Benefit POREfessional Face Primer Is Great At Hiding Pores

Benefit POREfessional is a cult favorite face primer.

Makeup primer: I’m usually too minimalist for this step. But it has its benefits. Face primer seems a quick and effective answer to a host of cosmetic concerns. Want to make your foundation last longer? Try primer. Would you like to cancel redness, smooth fine lines, or reduce shine? Primer. Wonder how to hide large pores? Maybe get some primer. Specifically, The POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit Cosmetics.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4)

:Benefit The POREfessional

Price: $34.00

0.75 oz

Value

(4.1)

Texture

(4.4)

Finish – Blurring

(4.4)

Longevity

(4)

Extra Benefits

(3.2)

Clean Option

(4.1)

:Milk Makeup Hydro Grip

Price: $38.00

1.52 oz

Value

(5)

Finish

(3.9)

Texture

(3.9)

Longevity

(4.4)

Extra Benefits

(5)

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Promises vs. Performance: Benefit POREfessional on pores (and fine lines).

Benefit POREfessional claims to minimize the look of pores and fine lines, plus blurring imperfections. Not only this, but the silky smooth, lightweight formula goes on translucent and contains a vitamin E derivative to help combat the effects of free radicals. It should also help keep makeup apply evenly and in place. Benefit states three uses for POREfessional: under makeup, over makeup, or even worn by itself.

Right away I was convinced of the blurring power of this primer. It applies easily, becoming a thin, transparent, and lightly tacky base that immediately smooths the skin. It looks even and colorless, but does provide some cancelation of redness. My skin looks smoother, including my fine lines, and my larger, more visible pores are filled and blurred. It enhances my complexion and takes down shine while keeping the skin looking fresh. Worn beneath foundation, it gives a sleek canvas for application and smoother skin texture. It does help extend makeup wear time a bit, but don’t expect a major extension. I find it wears well under makeup for around 6-8 hours, controlling excess oil, shine, and not breaking apart.

Dry skin types, and those sensitive to fragrance, take care.

If I’m being honest, my skin does feel tight after about 6 hours of wearing The POREfessional, especially in the T- zone – at leasts on my combo skin type. A glance in the mirror showed that the area had become quite flaky. Scaly looking, actually. For thirstier skin types, I recommend using a rich moisturizer beneath this primer, or, check out the new hydrating version.

The original POREfessional is also strongly fragranced. The scent is nice, like a burst of sweet orange. Luckily, I like oranges, and the smell dissipates fairly quickly.

How It Compares: The holy grail professional face primer for filling in pores.

Benefit POREfessional has long been considered the gold standard among makeup primers in its price range. Large pores, small pores, and even acne scars are just no match for this product’s filling and blurring powers. Along with imperfections, fine lines disappear with this primer. It provides a slight amount of color correction, but settles to a universal hue that combats oil and works with any skin tone. Some may turn their noses up at its strong citrus fragrance, but anyone can get excited about its multiple uses: worn on its own to perfect or under makeup to smooth and extend wear time. It best suits normal, combination, and oily skin types. And even after all these years, Byrdie names it a best offering from the Benefit brand, Good Housekeeping lists it among the best face primers, and more than 300,000 Sephora shoppers love it. Do you agree?

Performance Rating

This Product

(4.2)

:Benefit The POREfessional Primer

Texture

(4.4)

Finish – Blurring

(4.4)

Longevity

(4)

Best Clean – Blurring

(4.1)

:caliray So Blown Primer

Texture

(4.4)

Finish – Blurring

(4.3)

Longevity

(3.5)

Best Clean – Gripping

(4.1)

:Milk Makeup Hydro Grip

Texture

(3.9)

Finish – Texture

(3.9)

Longevity

(4.4)

Best Drugstore

(4.1)

:e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide

Texture

(4)

Finish – Texture

(4.3)

Longevity

(4)

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