Beauty Trends

Laura Mercier’s Invisible Loose Setting Powder Minimizes Shine | Review

When it comes to complexion makeup, I’m typically one of those people that avoids powdering like the plague because my skin is so darn dry, but when I do want a little something-something to tame the shine in my T-zone, I reach for my failsafe favorite: Laura Mercier’s Invisible Loose Setting Powder.

The simple reason being? It never, ever makes my skin feel tight and devoid of moisture — that, and it doesn’t accentuate any stubborn dry patches or fine lines, either. Instead, it gets rid of the grease that tends to take over the center of my face most afternoons and makes my pores look virtually nonexistent in the process.

I like to apply it with one of two tools: a foundation brush (like this one by It Cosmetics) if I feel like having a lot of control over where I place the powder, or a beauty sponge when I’m adding a bit more than usual to larger areas of the face, such as all over my chin. Both methods give great, natural-looking results — it really just comes down to what I’m going for on a given day.

As you can see the powder is very finely milled, which is why it never looks cakey or “powdery” on the skin. And despite being white in the pan, it’s completely undetectable once it’s applied. Courtesy of subject

From a formula standpoint, it’s made with what the brand calls “micro-refined spherical silica,” which imparts a lovely smoothing effect on the skin (hence why my pores look so small when I wear it). “Micro-refined spherical silica is used to absorb oil and keep the face looking fresh,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. This explains why it keeps shine at bay so well.

Here’s a selfie of me wearing the powder in natural light. As you can see, it still lets my natural glow shine through, which I love. Courtesy of subject

Another reason this powder has achieved such fan-favorite status is because, unlike certain powders, it’s actually translucent and works on all skin tones, including dark and deep complexions.

All this to say: If you’re in the market for a new setting powder, this is an excellent one for all skin types and tones, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Shop it now for $39 on sephora.com.

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