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6 of the best primers for blurring and minimising pores

Because craters are for the moon

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / February 08 2022

Pores are public enemy number one as far as makeup’s concerned.

Because what’s the point in buying up all the drugstore foundations we can get our hands on, and slathering on layers of concealer, if it’s all just going to sink into our pores?

That’s why it’s so important to lay the proper groundwork with a primer made especially for blurring pores.

Smoothing, resurfacing and (most importantly) pore-filling, these six primers have been selected for their ability to hide the one tell-tale sign that we are human, and not (unfortunately) a poreless Instagram filter.

FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer

To say we’d do anything to achieve Rihanna’s flawless and poreless makeup is an understatement. Thankfully, the bad gal has made imitating her airbrushed complexion a breeze by blessing fans with this retouched-effect primer. This oil-free formula smooths out pores, evens tones and texture and absorbs unwanted shine. The pink-hue of the primer isn’t just to look cute either, it helps to create a blurring effect that erases imperfections and makes you look like you’re wearing an Instagram filter IRL. Genius.

$49 at Sephora

Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

A good primer should smooth out your complexion and in turn create the perfect canvas to paint on the rest of your makeup. At least that’s the idea behind this silk and pearl-infused formula that minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines, while simultaneously colour correcting and blurring imperfections.

$74 at MECCA

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pore Minimizer Step 1 Face Primer

Not only does this pore minimising formula smooth and blur uneven texture and tone, it also helps to absorb excess sebum leaving skin mattified and oil-free. Boasting transfer-proof and water-resistant properties, this pick has your back for up to 24 hours after application.

$62 at Sephora

Shiseido Waso Poreless Matte Primer

Wasabi is probably the last thing you’d ever want to slather on your face, but this innovative formula from Shiseido contains a complex inspired by the stuff to help absorb excess sebum, and subsequently minimise the appearance of pores. Perfect for those of us with an overactive T-zone, you can count on this mean green formula to keep your makeup looking flawless (and most importantly, poreless) for the whole damn day.

$39 at MECCA

Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer

Oil-free, mattifying and water-resistant, this pore minimising formula is a standout for oilier skin types, and helps to control oil-production for up to eight hours. Smooth skin and blur unwanted imperfections for flawless makeup application every time.

$56 at MECCA

elf Poreless Putty Primer

This putty primer acts to spackle over any cracks and crevices in your complexion to create a smooth and flawless base for makeup application. The velvet-textured formula fills and minimises the depth and appearance of pores and imperfections for a silky soft finish. The fact that a pot of the stuff costs less than $20 is just a very nice bonus.

$17 at Adore Beauty

Now that you’ve smoothed out every pore on your face, let’s refresh that complexion, with 9 gorgeously glossy foundations for glowing skin.

Main image credit: @priscillaono

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).