I love doing these low end vs high end posts – it gives me a chance to place products side by side to see if it’s really worth it spending more money for the more expensive product. I’ve done this type of posts for: mascaras, setting sprays and brow pencils, in this post I’ll be discussing translucent setting powders.

A good baking session is almost a must in any glam makeup look. Since I started being into makeup, finding the right translucent powder for baking has always been a challenge, especially for women with dark skin tones. Most of the available translucent powders are stark white and that is sure to cause flash back when taking pictures, that colour also doesn’t blend well with dark skin. To top it all off, the more affordable translucent powders for black women were not available in South Africa, it was all a bust!

On my recent trip to Thailand I made sure to buy the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder as it is such a cult favourite and I wanted to try it out. I will be comparing it to the beloved Yardley Absolute Translucent Loose Powder which is a South African favourite and it is the only translucent setting powder I have been using for the past 2 years.

Yardley Absolute Translucent Loose Powder
I’ve reviewed this powder before and my thoughts about it still stand true, I love the fact that it’s not stark white, I can use it as a stand alone (without concealer), it lasts the whole day and the price is very friendly on my pocket.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
What struck me first about this powder was how finely milled it was, it such so soft! It is a yellow based powder when compared to the Yardley one which is a bit more peach. I’ve used it with the NARS Creamy Radiant concealer and the LA Girl Pro HD concealer and it works well with both. Laura Mercier have launched a darker version of this powder in the shade Medium Deep, so if you’re of darker skin tone, that shade might be more suited. I am loving this powder thus far, it’s just a pity that you can’t find it readily in SA.

(L) Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, (R) Yardley Absolute Translucent Loose Powder

With all that being said, I don’t think I prefer one powder over the other – like I said, I’ve been using the Yardley one for the past 2 years and I’ve been happy with it. The Laura Mercier is a definite nice to have but my low end one still plays its role.