My 30s came with a few cool perks — wisdom, Tabs and El Hub — that have helped offset the drawbacks of getting older, but there’s one area of aging I’m still trying to offset: my pores. Compared to how they looked in my 20s, THEY’RE HUGE! They’re like Olympic swimming pools within which people could host a swim meet.
To some sad degree, it just comes with the territory. Over time, pores enlarge. Accumulated sun damage, other environmental factors and the natural aging process itself all weaken the support structures around them.
But Benefit says there’s hope. The new Benefit The Porefessional ($28, available now at Ulta.com, and Benefit counters and stores beginning next month).
The lightweight, oil-free primer is designed to minimize the appearance of those behemoth pores when it’s either worn as a primer beneath makeup, where it creates a smooth canvas for foundation and powder, and/or applied on top of your face paint throughout the day, where it softens the skin with a matte finish.
The Porefessional joins That Gal as the second primer in Benefit’s permanent line, but where That Gal brightens skin with a subtle pink sheen, The Porefessional smooths skin, softening its texture.
If you have medium to dark skin, you’re probably painfully aware of how some primers can leave a dreadful white cast. The Porefessional doesn’t (at least not on my NC35 skin)! Despite its light tint, it appears fully translucent once applied, and the lazy beast in me loves how easily it blends (no caking, yay!).
Oh, sensitive noses might want to brace themselves before giving it a sniff as the lemony floral fragrance comes on strong. I like it, but scents are personal, right? You just never know.
The product does contain silicones, so if you like Smashbox Photofinish Primer and/or Tarte Clean Slate, you’ll probably love how The Porefessional feels on your skin. The Porefessional has that trademark silky, lotion-like texture you get with a lot of products that contain silicone. As a general rule, I don’t mind silicones in my beauty products, but I’m not too crazy about them here — if they’re what makes the product feel as heavy as it does, like there’s a layer of something sitting on top of my skin.
Be that as it may, the larger question (pun intended) is, “How well does The Porefessional pummel pores into submission?”
The Porefessional un-blended (left) and blended (right).
Well, it makes a very subtle difference on me. That’s not to say it’s undetectable, though. The Porefessional does seem to soften the look of my pores, but it doesn’t completely make them disappear (drat!).
I wore it last weekend, hoping my BFFs (who usually notice *everything*) would comment on it and tell me how smooth my skin looked, but no one said a word…
That prompted me to be a little shy with the photographs for this post, too. I’m not usually shy about posting pics…but I just couldn’t deal with it this time, having the entire internet see macro pictures of my enlarged pores! — hence the lack of face shots in this post. Sorry!
I dunno… Maybe my pores are just TOO BIG and past the point of no return for The Porefessional. I have friends who adore the product, so you may have better luck than me. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
You might like Benefit The Porefessional if…
- You want to softly mellow out the look of large pores
- You try, and find you like the scent
- You like the silky texture of products that contain silicones
- You’re comfortable spending about $30
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Have your try PREP+PRIME SKIN REFINED ZONE?? I been wanting to try that for my Huge pores…
I have tried that and I have HUGE pores too 😀 it works for me.. one thing though you need to wait for about 5 mins for it to set, else the foundation will not be smooth..
Thanks for the tip!! Im gonna give it a try then!! =)
I think I tried it a while back but wasn’t wowed by it. I’ll see if I can dig it up and will try waiting 5 minutes!
it works for me too <3
i don't like the waiting part though…
also you just dab it on your skin lightly…DO NOT RUB it in..
try to do something else for 5-6 minutes…otherwise my foundation would go on streaky…
i never think these things work! so i never buy them lol. i’m 25 and my pores are big on my nose ugh!
.-= candace’s last blog post… stuffed zucchini. =-.
Le sigh…I guess we both have to keep looking!
I’ve been keeping the NARS primer with SPF in my kit for quite a while (and it’s what I exclusively wear personally), but this is tempting me to try something new for my clients with larger pores. Generally I use Smashbox’s primer for those gals.
.-= Natasha’s last blog post… Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner =-.
Thanks for weighing in, Natasha!
My favorite for large pores, and my friends would chime in as I have suggested it to them all, is Dr. Brandt No More Pores. It’s the most amazing pore primer I have EVER found, and I got a drawer full of em.
That’s good to know! I’ve heard good things about that one.
Ugh, I’m 26 and my pores are HUGE. So far the cargo blu ray mattifier has worked the best for me. I think the real key is to remember that no one else will see your pores up that close!
Ahhh, thanks for reminding me! If somebody was actually that close I’d probably swat them away, LOL!
When I know ill use heavy-ish foundation, I would breakout the Smashbox Photo Finish primer and use it. I know that it tames my pores down and also kinda protects my skin from the foundation.
On a semi regular basis, on days when I feel like I need a more matte finish to my face, I actually use that infamous chafe relief gel. Its worked for me so far, havent broken out or anything.
I have still yet to go there with the chafe relief gel!
I was a bit hesitant to buy it because … well because of what it is. LOL.
Got it at Target … they didnt really care what I was buying … 😀
OHMAHGOSH nobody says a damn thing when you shop there. Last week I packed a basketful of items for “that time of the month” along with three huge tubs of ice cream (don’t ask) and the clerk barely batted an eye!
sweetheart don’t worry! no one’s going to judge you 🙂 and i’m sure you’ll find your perfect pore filling primer one day (try saying that 5 times fast haha), it’s just a matter of time! sucks that this one didn’t work though, I was excited to try it
.-= cecilee =)’s last blog post… smootchkiss giveaway! =-.
Aww, thanks Cecilee.
Has anyone tried the L’Oreal Magic Perfecting Base (I think that’s the full name)?
I haven’t yet but would love to hear if anybody else loves it!
aw I swear I haven’t noticed a thing about your pores in your full face shots, although it’s understandable you wouldn’t want to post macro. That’s waaay up close and personal, like creeper status up close. Anyways, have you tried using a mask? I really like Queen Helene’s Mint Julep Mask for making my skin “tighter/smoother” Plus it’s super cheap, so you might want to give that a try!
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… I Came, I Saw, I Hauled =-.
LOL re “creeper status”!!
Queen Helene is an old school goodie for me. It was one of the first reviews I did waaay back when. Thanks for reminding me, though! I might have to bust it out.
Wouldn’t mind checking this out when it gets here. My pores are so dynamic that one day, they are small and cute 😉 and on other days, the nose and cheek area look like they have been pierced, and those whiteheads sticking out! :S
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Recovering On A Sunday Night – The Wife Of A Racer =-.
Aren’t pores funny that way?
I’m using Loreal Studio Secrets Perfecting base and on the whole it works really well although I have noticed it’s feeling a bit heavier since the weather has been warmer .
I’ve been thinking of trying tartes Recreate Silicone Free Primer. I’ve wanted to see some reviews however, since it’s 32.00 bucks a bottle (the Loreal is 10!) The next time I make to St Louis, I think I’m gonna see if I can get a sample from Sephora. If ti works I can order it online.
On another note, I’m trying to find a good dupe of Grifter from UD WITHOUT the glitter. I love the color, but the glitter fallout is killing me! Any ideas?
Good question!! Hmm, I can’t think of any right off the top of my head. Can anybody else weigh in on this?
Awww I feel you, girl. My pores have absolutely exploded in size since Fall ’09 (I swear that quarter destroyed my skin and I’m still picking up the pieces…). Have you tried using the combination of a retinol and a vitamin C serum? I’ve seen positive, albeit slight, improvements using Neutrogena’s Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Treatment and Avalon Organics Vitamin C serum. I’m about to start testing an L-ascorbic acid (the most effective but also most unstable form of vitamin C) serum too. The retinol exfoliates and reduces oil production to stop pores from enlargening further (some people claim it shrinks them too though I can’t say for sure) and vitamin C stimulates collagen production and prevents further damage from oxidative stress on those support structures. I don’t know if my pores have shrunk but I have noticed they do look smaller and less gunk comes out of them so that’s heartening at least. Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy primer is my current favorite as far as pore minimizing primers, I’ve tried Dr. Brandt’s Pores No More but I didn’t remember loving it. I’ll have to pull it out again haha.
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… ekiLove Kawaii Bow Earrings =-.
Thanks for the science lesson, Catherine! 🙂
I tried this product when I was at the Benefit boutique the other day. The saleslady swore you could see a noticeable difference….although I really couldn’t. My pores are pretty big on the sides of my nose, my forehead, and my chin and they looked about the same after she put some of this on me.
Yeah! I was really expecting a miracle to happen. I guess it’s happening to others, LOL!
Aww you know we all love you here 🙂 Don’t feel too self-conscious because we all have those things we wish would change. I found it really respectable of you when you put pictures up of you with/without concealer. I couldn’t do it!
I’ve been hearing so much about Benefit….a lot of good, but enough bad to make me hesitant.
I think they try to streamline their stuff (especially the face products), so I think that’s why a lot of it has a funky reputation. I have found some great things from the line that I can’t live without — their boxed blushes, Creaseless Cream Shadows, Powder Shadows and Ultra Shines rule!
I love how Tabs like to hog all your makeup before you even get to it. I love the feel of silicones but fortunately, I don’t need products like this yet. 🙂
.-= amy’s last blog post… A “Secret†Sale at Pacifica Perfumes for Bella Koola Readers =-.
He’s a total makeup thief! He still won’t let me get anywhere close to his MAC Hello Kitty stuff.
I have humongo pores. Too bad this didn’t seem like a miracle product! You are beautiful in all of your pics and I have never noticed big pores on you!
Thanks, Michelle. I think it’s time to ditch my magnifying mirror!
You know there is no judgment around here, Karen! To echo the lovelies before me, I’ve never noticed your pores, ever.
When I asked my dermatologist about reducing pore size, she said, “Get rid of your magnifying mirror.” 🙂
That is GREAT advice. Your derm sounds like a wise woman. 😉
What do you use instead of this then??
I need a pore minimizer…
My pores are gargantuan!
.-= Olivia’s last blog post… The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer =-.
I did a before and after picture using Benefit Porefessional. My pores are huge and I do see some efftect. They don’t disapear, but I feel they diminish.
If you want to check out my review, you can click here:
http://thebodyshopfan.blogspot.com/2010/09/benefit-porefessional-review-swatches.html
I just find it too expensive for what it is!