I’m no beauty expert. I’m probably as far removed from a beauty expert as one can possibly be. Therefore, it’s with very little formal experience that I write this; simply an understanding of what I like, what I don’t like, what works and what doesn’t.
In my quest to make over my makeup bag, I decided that a primer would be a good investment. A little something to keep what minimal make up I do wear in place longer than the hour it takes me to do the nursery run in the morning.
After reading a few reviews, I selected Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pure, created especially for sensitive skin. It promised to matt oily skin, reduce redness and minimise pores … all while stopping your foundation or powder from sliding off your face.
All this … in one small 28g tube … for just £24. Could it be for real?
Well … in a word … yes.
A clear, silky serum, I only had to use a very small amount to make my skin feel almost velvety soft. It did everything it promised. My skin, prone to being a little oily, stayed perfectly matt for the entire day. Redness (I have a stork mark on my forehead) was indeed reduced and my pores almost invisible. I normally wear just a little tinted moisturiser, powder and blush and all three were still in place after spending the day chasing after the toddler, nursing the baby and taking a two hour walk in the drizzling rain to rid our neighbourhood of sticks by bringing them all to our apartment (the toddler’s current favourite pastime).
However, just as I’d started to celebrate purchasing the perfect primer at first pick, disaster struck.
Spots.
Clogged pores and spots.
While Too Faced Primed & Poreless Pure is fantastic to wear and does exactly what it promises, the after effects are not so desirable. Just in case hormones were at play, I stopped using it for a few days and then tried it again. Same thing happened. Bitterly disappointed and not wanting it to be true, I waited a few more days and tried it yet again. More spots. Damn!
Not wanting to turn my back on it altogether, I’m saving it for occasions where I only need to be in make up for a limited time rather than all day. So occasions where I want to achieve that coveted flawless finish but am only a couple of hours from washing it all off.
It’s such a shame.
Here’s my own personal rating system:
Will I get to the end of the tube? I think so, yes. It’s too lovely not to use although it won’t be on a daily basis.
Will I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but I’d advise them to test/sample it first.
Will I buy it again? No. I’d like to try others. I’m searching for perfection.


