Beauty Laura Mercier All That Showdown, Setting Powders Compared
Three Laura Mercier powders cover nearly every skin need. The original Translucent powder is the classic matte setter. The Ultra Blur Mint version adds redness correction plus hydration. The 24HR Shine Control gift set bundles the original formula in minis. This comparison breaks down finish, formula, and best skin type.
| Factor | Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting | Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Talc-Fre |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Translucent Loose Powder | Ultra Blur Mint |
| Formula | Vitamins C and E, talc based | Talc free, hyaluronic acid |
| Finish | Soft matte | Natural blurring |
| Best skin type | Normal to oily | Normal to dry, mature |
| Extra benefit | 24HR shine control | Neutralizes redness |
| Size | Full size jar | Full size jar |
| Price range | Around forty eight dollars | Around forty one dollars |
Our Verdict
The original Translucent powder wins for oily skin and classic matte setting. It controls shine longest and suits the widest range of tones. The Ultra Blur Mint wins for dry, mature, or redness prone skin. Its hydrating talc free formula feels more comfortable all day. Pick the original for shine control and Ultra Blur Mint for comfort and correction.
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Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: First time buyers wanting to try the iconic powder at a lower price.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, 24HR Shine Control, Holiday Gift Set
- Original formula minis
- Soft matte finish
- Travel friendly set
Pros
- Great value mini set
- Same iconic formula
- Good for travel
Cons
- Smaller sizes run out faster
- Limited edition availability
Want the Full Picture?
Setting Powder Over Sunscreen: The Pilling Problem Solved
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder compared here is a staple for setting makeup, but layering any powder over sunscreen creates the pilling problem that ruins mornings. The cause is timing: sunscreen needs two to three minutes to form its film, and powder applied to tacky sunscreen balls up into little rolls that take the coverage with them. The fix is patience plus technique. Let the SPF set fully, then press the powder on with a puff using a rolling motion rather than sweeping with a brush, which disturbs the sunscreen less.
Sunscreen formula choice matters as much as timing. Chemical sunscreens with a dry-touch finish accept powder far better than rich mineral formulas that stay dewy. If you wear a dewy SPF and need powder setting, blot the T-zone gently with a tissue first to remove the surface tack, then powder only where you need it. Powdering the entire face over a dewy sunscreen is what creates the cakey, separating mess by noon.
For touch-ups, pressed powder over sunscreen-worn makeup works better than loose powder, since it deposits less product and disturbs the existing layers less. Carry the pressed version for midday and keep the loose powder for the morning set. And remember the hierarchy: sun protection outranks a perfect powder finish every time. A slightly dewy T-zone with intact SPF beats a matte face with compromised protection. The Fenty Cheeks Out guide discusses cream formulas that layer gracefully over SPF.
The Full Cheek Stack: Where Setting Powder Fits
Setting powder's place in the cheek routine confuses people because it interacts with every other cheek product. The order: cream or liquid cheek products first, then setting powder to lock them, then powder blush or bronzer over the set base if you want more intensity. Powder before cream is the cardinal sin; it creates a dry barrier that creams cannot blend into, resulting in patchy, separating makeup.
With the Laura Mercier powder specifically, the translucent formula sets without adding color, which makes it ideal for the sandwich technique: cream blush, light powder set, then a veil of powder blush on top for longevity. This layering is how makeup artists get cheek color to survive twelve-hour days. The powder in the middle absorbs the oils that would otherwise break down the cream layer, while the powder blush on top refreshes the color payoff.
The amount matters more than the product. A heavy hand with setting powder over cheek products mutes the blush color and creates a flat, chalky finish. Use the smallest amount that sets, focused on the areas where you get oily, and leave the high points of the cheekbone with minimal powder so the blush color stays luminous. Our blonzer guide covers combination cheek products that simplify the stacking order.
Blush and Setting Powder on Mature Skin: Placement That Lifts
Standard blush advice says to smile and apply to the apples of the cheeks, but on mature skin with any sagging, that placement drags the face down visually. The lifting placement: apply blush higher and further back, along the upper cheekbone sweeping toward the temple, keeping the color above the nasolabial fold line. This draws the eye upward and outward instead of down toward the jaw. The difference in photos is dramatic for the same product.
Setting powder on mature skin needs the same rethink. Heavy powder all over the cheek emphasizes fine lines and creates a dry, aging finish. Instead, set only the areas that truly need it, usually the T-zone and under the eyes, and leave the blush area with minimal powder. If the blush is a cream formula, a whisper of powder just at the edges keeps it in place without flattening the glow that keeps mature skin looking alive.
The texture rule for mature cheeks: creams over powders, always. Powder blush plus powder set plus powder highlight is three dry layers competing on textured skin. Swap at least the blush to a cream, set sparingly, and the whole cheek looks like skin instead of makeup. The Benefit Dandelion guide covers a brightening powder blush that works well in sheer layers on mature skin.