Review: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

They say every journey begins with a single step. The same principle applies to makeup. It is very important to show great mercy and care for your skin before you slather on stuff on your face. After washing my face with my cleanser of choice, tone and then moisturize. Don't skip your moisturizer, kids. I have combination skin and I find that I get oilier if I don't moisturize because my skin overcompensates. Then, I put primer on. Recently, I've been using my Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser.

I think primers in general are worth the extra step. If you're like me and you also hate having to touch-up during the day (except maybe for the inevitable powder retouch/blotting), primer might just be your saving grace. It not only preps your skin and acts as a base, it also serves as a barrier so your makeup won't seep through those precious pores. Best of all, it ensures the longevity of wear so you won't have to worry about looking like Joker with your makeup smeared and sliding off your face!

Primers are perfect to wear for long days, events, and for whenever you need your makeup to stay put. 

Basically, it's a gel-type of formulation and it goes on with a bit of a powdery texture. The formula is similar to Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel, only it is less powdery when blended than the latter. If you have an aversion or an allergy towards silicone, this might not be the best item to get for your makeup kit. 

According to the website:

Bye-Bye Pores!
One second away from smooth, poreless skin.

Why You'll Love It

Insta-blur technology visibly smoothes pores away.
Can be worn alone or under makeup.
Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.

For Best Results

Smooth a thin layer under foundation for a smooth-looking finish. Or use alone for flawless-looking skin, smoothing onto areas with visible pores.

Time to see this baby!

It has a spout which dispenses the product easily and without so much of a hassle.

A little goes a long way!

I don't know if you can tell, but it gives off quite a bit of a matte and velvety texture when applied and blended well. 

What I like:

• Affordable! A tube costs around Php 249.
• Readily available in Watsons or any department store near you.
• Very economical in use. I only use about a pea-sized amount and that is good for my entire face already.
• The packaging is cute, lightweight, not messy, and very practical to carry for travel.
• Keeps my makeup intact for long hours.
• Does not irritate my skin or break me out.
• The scent of the product is not too strong and off-putting; it goes away after a few seconds of application.
• Velvety texture after application. I feel like my face is a blank canvas that's ready to be painted.

What I dislike:

• Although the product label says it's a "pore eraser," I don't think it does much to minimize my pores, especially around my nose area where the pores are much more noticeable.
• Not friendly to all skin types. Some might break out from this product and some might be allergic.
• Oil control is not one of its most noticeable attributes.

Get it or Skip it?

• This product is good for when you're on a budget, because your Php 249 will go a long way with how much product you're getting in one tube.
• I don't necessarily think it's the best primer in the market, but it will do just fine. This would be a good buy for students or working girls who are only starting out with their love affair with makeup.
• I'm not going to repurchase after I've used my tube up. I'll have to check what else is out there and go back on the hunt for my holy grail primer.
• Not recommended for those who are allergic to silicone and for those who dislike the feeling of silicone on their skin.
• Might break you out.

Primer-y!

Remember my confusion when I didn't know which primer to get? (check it out here: Primer on Primers )  Well, I finally took the plunge and chose this primer. It's called Aloha Ice Sherbet Primer from Etude House.

Costs Php 578 at any Etude House branch near you. 

I found the packaging very neat and cute! It doesn't look like a primer at first glance, but looks more like a body spray or a deodorant (ha ha!). That having been said, it doesn't seem intimidating unlike other more high-end primers in the market.

Most of what's written on the bottle is in Korean (which I cannot, for the love of me, understand). However, there are English subtitles so buying this won't leave you lost in translation. I must admit, it's pretty costly for a kuripot like myself; then again, it's a good investment and a must-have in every girl's makeup stash, especially if you're not gifted with Cleopatra's flawless skin (like me).

It has no paraben, so that must be good. No preservatives and/or harmful chemicals. However, you still have to test it out for allergic reactions and whatnot. They have testers in the store. Also, make sure to ask the salespeople about your concerns. They're friendly enough to attend to all your queries.

To use it, shake well, then spray a couple of times on your palm until you get enough product to apply onto your face. It feels a little cold when it touches your skin but the temperature regulates when you put in on. It's up to you how much you think you need but as long as you think you had every spot covered, you're good to go. One good thing about its spray configuration is that it makes you save more than using a squeeze bottle or container. You can easily control how much product gets out of the bottle. Then, let the primer set and blend into your skin first before going through with your whole makeup routine. This will prep your skin, fill in gaps, correct a couple of flaws, prolong your makeup's staying power, and help bring out the brilliancy and color in your makeup.

When I took this baby for a test run, I went to Quezon City then to Ortigas, sans the car, so I was exposed to the elements (and pollution!). Much to my surprise, it helped my makeup stay on longer and kept my face feeling fresh all day. I would recommend this to commuting gals everywhere! Gone are the days when stepping out means you'll look haggard and chaka.


The only catch is, it's limited edition. So if you're looking for a great primer, get this one now before the stocks run dry. Your 600 bucks will definitely go a long way when you invest in (a/this) primer. You get a lot of benefits and value for money. Who doesn't want to look fresh and  who doesn't want their makeup to stay on the rest of the day (especially when you have a gazillion things to do)?

I give it a 9.5 out of 10. :)

What's your favorite primer?

Love,

SGT <3

A Primer on Primers

I always follow this routine: cleanse-tone-moisturize-concealer-foundation. Boy was I missing out on a very important step in the makeup process. Recently, I was reading up on makeup and watching tutorials when I realized how vital it is to prime your face after moisturizing. Just let the primer set (for a few minutes or so) and blend in to your skin before applying your foundation and the subsequent makeup.

A primer can perform various functions:
- it serves as a "stage" for your makeup to truly shine and last longer
- it preps your skin
- it smooths out imperfections, fills in gaps and pores
- it will prolong your makeup's staying power and potency

There are also different kinds of primers depending on which problem you wish to address. Some primers take care of dull skin, some even out redness, and others do what they do best. It really depends on what you want to achieve.

Since I've been doing it all wrong, I am now contemplating on which primer to get. I hope you can help me decide. Here are a few options:

Contender #1: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

This one costs about $36 or Php 1634. Lots of makeup artists and experts swear by this product. Here's the product description (from Smashbox): Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky, lightweight blend of vitamins A and E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation to increase longevity, our best-selling primer helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish. Oil-free! 

Contender #2: Etude House Aloha Ice Sherbet Primer Limited Edition

This one costs about Php 578. Aside from its prepping power, it also has a cool after-effect upon application. In this Philippine heat, who can say no to a little chill? (Photo is from cosmo.ph)

Contender #3: The Face Shop FACE IT Magic Cover BB Cream SPF 20

I forgot to take note of the price. BB creams (or Blemish Balm creams) have triple the power of a normal primer. They also have whitening properties and built-in sunscreen. (Photo: cosmo.ph)

Contender #4: Colour Collection Gluta Whitening BB Cream

This one will cost you about Php 379. According to cosmo.ph, it's a  whitening cream, moisturizer, toner, sunscreen, and makeup primer in one! Whew!

So, what will it be, thrifty gals? Is Smashbox worth a splurge? Or will the other more affordable alternatives will do (for now)? Just a reminder, primers are not an absolute necessity but using one can go a long way. If you have a long day ahead, this will definitely keep your makeup intact all throughout the day. However, for girls like me who have combination skin and have minor flaws here and there, primers can be our best friends. 

What's your favorite makeup primer?

Love,

SGT <3