A fellow makeup fanatic recently told me to try the Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-Mattifying Pore Eraser ($41) as a possible solution to my "oil slick" t-zone and enlarged pores. One of the many negatives of having oily skin is that it seems to wreak havoc on the size of your pores. So to find a mattifying pore filler that actually works would be a dream come true for a gal like me!
The friend of mine who had come across it at Ulta the week before said it was giving her awesome results in our recent humid, end of summer climate. Personally, I was a little skeptical because I've not yet found ANYTHING to completely combat these problems for me. My entire t-zone is extremely oily, but around my nose is the absolute worst. If I don't blot it at least twice before lunch time at work, then it starts to look splotchy and separate from my skin. It's kind of like the oil is pooling and causing it to run on my face.
Talk about annoying and gross!
PACKAGING
So anyways, I went ahead and ordered it because I had faith that maybe just one more product would be the answer to this struggle. When I received the product, I noticed that it was in a cute glass bottle with a dropper style applicator, which I really like.
So anyways, I went ahead and ordered it because I had faith that maybe just one more product would be the answer to this struggle. When I received the product, I noticed that it was in a cute glass bottle with a dropper style applicator, which I really like.
FORMULA
I also took note of the formula, which is a thinner consistency than what I'm used to with most primers (which are much thicker). In fact, if I had to describe what the primer reminded me most of, I'd say the glue + water mixture you use for papier-mâché because of it's thin and pasty white formula.
RESULTS
And I found that sadly, while this product may offer me a great matte and pore-free finish upon application, I was still getting shininess on my face quicker than I'd hoped.
As far as the "pore eraser" qualities this product boasts having, I found that other products like Dr. Brandt Pores No More ($45) or Benefit's The Porefessional ($31-42) both seem to erase pores more so than this. If a person were looking to use a product strictly as a pore filler, I don't think this would be the product for them. While I can see how one could get away with using only this for oily skin and enlarged pores, the Total Matteness doesn't perfectly combat larger pores. There are just better products out there for that, in my opinion.
However, I also tried this in combination with Phillips' Milk of Magnesia ($6.49), which I had heard mention of as a mattifying solution on YouTube. When I tried this, I used a layer of the Total Matteness all over the t-zone, then topped it off with the milk of magnesia, and then finished it off with another layer of the Total Matteness. This combination DID seem to help my oiliness for a bit longer than usual that day at work. I'm going to test the two together a few more times to see what happens, but this may be a breakthrough for me.
Overall, though, since I have yet to find a single product that works completely for me, I am going to have to give this one a B. The price is a bit steep, it's mediocre and average on it's own, and it doesn't completely do all that it says it will.
If any of you have found a product that works like a charm, then please fill me in! I will not give up until I find a solution!
I'll have some new posts up soon (including more tutorials), so stay tuned!
I also took note of the formula, which is a thinner consistency than what I'm used to with most primers (which are much thicker). In fact, if I had to describe what the primer reminded me most of, I'd say the glue + water mixture you use for papier-mâché because of it's thin and pasty white formula.
- APPLICATION: The formula is neither greasy nor sticky. It's surprisingly smooth to apply with your finger. I applied this all over my t-zone, generously coating my nose, inner cheeks, forehead and chin. For the rest of my face, I just opted to use a regular, non-silicone primer since those areas don't get blotchy or fade nearly as quickly throughout the day.
RESULTS
And I found that sadly, while this product may offer me a great matte and pore-free finish upon application, I was still getting shininess on my face quicker than I'd hoped.
As far as the "pore eraser" qualities this product boasts having, I found that other products like Dr. Brandt Pores No More ($45) or Benefit's The Porefessional ($31-42) both seem to erase pores more so than this. If a person were looking to use a product strictly as a pore filler, I don't think this would be the product for them. While I can see how one could get away with using only this for oily skin and enlarged pores, the Total Matteness doesn't perfectly combat larger pores. There are just better products out there for that, in my opinion.
However, I also tried this in combination with Phillips' Milk of Magnesia ($6.49), which I had heard mention of as a mattifying solution on YouTube. When I tried this, I used a layer of the Total Matteness all over the t-zone, then topped it off with the milk of magnesia, and then finished it off with another layer of the Total Matteness. This combination DID seem to help my oiliness for a bit longer than usual that day at work. I'm going to test the two together a few more times to see what happens, but this may be a breakthrough for me.
Overall, though, since I have yet to find a single product that works completely for me, I am going to have to give this one a B. The price is a bit steep, it's mediocre and average on it's own, and it doesn't completely do all that it says it will.
If any of you have found a product that works like a charm, then please fill me in! I will not give up until I find a solution!
I'll have some new posts up soon (including more tutorials), so stay tuned!
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