La Mer Compact Foundation: Is it worth it?

Written By tiffany agam

I often leave my house for work at the architecture firm before the sun comes up. I creep into my closet in the morning, cloaked in darkness, while my husband sleeps and the dogs await downstairs. (Im so stealth, I would put agents in spy movies to shame)

Loving this sleek, mirror-like finish. Ergonomically well designed, like one would expect from La Mer.

Braving the Miami traffic, I leave dressed but barefaced. I have my makeup bag in the car and prefer to do my face when parked (at my destination,) in the natural sunlight. When I was looking for a new foundation to try out, I had a few things I did NOT want to compromise on…

  1. The Foundation must feel luxurious (yes, I am a makeup snob but its the little luxuries that make your day special).

  2. Must have SPF (No wrinkles in future if I can avoid it, darling.)

  3. Must have medium and potentially buildable coverage.

  4. Must NOT look cakey,

  5. Must be either a moist powder or liquid-ish( I know this makes no sense; I am particular about texture)

  6. Must be easy to apply on-the-GO* (yes, this is the wild card)

  7. The inner sponge holds the product and helps keep your clothes makeup free.

  8. BONUS: not tested on Animals! (a girl can hope.)

Browsing my local Sephora, I cam upon the La Mer section and noticed a product I had not seen before: The Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation SPF 20 + Refill. My first thought was, how pretty! Then I thought, $150 for a tiny sponge that can hold almost no actual product!?

According to Sephora, this foundation is “free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances.” which is good to know.

I think the folks at La Mer knew my second though and pre-empted it by enclosing a refill as part of the package. The Compact Foundation does indeed come with a second pack of product to refill into its beautiful container. I do, however, wish it came with a second application sponge to refresh once you change the cartridge…

Its been a month now and here’s what I love:

  1. The packaging is sleek and in line with the La Mer brand. Very luxe but not over the top.

  2. I like the all-in-one feel: mirror, sponge and foundation in a clamshell package.

  3. the coverage is medium and buildable.

  4. the makeup has a fresh scent which I like but may be a no-no if youre sensitive to smells.

  5. When I apply the foundation I feel like my skin is moisturized yet still matte without being oily.

  6. Doesn’t cause me to break out and feels light enough for Miami humid summer weather

What I don’t love:

  1. The quantity of product, even with the refill is not great; If I didn’t need the foundation to be portable like it is, I may not be able to justify its price.

  2. coverage on days I need a little extra is not great. If im having a breakout because its that time of the month, this doesn’t quite swing it.

  3. It is not labeled as cruelty-free. I need to do some more digging to see if it’s tested on animals.

If (my number three concern checks out,) I will likely buy this luxe Luminous Lifting Cushion Foundation again because its pretty great on most of my daily needs. Walking around in 95 degree heat, my face doesn’t look blotchy or oily and the SPF is much needed.

I do love the packaging but wish they sent an extra applicator pad.


Ready to walk into the office now and wearing the medium coverage foundation + SPF.

tiffany agam