The secret to a flawless face makeup, one may argue, is a good primer (aside from great foundation). Aside from achieving an amazing finish, I personally HATE putting foundation directly on my skin without using any type of product prior. Unfortunately, being the forever broke, working student that I am, I have yet to try high-end primers that many beauty gurus rave about, such as Smashbox's Pore Minimizing Primer or Benefit's Porefessional. Since I first started using makeup, I've always been and still am the biggest drugstore makeup junkie. So I've tried various alternate options of this essential step and have had mixed results, until I discovered the best dupe a few months ago. Before I get into this product, let me tell you some of the options I have tried. Depending on your situation, these may be your best alternative.
The first option I've tried and still use, despite my new discovery, is a good moisturizer or toner. This option hydrates and provides a thin, yet necessary, layer between your bare skin and foundation. Most people with some level of consciousness own a bottle of moisturizer or toner (if you don't, lawwwd please go purchase one right now), thus it's a great, affordable alternative. Just like you would with a primer, definitely make sure to let your moisturizer or toner soak into your skin before applying foundation. The reason this option is still my go-to, aside from the fact that it is the cheapest, is that it gives me the most matte finish. As you'll read below, unless you have extremely dry skin, many primers will not give you the matte look, especially after a long day. Using a moisturizer or, especially a toner, will instead provide the necessary layer without the greasy mess that I personally don't like.
An option that I'm sure most of you have heard about is Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. Yes, the brand we've all tried back in elementary school, using our $20 allowances (I'm only kidding, no shade, I've definitely tried some great products from Maybelline recently). What I shouldn't be joking about is its unbeatable drugstore price! A very promising name, I must mention - who wouldn't want to achieve a 'baby skin' and erase their pores?! This product is additionally very eye-catching due to their adorable packaging and damn, aren't us girls suckers for cute packaging. As for what the product claims to provide, my skin felt very smooth immediately after applying it and my foundation glided on very smoothly. Despite the positives listed above, I was a little disappointed with this product. Even though my skin isn't too oily, I noticed that after wearing it all day, it left my skin looking a little too 'dewy' for my liking. I've also read quite a few reviews that this product made them break out, which is never a good thing in my book, BYE.
Finally, the product I've discovered, thanks to one of my favorite youtubers, Nicole Guerriero, is L'Oreal's Pore Vanisher. Now, this one is definitely on the pricer side for a drugstore product. Which is why I literally checked to see if it was on sale every time I visited my local drug store. Nicole was quite impressed with this product, explaining that it was the closest dupe to the infamous Porefessional, in her review video. Alas, it is. I've only tried it once so far (yes, I trying to save it) and I was very happy with how it kept my skin looking matte throughout the day. The consistency and color of the product also differed from Maybelline's Instant Pore Eraser; this one is beige/skin tone and creamier, whereas the the Maybelline's product is clear, opaque, and more greasy.
I definitely recommend trying all the options above according to your skin type and budget :)
xo, Alice
