The 10 Best Products From Iconic Skincare Brand Laura Mercier

Read about the beauty brand and see which products are fan favorites

By
Amanda Mitchell
Amanda Mitchell, former contributing writer for Byrdie, poses in a red sweater on a red background.
Amanda Mitchell
Amanda Mitchell is a freelance beauty, culture, and entertainment writer based in Brooklyn, New York.
Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 11/16/22 11:18AM EST
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Laura Mercier products flat layed on a white background

@lauramercier / Unsplash

When you first get into makeup, whether it's flipping through a magazine or watching tutorials on YouTube, you hear a lot of the same names. M.A.C, Bare Minerals, NARS—brands that have stood the test of time, thanks to innovation and quality products.

One such brand is Laura Mercier. A fan favorite for a reason, nearly every single person who loves makeup has tried out its products. And because it was developed by a makeup artist for everyday use, there is truly a product for everyone.

Laura Mercier

Founded: Laura Mercier, 1996

Based In: New York

Pricing: $-$$

Best Known For: Effortless essentials beloved by consumers and makeup artists alike.

Most Popular Product: Translucent Setting Powder, Caviar Stick Eye Color

Fun Fact: Mercier’s celebrity clients were the inspiration for some of her first products: She named a lipstick after Madonna (“M”), and Sarah Jessica Parker encouraged the brand owner to name her fragrance L’heure Magique.

Other Brands You’ll Love: NARS, BareMinerals, Charlotte Tilbury

Laura Mercier, who was raised in France, began her career as a painter but quickly transferred her passion to a new canvas: the face. "Her makeup philosophy has always been 'less is more,' and 'what makes you unique, makes you beautiful,' a philosophy which resonated with her clients—from celebrities to women she would meet at the counter as a very young artist, or on editorial shoots," explains Laura Mercier global beauty director Jason Hoffman. Mercier began creating her own formulas to use on the editorial photoshoots she was working on around the world and brought the idea of effortless beauty to everyone when she launched her eponymous brand in 1996.

Laura Mercier products, at the end of the day, want to accentuate your natural features, making you look beautiful without covering your skin. The Laura Mercier consumer just wants high-performing products that are also easy to apply, look natural, and deliver long-lasting results. "Our products have a 'skin affinity,' meaning that they melt into and become one with the skin," explains Hoffman. "Our mission is to make makeup effortless and attainable for all."

Here are the 10 most iconic Laura Mercier products.

01 of 10

Caviar Stick Eye Color

caviar stick eyeshadow
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color $32.00
Shop

Want a full-blown eye look with minimal effort on your end? Try the brand's Caviar Sticks, which offer long-lasting, one-swipe full coverage—great on their own or for creating the smokey eye of your dreams.

02 of 10

Translucent Setting Powder

translucent loose setting powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder $40.00
Shop

Find me a makeup artist that doesn't have this translucent setting powder in their kit. It'll take a while, but that's because it truly lives up to the hype. Promising to set makeup for up to 16 hours of wear, this powder—which was crowned Best Overall on our list of the Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin—will give you an airbrushed, matte finish. It also comes in two sizes, and the mini is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.

03 of 10

Velour Matte Lipstick

velour extreme matte lipstick
Laura Mercier Velour Matte Lipstick $30.00
Shop

Some matte lipsticks are ultra-drying and feel like they're sitting on top of your lips. Laura Mercier somehow managed to fix that problem with this moisturizing matte lipstick. Because it's a crayon, you can use it as a liner, or as lipstick—either way, the color payoff and long wear will stay with you (literally and figuratively).

04 of 10

Blush Color Infusion

blush color infusion
Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion $34.00
Shop

We're in love with this sheer, endlessly buildable cheek color. It truly does blend in with the skin nearly seamlessly, and you can continue to apply layer after layer and you won't look cakey or costumey. The brand claims the color lasts up to 10 hours, and because it's available in a whopping 14 shades, any skin tone can use this blush to create a natural, gently-flushed look.

05 of 10

Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF 20

Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF 20 $49.00
Shop

There's a reason why this pick made our list of the Best Tinted Moisturizers. The oil-free version is a smart buy for those prone to shiny skin—it melts beautifully and, despite its ultra-creamy texture, dries down without being cakey or tacky on the skin.

06 of 10

Face Illuminator Highlighting Powder

face illuminating highlighting powder
Laura Mercier Face Illuminator Highlighting Powder $45.00
Shop

If your goal when applying a highlighter is to look like a disco ball, this powder is perfect for you. And don't let that deter you if you're looking for a more subtle glow—the brilliance of this highlighting powder is that it provides a gorgeous, buildable shine. Whether you want to look like a glazed donut on display or just want a gentle whiff of shine, this highlighter can make your glowy dream a reality.

07 of 10

The Perfect Cream Multi-Tasking Moisturizer

the perfect cream mult-tasking moisturizer
Laura Mercier The Perfect Cream Multi-Tasking Moisturizer $68.00
Shop

This moisturizer has a gel-like appearance, which may give some people pause: How can a moisturizer be so jelly-like, but also deeply moisturizing? Somehow Laura Mercier accomplished that with this cream, which will keep your face hydrated, but not oily.

08 of 10

Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer

flawless fusion concealer
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer $30.00
Shop

Sometimes, concealers can emphasize texture if they're too drying. This ultra-hydrating concealer won't betray you. Great for brightening under eyes, this is a smooth and creamy concealer you'll reach for every day.

09 of 10

Pure Canvas Primer Blurring

pore canvas primer
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Blurring $42.00
Shop

This primer definitely lives up to the "blurring" in its name: You'll look at yourself and wonder if you need to go to the eye doctor because it'll seem like you're wearing a filter. It contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump—that's why it was a top pick for our list of the Best Primers for Dry Skin.

10 of 10

Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Foundation
Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation $49.00
Shop

If a foundation could sing, this one would sound like a chorus of baby angels in complete harmony. When they say "luminous," Laura Mercier means it—this foundation is lightweight while also serving up medium-to-full coverage. Somehow, it is a dewy foundation that manages not to emphasize texture or pores. Iconic behavior, truly.

Related Stories