Review: Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

I got Laura Mercier's Silk Creme foundation over Christmas, had some time to use it and today I will review it for you here. I like Laura Mercier's products but find them quite expensive, this foundation retails for $55CAD/$42US and can be bought at Sephora or wherever Laura Mercier products are sold. I was debating between this and the Creme Smooth (the one in the pot) but that one is even more expensive and I am not crazy about the packaging, I have tried a sample of it and it's beautiful, I am tempted to say better than this one.

I have this in the shade "Cream Ivory" which is the lightest shade they make, suitable for those with 'light ivory/very fair skintones' according to the colour chart on Sephora's website. My store actually had a spot for "Soft Ivory" (lighter shade) but they did not have any in, and oddly enough the website does not list that colour, but Laura's website does, I am not sure if this is an old or new colour. I think this foundation is really not catering to light skintones, I think "Cream Ivory" is better suited for someone NC20, and I am NC15, I find the colour to be a tad too dark and I have to really watch when I apply it or else I get the line under my chin. It's a real pity and frustrating when you find a nice foundation, but it's not quite right for you because of the colour.

The packaging is a sleek brown tube, it says "shake well" on the cap and they mean it! if you don't shake this you will get oil/water dripping out and it's not pretty. The tube gets you 35ml, which is slightly more than the 30ml that most foundations offer. The coverage on this is advertised as being "luminous, natural coverage". On the back of the package it says "beautiful, light-diffusing formula offering advanced light-reflection properties which cause fine lines and wrinkles to optically vanish. ... innovation foundation that delivers flawless, buildable coverage in a long wearing rich hydrating base." I would definitely say this is great on dry skin (which I have) it does feel hydrating and comfortable. I don't set this with a powder, I feel you'll lose the luminous finish of it, and might as well wear any other foundation.

Here is the texture of the foundation on my hand, notice how it's very yellow based. Sephora's website says this is great for those with rosacea, I don't have rosacea but I have splotchy skin. The shade up, "Rose Ivory" is the pinker equivalent. It's like the name suggests a creme foundation, but definitely a light creme with a liquid feel, this isn't heavy at all. Actually the texture of it would make you think it wouldn't cover well since it's so light, but it does.

And here blended in slightly (not all the way to show appearance). My hand looks darker than the foundation, but in reality the foundation is darker. It covers very well, I would say this medium-full coverage. It has a slight scent, kind of sweet. This does oxidize on me as well, so it being too dark to begin with is not good. That dot on my hand right of the swatch is from dryness, I get these little marks on my skin from when it's very dry. This foundation makes dry skin look more glowy and healthy, which is a nice effect. Silk Creme is nice for the winter, in the summer may be too hydrating and potentially move around too much on the skin.

I am on the fence with this though, I wish the lighter colours were more varied, I am not entirely sure that I will be keeping this. I think for $55 you should really get a foundation that you love. If anyone has tried the "Soft Ivory" shade please let me know, or if you are light tell me if this has worked for you.

edit: I returned this product, loved it, but the colour match was not for me, too dark. I realize that in pictures it looks like a good match, but that is just because my camera sucks.

Have you tried this foundation?