Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder Review

I received this setting powder from Influenster x Laura Mercier in exchange for my honest opinion. #HowDoYouTLSP #contest

Setting powders are something I generally avoid. I have combination skin and I've found that setting powders - or powders in general - tend to cling to the drier areas of my skin. I don't know about you, but that's not a look I personally enjoy. I've tried a few - Coty Airspun powder and Wet N Wild's contouring palette in Dulce de Leche have been the most successful - but never been thrilled. Especially not enough to splurge on a high end setting powder.

I've watched enough YouTube videos where the Coty Airspun is hailed as a dupe for the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder to not want to pay for the price jump with how mixed my feelings are about the Coty Airspun. (I can do a separate entire review on that product, if you all would like.) However, since I'm always interested in trying new makeup products, I was thrilled when I found out I was receiving the Laura Mercier TLSP from Influenster.

(Quick side not on the Airspun - it has a very strong smell that reminds me of vintage cosmetics. It does dissipate throughout the day, but if scents bother you, I'd steer clear.)

Using the Laura Mercier TLSP, I was a little confused regarding why the Coty Airspun is so highly praised as a drugstore dupe for it. Perhaps the Coty Airspun is just the closest anyone has ever gotten from the drugstore? I'm not sure. But I definitely noticed differences. The first one being that the Laura Mercier TLSP has no scent when I open the jar - which works so much better for my life.

I found that it applied smoothly and did go on translucent. It does still cling to dry patches on my face, but if I'm patient and take advantage of how finely milled it is, I can apply just the lightest dusting and things look just fine. It's all in how well you can control the product. Overall, I'm really pleased.

Who Would Enjoy It?
- People who have used the Coty Airspun and found that it worked for them.
- People with oily/normal skin.
- Anyone with deeper skin that struggles with getting some flashback or a white cast from normal translucent setting powder. Laura Mercier has created a translucent setting powder with a deeper base in an attempt to help address these struggles. (While I can't speak from first hand experience if this is as successful as they're hoping, I do have to applaud Laura Mercier for striving to reach both ends of the spectrum.)

Who Will Not Enjoy It?
- People with dry skin that normally struggle with setting powders highlighting these patches.
- People with fine lines. Now, to be fair, Laura Mercier is much better than other powders I've tried at not sinking into these lines, but it may still highlight them more than you prefer.

What is the Value?
Here is a comparison of the price points for some popular translucent setting powders:

• Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder is $38/1 oz or $1.31/gram.
• Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder is $36/.29oz or $4.24/gram.
• Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder is $31/.31 oz. or $2.95/gram.
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores is $24/.23 oz or $3.69/gram.
• RCMA Makeup No Color Powder is $4/1 oz. or $0.14/gram.
• Coty Airspun Translucent Setting Powder is $2.60/1 oz. or $0.09/gram.

Is it Gluten Free?
According to Laura Mercier they cannot guarantee that any of their products are 100% gluten free because they are manufactured in a facility that also makes products that aren't gluten free. However, the translucent setting powder did not appear on their list of products that definitely contain gluten. I know how hard it is to make a call with that information, but I have experienced no issues from using this product.

Would I Purchase It Myself?
I'm on the fence with this one, leaning slightly more towards "no." While the powder is great, and definitely works better than any other powder I've tried (and is more affordable than a lot of the other high end powders I listed), I realistically only use the tiniest bit of it to stop my under eye concealer from creasing. In this one jar, I probably have enough to last me until long after it has expired. With how long it will last me and how many products there are on the market, I'll probably be ready to try another powder long before I run out of this one.

What's your favorite translucent setting powder?