Oh, Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder. How much do I love thee? If I could I would probably make out with you and then hold you tight as you slept next to me … I would even let you steal the covers. Okay, not really. But seriously, where would I be without this stuff? Most of the waking world would wonder if I was questionably undead if I didn’t have this wonder powder to keep my dark circles hidden.
Secret Brightening Powder takes setting your undereye concealer to the next level. It’s not exactly a highlighter, but it’s not exactly a face powder, either. Its transparent white color helps to brighten your undereye area, and it contains very fine micronized pigments, which keep it from settling into fine lines.
It looks oh so innocent in its cute little 0.14 oz jar but then brush some on top of your favorite concealer and BAM! It’s like spooky Harry Potter magic happened all up in your face!
Case in point: here are two pics I took during a tutorial I did a week ago. If undereye circles could speak, these purple devils would tell you that I was up till the wee hours watching mind-rotting reality television.
And here I am after applying Secret Brightening Powder with the MAC 217 Brush over a layer of MAC Select Moisturecover. Presto-chango, evil purple circles are gone!
What I liked about it
Full Disclosure: I tried this product a few months ago at a Laura Mercier event and initially I wasn’t wowed by it. I liked it, but I didn’t love it enough to buy it on the spot. After recently purchasing this on a whim at Sephora and seeing it in pics I have really come to depend on Secret Brightening Powder. It’s now a main staple in my daily makeup routine.
The best part of this powder is the texture. It’s so finely milled that it’s barely noticeable, yet it has great staying power throughout the day and keeps my concealer from budging. The second best thing is that it really brightens up my undereye area and makes me look more awake and refreshed without looking too obvious. The third is that I only have to use just a little bit to get great coverage, so I know this small jar will go a long, long way.
What I didn’t like about it
There were no negatives for me, but some might find spending $22 on a such a small jar a rip off. However, if you think about it in terms of daily use, then the price tag is easily justifiable. A little really goes a long way.
The final word
I have nothing but love for Secret Brightening Powder, and if it were ever discontinued I’d first probably have some form of bodily convulsion. Then I’d buy the remaining jars in a three state radius and store them in my closet until the second coming. Seriously, I ain’t lying. Try this stuff … a super-duper Makeup and Beauty Blog Winner!
kia says
August 16th, 2007 at 11:31 ami’ll have to try this… glad that you got a review for us so that we can understand your LOVE for this stuff!
Toya says
August 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pmI feel the same way about the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit – the combination of the concealer and the Pale Yellow powder zaps away under eye circles!
Karen says
August 16th, 2007 at 1:21 pmHi Kia – when you first try it the difference might be really subtle, so wait till you take some before/after pics. Honestly it’s like night and day!
Karen says
August 16th, 2007 at 1:22 pmHi Toya, It’s nice to see you! If I ever get over my Secret Brightener crush I will give your Bobbi Brown combo a try. I have issues sometimes with cream concealers migrating because my skin is oily. How is the staying power on these products?
pm says
August 16th, 2007 at 4:03 pmI have been debating on whether to try LM’s, BB’s, or MAC’s solution to my horrendous dark circle problem for a while now. Do you happen to know which would work best for dry skin types? I’ve read mixed reviews on all of them.
Love the blog so far – the writing is enjoyable to read and the reviews w/ pics are very helpful for us visual learners. 🙂
BernaDiva says
August 16th, 2007 at 10:10 pmHi Karen! Also try the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer…that stuff is AMAZING with a capital A!
Elke says
August 17th, 2007 at 10:17 amWhat brush are you using to apply this with? Is it a flat brush or a soft brush? Or you lightly brushing over the concealer or pressing the powder into the concealer like if you were using a powder puff? It looks amazing….
Karen says
August 19th, 2007 at 1:03 pmHi P! Thanks for stopping by. =)
I haven’t tried BB’s stuff so I can’t comment upon that, but I think either LM or MAC concealer with LM powder would be good choices – it depends on your texture preference.
My under eye area tends to get dry, so I use MAC Select Moisturecover concealer which is the moisturizing option of MAC’s Select concealers. I like it mostly because it covers well and it doesn’t migrate; it’s also liquid but not too runny.
I’ve also tried the LM concealers, and although it does do a decent job of covering I’m not crazy about the thicker texture.
We have to go makeup shopping sometime!
Karen says
August 19th, 2007 at 1:04 pmHi BernaDiva,
Yeah, I have the Oil-Free Foundation Primer and I *love* it. I didn’t know you were an LM fan! =)
Karen says
August 19th, 2007 at 1:05 pmHi Elke,
I used the MAC 217 fluff/blending brush in this picture. I’ve also used the 252 laydown brush to apply Secret Brightening Powder! I like em both…it really depends on which one I grab first!
jojoba says
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:55 pmhi i linked your review to my latest review on this product. i am using #1. thanks for the great review!
jojoba´s last blog post..Review: Shu Uemura Eye Color Palettes, Mika Holiday Collection 2008, Part 2 – Secret Luscious Rose
Medina says
April 26th, 2014 at 10:02 pmHi, Karen! What shade do you use? I am of a similar skin tone, and not sure whether to get shade #1 or #2.
Lili says
January 14th, 2017 at 6:45 pmI know this has been discontinued in #2. Do you know anywhere else where I might get it or if Laura mercier will bring it back???