Laura Mercier Supreme Foundations; Review & Swatches of Shades

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation & Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation 

Price: $47 per ounce each


CRUELTY FREE!!!*

(Laura Mercier Pulls From China)

With the introduction of Laura Mercier's new Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation, I figured it was a good time to go over two of Laura Mercier's classic foundations- the Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation and the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation!

Most cosmetic companies will do what Laura Mercier did with her Supreme Foundations and try to offer a moisturizing foundation for those with dry skin and a long-wearing one for those with oily skin. Those with normal skin can then chose which option works best for them and which formula they prefer. Both Laura Mercier Supreme Foundations tout silicone-free formulas. While this may seem initially appealing to those believing silicone causes breakouts, liquid foundations formulated without silicones of any kind can have major drawbacks, probably due to the fact that silicone sits above the skin and causes a smooth, powdery finish; something both Supreme Foundations lack.

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation is a typical long-wearing foundation with a matte finish that will provide medium coverage. It has a tendency to be a bit thick after a while and can lead to skin looking a bit cakey. It will control oil to a point, but those with oily skin will need to set it. It lacks the elegance of most long-wearing/oil free foundations that have come out in the past few years and is somewhat outdated formula with a very unfeminine texture once dry, probably because of the lack of silicones. That being said, Oil-Free Supreme may prove to be a decent option for some. The shade range of Oil-Free Supreme is more comparable to Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation than Laura Mercier's Moisture Supreme Foundation. (Probably because the formula is closer to Silk Creme than Moisture Supreme.) None the less, the shades are mostly neutral and will suit fair-deep skintones; they just tend to lean a little olive.

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation is initially thin when pumped from the bottle, but for a moisturizing formula, it applies quite thick. So think infact, that those who are looking for this kind of moisture would be better off considering a cream foundation. It is moisturizing, but it stays slightly tacky. The lack of silicones prevent Moisture Supreme from being a "balanced" formula and instead of having a moisturizing foundation which has an elegant finish (like Cruelty Free Drugstore options Flower About Face Foundation or Selma Hayeck Nuance Foundation), you end up with a thick formula that can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles. The best way to prevent that, is (ironically) to use a silicone primer. The shades of Moisture Supreme vary slightly from Oil-Free Supreme and tend to lean more golden than olive.***

With all of the foundations that have been released in the past few years (including Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation, Laura Mercier's Silk Creme Foundation, and Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact), there's really no reason to settle on a sub-par formula, especially at this price point!

If you like to switch between foundation formulas seasonally and want an easy option, consider Cruelty Free Nars Sheer Glow Foundation and Nars Sheer Matte Foundation. Neither are especially sheer as both offer medium coverage, but they are far more elegant and refined than either Laura Mercier Supreme Foundation.

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme & Oil Free Supreme Foundation; Swatches of Shades
1 Porcelain Ivory, 2 Blush Ivory, 3 Warm Ivory, 4 Sunny Beige, 5 Vanilla Beige, 6 Golden Beige, 
7 Shell Beige, 8 Tawny Beige, 9 Honey Beige, 10 Suntan Beige, 11 Toffee Bronze, 12 Rich Sienna

What Laura Mercier does well with her foundations (including Moisture Supreme and Oil-Free Supreme) is keeping the shade range consistent between formulas. This is something that too few cosmetic companies pay attention to but it is very important to consumers, (especially in this age of online-shopping.) Because of oxidation, it is much more difficult to get consistent, realistic shade ranges with oil-free/long-wearing foundation formulas than it is with emollient or hydrating formulas. There will be differences between the two Laura Mercier Supreme Foundations, and  you may have a better match in either the Oil-Free or Moisture Supreme, but you will at least have a good idea of which shade would match you the best in the other foundation. (Hypothetically at least).

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme & Oil Free Supreme Foundation; Swatches of Shades
1 Porcelain Ivory, 2 Blush Ivory, 3 Warm Ivory, 4 Sunny Beige, 5 Vanilla Beige, 6 Golden Beige, 
7 Shell Beige, 8 Tawny Beige, 9 Honey Beige, 10 Suntan Beige, 11 Toffee Bronze, 12 Rich Sienna

Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme & Oil Free Supreme Foundation; Swatches of Shades
1 Porcelain Ivory, 2 Blush Ivory, 3 Warm Ivory, 4 Sunny Beige, 5 Vanilla Beige, 6 Golden Beige, 
7 Shell Beige, 8 Tawny Beige, 9 Honey Beige, 10 Suntan Beige, 11 Toffee Bronze, 12 Rich Sienna

***Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation is actually the only foundation (that I can remember) that has caused noticeably visible irritation in the form of small white dots. I wouldn't have thought twice about them, but several reviews on Makeup Alley mention this. Despite trying hundreds of miscellanious complexion products over the years, I have only experienced this sort of reaction three times- each after using Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation.***