So Laura Mercier dropped a new formula for their translucent powder. And the internet is *mad* about it. The old one? A classic. This one? It’s got silica — which is basically a high-tech oil sponge for your T-zone. But it also made my undereyes look like a dry creek bed on first try. That’s the real divide.
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🧴 **What’s Actually In the Jar**
It’s a $44 loose powder. The new claim is “weightless, blurring wear.” I bought it because I wanted to see if it could actually handle my 12-hour work days without turning me into a greaseball.
1. **Micro-spherical powders** — They literally roll off your face instead of settling into lines. Weird but true.
2. **Vitamin E** — A softener so you don’t look like you dipped your face in flour.
3. **Silica** — The new star. Absorbs oil in 10 seconds flat. But it’s not forgiving on dry patches.
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⚖️ **New Formula, Old Tricks**
The old one was basically just talc, dimethicone, and a prayer. This one has **silica** (oil control MVP), **vitamin E** (to stop the silica from sucking you dry), and **glycerin** (a humectant that pulls in moisture). Sounds smart. But the glycerin can pill under silicone-based foundations. Learned that the hard way.
- Silica: Soaks up sweat like a paper towel
- Vitamin E: Softens the finish, not just the skin
- Glycerin: Hydration boost — but watch your base
- Talc: Still there, but less dominant now
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💬 **How It Feels (Day 1 vs. Week 3)**
First swipe: velvet. Like touching a freshly made bed. But on my nose? Instant matte — almost too matte. By noon, my forehead was still dry. That never happened with the old one.
Week three update: I started applying it with a damp sponge instead of a brush. Total game-changer (sorry, I said it). It melts into the skin instead of sitting on top. The silica stops looking chalky and starts looking like a filter.
💡 **One Thing** — Press it into your T-zone with a puff, then dust the rest with a fluffy brush. Don’t bake. Baking with this formula = crack city.
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🔬 **Did It Actually Work?**
My makeup stayed put for 10 hours. No creasing in my smile lines. But my dry cheeks felt tight by hour 6. The old powder never did that. So: better for oil, worse for dry skin. Pick your poison.
✅ **Buy if** — You sweat through foundation by lunch and need a powder that actually stops the shine.
⏭️ **Skip if** — You have dry or flaky skin. This will highlight every rough patch.
💰 **Worth it?** — For $44, it’s a solid upgrade for oily skin. For dry skin? Save your money.
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💎 **Final Word**
It’s a love-hate reformulation. Great for oil control, not great for dry zones. I’d still buy it — but only for summer.
🛍️ **Where to Buy** — Sephora or Ulta. Grab the travel size first ($25) to test your skin’s reaction.