A Makeup Artist Says This Primer Makes Skin Super Smooth

Aging has, for the most part, been positive. However, among the few qualms I have at 31 is the tendency of foundation to settle into my new fine lines. Plus, my skin’s texture isn’t as smooth as it was in my 20s, and the pores I’ve struggled with over the years are only getting larger.

It wasn’t until I started noticing these changes in my late 20s that I seriously considered primer – and after trying Tatcha’s Silk Canvas Liquid Prime, I can’t live without it . Of course, not all primers are created equal—I’ve tried some duds—but I may have discovered a gem in Il Makiage’s No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer. According to the brand, the formula offers a “Photoshopped” finish, and buyer testimonials back up this claim.

Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer is a lightweight gel-cream that blurs imperfections and creates a smooth base for foundation that follows. According to buyers, the primer also works alone, on bare skin, for a filtering and pore-reducing effect. The formula has a light, buttery texture and glides effortlessly onto the skin, where it creates a satin-finish surface. Plus, the formula extends makeup wear time and controls shine, two benefits that are especially appealing as we approach the sweaty months of summer.

The secret to the blurring, smoothing magic of the primer? Silicones, which fill in fine lines and diffuse light for a soft focus finish. FWIW, silicones themselves are non-comedogenic, despite their reputation for causing skin congestion. (They can, however, create an occlusive barrier which, if not removed, can trap dirt and oil, leading to clogged pores and blemishes, hence the myth.) Interestingly, dimethicone , a key component of Il Makiage’s base, is among the most common ingredients found in acne moisturizers, according to a 2023 study. As for anecdotal evidence: One buyer, who uses Il’s base daily Makiage, said she had “no rashes, clogged pores or any other bad reactions.”

As for its filter-like finish and pore-reducing power? One shopper said the primer “smooths out” enlarged pores on their nose and softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Similarly, a shopper in their 50s said it “makes pores, lines and wrinkles disappear,” while a 63-year-old shopper said the primer “makes tired skin look young “. Another fan simply called it “a filter in a bottle.” Finally, a buyer and professional makeup artist shared, “If you want skin like a porcelain doll…this is your product.” »

For a skin-perfecting primer approved by makeup artists, acclaimed by shoppers, and absolutely on my wish list, buy Il Makiage No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer.

Explore other skin smoothing products from the brand below:

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