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Enlarged pores break all the rules when you apply makeup. They soak up your foundation like a drain and seem to leak out more oil that makes you shiny just a few hours after you apply. While enlarged pores aren't the worst things in the world, they can be embarrassing and prevent you from achieving the flawless complexion you deserve. Makeup options are available to shrink your pores and give you the illusion of smaller pores -- now you're a makeup artist and magician.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
Before you start attacking your enlarged pores, it's important to understand why you have them. Pores aren't your enemy -- they're actually your friend because they emit skin-softening oil that's supposed to keep your skin looking soft and smooth. If you have large pores, your oil production might be out of whack. Imagine your pores like your belt after you have a big meal -- you have to loosen your belt a bit to compensate for the meal. It's the same way with your pores: They have to get larger to compensate for the extra oil. Other contributing factors include sun damage and hereditary. Sad to say, but if you have enlarged pores and your oil production is normal, mom and dad may be to blame.
Put on the Primer
In painting, a primer is applied to a canvas before the paint to create the smoothest surface possible. While you're certainly not applying permanent paint to your face, you can purchase makeup primers that have a similar effect. A primer feels thin and weightless against your fingertips and contains ingredients such as silicone that create a barrier between your pores and your makeup. Think of primer like you are putting little pothole covers on your pores. Once you apply one, your makeup should stay on longer and your pores should be less visible.
Minimize 'Em
To minimize your pores, you have do to a few things, including minimizing your oiliness and keeping the skin clear of dead skin cells. To accomplish these and more, makeup manufacturers created "pore minimizers" -- you can thank them later. While each brand has its own active ingredients, some of them typically include an alpha hydroxy acid to encourage skin cell turnover and an astringent to take extra dirt and oil out of your, pores, helping them appear smaller.
Moisturizer Trick
Makeup artist to the stars Cristina Bartolucci shared her pore-shrinking secret to "Allure" magazine: a light layer of moisturizer over your powder. No, you didn't read that wrong. Bartolucci's tip involves first washing your face. Instead of moving on to your moisturizer, brush a thin layer of translucent powder over your face. Next, lightly apply your moisturizer and go about the rest of your makeup routine. Think of it as a do-it-yourself pore minimizer.
