This Spring, the focus is on barefaced chic with a splash of pastel thrown in for good measure. And the key to the natural, no makeup look is a trusty primer—a pore perfecter, which gives any foundation or tinted moisturizer an extra special holding power. I have put two prestigious primers through their paces, to see who comes out on top.
The Product: Benefit The POREfessional Pro Balm
The Test: Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge has stated that she’s fond of this primer, a skin tone and pore-refiner designed to create a flawless canvas all before the makeup application stage. It’s oil-free and is infused with vitamin E. Before heading out to interview Blake Lively, I patted this onto my clean skin, followed by my liquid foundation. Facing lights, cameras, and a myriad of other journalists means you have to be on top of your game—no time for a makeup meltdown here.
After a thirty-minute quick fire round of questions, complete with frantic note taking, it was photo call time—with no time for a touch up and less than ten seconds to take a picture (I kid you not) next to Miss Lively.
The result: Phew, the photo turned out well and my skin looked radiant and healthy—no makeup artists or airbrushing needed.
VS.
The product: Dior Pore Minimizer Skin Refining Matte Primer
The test: At first glance, I was attracted to the clinical packaging of this primer. And at first application, it’s easily dispersed with its pump mechanism and seemingly glides onto the skin. It certainly has a far more powdery finish than the Benefit product, however, as there was a little product fall-out during the application stage. Paired with a helping of my liquid foundation, this primer and I went to watch a tennis match. With Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic just a few feet away, I hoped my pores would be on their best behavior.
What they don’t tell you upon arrival is that if you are seated behind the players, you are constantly on TV (in high definition) and you cannot move from your seat between matches. But after two hours in the midday sun and refusing to eat or drink on television, I managed to escape.
The result: After a quick trip to the powder room, I was presently surprised that although my blowdry has flopped, my makeup was still intact and I didn’t need to pay any extra attention to my t-zone.
The verdict: Although each primer withstood its test, the Benefit POREfessional gets my vote of confidence this time, albeit by a small margin. Upon closer inspection, it appears that it is better suited to a yellow-based skin tone, whereas I would advise the Dior Pore Minimizer for anyone with a pinkish hue to her complexion. All in all, a close match.
—Elizabeth Whiston-Dew
