As someone with oily, sensitive skin, I’m always on the hunt for a primer that can control shine, minimize pores, and provide a smooth canvas for makeup application. I’ve heard a lot of buzz around the L’Oréal Pore Minimizer Prime Lab Primer and decided to give it a go. This primer promises to reduce the appearance of pores while keeping oil under control, so I was eager to see how it would perform, especially under my favorite BB cream, the Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream.
L’Oréal’s Prime Lab Pore Minimizer comes in a sleek, well-designed tube. The packaging is easy to use and travel-friendly, with a simple nozzle that dispenses just the right amount of product. The primer itself has a smooth, slightly gel-like consistency that feels cooling and lightweight when applied to the skin. It’s not overly thick or heavy, and it doesn’t leave a greasy residue, which is a plus for my oily skin.
When I first applied it, I immediately noticed how soft and velvety my skin felt. It gave that “poreless” illusion, smoothing over my skin, especially around my T-zone (where my pores tend to be larger). The texture was comfortable and didn’t feel sticky or heavy, which made me hopeful for a good makeup application.
As I began applying the primer to my face, I made sure to focus on areas with larger pores and oil production, mainly my nose, cheeks, and forehead. It blended out fairly easily and didn’t have an unpleasant scent, which is a bonus given my sensitive skin. The primer did deliver on its promise of smoothing out the appearance of pores, and it did seem to mattify my skin to an extent.
Pros:
1. Smooth and Soft Texture: The primer glides on smoothly and feels luxurious. It provides an immediate soft touch that makes the skin feel velvety.
2. Pore Minimizing: It works well to blur pores, especially in the T-zone area, making it a great choice for those with large pores.
3. Mattifying: If you have oily skin, this primer helps control oil production and provides a matte finish, making it ideal for oily skin types.
4. Sleek Packaging: The glass bottle with a pump dispenser is aesthetically pleasing and functional, ensuring a mess-free application.
Things took a turn when I applied my Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream over it. I’ve been using this BB cream for years, and it’s usually flawless on my skin. Unfortunately, with the L’Oréal Pore Minimizer Primer underneath, my base became cakey and started to pill almost immediately after application. I tried blending it out with a sponge and a brush, but nothing worked. The product just wouldn’t adhere properly, and I could see the primer and foundation separating on my skin, which is frustrating, to say the least.
Given how sensitive my skin can be, I wasn’t sure if the primer’s texture was clashing with the BB cream or if it was a combination of factors. But unfortunately, this primer didn’t work for me in terms of achieving a smooth, long-lasting base.
Cons:
1. Pilling: Causes makeup to pill when applied under makeup, like my Missha BB Cream.
2. Sensitive Skin Irritation: Can cause mild irritation for those with sensitive skin.
3. Incompatibility with Certain Foundations: Doesn’t blend well with some foundations, leading to patchy application.
