I’m not going to lie and say that I religiously use a primer in my day to day makeup routine. In fact, it is the one stage I would gladly skip when time is precious, and I have happily pasted on my foundation sans primer many a time. For me, priming is more of a luxury step in my makeup routine for when I have plentiful time and a desire to achieve the perfect base. My primer of choice at the moment is MAC’s Prep & Prime Skin Brightening Serum which is alright – but to honest, I am not sure whether I use primer because I like it or just because I feel a good beauty blogger ought to! Sometimes a well moisturised face is just adequate.
Benefit’s the POREfessional is a dual-action prime and touch-up balm that promises to minimise your pores, help blend your makeup and refine your complexion. It would be true to say that I hate my pores. At the start of the day they are pretty much invisible but as the day, and my makeup, wears on, they slowly become more and more exaggerated as my makeup begins to sit in them. I hoped the POREfessional might be my salvation…
The formulation of this product is extremely silky and lightweight and the skin-coloured, oil-free cream glides onto your bare skin so smoothly. It is a lot thicker in consistency to your average serum and clearly leaves a fine, translucent layer on your skin after application. The moment the balm touches your skin and you begin to blend, the feel of the cream magically transforms into a silky, powdery finish. The idea isn’t to totally swamp your face in this balm, but to pat and blend it into your troublesome areas with your fingertips. I mainly focus on my cheeks and down my nose – these are the main areas I suffer from pores. Wait a few seconds and then apply your foundation as you normally would. Benefit also say that you can use the POREfessional during the day, to disguise any pores that may have reappeared, by applying the balm over your makeup. Now this did not work for me, applying this product over my existing, particularly powdery makeup just made it a bit messy and didn’t make any difference. Because you are only applying the POREfessonal to key areas and not smothering it all over your face, you could still use your primer first, and then layer this on top. I have pretty much cast my Prep and Prime aside and am just using this alone for the time being.
The POREfessional really does work wonders when applied under your makeup and does definitely help minimise the appearance of my pores. Imagine polyfilla if you will, the way it glides over cracks and holes, creating a wonderfully smooth and even canvas to then create your masterpiece on. Benefit’s the POREfessional is the beauty girl’s polyfilla, just slightly less industrial and definitely more pretty and sweet smelling!
The POREfessional (22ml) is available from Benefit Cosmetics and retails at £23.50, a pretty exemplar price by Benefit’s standards. It may seems quite pricey, but you need to apply so very little, this tube will last you a good few months or more.
Have you tried this product? What do you reach for to prep and prime your skin?
x
I've been using this product for a year now and I love it! It gives me confidence knowing my crater pores are hidden =] xx
Ooh great post Milly 🙂 I too hate my pores and sometimes feel someone could comfortably camp in them! I may have to give this a go at some point! x
Thanks for this post, i've been considering getting the porefessional for a while now but i've been a bit unsure. Definitely going to pick it up the next time i'm near a benefit counter now 🙂 xx
I haven't tried this but I would like to at some point cos my pores can be really visible sometimes 🙁
Thanks for writing this! I've been looking at this for a while wondering about it. X
Think I'm going to give this a try!x
Great review, I've been thinking of buying a product like this
Serendipity Style Blog
Great review, I've been thinking of buying a product like this
Serendipity Style Blog
I've been thinking of buying this for a while but wasn't sure if it actually worked or not. Your skin looks amazing, I'm definitely tempted to order this for myself!
Gillian x
elevatormusik.blogspot.com
I havent used this before but it's on my Christmas list and if Santa doesn't bring it, I will definitely be purchasing. I have tried so many things to get rid of pores, I hope this may be the one that works! xx
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I am so glad to hear good things about this as I just bought it on buyapowa the other day! Can't wait for it to arrive now! xx
This sounds interesting, I'll have to give it a go x
I may try this always love trying new primers and nothing seems to cover my large pores!
x
I'm interested to try this..sounds like it's very helpful!
http://www.shellzdoll.com/
Thanks for writing this post Milly! I had been deciding between this and the Too Faced Primed and Poreless and opted for the Too Faced. However, I think that it is breaking me out 🙁 Will try this the next time I am at a BeneFit counter, as I do get on with their products 🙂 xx
i really really want to try this product x
I don't have problem with pores so this one is not for me. I have other primer from Benefit: That Gal. I love how Benefit names their products! X
mademoiselle-lala.com
I'm really wanting to try this, I've used it before but don't think I used it long enough to really get to grips with it. I've read so many good reviews about it so might be worth another try!
I have tried other products which are similar to this but never seem to stick with it in my routine – think I would like to give this ago though!
http://whatkimmididnext.blogspot.com/
I'm glad to see a review of this! I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
dp
x
Being a lover of benefit I've been meaning to try this out asap! Will deffo have to now!
http://simplybeautifulx.blogspot.com/
xxx
Definitely gonna give this a try 🙂 x
looks great thanks for sharing
http://mwanwan.blogspot.com
Your skin looks immaculate honey! Ive used Mac Prep and Prime once but I agree, sometimes a moisturiser is sufficient enough! If I have spare pennies I would buy it again though as it does work for long days!xxx
My sentiments exactly!! I also use this wonderful primer, but only when I can be bothered. I know a lot of people consider it so essential, but makeup can still look pretty good without it 🙂
I had a make-up lesson recently and was shocked a how much primer makes such a difference. I will definately be purchasing this on pay day xx :o)
Please tell me where your lip gloss is from!
wow you are so pretty!
Jessica xo
I keep hearing good things about this, so tempted to try it!
http://zozeze.blogspot.com/xo
You look gorgeous as always Milly 🙂 xx
Already on my 2nd tube of this magic! Love it and it's part of my daily routine now! xx
thank you for all our comments and so pleased my post has helped some of you.
@anna – my lipgloss is from the LOOK beauty range called pink punch.
LOVE the pink lipstick!! 🙂
http://anitahendrieka.blogspot.com/
Based on the claims this product makes I've been wanting to try it for awhile. Seeing so many reviews I've made my decision. This will be my next months "high-end" purchase.
P.S You look lovely in that last photo with hot pink/fuchsia lips. 🙂
I've been contemplating trying this for a while! The results look great. It does look a bit thick though, did you find it clogged your pores much?
Can’t wait to get my hands on this product! I just ordered yesterday.
xo,
~Pauline @ Benefit makeup Philippines