La Mer has never been able to entice me when it comes to skincare, but from reviews I’ve seen, the makeup is a whole nother ball park. Their Soft Fluid Longwear foundation has been loved by La Mer obsessed and critics alike, so I feel like I had to give my two cynic cents as well.
I selected the Linen shade, which is a light, warm-leaning tone.
Texture and Application: the Soft Fluid foundation is very fluid and thin, almost watery (in texture, not pigmentation). On the swatch you can see how runny it is. It was easy to apply either with a brush or a sponge, but I prefer the sponge because it’s quicker. This foundation is not prone to streaks, nor does it cling to dry patches, so blending it into the skin requires no effort at all. One to two pumps is the amount I usually need for the coverage I want. The foundation feels lightweight on the skin, and is comfortable to wear.
Coverage and Finish: it has medium coverage, and there is something special about it because even with just a light layer, it evens out the complexion beautifully. It is buildable, but I don’t think it gets to completely full coverage, which is part of its charm, because the best thing about it is how natural it looks on the skin. If coverage was too opaque I think it would loose that natural skin effect. The finish is slightly dewy without being sticky, oily or wet looking. It’s like freshly moisturised skin, it has that subtle glow that you get right after applying a face cream. I don’t find that it smoothes pores or fine lines, but it does not enhance skin texture either – it’s my skin, only more evened out.
Longevity and Wear: Out of all of my foundations, this is the one that resists creasing the most. Other long wearing foundations usually gather around the nostrils (the ultimate crease test area) after a few hours, and the Soft Fluid just does not. It’s not oil controlling, I find that I have to wear an appropriate primer and/or powder for that, but even when my skin got oilier this faded only after 10 hours, and it did so evenly, with no patchiness. With a proper powder, it takes about 11 hours for it to look worn and cake-y, and that’s when it starts to fade significantly. It does not oxidise.
Packaging & Other Info: this come in a heavy, thick glass bottle with a pump. It has SPF20. The total amount is 30ml, which is typical for a full sized liquid foundation, and it costs 120€.
Final Thoughts: I bought it at a discount because I’ve been skeptic about spending so much on a foundation from a brand that I don’t care for at all when it comes to skincare. Well, I’m unhappy to report that the makeup is a completely different thing: feels amazing, looks stunning, lasts incredibly well, and now one of my favourite foundations costs 120€. F*ck.
Also, this will work well for any skin type, I think everyone would enjoy it, so try it at your own risk. You’ve been warned.
