How to Cover Pores With Makeup to Minimize and Fill

If you spend any time on this blog then you know that I frequently complain about my huge pores. They are only an issue on and immediately surrounding my nose, but I am convinced they are larger than normal. Makeup layered over top makes them look like craters, and it is something I am self-conscious about. This is a common concern among many when it comes to how to cover pores with makeup. In all these years I have learned what the best products to minimize pores are, and it comes down to foundation preparation with primer. I am going to share the primers with you, along with reviews.

How to Fill In Pores

Pores Are Your Skin

Before I jump straight into how to cover pores with makeup, I want to address skincare and makeup products and tools that claim to reduce, to hide, or even to eliminate pores. Maybe you think my “pores are your skin” title tag is weak and obvious, but I am making a crucial point. There is no product that will make your pores go away or that will permanently change them. Take it from me, I have tried so many products, and I never see any changes. You cannot change the skin you are born with! Your pores are what they are. Instead, we have to learn how to fill in pores while taking good care of our skin.

In all of my experimentation, I have come to learn that the best way on how to fill skin pores is with a pore filling primer. You can tell that a primer is truly working when you can see the product inside of the pores. The holes actually get filled with the primer, thus creating one flat surface for your foundation to cover. With the holes left open, foundation does a poor job of covering the pores, and you get left with the “dots” or “crater” effect that looks unappealing.

Besides a pore filling primer, I do note that a velvet makeup sponge smooths makeup over pores incredibly well, more so than any other application tool that I have tried to date. Pair one of those up with an awesome primer and you have a date! Even if you forgo a primer or the steps on how to fill up face pores, the sponge still does a decent job.

How to Fill in Pores on the Face: 3 Product Recommendations

Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

I am starting the how to cover pores with makeup primer recommendations with Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer. Yes, it is expensive and there are many dupes for it on the market. I tested this primer against many others, and I cannot deny the fact that it works the best out of all.

Here is the deal- this primer fills pores 100%, which can be hard to come by with mine in particular. You can visibly see the filling effect. Also, the formula is impeccable. It is more smooth and hydrating than elf’s version, so you even get a slight blurring effect. This primer leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated, but not tacky. This is now my primer of choice for special occasion makeup, such as my powder foundation makeup routine. On days not as important, but when I still need a bit of a fill, then I turn to the elf version as it is less expensive.

It really does not control oil production on me, as it will let my skin do its thing. Those results mirror elf’s, so I am not mad about it. This is my number one choice.

Revlon PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer

Second is the Revlon PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer. This was actually my favorite primer when it came to how to fill in pores before makeup, until I met Tatcha’s primer. Another negative is that Revlon appears to be in the process of, or already has, discontinued this primer. This was my go-to for my special occasion makeup, but you have to search for a new obsession for when it is gone. This is my number two choice.

Revlon’s primer will not give you the blurring, soft, hydrated results that you will get from Tatcha, but you do get 100% fill. The texture and consistency is like any other basic primer. I do not find that it does anything to help or to hurt oil production.

elf Poreless Putty Primer

Third is the elf Poreless Putty Primer. It is the cheapest of all three primers, and it honestly works darn good when it comes to how to fill in pores on the face. This will fill about 90% of your pores, and it dries down with a mildly tacky finish. It will not control oil production, and it lacks the soft and blurring effect of Tatcha. This primer is my number three choice and it is perfectly good for daily use, especially with the price tag.

Shop Pore Filling Primers

Conclusion

In conclusion of how to cover pores with makeup, the key to getting a good fill is using a primer that does its job correctly. When you can physically see the primer inside of the pore holes, you know that it is creating an even layer for makeup application that will prevent textured skin. So many primers slap claims on the tube that they will fill pores and blur the skin, but most fail miserably. These three recommendations absolutely work on even the worst pores. Getting a smooth makeup look is a breeze! Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

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