Laura Geller Makeup Review: What’s Worth Buying and What’s Not
Before I get into my Laura Geller makeup review, here’s a fun flashback. I actually met Laura herself many years ago, when I worked as an Assistant Beauty Editor at Family Circle magazine. We were filming a Facebook Live (remember those!?) with her while she demonstrated applying her eponymous makeup line on my face.
Fast forward seven years later, and I am just now getting into her products. I like that her brand is relatively affordable while using high-quality ingredients. She is all about using products that are safe enough for sensitive skin, which is something I definitely appreciate when it comes to makeup.
Laura Geller Makeup Review
Laura Geller’s makeup line has been around for a long time (since 1997, to be exact). She’s built a beauty empire, and you can find her products in discount stores across the country, as well as on QVC.
Maybe it’s because the line has been around for so long, but I noticed that her customer base seems to be mostly older women with mature skin. That being said, I have seen a few TikTok videos pop up on my feed of younger-looking women using the line. Obviously, you don’t need to be a specific age to use the Laura Geller makeup line! If we were to categorize the customer base at all, I would recommend this brand for folks with sensitive, easily-irritated skin—regardless of age.
The most popular product she carries is the Baked Balance-N-Brighten Foundation. This Laura Geller makeup review is about her Cult Classics Full Face Kit, which I recently purchased. Below, you’ll find out all about the products I loved, and the ones that I didn’t care for.
Laura Geller Makeup Ingredients
A lot of the baked products in the Laura Geller makeup line contain the typical ingredients you’d find in other powder products. You can expect to see ingredients like mica, talc, dimethicone, centella asiatica extract, jojoba seed oil, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, and more.
It’s important to note that Laura Geller makeup is not really considered a “clean” makeup line, according to EWG Skin Deep. However, that won’t stop me from using this makeup line.
Best Laura Geller Makeup
Laura Geller Baked Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation
This is probably Laura Geller’s most popular makeup product. The Baked Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation works to hide imperfections and offer a natural foundation look (read: not exactly full coverage). The product offers light-to-medium coverage, and is buildable with each layer (similar to the Magic Minerals Airbrush Foundation).
This foundation feels nice on the skin, and I also like that it is really lightweight and offers light coverage. I don’t like a foundation with heavy coverage, so this pick really fits the bill for me. I also like that it is in a pressed formula, which makes it easier to apply than my beloved Alima Pure Foundation, which is a loose powder.
Another thing I liked about this pick is that it didn’t seem to settle into my fine lines and wrinkles (which, admittedly, are pretty minimal since I’m only 31). Sometimes I notice that my fine lines and acne scars are more pronounced when I use a liquid foundation. I liked that this formula didn’t feel dry when I applied it to my skin.
The formula lasted really well on my skin throughout the day. I tried it with both just my moisturizer underneath, and also the Spackle Primer that the kit came with. Both times, the foundation lasted throughout the day.
The biggest issue I have with this foundation is the shades.
When I was in the process of purchasing the kit, I did some research to see what folks were saying about the shades. A lot of people said that they recommended you go one shade lighter than what you normally would choose, as the shades appear darker when applied to the skin.
Because of that, I decided to choose the shade “Fair,” instead of the shade “Light” that I would normally choose. What’s wild is that I almost wish I had chosen one two shades lighter than what I thought I would be! I think that the shade “Porcelain” would have matched my skin tone a bit more than “Fair.” When I wore this foundation on my skin, my fiance said that I “looked tan,” which I think means that my foundation shade didn’t match the rest of my body.
That being said, I think once I get a bit of a real tan this summer, the “Fair” foundation will match my skin a bit better. My advice would be to go one or two shades lighter than what you think you might be in this foundation, as the brown colors in the baked formula can make this foundation appear darker. (Plus, it contains propylene glycol—which is an organic alcohol that helps condition the skin. However, it may be irritating to sensitive or dry skin.)
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($36)
Laura Geller Baked Blush-N-Brighten Marbleized Blush
Okay, this blush is gorgeous! I got the shade Tropic Hues in my kit, and it comes in a satin finish which leaves a subtle sheen on the skin. It reminds me a lot of the RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush, which adds a beautiful sheen and glow to the skin.
The Blush-N-Brighten Marbleized Blush comes in 12 shades and three different finishes—satin finish, natural finish, and matte finish. It feels lightweight on the skin and lasts throughout the day.
One of the issues I have with this blush is that a little goes a long way. I usually like to apply a lot of blush to my cheeks, but I noticed that I had applied way too much when I first tried this. My best advice would be to apply as little as possible and then build to your desired strength.
Similar to my shade issue with the Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation, I feel like the shade Tropic Hues is a bit too dark for my skin tone. I wish that my kit had come with the Sunlit Rose shade, rather than the Tropic Hues. All that’s to say, though, I really loved the finish and formula of this pick, but would opt for a lighter shade!
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($30)
Laura Geller Baked Natural Glow Highlighter in French Vanilla
I cannot decide whether I like this highlighter or not. When I swipe it with my finger and blend it onto the back of my hand, it blends in and provides a nice sheen to the skin. But when I apply this highlighter on top of my blush, it just looks chalky and subdues the colors of the blush.
I tried applying this highlighter underneath the blush and that made the issue better. I usually prefer a cream highlighter (I love these Ogee makeup sticks), as I think they look a lot more natural than a powder highlighter. Because of this, I probably wouldn’t recommend this highlighter.
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($24)
Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer: Hydrate
I was pleasantly surprised by this primer. It does a great job of hydrating skin while keeping your makeup in place throughout the day. I like that it has a ton of moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, and more. Also, it’s important to note that the ingredient list on the bottle I received is very different from the ingredient list on Laura Geller’s website. I’m not totally sure what that’s about.
I didn’t notice that this product causes any breakouts, but it does contain shea butter, which some might find cloggy. I also love that it’s such a large bottle—you don’t typically find a primer that comes in this size. I’d recommend this primer if you have dry or sensitive skin and need some added moisture before makeup application.
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($24)
Laura Geller Modern Classic Lipstick in Divine
Ugh, I’m not a huge fan of this lipstick. The formula is nice and glides on smoothly, but the color just feels really old lady to me. I don’t really love the shade range of this lipstick and I think the brand could go out of the box a bit more. When I applied this pick to my lips, I felt like it aged me in a bad way and wasn’t a flattering color for my skin tone.
Maybe another shade would look better on me, but I’m not going to spend the money to find out.
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($21)
Laura Geller Retractable Angled Kabuki Brush
I love this brush! It’s perfect for applying the foundation and you can determine how much foundation coverage you want based on how much you retract the brush. So for example, if you want a light coverage of the foundation, you would retract the brush all the way down so that the bristles are more fluffy. If you want a more full-coverage look, you can retract the brush only a little bit so that the bristles are stiffer and will pick up more product.
I love how soft the bristles are on this brush. I can see myself using it for a bunch of different products. However, I probably wouldn’t use this on any liquid formulas, and I don’t think the bristles are stiff enough.
Available at Laura Geller Beauty ($22)
Is Laura Geller Makeup Good?
Yes, I think that Laura Geller makeup is good. That being said, I think some products are better than others. I’ve only really tried everything that comes in the Cult Classics Full Face Kit. There are still a bunch of other Laura Geller products that I haven’t tried yet.
Laura Geller has been in the beauty industry for a long time. I feel like she really knows her shit. I also think that the Laura Geller brand is geared more towards folks with mature skin. However, that won’t stop me from using the products I purchased regularly.
Where To Buy Laura Geller Makeup
You can purchase Laura Geller products on her website, Laura Geller Beauty!
Laura Geller Makeup Tutorial
Here is a brief Laura Geller makeup tutorial using the products I got in my Cult Classics Full Face Kit.
Step 1 – Apply the Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer: Hydrate
Pump some of the primer onto your fingers and blend it into your face. I like to let it sit for a minute or two to soak into my skin before applying the foundation.
Step 2 – Buff Laura Geller Baked Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation into skin
Use the retractable kabuki brush to blend the product into your skin. You can apply the product with light, medium, or heavier coverage, depending on how much you retract the brush. I like to swirl the brush around on the foundation and buff it into my skin.
Step 3 – Add Laura Geller Baked Natural Glow Highlighter in French Vanilla on cheekbones
Then, I like to apply the highlighter on top of my cheekbones. The reason I prefer adding highlighter before the blush is that I like the highlight to give a lit-from-within glow. You can also add this on your brow bone, on the inside corner of your eyes, and even on the tip of your nose.
Step 4 – Add Laura Geller Baked Blush-N-Brighten Marbleized Blush on apples of cheeks
After you’ve applied the highlighter, you can apply a light layer of blush on the apples of your cheeks. Be careful with this blush, as it’s super pigmented! A little goes a long way.
Step 5 – Add Laura Geller Modern Classic Lipstick in Divine to your lips
Finally, apply the lipstick! I like to finish everything off with brow gel and mascara.
FAQs About Laura Geller Makeup
Is Laura Geller makeup toxic?
While there are certainly a lot of questionable ingredients in Laura Geller makeup, it might be a bit of a stretch to call the brand toxic—to humans, at least. It’s actually fair to say that Laura Geller is toxic to wildlife and the environment, as it contains ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. Also, there are a number of synthetic ingredients—including phenoxyethanol, a preservative, and chromium oxide green, a colorant.
Does Laura Geller makeup have SPF?
Most Laura Geller makeup does not have SPF—including their lipsticks and the brighten foundation. There is one Laura Geller product, though, that can be used to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. That’s the Better than Bare Tinted Moisturizer, which contains SPF 50+. Think of it as a super lightweight Laura Geller foundation.
Is Laura Geller makeup cruelty-free?
According to Laura Geller Beauty’s Customer Service page, the brand does not test on animals. However, I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the makeup is cruelty-free because, as the brand admits, some of their “products may contain animal by-products.” If you’re worried about a specific product, I’d suggest reaching out directly to the brand to ask if it’s truly cruelty-free.
Is Laura Geller makeup hypoallergenic?
Similar to how some Laura Geller products contain SPF and others don’t, so, too, are some products hypoallergenic and others not so much. The baked foundation is great for sensitive skin, reported KTTV of Colorado.
Does Laura Geller makeup have parabens?
In case you didn’t know, parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in cosmetics—meaning they make your products last longer. Per the Laura Geller Beauty Customer Service page, many of the brand’s products are paraben-free. However, there are some that aren’t. You can check which ones are paraben-free and which aren’t on the individual product pages.
Does Laura Geller makeup have talc?
While most Laura Geller products are paraben-free, they are not necessarily talc-free. In fact, because a lot of these cosmetics are in powder form, you’ll likely find talc in those formulas.
I hope you enjoyed this Laura Geller makeup review! Please comment below if you’ve tried any of these and have thoughts! Also, let me know if there is another Laura Geller makeup product that you want reviewed.
*This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through the links on my site at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my small business by shopping through my affiliate links—I am so appreciative!
Hello I’m am 60 years young and use alot of Laura Geller make-up.Love the spackle and the baked balance N color correcting foundation .love the kabuki brush also I like theBaked-N-Brighten in light also love this Baked Bronze-N,-Brighten in fair .But Im not a fan of Laura’s lip-Stick at all .I can’t find the right color of lipstick and I’ve tried 4 different kinds .I do love all the eyeshadow palettes that I have of Laura’s.Thank You
Thanks for your insight! I love to hear that you love most of the Laura Geller products. I, too, am not a huge fan of the lipsticks.
Your review was a pleasant surprise! I haven’t read this good in a very, very long time! Your journalism talent is very obvious. You were not biased, you were selective with your comments so not as to sway someone’s decision and the overall level of information was perfect! The step by step pictures clearly show you know pictures are with a thousand words.
Thank you for the review!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for the honest, detailed review of Laura Gellar products. I’m interested in the baked foundation but not real sure about the blush yet. Your article has helped me. I appreciate the honest way you approached this review and the pictures added with the How To.
Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad you found it helpful. LMK if you have any more questions about the blush.
Thanks 4 the personal review. I don’t use her products but have been thinking about trying the baked foundation, several ppl I know use it. I also need a new primer and may try spackle.
I think the lipstick looks OK on you. It would look better with full makeup…..eye shadow would balance the color out and lip liner would define.
Overall a fair and honest review.
I totally agree!
Hello. I’m ready to place an order but my final question before I do is it hard to take off at the end of the day? I hate when I feel the need to almost scrub my face off to get makeup removed. That’s not a good sign to me.
I haven’t noticed that it is difficult to take off at the end of the day, no!
I just bought Laura Geller foundation, and, like you, I selected one shade lighter than my normal color. As soon as I applied the first small portion of foundation, I thought that shade would make a nice bronzer/blush for me. There is no way I can use it as foundation, and I had been careful to avoid the darker shades of the foundation when I swiped my brush on it! I did like the feel of the foundation and I hope the porcelain is closer to the correct shade for me. I won’t give up, though, and your review has me already thinking of what to include in my next order. Thank you!
Thanks for this comment! Yes, it seems like the shade descriptions are not super accurate, unfortunately.
A great review! Just ordered. Wish I had seen your review before I ordered foundation. I’m sure it’s going to be too dark. I should have done my research. Ugh! Well, maybe I’ll luck out.
Thank you!! I hope the shade you ordered works out for you!
Exactly what happened to me. My order is on the way. I didn’t see this review in time for it to alter the shade i ordered. I think mine will be too dark also. Maybe I can use it in summer after i begin to tan.
I think that’s a good idea!
Laura Geller is return free and they will swap out the color for you.
I am 67 and have been trying to find some makeup that will work on the lines I now have. Trying different products I find they are too thick and exaggerate my wrinkles. Your review and pictures have put me in the right direction. I plan on ordering Laura Geller products. Thanks for the details and color direction.
Thanks for your comment!
I’ve been searching for a very long time for a foundation that won’t settle into my lines and wrinkles. I’ve spent so much money trying all these different foundations just to get the exact same results. My face always ends up looking like an old western road map. Is this foundation going to do the same? I’m truly at a loss.
Rather than trying to find the right foundation, perhaps you should focus on looking for a really great makeup primer that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? The Spackle Primer from Laura Geller might be a good option?
Instead of using the primer, would a regular hydrating sunscreen work under the Baked Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation? I currently use a tinted sunscreen, which doesn’t give me quite enough coverage, but is hydrating. Thanks for your review. It was very helpful.
I think that sunscreen underneath would probably be fine!
Good write-up. Thank you
I .plan to get the balance & brighten foundation.
Thanks so much! I hope you love the foundation!
I too am a Laura Geller fan. I find the balance and brighten makeup to be good for skin with imperfections. I am 80 years young, but blessed with almost wrinkle free skin. Good genes. I find that if you swirl the brush around the makeup and then tap the brush, the colors are blended better resulting in even and good color coverage. I have quite a bit of redneck on my cheeks, and being able to build coverage without affecting color is great. Love eye shadows, kajol liners, but not a fan of lipsticks. Hope this is helps for some people. Like your reviewing style!! ????.
Thanks so much for your comment! Glad you love Laura Geller too!
I have been using Laura Geller ever since her first appearance on QVC when she first started. I probably have tried all of her products over the years so I do have a few comments to add. The hydrating primer is my least favorite of all of her primers unless it is winter & even then a tiny dab will do. I put a dot on my forehead & a dot on each cheek & smothe those to cover my face. Too much primer is going to ruin your foundation. For those with issues of hiding scars or wrinkles I think you would be much more pleased using her champagne primer. I do agree to go lower in color of the balance n brighten however I suggest you adjust your primer properly first. Too much primer can darken your powder. The porceline balance n brighten may surprise you in looking ghostly. If so, I suggest you dab your brush into the fair after loading it in the porceline to get a blend more suited to your skin tone. I do love most of her blushes. I find them adjustable & forgiving. My only complaint is that she downsized the contents of the compact a few years back. The contents used to be the exact same as her foundations. I love her eyeliners as well as her shadows & love the selections in her larger collections which are very very reasonably priced. I also love all of her brushes. The only LG fail for me is her lipstick line. I have tried a variety of them & disliked them all. To me that is trivial. I have super sensitive skin & absolutely none of LG products have caused me to have any reaction at all. Oh…for those wanting a fuller foundation coverage try using a beauty sponge instead of a brush to apply your balance n brighten. I am truly a LG gal for life.
I LOVE this little mini review, thank you! I haven’t been able to try all her products, so I appreciate your insight. Such a bummer about the LG lipsticks–they really need to reformulate those in my opinion.
I was so glad to have stumbled onto your review. I have been using the Laura Geller foundation and loving it. I did find that the dark areas in the powder my face look orange. I went to the porcelain, and it works well. I have rosacea, so I have to be careful. So far, so good!
So glad to hear it, thank you!
I’m so glad to read your comment on choosing a foundation color. I usually am a fair and now I will order the porcelain. I’m very pink and need this. All her shades except the porcelain are yellow or golden based and I didn’t think they would work. I’ll try this. Thank you!
Great to hear, thank you!
I like using the LG baked foundation and Karol eyeliner pencil, it rubbed off after a couple of hours but I have oily hooded lids so am trying the eyelid primer under the shadow and liner to test its longevity. The Italian marbelized lipstick is OK but have not found the right shade I wish she sold a mini sampler of lipstick eyeshadow and lip liners so the right shades could be tested before purchasing large sizes
Agreed, I wish she had some minis!
I just got the Baked, Balance and Brighten foundation. I love it! The only thing that is concerning is the powder sort of flies around. Is it safe to breathe in? I don’t have the Kabuki brush but I use a skinbae brush that I love. Looking at the blush now.
Unfortunately, I can’t comment on whether it would be safe to breathe in—I think it’s probably not safe to breathe in any type of foundation haha!
I am 69. Very few wrinkles. But I am having trouble with clogged pores! They look like pimples and just keep getting bigger. I need a non-comadegenic (sp?) foundation. Is this foundation? I love the way it looks on posted photos.
Hi! Yes, the Laura Geller Baked Balance-N-Brighten Color Correcting Foundation is non-comedogenic–especially because it comes in a powder form, which is typically a lot less comedogenic than a liquid or cream foundation. In terms of clogged pores, my favorite product for that is the Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Serum–it’s amazing at smoothing skin, clearing clogged pores, and it’s super, super gentle on skin, which is something I am always looking for with beauty products. Here is a link to the blog post I wrote about the serum: http://thedaleydose.com/mandelic-serum/
I have now been using Laura Gellers balance n brighten color correcting foundation, clear spackle primer and blush but not the lipstick. I am 68 yrs old and I have had more compliments about my make-up and I love how my face feels after I have applied the spackle primer. I have been using her make-up for about 4 months and I have already ordered the same make-up again. I will never change because I liked it the moment I applied to my face. I look very natural and it covers my wrinkles and that is what I was looking for. I recommend this makeup to older woman and young ladies if you have imperfections and want to cover them without your face looking dry or discoloured. I’m totally a fan!
I’m so glad to hear this!
Thank you for your objective and candid review. I’m so glad that I learned about selecting a lighter shade of the foundation. I would have found out the hard way. I will recirve an order today and I’m considering buying some brushes and primer today, black Friday sale!
I hope the lighter shade works out for you!
Could the SPF tinted moisturizer be used as a primer, before the foundation? And take the place of a primer? I don’t really want to put on moisturizer, primer, and foundation… I’m looking forward to trying this
I haven’t tried the SPF tinted moisturizer yet, but I think you could probably use it in place of the primer!
I am late 60 baby boomer with rosesea , vitiligo and dry skin . The primer is moisturizing enough for day and the balance and brighten is buildable to cover and even out my skin along with not settling into wrinkles. I wirk in the dental field and wear a mask all day the makeup does not get all over mask and I really like that.
This is great to hear!
Thank you so much for you honest review. It’s hard to find honest unbiased reviews these days.
I appreciate your comment, thank you!
My Mom has always loved Laura Geller, but I don’t think I own any of her products. If I do — for some reason! — they aren’t in my usual rotation, but that marbleized blush will make me change my mind. Thanks for the recs!
Yes, I want to get one of the blushes that’s a little bit more subdued—the formulas are great!
Thanks for the time and effort you put into trying the product and reporting on your experience 😊 I’m not a big makeup person, but about to turn 60 and looking for something easy and worth adding to my minimal routine. Your thoughtful review has me excited to try (and hopefully fall in love) with something new. I’m going to go with a store purchase this time, but if I find that it’s something I want to keep buying, I will certainly return to your site for future purchases so I can “pay you back” for pointing me in the right direction! I’m NOT a huge fan of trial-and-error— what a pain in the ass, especially at my age 😉😆
Thanks so much for your comment!
I too have been a fan since her qvc days I have just ordered speckle ethereal rose 2 quench and tint foundations a blusher and an anti aging lipstick 💄 I love her stuff
Yay, I’m so glad to hear that!
I enjoyed your reviews.I am 70 and have rosace,just the broken capillaries mostly. Please recommend what I should use. Be it Laura Gellar,IT products or what is best? Thank you
Wanda
Hi! I think Laura Geller would be a great option for covering up rosacea, especially because it is suitable for sensitive skin. Another brand I really love is Alima Pure.
https://thedaleydose.com/alima-pure-foundation/
On the Laura Geller website she also has a short tutorial on each product. It will be close to the bottom of the page. You have to click on each individual product and look at the bottom of the page. I found these short tutorials very informative.
Good to know, thank you!
I have tried the Laura Geller makeup line and I love it. I like that it doesn’t transfer on to your clothing and people if you give a hug. It’s very light weight and more natural looking. I’m 66 and use the whole line and LOVE IT!!!!
Amazing, I’m so glad to hear this!
I got the same kit and as you stated the foundation made me look orange. It was darker than I thought it would be. I got the light. I really like the way it feels. My face doesn’t feel dried out. I did contact the customer service and they are sending me a shade lighter, I had bought 2. The blush was too red for me, so they are sending me a different color. Also, I don’t have to send it back. I can give it to someone who can use it. I couldn’t believe that they would do this with an extra charge. I am 70 and I have to say I love the lipstick. The shade is very pretty. I just put it on my bottom lip and rub my lips together. And you are right the brush is lovely. So soft.
I’m so glad to hear this!
I absolutely love Laura Gellar products, have been purchasing these products for 3 years.
Yay, so glad to hear that!
I sent in a picture of my face according to the directions for “ask our pros.” I’ve always used medium or golden medium bare minerals powder (no foundation) since I have olive undertones. I got back a recommendation to use porcelain which is very strange to me because I don’t have pink undertones at all. I do want to take your advice on ordering a shade or two lighter, but now I’m really confused what to order. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I think that if you sent your picture in and they told you to order a specific shade, than you should follow their advice!