Change my mind: it's difficult to find a primer that lives up to its claims.
Okay, I amend: I just didn't think primer could do more than smooth out my makeup a tiny bit. At least that's all I've experienced with various primers I've used on my makeup clients. So when I heard about makeup artists raving about how Benefit's POREfessional line helps with impurities from the inside out, I was a littleeeee skeptical.
But Benefit Cosmetics has been around forever, so I figured they must be doing something right. I decided to try it, along with their mask and moisturizer, anyway.
I’m so glad I did—my perspective has completely shifted. Here’s why:
Benefit's POREfessional Primer is like a filter for your face
I typically don’t use primer when I go out to run quick errands.These are the "before" photos when I don't use primer:
By mid-errands, I’m shiny from oil and my foundation looks a little cracked and cakey. Enter: Benefit's POREfessional Primer.
This bestselling primer has been around for 10+ years. Its lightweight formula glided smoothly onto my skin, instantly blurring the appearance of my pores and fine lines—it literally looked like I’d just applied a TikTok filter to my face WITHOUT any foundation. Check out these "afters":
THIS is after 15 hours of wear! Are you seeing this?!
But when I did finally put foundation on, it lasted all day. It didn’t crack, and it looked airbrushed in both the sunlight and harsh department store lighting. My makeup looked like I'd spent hours doing it.
And that’s all thanks to the primer’s vitamin E derivative, which helps even skin tone, moisturize, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, creating a seamless base for foundation.
I only use a pea size amount for my whole face, so the tube has lasted more than three months with daily application. For only $35, I’m hooked—$10 per month is a small price to pay for gorgeous skin. You need to add this to your routine, STAT.
The Deep Retreat Clay Mask helps draw out impurities and helps refine pores
The Deep Retreat Clay Mask ($39) quickly became a product that I can’t recommend enough to my clients. I even ask them to use it the night before they come in because I’ve seen how much it makes skin GLOW.
It gives your skin a super satisfying deep clean by drawing out the excess oil and dirt trapped in your pores. It’s made with mineral-rich kaolin clay, which helps clear pores, sea fennel extract, which helps minimize excess surface skin oil, and bisabolol, which helps skin feel comfortable, not tight.
I tried it on some of my guy friends (who I know don’t take care of their skin), and the amount of oil and blackheads it pulled out was…gross, but amazing! It’s since become a crucial step in my routine and theirs.
The Smooth Sip Moisturizer provides a natural matte finish that lasts all day
I’ve relied on the same mattifying moisturizer for… pretty much ever. I didn’t realize it couldn’t hold a candle to Benefit until I tried their Smooth Sip Moisturizer ($44) on my clients. I was blown away at how its formula provided a natural matte finish that my clients said felt comfortable and breathable on their skin.
The undertone-correct provided a shade that seamlessly blended with their complexions, creating a flawless, real-skin appearance that lasted all day. My clients no longer had to blot or do touch ups throughout the course of the day—huge benefit (no pun intended) for my brides-to-be. It provided the perfect balance of hydration and color-correction without feeling heavy or greasy under makeup.
The moisturizer is made with niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, which helps smooth the look of pores, celery seed extract and flax seed extract, which help visibly improve skin texture and refine the look of pores, and squalene and aloe leaf juice to maintain hydration.
I’m a believer: Prepping your pores is a must-do
I never knew the power of prepping your pores and primer until I tried Benefit Cosmetics. I love how the clay mask, moisturizer, and primer work together to create a flawless, healthy-looking complexion. Their POREfessional line has now become a staple in my routine, whether I’m doing my own makeup or a client's.
If you're someone who has doubts about the importance of prepping your pores, or you’re a makeup artist looking to give your clients the glow they deserve, I encourage you to give Benefit Cosmetics a try—they’ve legit been around forever and know what they’re doing. They are the POREfessionals after all!
This article was written based on personal experience. Individual results may vary.
