Sometimes I just want to be a poreless alien babe… A couple weeks ago I was at a drag show, and a queen named Kylie Minono was passing shots of vodka to the people seated behind me. She apologized for reaching over me and told me that vodka can sink into your pores. “But wait, do you even have any? Girl, what do you use and where can I get it?”
Well, you can get it at Ulta! It’s a $29 pressed translucent powder aptly named Bye Bye Pores (which you’ve probably heard of by now) from It Cosmetics.
Let’s backtrack for a second.
I don’t have large pores, but they can get clogged pretty easily, so I try to let my skin breathe as much as I can. Luckily, I’m a workaholic who barely has time for breakfast, let alone fierce wings before work. I wish I did, but I also like sleep.
When I have dry patches, healing spots, or just want the smoothest finish possible, I reach for a silicone-based primer. If I’m getting ready during the day, I reach for Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield. It stands out to me because it’s a primer with SPF 30. Since I can’t step outside without sun protection, it’s a godsend. While I wear it on light makeup days too, I usually wear it all on its own. I like that it offers protection without making me look shiny. I also love products that let you know exactly how much you have left, because running out of a staple without even knowing it was close to empty is not a great way to start the day.
The consistency of Invisiblur reminds me a lot of Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer and Benefit’s Porefessional, so if you love silicone-based primers, I bet you’ll love this. While it definitely blurs my pores and smile lines, it isn’t real-life Photoshop.
But It Cosmetic’s line of Bye Bye Pores pressed powders kind of are.
I prefer to use a loose powder under my eyes, but the Bye Bye Pores translucent powder is great for everywhere else. The blush on the other hand is not quite right for me. It works if I use just a touch, but I don’t really like using just a touch of things, you know? I like going all in and slathering stuff on my face — unless it’s foundation or concealer. The blush is the same great Bye Bye formula, just too pink and dark. I don’t think it melds well with my coloring, but it will suit a lot of skin tones from light-tan to medium-deep.
My favorite brush to use with the translucent powder is the Heavenly Skin Powder Brush #701, which is also from It Cosmetics. It is chinchilla soft but, you know, not chinchillas. It feels so pleasant and distributes the product evenly. The last I looked, the blush and brush are exclusive to the Bye Bye Breakthroughs set on QVC, which also includes the translucent powder, Bye Bye Undereye Illuminating Concealer, and a truly fantastic cleansing balm for $72.50.
Even with the best products in the world my pores are still visible (grrrrrr), but there are definitely things that help. A good thick blurring primer in a great first step and mattifying powder is pretty much a life saver for me.
What about a mattifying primer too? I like using MUFE’s mattifying primer in conjunction with the Murad one. Primers on primers on primers!
Oh yes, my blurring primer is also mattifying! 🙂
You make me want to run out and buy the translucent powder at Ulta! I want this. Do you know the Ulta return policy?
Ulta has a great return policy both in stores and online. You can return a product for any reason within 60 (or maybe 90?) days as long as you have your receipt!
I have awful pores. Thanks for sharing this I’ll have to check it out to see if I can reduce them.
Have you tried clay masks? I love mixing the Aztec Healing Clay with Apple Cider Vinegar once a week. They’re both super cheap, and the mask sucks EVERYTHING out of my skin, leaving my pores both super clean & tight.
I think I need to try that primer. Your skin looks Gorgeous! in the close up photo. I’m am officially jealous. I love the lip color, too. Can you share what brand and color it is?
Thank you! It’s actually just Rimmel’s lipliner in Eastend Snob with Aquaphor lip balm (the one in the little tub) on top!
What pores, indeed! Your skin looks flawless, Nicole.
Pore-minimizing has always been an elusive skin goal for me, and I have yet to find a powder that sings with my own beloved NARS Tinted Moisturizer, so thanks for sharing this. How’s the oil control and wear on this powder?
Thank you! I don’t have super oily skin, but I do get an oily t-zone, so bear that in mind… It wears wonderfully throughout the day, and I actually prefer to keep it in my bag for touchups these days. My favorite general powder to use with the NARS TM is the loose Laura Mercier one everyone sings about. I like to use it with a damp beauty blender, and sometimes I’ll go over top with the Bye Bye Pores powder right away, just on my cheeks, and mist with a setting spray like the one from Pixi, so I don’t look too powdery. The Bye Bye Pores powder reminds me of Rimmel Stay Matte, which I also love for touchups, but has the worst packaging known to man, so for that reason (and because it blurs my pores) I reach for the It Cosmetics one waaaaaay more.
I have been so intrigued by this powder. As the owner of gigantic pores, I’m always on the lookout for something effective! Have you used Bye Bye Under Eye? What were your thoughts, if so?
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Kind of. It was waaaaaaaaaay too dark for me, but I figured I’d try the formula anyway and just not go outside while testing it. I don’t have very dark circles, and on days that I do, I just emphasize them with my makeup to make it seem intentional. Those are usually the days where people tell me I LOOK like an artist. I don’t like wearing much concealer beneath my eyes because it goes wrong so quickly and can exacerbate the issues there and make them worse overall.
The formula was really sticky and pigmented, but I’m not sure how well it would cover dark circles since I tried a shade so dark for me. It was really moisturizing though, which is important for that area. They just came out with illuminating undereye concealers too! I’ll have to give them all a proper go and get back to you <3
Thankyou! <3
So that’s your secret for your perfect skin!
I know one person who look poreless naturally. I hold a secret kernel of hate in my heart for her even though she’s a very close friend.