I’m busting’ out the air quotes for this one.
“Natural-looking finish.”
“Liquid-light formula.”
“Blurs the line between real skin and makeup.”
Seriously, there was no conceivable way I was going to be able to walk away from this display in Sephora yesterday for the new Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation ($48 for a 1-oz. tube) without taking one of them with me.
I mean, I tried. I told myself, “Step away, Karen. Just slowly step back, and then turn to the left and walk.”
But it didn’t happen. I guess it wasn’t in the cards.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this (of course I have), but I’ve been a little obsessed lately with finding a new foundation. I want one that gets me as close as possible to flawless, natural-looking coverage that doesn’t look heavy on my skin…or like I dunked my face into a wedding cake.
Laura’s always great about including a wide range of shade options, and that also applies here. The thin, almost watery formula (feels a lot like MAC Face & Body and Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua to me) comes in 24 shades.
The entire Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid foundation line includes…
- Shell: very fair with cool undertones
- Crème: very fair with neutral undertones
- Vanille: very fair with neutral/slightly warm undertones
- Ivory: very fair with warm undertones
- Ecru: light with cool undertones
- Cashew: light with neutral/slightly warm undertones
- Linen: light with neutral/slightly cool undertones
- Macadamia: light with warm undertones
- Butterscotch: light with warm undertones
- Buff: light-medium with cool undertones
- Dune: light-medium with neutral/slightly cool undertones
- Honey: light-medium with neutrals/slightly warm undertones
- Dusk: light-medium with warm undertones
- Golden: light-medium with warm undertones
- Suntan: medium with slightly cool and neutral undertones
- Praline: medium with neutral undertones
- Maple: medium with warm undertones
- Chai: medium with warm undertones
- Nutmeg: medium-deep with cool undertones
- Pecan: medium-deep with neutral undertones
- Amber: medium deep with warm undertones
- Chestnut: deep with cool undertones
- Truffle: deep with neutral undertones
- Espresso: deep with warm undertones
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide foundation.
Fluide…
I gotta say, that “e” there at the end of that word is kind of drivin’ me nuts, and if I weren’t so excited about the product, I’d probably obsess (you know me). 🙂
At any rate, the natural-looking matte finish is designed to even out the skin and downplay your pores. It’s also supposed to stand up to high humidity, perspiration and summer thundershowers for up to 12 hours.
The Sephora artist who helped me said to give the bottle a good shake (apparently, this is very important). Then apply it with fingers, and blend with a Beauty Blender.
I may or may not have ripped open the box like the Hulk rips through walls when I arrived at home with Chai, the shade recommend to me by the Sephora + Pantone Color IQ system.
I’ve just started wearing it today, but so far — hot dayum! I’m impressed. I can’t believe how lightweight it is, and my thuggish pores look less gangsta than usual.
I’m crossing every one of my fingers and toes. I hope I can say oui to Fluide. I hope it delivers le goods.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Sounds lovely! I’d be curious to see what creme looks like!!
Yes, keep us posted. I’m on a never-ending quest for THE ONE in the world of foundations.
Oh, and now, thanks to the description, I’ve got Blurred Lines stuck in my head. Thanks a lot! 😉
I bought this a month ago in vanilla. Love it so much! I still use my pores no more under it on my nose.
I’ve never tried any Laura Mercier products but this sounds promising!
I’ve heard a lot of nice things about Laura Mercier foundations and tinted moisturizers. Can’t wait to see what you think!
Lol, I love your blog, Karen. You’re too funny! I also rip packages open like the hulk when I get back home. Just can’t wait to try it on. I have no idea how my boyfriend is able to open Christmas presents all slow and careful with the wrapping.
Looking forward to hearing how you end up liking this foundation, Karen! Sadly, this broke me out and made my sensitive skin very itchy (a very strange reaction that I’ve never gotten from any other foundation or tinted moisturizer), but otherwise, I loved the coverage and how it made me less oily. Hope it continues to work well for you!!
OOh! Sounds promising! 😀 I love that the shade range is so large – makes me feel like a vampire girl might stand a chance! (If we had LM here, of course).
So excited! Can’t wait to see, especially the colour match.
Less visible pores you say? And lightweight? Now that’s a good start! I’ll be waiting for the full report, but it sounds pretty promising!
I love the wide range of shades, I will have to ask for a sample next time I am at Sephora.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE all Laura Mercier face products! I am eyeing her caviar eye stick!
I began wearing Chanel Aqua Lumiere foundation a few months ago. (and love it) I also love LM but have never used her foundation products. How does this compare to Chanel???
I definitely need to try this – loving her tinted moisturizer. I would like to try the Sephora color match system – sounds like a brilliant idea!
I really want to try this one. Yes, I’m still looking for the perfect foundation with all the qualities that you stated above. Plus, I’d like it to not oxidize and turn darker or orange-y on my skin.
I have and I love it! Haven’t been able to break away from using it. My other foundations are getting jealous because I’ve neglected them. lol
Is this pretty comparable with the new bareminerals bareskin foundation?
Is this similar to BE’s Bare Skin? From your description, I’m wondering if they are similar.
$48 for an ounce?! I do hope it’s what you’re looking for!
I’m wearing this in creme right now and I’m rather impressed with it. It covers nicely and doesn’t feel heavy at all! It’s also holding up rather well to these 90 degree temps and no air conditioning. I think I’ve found my summer foundation!
I can wait to see your full review!
Oh yes…. This is my new fave… I’m an NC 35-40 in Mac right now with self tanner and I mix Dusk and Chai together.. If I’m lighter I will just wear Dusk.. I love this stuff…. It is sooo lightweight but looks beautiful on the skin… You want to make it even prettier add a little luminizer (The Gold BB by Gerard) or anything else you have and then put it on… It is a phenomenal foundation… I’m in LOVE.. <3
So I’m NC40-42 too, and I have been waiting for the day I get matched to a shade that’s named chai (no joke)
Update on this? It sounds like you ended up using it a lot and I was curious what tools you use to apply.
I was wondering how you ended up with this product. Do you still use it, was it a good formula as you wore it over time? Thanks for your rsponse Karen I love this blog been reading older posts for a while now great writing.