Translucent
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Glow ($38.00 for 1.00 oz.) is a pale, yellowed powder with a golden sheen. It had sheer coverage when dusted all over my face (as a setting powder), but it had enough shimmer and was buildable that I was able to apply it as a highlighter on my cheekbones, just to give you a better idea of how much of a sheen this can add to the skin.
The powder was finely-milled and silky to the touch, which helped it apply all-over my face to set my base. Depending on the formula, how much of that formula I applied, and what I did that day, the wear ranged between 10 and 14 hours of solid wear out of my base (as compared to 7 to 12 hours without). I did not find that it was as good as smoothing on my skin’s natural texture and pores as the original Loose Setting Powder (which I love), but it did sit well on my skin and did not make my foundations appear cakey.
It yielded a noticeable sheen wherever I applied it; not really a subtle glow but light to moderate with faintly visible pearl if I looked closely, which I know can be a deal-breaker for some. I preferred using the Glow powder on the high points of my face and underneath my eyes but preferred the original for the rest of my face.
FURTHER READING:
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
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- Too Faced Happy Face (P, $30.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
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- MAC Perfect Topping (Lightness of Being) (LE, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
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- MAC Gold FX (LE, $31.00) is cooler (90% similar).
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- Too Faced Blessed (LE, ) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Milani Summer Glow (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
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- Urban Decay Beauty Beam #2 (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
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Formula Overview
$38.00/1 oz. — $38.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to give a «glow finish» while setting makeup for «up to 12 hours» in two shades—Translucent and Medium Deep. It is described as having «sheer coverage» that «blur the look of fine lines and imperfections.» The powders have a silky, finely-milled quality and are sheer but neither is colorless, and I noticed that the Translucent darkened my foundation about half a shade overall (I’m about light to light-medium). Both shades deposit a soft, barely-there shimmer, but it’s somewhat visible close-up, so they result in a good deal of luminosity when applied all-over. I found that I preferred the look of the original Loose Setting Powder for most of my face and using the Glow version on strategic areas for a candlelit glow as the original formula gave my skin a smoother, more pore-less finish than the Glow version.
The powder did help extend the wear of my foundation, and I’d agree that it definitely kept my foundation looking fresh for between 10 and 14 hours, depending on environment, formula, and how much foundation I applied (or didn’t apply). In general, I would recommend this powder only for someone who likes a very dewy finish, doesn’t mind visible pearl/sheen on the skin, and is light-medium or deeper (or doesn’t mind a warming powder if one is fairer).
Browse all of our Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder Glow swatches.
Ingredients
Talc, Mica, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Lauroyl Lysine, Methicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Ultramarines (Ci 77007).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer)
at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable
to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
