By no means is Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder sexy or exciting.
It’s a loose face powder with a single talent, but it’s a talent I quite appreciate.
It sets under-eye concealer — and it’s not flashy, but it does its job well. If dark under-eye circles are a bane of your existence, as they are mine, Secret Brightening Powder is freaking fantastic.
I’m serious! — it belongs on the periodic table of elements. That’s how special I think it is. The light-as-air setting powder has white pigments in it that create a subtle brightening effect and help to cancel out dark shadows.
I’ve been using this stuff with concealer on my dark circles off and on for years, and it never looks caked-on or riddled with creases. It keeps my concealer from scooting around and also increases wear time. Perfect for when you’re hardly getting any sleep, and/or you’ve been recently bitten by a zombie, and you’re this close to turning.
Because, clearly…when one is losing their last vestiges of humanity, dark under-eye circles are still a concern. #priorities 🙂
Anywho! I’ve had this one jar for, like, seven years. Yeah…it lasts a long time. It only takes a tiny amount to set your concealer.
The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.
To apply, I load a small amount (you don’t want to apply too much; otherwise, it looks obvious) on a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the MAC 217, and layer that directly on top of my under-eye concealer using a patting motion, rather than a swiping motion.
(You don’t want to swipe, lest you can accidentally swipe away your concealer and end up looking MORE tired. No me gusta.)
Once applied, Secret Brightening locks down your concealer, where it should behave for the rest of the day.
It comes in two shades, too. The first, #1, is for fair and medium skin tones, while #2 is for medium, tan and darker skin tones. A 0.14-ounce jar will set you back $24, and you can find it now at Laura Mercier counters and online.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ankita@corallista says
August 19th, 2014 at 8:48 pmNot that I need another powder but this sounds fantastic! Which other products do you like from Laura Mercier Karen?
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Erin says
August 19th, 2014 at 8:48 pmI’ve always wondered if that stuff actually worked. I wonder if Sonia Kashuk’s works as well.
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Genny says
August 19th, 2014 at 8:49 pmWhat shade do you use, Karen?
Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup says
August 19th, 2014 at 11:25 pmWhat a coincidence, Karen! I just posted a review of this yesterday :). I also love this powder as it really helps make my dark circles more tolerable, as it makes my concealer last longer. I also love how it never settles into my fine lines!
Carolyn @ The Makeup Writeup recently posted … Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder Review
Divya says
August 20th, 2014 at 12:39 amI have always been so curious about this one and other products from brands supposed to do the same job? Like the Nars one. I need to try it on in person to really know what it does! Sounds pretty good though!
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Amanda says
August 20th, 2014 at 5:42 amKaren, I just bought this a few days ago! I’m so happy you love it because I know it’s that good now. I haven’t used it yet, I’ve had a minimal make up day or two. But now I can’t wait!
Soly says
August 20th, 2014 at 5:43 amI would love to see this on you. What color do you use?
Dee says
August 20th, 2014 at 7:14 amDon’t have this one but love her secret concealer (just bought a backup of that!). Between my vichy dermablend loose setting powder, nars light reflecting translucent and my UD naked loose powder I think I’m all set for now lol but this has been on my “curious about..” list for a while now!
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Natalie says
August 20th, 2014 at 7:28 amThis stuff looks awesome! Anything that will save me from the zombie apocalypse 🙂
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Georgia says
August 20th, 2014 at 11:34 amSonia Kashuk Brightening Powder @ Target is an exact dupe for only $10.39. I actually prefer the SK over the LM not only because of the price, but I think you even get a bit more too