephora to find my next love. I tried all the popular ones - MUFE, Diorskin, Hourglass, Nars Sheer Glow, Perricone MD, Josie Maran... etc. I must have tried every foundation there was in the store - to all of them, I have only one thing to say - HELLO DRY FLAKES! Now, the Diorskin foundation was quite good, but the finish was too matte and somewhat powdery, and I'm a dewy kind of girl. I did like their hydrating concealer, however.

Now, you should only apply foundation on a properly moisturized face (and I do), but if a foundation can manage NOT to emphasize dry spots when you have them... all the better, no? That's what I found in Laura Mercier. Really, it was the only thing in my Sephora that did not accentuate my dry spots, and actually made my skin feel nicer, like a moisturizer would.

Packaging 4/5
Don't really care about this category when it comes to base makeup. The tube is nice and compact, and I don't have a problem with squeezing out too much. Pump is my most preferred though. The best thing about the tube packaging is the fact that it travels really well. Light and easy to pack.

Application 5/5
With fingers! I've also tried this with my Sonia Kashuk flat top blush brush, and that works well too. But I like the results a tiny bit more when I just use my fingers. Little goes a long way.

Shade Selection For Me: 3/5, For Others: Who knows?
I have this in Nude, and it's a bit pink. They've come out with a new shade called Bisque - but that one looks a little too gray - where is the yellow Laura Mercier?!

Coverage For me: 4/5
Covers up redness on my cheeks, and evens out my face. Still need concealer though, as expected for a tinted moisturizer.

Texture 5/5
A moisturizing cream that's light and airy. Very nice.

Finish/Look 4/5
Gorgeous dewy finish, will not sit in dry spots. However, I have to say it doesn't camouflage pores very well - I'm talking about the ones on the sides of your nose, or on your cheeks. In that way, it is like a true moisturizer.

You can tell the right side is dewy, where the product is applied.

Blends really easily.

Lasting Powder For me: 5/5
Most people say this doesn't last long, but on me, it wears all day just fine! I don't know why that is. Underneath, I wear sunscreen, and an extra layer of moisturizer. No primer, and no setting powder.

Price 1.5/5
$42 for a tinted moisturizer!!! Granted, my previous foundation was $56 - but that was a bona fide coverage foundation!

OVERALL: 4/5 Good!
minus (-) points: bad color selection, and pore coverage.
plus (+) points: dewy finish, doesn't accentuate my dry spots, and lasting power.

Next on my list to try: Chanel Teint Innocence Compact - gotta love those cream-to-powders!