Hourglass Veil Skin Tint VS Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser
BY JENNY JUNG
Who will win? The Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, or the highly coveted Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector?
10 OCT - 2023
Are skin tints making a comeback? Hourglass says yes!
It’s about time for a new addition to the high-end tinted moisturiser category. This time, Hourglass has surprised us all with the exciting expansion of the beloved Veil collection. Enter, the Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, the source of all the buzz in the beauty community as a strong contender as best tinted moisturiser of the year.
Currently, the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector comfortably sits at the top alongside the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. However, given the similarity in price between the Laura Mercier and Hourglass skin tints, we thought it would be a fun little experiment to review them both for you today. Additionally, you may recall our iconic editorial from a few years ago comparing the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Setting Powder with the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. So, here we are again for round 2: Hourglass or Laura Mercier?
Hourglass, Veil Skin Tint, $89 NZD.
Laura Mercier, Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector, $96 NZD.
Formulation
At first glance of the ingredients index, The Hourglass Veil Skin Tint is a water based tinted moisturiser, while the Laura Mercier Natural Skin Perfector is silicone based. This is always useful to know to see whether a formulation is going to be compatible with the rest of your makeup products. For example, if you are already using a water or silicone based primer, it would be best to find a tinted moisturiser with the same base for a seamless result.
Furthermore, The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser contains avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone. If you love your skincare chemistry, you will know that these ingredients are UV filters. Legally, Laura Mercier cannot advertise that their tinted moisturiser is an SPF due to Australian sunscreen regulations. However, now you know that the Laura Mercier option can add onto your SPF routine with a little extra protection.
Similarly, both the Laura Mercier and Hourglass skin tints are formulated with a high dosage of glycerin for added moisture. However, the Veil Skin Tint goes a step further by incorporating hyaluronic acid for a boost of hydration in conjunction with glycerin. As such, we believe that the Veil Skin Tint is better suited for especially dry skin.
It should also be noted that the Laura Mercier Natural Skin Perfector contains a small percentage of carmine pigment. If you are looking for a cruelty-free alternative, you may want to check out the Hourglass Veil skin tint instead.
Hourglass, Veil Skin Tint, $89 NZD.
Coverage and Finish
Tinted moisturisers tend to offer less coverage than foundations which make it great for everyday use. Long story short, the Hourglass Veil Skin Tint has slightly higher coverage than the Laura Mercier. However, this doesn’t necessarily make it the better choice — it ultimately depends on your preferences. Personally, I lean towards a tinted moisturiser with a touch more coverage, given my struggle with redness. On the other hand, I’m aware that plenty of people would rather use something like the Laura Mercier Natural Skin Perfector for a lighter feel and coverage. It's all about finding what suits your individual needs and preferences.
This is where it gets interesting. The Hourglass Veil Skin Tint leans towards a dewier finish compared to the Laura Mercier Natural Skin Perfector. However, the Laura Mercier boasts a superior dry down that avoids any sticky sensation. This means that you still achieve a radiant finish with an imperceptible feel when using Laura Mercier. In terms of the Veil Skin Tint, it is perfect for those who love a wet-skin finish and don't mind a hint of tackiness. Although, if you're someone like me who can't go without powder, this won’t really matter to you.
Laura Mercier, Tinted Moisturiser Natural Skin Perfector, $96 NZD.
Longevity
The lasting power of both the Laura Mercier and Hourglass tinted moisturisers falls into the moderate range. However, because the Hourglass Veil Skin Tint has a slightly higher coverage, it may appear it lasts a little bit longer on the skin. On the bright side, both products are easily buildable as the day goes by for effortless touch ups. I tested this by reapplying after a few hours and it was easy peasy to reapply without any issues relating to patchiness or pilling. This is because both products are formulated with high quality emollients such as meadowfoam seed oil in the Hourglass and macadamia seed oil in the Laura Mercier.
Hourglass, Veil Skin Tint, $89 NZD.
Verdict
Laura Mercier may have won the first round with the iconic Translucent Setting Powder, but we might have to give it to Hourglass this time around!
Due to its elegant and strategic formulation that combines the power of glycerin and hyaluronic acid, we can imagine that dry skin-types will absolutely fall in love with the Veil Skin Tint. Furthermore, seeing that it is free of UV filters, it may be better suited for more sensitive skin types, too.
At the end of the day, the competition was very close and the Laura Mercier Natural Skin Perfector is still an amazing option for those who may prefer a lighter touch to their everyday makeup routine. We hope you enjoyed today’s edit and we will see you in the next one!
Hourglass, Veil Skin Tint, $89 NZD.
RELATED STORIES
GIVEAWAY
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to Chatty Chum's mailing list to receive the latest in beauty and lifestyle news, giveaways and the launch of our Editor's Collection boxes.