Product Review: Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup

I have always loved Clinique foundations, and have used them since 1999. New ones have been added through the years, and I have kept finding a new favourite. One of my current favourite is Even Better Foundation, which does such a good job at disguising my pigmentation and uneven skin tone. But having combination skin and large pores, I was excited when I was asked to trial the new *Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup. Here are my thoughts;

What They Say:

"A virtually poreless look today, tomorrow. Oil-free formula is so lightweight that even close up you look believably poreless. Over time, pore-resurfacing technology helps downsize their appearance. Creates a smaller, smoother look."

RRP: $50.00 (30ml) – Available from Clinique counters and at Clinique Online

What I Say:

While I do have some large pores, in particularly in the t-zone area that I like to minimise the look of, I don’t like a foundation that is too thick or heavy. And sometimes ticking all boxes is very tricky. The new Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup from Clinique promises a lightweight breathable formula, that delivers a nearly poreless look, instantly and over time. So it thereby doesn’t just cover her and now giving you a visibly flawless skin, it also promises to help fix the problem. Sounds pretty good to me!

The foundation contains spherical optical diffusers and soft focus materials that capture and diffuse light to immediately soften and blur the appearance of large pores. It also contains Padina Pavonica Extract and Salvia Sclarea, which work together to build up the pore surface to help pores appear smaller, as well as salicylic acid, which gently clears out dead and dulling skin cells that build up around the edges of pores, keeping pores clear so they don’t stretch out and appear larger than they really are. Finally, it also contains Laminaria Saccharina Extract minimises sebum production that may cause pores to stretch.

The foundation comes in a squeezable plastic bottle with a silver screw lid hiding a pointy tip, which makes it easy to dispense just the amount of foundation needed. It has a slight chemical scent, but this quickly fades once the foundation has been blended and absorbed into the skin.

So how did the Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup perform?

The foundation really is lightweight and has a gel-type formula, that is so easy to blend into the skin, and it instantly giving the skin a natural matte finish – which I prefer, as having combination skin, sometimes too dewy or glittery foundations make my skin look even greasier than it really is!

 

A perfect match!

And the foundation blended into the skin!

And the pores around my t-zone and in particularly around my nose are visibly reduced in size, yet without the foundation looks caked on. The foundation has a medium coverage, also covering minor pigmentation, and redness. But you can easily build it up for a fuller coverage too. It is very easy to blend into the skin with either your fingers or with a foundation brush.

And unlike other foundations – even other ones from Clinique, this Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup really does stay put all day, without sliding off my face or settling into fine lines – and without the use of a primer first. Absolutely amazing! My skin stays looking matte, even my t-zone throughout the day.

I tried the Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup in shade 2 Alabaster, which is a perfect match for my medium beige skin tone. But as the foundation comes in 12 shades ranging from fair to deep, there should be a colour to match most skin tones.

In regards to the claim of making the pores small over time, I have to say that I have not noticed any major difference – but in saying that, I am so happy with the performance of this foundation that it doesn’t bother me that it doesn’t live up to this claim. And as this foundation doesn’t make the skin break out, this really is a fantastic foundation, perfect for those with combination to oily skin types. I will definitely be buying this again.

*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

Have you tried any of the foundations from Clinique? What’s your favourite foundation? What are you looking for in a foundation? And what do you use against large pores?