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Can Laura Mercier’s New Tinted Balm Replace a Full-Coverage Foundation?
As a beauty expert, here’s my take on Laura Mercier’s tinted blur balm. Helen Wilson-Beevers Friday 30 January 2026 17:45 GMT.
Premium beauty brand Laura Mercier is renowned for products that craft a classic aesthetic, from its iconic translucent loose setting powder and tinted moisturiser to the caviar stick eyeshadow range. In an industry often dominated by fleeting beauty fads, the brand’s approach has remained refreshingly simple since its inception in 1996. The lineup consistently focuses on achieving a natural finish with a luxurious twist, and I personally relied on Laura Mercier products for my wedding makeup nearly two decades ago. Consequently, I was thrilled to learn about the launch of its brand-new tinted blur balm.
Product Overview and Testing Methodology
This balm-to-powder tint is formulated with smoothing peptides to enhance skin texture, and the brand asserts that the formula delivers a long-wearing finish. Enhanced with light-diffusing pigments designed to blur the skin, the tinted balm is available in eight matte shades and can also be utilised for contouring purposes. As a 41-year-old beauty journalist, I must confess that I typically prefer full-coverage foundation for daily radiance. Having spent almost 15 years testing beauty products, I often revert to my trusted Dior base. Could this new launch from another favourite brand of mine potentially sway my preferences? I obtained some pre-launch samples to investigate.
I dedicated two days to testing Laura Mercier’s new tinted blur balm, wearing it during an evening out and throughout a long workday. I evaluated the coverage it provided and how my skin appeared and felt while using the product. Additionally, I noted whether the formula is buildable and if it could offer the smoothing base I seek.
Key Features and Initial Impressions
Laura Mercier Tinted Blur Balm
- Number of shades: Eight
- Key ingredients: Peptides, squalane, and camelina sativa seed oil
- Why we love it: A lightweight, buildable base that feels softening on the skin, with a mirror included in the compact
- Take note: Only eight shades are available, and it doesn’t quite cover blemishes
Presented in an elegant gold compact, complete with a high-quality mirror, the balm immediately conveys a sense of luxury, aligning with its £39 price point. The balm-powder hybrid is notably lightweight, feeling creamy and veil-like upon application to my hand. It avoids the greasiness that many balms can induce, instead offering a silky-soft and almost sheer texture when a small amount is used.
Performance and Benefits
The product incorporates skincare ingredients such as peptides, squalane, and vitamin E-rich camelina sativa seed oil, and I could instantly detect its nourishing, softening benefits. Unlike some powders that cling to fine lines or settle in dry patches, this product did not, providing a smoothing layer that can be layered for increased coverage.
The balm creates a matte, velvety effect that looks natural, maintaining a subtle, lightweight coverage even after multiple applications. In fact, I would recommend wearing it over foundation to achieve a smoothing, matte finish while preserving coverage levels. When dabbed on with fingers, the balm excels as a gentle concealer for the under-eye area, though it may not fully conceal blemishes. Its layerability also allows for combining shades for contouring.
Due to its powdery, silky-soft formula, it does not slide off with wear, and I was pleased to find that the balm remained intact throughout an entire evening out. During daytime use, I did reapply it, but this was not problematic given the convenient mirror and seamless formula.
Final Verdict and Value Assessment
I am impressed with the natural, matte finish and smoothing, subtle coverage that the tinted blur balm delivers. It is a multi-tasking product suitable as a lightweight base, concealer, finishing layer, or for contouring. While I usually favour full-coverage foundation, this powder-balm formula has earned a place among my daily makeup essentials.
Testing Details and Trustworthiness
This review was based on first impressions rather than extended wear, so I tested it in two scenarios: with a fuller face of makeup for a night out and as part of a natural look for an office day. I assessed consistency, wearability, finish, packaging, and value for money. Throughout the trial, I evaluated the formula for smoothness, application methods with brushes and fingers, and results regarding longevity and daily usability.
With over 16 years of media experience, Helen Wilson-Beevers has extensively written about and reviewed beauty products, interviewing industry professionals like MUA Katie Jane Hughes to identify worthwhile products. Her expertise includes testing the best tinted moisturisers and foundations for dry skin for IndyBest, ensuring informed insights on formulas like this tinted blur balm.
