Review: Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder
If you have been following the latest makeup trend, finishing powders seem to dominate the scope of the conversation. Regardless if the powder is loose or compressed, the hunt for the perfect luminous–but not too luminous powder, appears as improbably as the Holy Grail itself. In my case, I was seeking a finishing powder that had some peachy warmth with a stain finish. At this point in my life I was also trying really REALLY hard to NOT buy another makeup product that I did not need (and yet here we are….)but then I saw this amazing swatch on Instagram stories by a fellow makeup artist and I was convinced I needed this in my life.
Even though face powder sets your base it can also be uncompromising on dry areas. This powder doesn’t even look like a powder. It gives your skin a gorgeous illuminated finish, much more vibrant and alive-looking than I usually expect of a powder product. It scatters and diffuses light beautifully. I wear the lightest shade, though it is available in six shades to suit most complexions.
The brand advises to use these with a powder brush as a setting or finishing powder, or with a denser brush for more intense application. I have only used this as a setting powder swept loosely all over the face using a synthetic powder brush, over foundation. The powder is rather firmly pressed so it takes a bit of force to get enough on your brush. It’s not a “creamy” product by any means. In terms of formula, it’s nothing groundbreaking – mica, cornstarch, silicone, binding agents – all fairly standard stuff.
Laura Mercier took her time creating more realistic skin tone shades that truly do enhance rather than mask the complexion. In addition, Candleglow does not contain silica, which as we all know at this point, is one of the ingredients (along with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, silver mica, and shimmer) that causes photo flashback.
I can’t end this review without mentioning Hourglass. Obviously, this product bears an uncanny resemblance to their Ambient Lighting powders. But you know what? I prefer these by far. I own the Dim Light Lightning powder but since I bought it online, I bought one shade too dark for my complexion. This means I can only use it during summer when I’m slightly tanner.
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder was love at first swipe! I would say the only down side to this product is that the powder is rather “stiff” so it takes a little elbow grease to get it on your brush but if a soft, sophisticated, diffused complexion is at the top of your list, then this powder is assuredly for you.
Available at: Bloomingdales for Price: $38 or AED 205
