How To Tackle & Cover Large Pores

Hello Ladies,

Well today I thought I would discuss with you large pores how to help cure them and also how to help cover them!!

Large pores tend to be found on the cheeks and sides of the nose. there are a number of factors that cause large pores, genetics are one and age is another - as we age our skin loses the elasticity to keep it firm. Dirt and oil is another factor through insufficient cleansing and sleeping in make up and finally dehydration is in my opinion the biggest cause. Dehydrated skins crave water and over produce oil and enlarges the pores as they try to cling onto any moisture they have. 

How Can I Tackle Large Pores? 

To help cure large pores I would firstly increase the levels of water you drink, you should notice a massive improvement almost immediately with the size of your pores. I would next look at your skincare. Make sure you cleanse your skin fully every evening. Thats every evening without fail, no matter how tired you are!

I personally double cleanse, first with a balm or oil cleanser and secondly with a creamy soothing cleanser. Follow with a hydrating toner, then moisturiser. A toner will prepare the skin and will allow your moisturiser to penetrate deeper. Your moisturiser should not contain shear butter or other pore clogging ingredients.

Regular exfoliation is also advised. I currently use Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Toner on a daily basis, applying before I spritz with a hydrating toner. This will ensure your pores are clean of dead skin cells and fresh and prepared for your hydrating toner and moisturiser. I would also use an AHA exfoliator at least once a week to give your skin a real workout (Liquid Gold is my choice).

How To Cover Large Pores?

Sooooo onto the fun part. How do you cover those pesky large pores?? The concept is thin smooth layers for better coverage.

Primer

I firstly apply a good smoothing oil free primer. Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional is pretty much, in my opinion the best at smoothing large pores, but as its silicone based it doesn’t work with all foundation. If you use a water based foundation (if the first ingredient is water or aqua, its water based!) then I would suggest you use Laura Merciers Oil Free Primer- slightly more expensive and not as visibly smoothing as The Porefessional, but gives a fab finished and smooth look under foundation.

Foundation

I would apply your primer with a flat foundation brush or fingers, pressing into the skin and leave to settle for a minute or two. Then apply your foundation lightly and blend into the skin using a buffing foundation brush – Sigma F80 or Real Techniques Buffing Brushes are fab. This will give you a more diffused airbrushed finish. Then reapply another light cover of foundation to any problem areas such as the pores and stipple into the skin using the same brush. I usually find that lightly patting the area with my ring finger also gives the same effect. Leave the foundation to settle for a minute or two.

Powder

Next you are going to need a matte loose translucent finishing powder. Matte skin hides pores a million times better than dewy. And finishing powder sets your foundation, so it will prevent it from slipping into those pores, creating those little sunken pockets of foundation. Instead of brushing the powder on with a large brush I find a tight packed kabuki brush works better or a small powder puff. You need to take the powder and press it into the skin rather than brush. The pressing motion fills the pores and doesn’t unsettle or move your foundation.

Blush

Skip highlighter on cheekbones and sparkly shimmer blushes as this will highlight your pores like a little beacon. Stick to matte blush and apply only on the cheekbone and not the apples of your cheeks. This will lift your face and will draw the attention away from the pores to the smoother skin at the temples. Illamasqua blushes are my absolute favorite (my personal favorite being the shade naked rose)

Have a go and let me know how it all works!!!

xxxx