Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser

It makes me physically cringe to think of the days I used to walk around my university library with Revlon Colorstay foundation slapped on my face *shudders*. It's taken me a while, but I've realised that less really is more with my skin type. I don't have bad skin, my main problems are pigmentation around my mouth, dark circles and very dry skin - all of which are very manageable and so I enjoy using a skin product that has light-medium coverage for day time.

I've been using the Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser for about 4 months now and I have really been enjoying it. Before this, my go-to day time foundation was Chanel Vitalumiere, another truly fantastic skin base.

I thought it would be interesting to do a review of the tinted moisturiser and compare it with the foundation - I think you'll be surprised at some of the results! As this is primarily a post to showcase the qualities of the tinted moisturiser, here is how it looks on:

Click Photo
Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser

CHANEL:  £33.00 | SPF 15 |  30ml
LAURA MERCIER: £33.00 |  SPF 20 |  50ml

Consistency: The first thing that is noticeable is that despite the fact that the Laura Mercier is a 'tinted moisturiser', it is actually much thicker in consistency to the Chanel foundation. One would assume that a foundation would be thicker than a moisturiser, but it can clearly be seen here that the tinted moisturiser is less runny than the foundation. The foundation has spread out a little more and faster, while the tinted moisturiser has stayed where it was first squeezed out.

Coverage: Both of these products are very easy to blend and buff into the skin. I would say the Laura Mercier Illuminating inted moisturiser requires a little more buffing because as can be clearly seen, it has heavier coverage than the foundation. It is noticeably thicker but definitely not in a cakey way. Don't be fooled into thinking that because it has been marketed as a tinted moisturiser that it won't provide 'enough' coverage. The Chanel foundation blends effortlessly and skins into skin to provide a very natural, polished finish. The tinted moisturiser does the same, but with it I require less concealer. 

Finish/Long-Lasting?: As seen be seen above, they have both blended beautifully into my skin, the foundation leaving almost no sign of presence! This is the kind of coverage that is so perfect for day-time and I think they can both be built up coverage-wise a little bit for an evening look. As this particular Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser is the illuminating one, you can see that it leaves a dewier finish than the foundation - something I personally love. Neither of them look shiny in a bad way, but look healthy and give off a somewhat iridescent glow. However, I don't think I would recommend the illuminating tinted moisturiser for people with oily skin, I think they should check out the normal tinted moisturiser! But for us girls with dry skin types this is incredible!
The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser lasts longer on my skin than the foundation (I don't use powder, ever), and I think this is because it is thicker and less runny in consistency but the Chanel foundation lasts a decent amount of time too!

I don't think I have a favourite from the two - I genuinely enjoy both of them and would recommend them both to anyone who is in the market for a good amount of coverage for day-time but doesn't like too much. With this post I aimed to clear any misunderstandings people may have about tinted moisturisers, if you choose the right one, it can be a great alternative to a foundation and you don't have to compromise on quality, finish and coverage!

What do you think of tinted moisturisers? Have you tried this one? The next one on my list to try is the new Nars one!!

Love, Emma xo
Currently Listening To: Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home) - Usher