Hi everyone! Today I I’m going to be reviewing Paula’s Choice SHINE
STOPPER Instant Matte Finish, a mattifying primer.
The product claims to have “microsponge technology” which “works
instantly and over time to help absorb and trap excess oil as it reaches
your skin’s surface. Much like a sponge absorbs moisture, Microsponge
uses special porous polymers that not only absorb excess oil but also
leave your skin feeling powdery smooth and fresh. Think of this
technology as millions of spherical sponges working to keep your oily
skin looking beautifully refined and perfectly matte without dryness or
dullness.”
This product comes in a squeeze-tube with a thin, pointed applicator and
twist-off top. The packaging isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing,
but it’s the most sanitary, travel-friendly possible. You only need about a pea sized dab for your oily areas.
There are multiple ways to use this product. Personally, I mix it in
with my sunscreen and apply it before applying foundation.
Alternatively, you can use a sponge to dab on the product on top of your
foundation in the places you get shiny. You can also use it over your
moisturizer to help keep shine at bay even if you don’t wear makeup.
This product is a silky white lotion. It becomes invisible when rubbed
in, with no white cast in person or on flash photography. It doesn’t
make you look too matte or chalky, and it does not dry out skin.
Like all Paula’s Choice products, this one is fragrance free–a great
thing for any product you put on your skin, particularly your face. The
product itself feels like a silicon gel and applies clear, so you don’t
have to worry about it altering the color of your makeup. This also
makes it a good option for guys who want an invisible mattifier.
On extremely hot days when my forehead sweats, sweat is able to break
through the primer. This didn’t surprise me, as the product never
claimed to last through sweating.
It doesn’t pill when applied over/under foundation/BB Cream. I did
not see a significant reduction in pore size, however my pores are not
that big in the first place, nor was I looking for a pore-shrinking
primer. That being said, no product can actually shrink your pores. Some
primers can act like Spackle, filling them in, but nothing will
actually reduce their size.
I like to tap a little dab of this over my face midday to take away
shine for a few hours. It functions well as a preventative step or a
touch-up.
Overall, I think this is worth checking out if you have oily skin. I
don’t know why it suddenly became less effective; if you’ve experienced
that before or you know why, please let me know.
What’s your favorite mattifying primer?
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
