Your skin, but better. Is that too much to wish for? In 1996 when Laura Mercier offered the world her signature Tinted Moisturizer, the beauty industry was rife with thin brows, tawny brown lipstick, and chalky, mask-like foundation. In fact, Laura Mercier’s introduction of the concept of sheer, tinted moisturiser to the U.S. market 25 years ago heralded a change in our approach to make-up. Trends have come and gone since then, but the iconic Tinted Moisturizer remains a cult favourite among radiant royals Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, as well as celebrities including Karlie Kloss, Diane Kruger and Cara Delevingne who embody fresh-faced beauty.
Laura Mercier now reintroduces her iconic Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20—to the delight of skins living in our hot and humid climes. Here’s what the cult formula in new packaging and an expanded line of 14 colour-true of shades means for you.
The benefits of an oil-free tinted moisturizer
“This past year has allowed everyone to get back in touch with our authentic selves, and for many, that comes with a realisation that we do not need to wear excess make-up to feel beautiful,” says Jason Hoffman, global beauty director at Laura Mercier.
For anyone who hates the greasy feel of moisturisers or the weight of foundation on the skin, Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free “is the perfect no make-up-make-up product for warm and tropical climates,” says Hoffman—though the same can be said for the humid micro-climate we create while wearing our surgical face masks. Whether things are steamy or your skin is naturally on the oilier side, the Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free helps to prevent any shiny skin ‘hotspots’, giving the complexion a soft-focus effect as pores and lines are blurred. The moisturiser is “lightweight and infused with oil-absorbing powders that help to control excess shine all day long.”
These powders actively mattify the skin for a shine-free finish without leaving it feeling tight or dehydrated. And the numbers speak for themselves: 93 per cent of consumers felt that the blurring, demi-matte formula balanced the skin, while imparting skin-smoothing coverage without settling into fine lines, looking cakey or emphasising imperfections. Ninety-one per cent of customers surveyed felt that the non-greasy formula which includes calming licorice root, offered lightweight hydration while simultaneously soothing the skin. The Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free also contains vitamin E and broad-spectrum SPF 20 protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV rays and the environment.
“The skin must always remain authentic. Not caked-on. And if we can see the skin itself, even better. This is what I always intended for Tinted Moisturizer to be.” – Laura Mercier
How to achieve a flawless, hyper-real face
For Laura Mercier, a flawless face isn’t about being perfect. It’s about feeling flawless and as fuss-free as possible. The Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free sits somewhere between skincare and sheer, buildable make-up and is virtually mistake-proof.
“Laura Mercier herself always believed that using fingers is the best way to apply tinted moisturiser to achieve the most natural, skin-like finish,” says Hoffman. “Using fingers to apply this lightweight formula allows you to blend it in like skincare. Beauty blenders are fine to buff down excess product, however they do absorb the product so if you apply directly with a sponge, you will tend to use more than if you applied directly with your fingers.”
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And whether you’re using this post-Pilates or applying it to your skin before you start your day of Zoom calls, the new and improved tube is designed with an innovative orifice to prevent leakage and makes for easy handling. For days where your complexion needs extra TLC, chase signs of under eye fatigue or blemishes away with the Secret Camouflage Brighten & Correct Duo Concealer. The product of course, offers impressive staying power, however oilier skin types benefit from a light dusting of Laura Mercier’s iconic, flashback-free Translucent Loose Setting Powder over the T-Zone to really mattify and lock the product in.
“Of course, any imperfections can be camouflaged,” says Hoffman, “it has always been Laura Mercier’s philosophy to use make-up to boost confidence without hiding the person underneath.”
Thanks to Laura Mercier, we can confidently celebrate the skin we’re in.
The Laura Tinted Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 20 is pre-launched at Sephora and Sephora.sg, and hits the the Laura Mercier store at Takashimaya #B1-38 on July 22, 2021.
