Primers are the shapewear of makeup. They are certainly not the most eye catching element of any look but they do give a smooth canvas and without them, the outer layers just don't sit so well.
A good primer works hard to be the foundation of your, eh, foundation. Smashbox was one of the first to set the perfecting bar but recently the primer has some new pretenders to its glowing crown. Benefit's Porefessional and Garnier's 5 Second Blur have been released amid much hype and pore-y promises.
And now Maybelline have joined the fray, with their Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser due to hit Irish shelves in January 2014.
This little fella is suitable for all skin tones and types. It is a translucent gel that melts into the skin. I found that the 5 Second Blur had a tendency to sit on top of my skin instead of disappearing into it, but this one really did soak in.
It's light-weight, fragrance free and gentle, which is great news for my hyper-sensitive skin that throws a diva strop if it senses anything near it that isn't derived from purified angel hair and lamb's wool soaked in the tears of cherubs. But if you know that your skin is intolerant of silicones, then you might not be happy to hear that dimethicone is the first listed ingredient.
It claims to disguise the appearance of enlarged pores to create a perfectly smooth canvas that doesn't clog the skin, with its secret ingredient of cherry extract being known for its antioxidant properties. I'll admit that I don't know much about the intricacies of antioxidant extracts, but would I recommend popping your primer cherry with this offering?
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Baby Skin isn't going to change the primer game but it is a very decent product. At €10.75, it won't damage your bank balance like some of the higher end primers would, and the packaging is clever with the small nozzle ensuring that no product is wasted.
The clear gel applies well, gives super soft skin, blends easily and creates a lovely smooth base for your foundation. And importantly for this time of year, it doesn't cling to any nasty dry patches.
But will it hide large pores? No, sir, it will not. The silicone will minimise the appearance of smaller pores but if you are hoping for a true blurring effect, then you will be disappointed. And if you have oily skin, shine control will rear it's glistening head after a few hours.
Overall I give it a qualified thumbs up. It is a hard, smooth worker but it's no magician and your pores won't disappear. That would really be the cherry on the cake.
But if you have always wanted to try Smashbox's Photo Finish, then this is a good budget dupe.
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Are you a fan of the primer? Are you tempted to give Baby Skin a whirl?
