A few weeks ago when I posted about my beloved, Egyptian Magic face cream I went into Sephora looking for anything that would disguise the fact that my skin was totally falling off of my face. As I’m digging around, unknowingly trying my hardest to spend every last penny in my bank account in this store, one of the girls that works there came over and introduced herself. I honestly couldn’t listen to a word she was saying because her skin was FLAWLESS. I think I actually interrupted her and told her I wanted everything she uses. Creepy? Yes. Worth it? For sure.
She told me she swears by Laura Mercier Radiance Primer and that I should try it first, because I already use a tinted moisturizer that I really like. Since I’ll buy anything anyone tells me will make me look pretty (don’t judge, ok?), I of course left with the primer not expecting much. Well, after a few weeks of using it I think it might be one of my favorite products ever. I usually stay away from anything that says it makes your skin “glow” because I end up looking like a backwoods version of JLo, with my face super bronze and the rest of my body as pale as snow. Not exactly what I was going for. The Laura Mercier Radiance Primer doesn’t really bronze my skin, but just gives it a healthy, dewey look that helps my makeup stay throughout the day. I use it under any foundation and it works just the same under all of them. My favorites right now are the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation (I use 4.5 in the winter) and Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisutrizer (I use Medium).
I also used the primer on top of my foundation as a highlighter and it worked amazingly well. At $40 a tube, I definitely want to get my money’s worth and I can honestly say I will continue buying this primer unless I find something I like better. I use the tiniest bit because it spreads very easily, so one tube will last me a long time.
What are your secrets for beating the winter “blah” face?
I fell in love with their primer when I got a free sample from my reward points at sephora and I agree it is AMAZING!! I also love Yves Saint Lauren Illuminating foundation for the wintertime skin blues.
Love this post!! I’m def going to try it 🙂
I am obsessed with this blog and your fashion! It´s not funny and quite creepy. 😀
“like a backwoods version of JLo” haha…needed a little laugh today! Thanks!
This must be a sign! I’ve been debating back and forth on buying this product for like a month now. Cause I know exactly what you mean Emily I hate anything that might make me sparkle but now that you’re giving it the stamp of approval I’m so sold! Love you!
In the winter time my skin gets super dry. I use cocoa butter (Palmer from any drugstore) for my face. It not only keeps it moisturized all day but also good for fading scars (I massage extra cream on my face every night!). It has Vitamin E and those good stuff. Then on top of that I apply thin layer of Smashbox PhotoFinish primer before foundation. That way the foundation won’t mix with my cocoa butter and natural skin oils. Combination of both cocoa butter and primer keeps my face soft, moisturized, glowing, and perfect all day!
Emily, can you PLEASE do makeup tutorials?! xoxo
I use the Too Faced Primed and Poreless, and it’s really pretty too. I use it all over, including my lips, to keep my lipstick on all day! It’s about $10 less than the Laura Mercier, so it’s probably worth a shot!
I agree! I got this primer as a gift for buying products at Nieman’s and I have fallen in love! Thanks for your beauty tips. Keep them coming! It’s been a timesaver for me as a mom of two…I just read your blog and order the products you recommend!!!
I really love using Smashbox’s primer. They have all different kinds, but I prefer the oil free on my skin. I can definitely tell the difference when I don’t use it.
I have never tried the primer but have tried the tinted moisturizer and I loved it!! Great post girl 🙂
xo,
http://www.sincerelymissashley.blogspot.ca
I’ve used this for years and love it. However I purchased the Temptu foundation a few years ago when you talked about it. An I swear by it. Love it!!
Try Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50- makes my skin have a wonderful glow and goes on so smoothly under make up! This is an amazing product and it’s inexpensive for being such high quality!
Just bought it and love it! Thanks em!
I recently visited my Mom and it’s always ritual to invade her cosmetics drawer! She had a foundation called: Clarins Illumination. I put it on all over my face and it was AMAZING. I mean it’s the only product you need because it’s full coverage foundation, illuminator, and my skin was dewey and hydrated all day! Then when I looked it up online it ran for about $80+ OMG!!! But if you have the money it’s a miracle product. She also had the Clarins Day serum which was like heavenly smelling oil mixture on the face but yet again still cant buy it without braking the bank!
What’s creepy is that I purchase every product that you recommend and love them all! Lol Thank you so much for giving us your recommendations!
I love this blog and your recommendations! Keep it up:)
You HAVE to try Amore Pacific! Very pricy…but well worth it. My skin will break out very easily if I try something new and with this product it didn’t. Literally all of their creams and serums are amazing… Green tea, bamboo Sam and red ginseng… Your skin feels like silk… I use the clarisonic and also use Armani silk foundation. Let me know if you try it, you will thank me! 🙂
Whatever you do don’t get a chemical peel! Worst mistake of my life.
I love Aveda’s tinted moisturizer (spf15). it’s easy just to spread on and go on with my day. For the added “dewy” look I use one of their blush combos.
Hi Em – Big love to you from Australia! Fantastic blog and congrats to you on your engagement and future happiness 🙂
I was stocking up on the Laura Mercier Oil Free version of the primer which is a fave of mine and noticed the ‘Radiance’ version, curious to try it now! (and I’m now dying to get my hands on a Clarasonic..). I actually like how the oil-free feels on my skin and primes perfectly under the mineral foundation I’m using: do you have Jane Iredale products available locally? They are beautiful high-quality mineral products and I’m in love with the Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream ‘Glowtime’ foundation and get complimented on my skin when I use it (it really does give a super healthy ‘glow’ while not looking overly done / or J-Lo haha)
I like the natural, bright and dewy finish and it provides decent coverage that evens out my complexion, covers some pigmentation, plus includes an SPF 25 and is UVA/UVB
What shade of Giorgio Armani do you wear in the summer? I really want to try it and I think we’d wear a similar shade.
Thank you!!
I think I’m a 5 or a 5.25
Love your blog! Are you not using the Temptu airbrush anymore. My daughter had her makeup professionally done and it was airbrush foundation and it looked amazing. Which do you prefer?