Blue Mercury Girl Math
- Mara Schwartz
- Jun 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 14
I Went In for m-61 Pads and Walked Out With a Full Makeup Routine
This post could contain affiliate links. I only share things I actually buy and use — the m-61 pads have been in my bag for months, the VB line converted a real skeptic, and the girl math seems to check out.
I walked into Bluemercury to replenish the m-61 pads I already had in my makeup bag. I walked out with a new makeup routine, a minor moral crisis, and (girl) math that checks out.
First: The Hardest-Working Jawns in My Makeup Bag
I've been traveling with the m-61 PowerGlow Peel and the m-61 Hydraboost HA Serum Pad as a constant in my makeup bag for a while now and they earn their spot every time.
The PowerGlow Peel is my skin-needs-to-wake-up move. A few passes across my face and I feel like everything just unclogged. My skin looks brighter, cleaner, more alive. It's 7% glycolic acid in a little pad and it does exactly what it promises: Glow from a quick exfoliation in a single wipe. I also tested whether it tastes bad if you get some near your lips. It doesn't. You're welcome.
The Hydraboost HA Serum Pad is a completely different situation. When my skin is desperate for moisture mid-getting-ready, one of these and I have my dewy healthy skin back. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, tamarind, it's another one-minute disposable wipe that makes a real difference in how healthy my skin looks, especially when I'm running on hotel air and not getting enough sleep.
Both are individually packaged, paraben-free, synthetic fragrance-free, dermatologist tested non-negotiable makeup bag items for me. I went in to pick up more and then I got to talking with the in-store associate.
Now For The Part Where I Talk Myself Into $347 Worth of Makeup
I love a good gossip pod, and at the time, I was episodes deep in the pods covering the Beckham family drama. I genuinely enjoyed the podcasts but the chatter made me hesitant to take the Victoria Beckham Beauty line seriously.
After an in-store associate approached and asked me what I liked, what I was looking for, we ended up at the VB x Augustinus Bader display. I wanted similar coverage to what I had already and I was looking for makeup felt like skincare. Think: a dewy, healthy glow that's part of the makeup look.
I was hesitant about VB x Augustinus Bader because of all the Beckham podcast drama but what sold me was picking up the Foundation Drops and feeling their texture on my skin. The Victoria Beckham Beauty Foundation Drops were hydrating, high coverage and genuinely had good slip. The Victoria Beckham Beauty Concealer Pen was so buildable, a wonderful compliment. It was the kind of product set I knew I'd want to reach for every day. It felt like skincare, not just good makeup.
I was pretty much sold, so when it felt right, I asked my in-store associate if she was on commission. She wasn't, which signaled to me that I could trust her recommendation even more and that I was free to order online from my home laptop so I could get the Rakuten bonus. Heads up, Rakuten cashback is a real line item in the girl math below.
The Full Haul, With Receipts
Victoria Beckham Beauty Foundation Drops — $110
Shade 3 Fair Light, neutral warm undertones. Hydrating, high coverage, genuinely good slip — blends like a dream. I've been comparing it to my Chanel Vitalumière Aqua, which has been my benchmark for years. The drops are lighter, more of a dewy second-skin effect,but something I can use everyday so they win for ease and approachability. I've been wearing them daily since the purchase and haven't wanted to switch back. It feels refreshing when I apply it, not drying, and I am really pleased at how it wears throughout a busy day. Would absolutely rebuy and recommend to someone who's looking for a similar look with combination skin.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Concealer Pen — $68
Shade FL2 Fair Light 2. Click-pen with a flat brush applicator tip. Buildable without caking, not drying, brightens and covers without creasing. Blends clean every time. Packaging I can leave out on purpose because it looks pretty on my makeup table.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Pencil Sharpener — $4.25
The branding is genuinely pretty, I needed one and the price was right. My only note: I wish it had a catcher for the shavings.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo Stick — $39
Shade 1W. Two ends, two different jobs. I've been painting more lately and I love having the option to brighten and color correct. I often find myself color correcting dark spots or blemishes and then using the illuminator on my under eye area to brighten up dark circles. It's a subtle difference that's really upped my makeup look, in a really easy, approachable way. I would rebuy this and am so glad Bluemercury recommended it.
Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola The Tinted Balm — $47
Shade 3. More hydrating balm than lipstick — it goes on like a hydrating lip balm, but Shade 3 leaves this perfect bitten-lip stain that's not a full gloss and not nothing. Deeply moisturizing, doubles as cheek color which I love the look of.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray — $39
I was out of setting spray and had been meaning to replace it. This one had been on my radar, the price worked with the rest of the math, and replenishing something I actually needed felt like the responsible move. Sets everything without heaviness or cake. Feels refreshing, not sticky.
Laura Mercier RoseGlow Liquid Highlighter — $40
Not technically from this order but it lives in my routine and I get compliments when I wear it. A small amount on the bridge of the nose creates a lit-from-within glow that reads natural, not costume. If you've been wanting to try a highlighter and blush but don't want to look like you're headed to prom, this is the one.
The Girl Math Stack
Product | Retail |
VB Foundation Drops | $110.00 |
VB Concealer Pen | $68.00 |
VB Pencil Sharpener | $4.25 |
AB x Sofia Coppola Tinted Balm | $47.00 |
Laura Mercier Duo Stick | $39.00 |
Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray | $39.00 |
Laura Mercier Liquid Highlighter | $40.00 |
Retail total | $347.25 |
After WELCOME15 (15% off) | $295.16 |
After Rakuten cashback | ~$247.17 |
Extra Points, Discounts and Cash Back:
It's a system, not a haul. Every product works with the others: the Foundation Drops and Concealer Pen build on the m-61 prep I was already doing, the Tinted Balm pulls double duty on lips and cheeks, the setting spray locks everything in. When it all works together, it doesn't feel like buying six things, it's more like one routine. Mentally: 2–5% off just for the cohesion.
It's skincare AND makeup. The Augustinus Bader TFC8 complex is in the formulas. The intention is that I'm treating my skin while I'm making it up. Makeup plus skincare means this purchase is even more valuable because it can do double duty.
The 15% welcome discount. Code: WELCOME15. Real money off at checkout. Most straightforward line item on this list.
Rakuten cashback: $47.99 pending. By activating Rakuten before checkout I received $47.99 in cash that hits my Rakuten account in August — that's practically a free Charlotte Tilbury setting spray and a Laura Mercier stick. If you aren't using Rakuten, I highly recommend you check it out. I figure my data is already being sold, I might as well make some money on it. Girl math.
Not even including the mental discounts for cohesion and buying makeup that doubles as skincare, with discounts and cash back, I paid just under $250 for a complete makeup routine from Bluemercury.
The Verdict
Bluemercury carries brands that belong together: a real curation, not just everything from everyone. The m-61 pads could be permanent fixtures for anyone interested in easy, effective skincare, at home and on the go. The VB x AB Beauty line converted a genuine skeptic on texture alone and the products hold up after use.
If Bluemercury felt intimidating, I am here to say it's genuinely not or it's worth the risk. The associates know their stuff, the brands are legit, and if you stack a welcome discount with Rakuten cashback, the girl math is firmly in your favor. While you're there, don't skip the fragrance section — their assortment is worth the detour.
Go in for the m-61 pads. Stay for the Foundation Drops. Walk out feeling like you made a responsible decision. You def did!
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