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Today, class, we are doing an official grading session of the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation (well, that’s a mouthful!) In case you forgot, we grade using our official rubric.

First, a little background. I purchased this product in my quest to find a medium coverage, natural-looking base. I have heard very little about the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, but I know that this company tends to deliver quality products.

Now, the grading!

Product Claims (via Sephora):

What it is:
A sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage foundation that creates a soft, candlelit glow on skin—day or night.

What it does:
Laura Mercier always dreamed of inventing a foundation that recreated the atmosphere of a candlelit room. Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation is a mosaic of nature’s most luminous natural ingredients that gives skin a glowing look anytime day or night. A calibrated blend of radiant-pearl mica, embedded in an ultra-lightweight formula, mimics the reflective radiance of just lit candles. The mica mélange fuses with refreshing purified water that leaves skin with a burst of hydration and helps foundation glide onto skin for lasting smoothness and natural luminosity. Available in 24 shades, this foundation’s luxurious blend of lightweight oils locks in this moisture to leave skin balanced, soft and beautifully ignited.

Official Grading

Ease of Application: 5/5

I found this foundation incredibly easy to apply. It has a thin consistency, which lends itself to being buffed out by a brush (I used the IT Cosmetics #110), however it is not so thin that it gets sucked up by a Beauty Blender. Both application methods work well with the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation. The foundation blends easily and does not ever appear streaky or cakey.

Formula: 3/5

As suggested by the product description, this is a sheer-to-medium coverage foundation. I find that it does leave the face looking soft and luminous, without appearing greasy. It is long-lasting, especially when set with a translucent powder. It does sink a bit into creases, specifically the one I have to the left of my mouth. This is my only qualm.

I think it is also important to note that my skin is neither oily nor dry at this point. When I asked for opinions on Instagram, @katelovesmakeup1 (of katelovesmakeup.com) and @avant_claire suggestes that this formula does not do well on oily skin. However, @art_theta, who probably has skin like mine, says she reaches for this foundation “almost everyday.”

Color: 5/5

I was able to find a decent color match for the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in the shade Shell. I have not found that the color oxidizes at all with time. The foundation is pigmented enough to be buildable to medium coverage

Packaging: 5/5

The frosted bottle has a mirrored cover that closes securely over the pump top. It is a heavy, glass product (so don’t drop it on a hard floor…) that feels luxurious. The top is prone to acquiring fingerprints, but it is easily cleaned. The pump expels enough product to cover the face in one application.

Overall: 18/20

The Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation gets an A!

I highly recommend this foundation for those with normal to dry skin looking for a light to medium coverage base with a natural finish. Have you tried it?

More Laura Mercier:

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