Fancy but hardworking: The Skincolor de la Mer Line
La Mer is famous all over the world for the Crème de La Mer and ingenious way of harnessing the natural bounties of the sea in their trademarked Miracle Broth. I am personally a huge fan of the Gel de la Mer, since it's a lighter formula but with the same rejuvenating properties as the original. Along with the Eye Concentrate, it's what convinced me that La Mer is more than just hype!
Now if you're curious about La Mer's makeup too, well, do I have a review for you. Lovers of luxury cosmetics will be pleased to hear that La Mer's Skincolor line is finally here in the Philippines this October. It's more than just makeup - the brand made sure to infuse each product with the Miracle Broth and other active ferments, so you get to take care of your skin while getting the coverage you need. I have a few products from the line. Here's a quick rundown of each!
The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 (P6,650 for 30ml) is a heavy coverage liquid foundation with a demi matte finish. It gives skin that incredibly smooth, velvety finish and yes, very little goes a long way! It's richly pigmented and adheres to skin almost invisibly. It feels weightless on my skin as if I'm not wearing anything. Also, it smells like sweet vanilla, so it always uplifts my mood whenever I wear it. I just really sniff my face for as long as the scent lasts (about 30 minutes or so)!
It's a long-wearing foundation, as the name suggests. It stays put for a good 10 hours on my combination skin with barely any fading. No cost was spared in the formula here! It's basically my dream foundation - has loads of coverage while still looking like I didn't erase my face. Of course, it never hurts that the glass packaging is jaw-dropping.
The only problem is that I got the wrong shade. T__T Tan 42 is about two shades too dark on me (I'd say it's NC40-42), so I can only use it only as a contour color by itself. I've found a solution though: I mix it with a bit of the concealer from the same line. It looks great that way, and it's what I did for my FOTD below! I also sometimes mix it with a lighter liquid foundation to better match the color to my skin tone.
I recommend the Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 to all skin types as it hydrates the skin WHILE providing heavy, long-wearing coverage with a touch of SPF. Not a lot of liquid foundations can do that, hence, the price tag. Well, it is La Mer! There are eight warm shades available locally so you're sure to find your match.
Next up is The Concealer (P4,200 for 5 grams). This has heavy coverage in one swipe, and like the foundation, adheres to the skin flat and feels weightless. It's super easy to blend and is ideal for blemishes! I find it also works great on the under eyes as it doesn't cake. It also stays on my skin well (same as the foundation, 10 hours before fading); I'd say it has water-resistant properties.
This is my current under eye concealer as it's so easy to apply. Just be warned that it has a bit of drag when swiped onto the skin, but it melts with no trouble when blended with fingers or a dense brush.
I didn't think I'd go crazy over The Powder (P5,250 for 8 grams) since it looks like your typical translucent powder, but this blew me away. The powder gives skin this incredible fine sheen while at the same time providing some coverage. It adjusts to the skin, so even though there's only one shade available, it should work for all tones.
I find that this extends my makeup well throughout the day while providing this beautiful skin-like glow. The caveat: there's only eight grams of powder in the jar. I'm surprised because the jar is LARGE but it seems that it's mostly glass. I appreciate how it looks on my dresser, but it takes up more space than I'd like. The puff is also just so-so. I still prefer to use a powder brush.
Formula wise, The Powder is amazing, but the packaging for me could be more efficient.
Last but not least, I've got The Powder Brush (P4,600). It's a synthetic brush which can be used a variety of ways: as a foundation, blush, concealer, and contour buffer. It works with powder, cream, and liquid formulas! The brush is so well-formed that there are no pointy bristles when you press it down. It's also so so soft on skin, as if I'm just using my fingers. It's got this perfect density while still maintaining a bouncy quality to it.
This is an excellent multi-purpose brush, if you don't mind the price tag. It's about the same price level as most luxury brush brands.
Using the La Mer liquid foundation (mixed with the concealer), concealer (under eyes), and powder in this look!
The verdict? The Skincolor de la Mer line costs a pretty shiny penny, but it means serious business. Each product has amazing pigmentation and finish, along with weightless feel and long wear. Get it if you love luxury beauty - you won't be disappointed.
Skincolor de la Mer is available in Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-la and Cebu
Product photography by Samantha Gonzales
