Review: Best and Worst Primers To Hide Pores

Pores. Ugh. As I've gotten older, my pores have decided they needed to be the center of attention. At all times. It's common as we age, and while there's no miracle cream to shrink them, we can hide them. My top trick is to use a face primer designed to hide pores. These go on before foundation (or alone) and mattify the face to create an illusion of blurring pores. I'm reviewing a few of them today. Check 'em out:

1. L'Oreal RevitaLift Miracle Blur--I love this stuff! It instantly blurs lines and hides pores. Whenever I use it on blog pics, I'm accused of using Photoshop, so it must be good, right? I used it on my How to Hide Pores tutorial. It's white, very concentrated with a silica base. Use it alone or before foundation for best results. It also has SPF 30! 1.18FL oz. $25 (look for the small sizes to save $)
2. Benefit The Porefessional--This is my favorite, and I wear it year-round, as the L'Oreal can be a little too thick for me in the summer. It's a nude primer that blends in with skin. It is oil-free and has Vitamin E. Unlike some primers, this can be used not only as a primer, but as a touch up once makeup is applied, or even to cover blemishes (if used with a concealer or foundation). .75oz $30
3. Too Faced Primed and Poreless--This is almost as good as Benefit, and is just a little thinner in consistency. This nude primer features Vitamins A & C, Mulberry extract and Retinol. Note: There is a new version, Primed and Poreless Pure, that is oil-free and for sensitive skin. 1oz $30
4. NYX Pore Filler--As you can see, the above primers are really pricey, so when I saw this, I wanted it as a cheaper alternative. It does a pretty good job of covering pores, but I prefer the others above, as this one feels thinner but almost grittier. It's a lighter pink primer that is silica-based. Still on the fence as to if I would repurchase. .67oz $12.99
5. Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer--This primer is the least expensive of the bunch, but does not compare at all to the others. It looks brown-orange but blends into skin. It is very liquid-y in texture, features silica and Vitamin E. It doesn't blur pores, but the product goes into them (like foundation) to sort of fill them in. I don't think it does any better of a job than regular primer, and I would not repurchase. 1oz $6.89

Overall: If you have wrinkles or serious pores, try the L'Oreal Miracle Blur. If you want a product that is not as thick, try the Benefit. If you have oily skin, try the Too Faced Pure version. If you're on a budget, try the NYX but I don't think you'll like it as much as the other three. And while I love Rimmel products, skip this one.

Do you use primers just for pores?

Which ones is your favorite?

Wanna win a Mason Pearson hairbrush?

Tweet