Thread: Makeup & big pores

So I went to a Bare Escentuals thing last night. I was all excited because I've been wanting to try mineral makeup. I had fun with the gal who did my face, but she didn't really address issues of my face. It seemed like she worried mostly about colors. Anyway, when the first layer went on I noticed that my pores were jumping out at me. She said it would get better with the other layers. Well, sort of. From a distance it was good, but close up was kind of scary.

Does anyone else here have big pores? If so, how do you adress it? I'm currently using Clinique's Pore Minimizing Makeup (a really thin liquid) and their powder. For the most part I like it, but I'm open to something new. I'm pretty makeup illiterate, so be gentle! I typically only wear makeup for the stage or special events - definitely not every day.

I have big pores.

Makeup would just be a prophylactic for the underlying issue, which is the cause of the large pores. One of the causes is dirt and unsloughed dead skin dirt trapped in the pore, which causes the skin around it to enlargen to accommodate the offending dirt and dead skin.

Another cause is genetics.

Some ways to address, or minimize the appearance of large pores, is to regularly (1-2 x week) exfoliate at the cellular level (not those ground up almonds or sand, just scratches the skin).

Avoid washing your face with hot water, which serves to open the pores. Even hot hot steam is not so good. (When you get a professional deep cleansing facial, the steam they use is not hot, and it's mainly to loosen the clogged dirt, which over time become hard little "rocks." Why a lot of large pores appear black.) Wash with tepid and rinse last with a splash of cold to close the pores.

Putting makeup on top of clogged pores may exacerbate the problem. I deal with them by doing the above + priming with silicone so that at least my makeup does not end up inside the pore, enhancing their appearance. Those mineral makeup molecules are just the right size to jump into the large pore and make them more prominent (and that makeup artist should get a slap on the hand for following her own agenda--of selling products-- and not paying attention to your features).

Try silicone based foundations (Face Atelier has samples and their ultra foundation has earned itself a reputation in the professional makeup arena).

And if someone is close enough to actually see your large pores, they're too darn close. ;op

Other MUAs, aestheticians, derms, please jump in!

Thanks for the speedy answer!

Some ways to address, or minimize the appearance of large pores, is to regularly (1-2 x week) exfoliate at the cellular level (not those ground up almonds or sand, just scratches the skin).
What should I look for then? Any particular ingredients? I'm afraid I would wind up with the scratchy stuff without any guidelines.

ETA: Primer was put on but perhaps not enough? Maybe it wasn't siicone. I did purchase some eyelid primer. Hopefully it won't all wind up in the crease from now on.

Andrea, to exfoliate at the cellular level, try an alpha or beta hydroxy acid. Those are chemical exfoliators, rather than the mechanical ones like scrubs.

I do not have particularly big pores, but Bare Escentuals and Everyday Mineral foundations make my skin look 100 yrs old, while at the same time, emphasizing the larger-ish pores near my nose. Blah.

Originally Posted by ssipes

I do not have particularly big pores, but Bare Escentuals and Everyday Mineral foundations make my skin look 100 yrs old, while at the same time, emphasizing the larger-ish pores near my nose. Blah.

Mine too! :-(

Originally Posted by MakedaMaysa

Andrea, to exfoliate at the cellular level, try an alpha or beta hydroxy acid. Those are chemical exfoliators, rather than the mechanical ones like scrubs.

What my esteemed fellow MUA said!

Other gentle ones include Aveda's Exfoliator and Yon Ka's Gommage.

Thanks kids!

Originally Posted by ssipes

I do not have particularly big pores, but Bare Escentuals and Everyday Mineral foundations make my skin look 100 yrs old, while at the same time, emphasizing the larger-ish pores near my nose. Blah.

Me three. Sedonia I will be forever grateful to you and Antimony for turning me on to Everyday minerals. Everyday Minerals I have large pores too due to hereditery reasons. This was a much better mineral brand than BE. Bare escentuals Contains bismuth which gives me a weird android look.

And a primer helps me a lot. After grilling Ahzia (,r:;) to death, I found a good one. MAC's primer is gread and Philosophy makes a good one. I also have oily skin so these improve both that and pore size. Good luck.

Originally Posted by HOOKEDNOVICE

Me three. Sedonia I will be forever grateful to you and Antimony for turning me on to Everyday minerals. Everyday Minerals I have large pores too due to hereditery reasons. This was a much better mineral brand than BE. Bare escentuals Contains bismuth which gives me a weird android look.

And a primer helps me a lot. After grilling Ahzia (,r:;) to death, I found a good one. MAC's primer is gread and Philosophy makes a good one. I also have oily skin so these improve both that and pore size. Good luck.

Excellent! Can never ask too many questions, I'm glad you found something that works for you!

I have big pores like my mother( and sensitive and oily skin ..cr.:).

After reapeated stays in cairo and the bad pollution settling in my big pores=pores even worse I really had to find something.

St-Yves exfoliating scrub for sensitive skin a couple times a week(much more gentle than the regular ) and Lush Fresh Farmacy cleanser everyday.
The fresh farmacy is kind of scary in the first couple of weeks cause it makes everything caught in your pores comes out , but after there is a huge difference .
I still have stubborn + visible pores in the nose area , I use the Clinique pore minimizer ( ?) + photofinish by smash box if i have to wear foundation , the clinique stuff hides pores very well.

the alpha and beta hydroxy acid stuff always ends up making my skin more oily in the end, so I had to look for other stuff.

You´ll get immediate results by ditching the bismuth loaded MMU(mineral makeup)IMHO.

Most primers fix the pore problems pretty well-Clinique,Biotherm,Smashbox are some more expensive alternatives.

Lumene and Monistat Chafing Relief is cheaper and worth a try though:D

A primer I love is Clarins Instant Smooth,
but it may be too moisturizing for you?
(Over 30 here,use it to erase both big pores and my crows feet)

I´m dying to try Face Atelier,but I live in Sweden and shipping is always a problem...

Don´t be scared of using loose powder!
It gives a good finish and makes the skin look airbrushed if used with care.
Chacott Finishing Powder is a very fine milled powder with
good value!
The big pack is 170 grams for about 30$.

Just to add in - I recommend AHAs & BHAs too but make sure they are strong enough and at the right ph to make a difference. I use ones by Paula's Choice, Peter Thomas Roth and MD Formulations. Silicone primers and foundations will def help too, as might skipping shimmer or highlighter if your pores are REALLY big.

I use the Beta Hydroxy Acid Gel from Paula's Choice. Great product.