I could use some of that radiance for sure! Let’s review this water-based primer.
Well what does the brand say?
According to Laura Mercier this primer gives you that and tones down the visibility of pores, fine lines and redness by creating an “invisible buffer”.
Yeah, it’s water-based but not entirely silicone-free. It includes “a minimal concentration of the lightest silicones”, which is cool if you’re looking for something that feels a bit more lightweight but still want a smooth finish. Most people searching for water-based primers would probably want “minimal concentration” to mean “none at all” though.
The primer contains an antioxidant vitamin complex, supposedly giving it a slight anti-aging effect, and is non-comedogenic. It’s ideal for light to medium skin tones due to its pearly/peachy tint.
So, will it REALLY make you radiant and beautiful and awesome?
Well, according to reviews this primer does make you glow (which I think is close enough). A few people felt that you don’t really get the effect when wearing full coverage foundation on top of it, but most of the users found that you do in fact still get a beautiful radiant glow.
Perhaps it’s a matter of how much you use.
Many people warned that you don’t need a lot, by the way. A pea size amount should be enough if you use it for your whole face, and you might just want to highlight certain parts of your face instead. People with oily and combination skin complained that the shimmer made their skin look greasier, but those with dry or normal skin loved the effect.
Apparently the primer doesn’t offer much of extra moisture, so you may want to use it on top of a moisturizer.
Also, it can make textured skin, enlarged pores and wrinkles stand out even more, so in these cases it’s not necessarily recommended.
One of the biggest complaints was the price of the product, but those users who did end up liking the primer felt that it was worth the cost, especially when you only need to use a small amount.
Ideal for: People with a light to medium color skin that is relatively non-textured and not very oily, and who want a dewy, glowy finish.
Pros:
- Creates an effect that shows through even after putting on foundation (for most users anyway)
- Makes you look dewy but healthy
- Adds glow without having any “weird shimmer or glitter in it”
- Very light
- Not greasy (for those with dry or normal skin)
- Little goes a long way
- Doesn’t make you break out
- Keeps your foundation in place due to tacky finish
Cons:
- Can make you look metallic if you use too much – shininess alert!
- Shine can enhance texture and make wrinkles stand out more
- Not noticeable pore minimizing effect
- Pricey
- Not very hydrating
- Can make oily skin look worse
Ingredients
Take a look at this list for more water-based primers!
What’s your experience with the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Radiance?