@BPP1 I'm in my 50s with mostly-dry combo skin. My oily zone's on and around my nose; that's also where all my visible pores are. My forehead's kinda "normal"/balanced, leaning slightly oily in summer, but more often it's sweaty instead of truly oily.
To reduce shine, consider LH Cosmetics Blotting Powder. It contains Upsalite, an ingredient that's truly as crazy absorbent as its manufacturer claims. I hate a very matte look on my own skin; thankfully, this pressed powder doesn't do that to me. It gives me more of a natural skin finish, which I prefer, and it doesn't make my skin look cakey. It works well on both my oily zone and my forehead, though of course I need to reapply if I sweat if off. This powder is translucent and plays nice with my medium-deep skin tone.
If you want more of a pore blurring effect, well... you'll get better results from your skincare routine than any powder. If your pores are normally visible, that's perfectly fine: pores are a natural skin feature, after all. But it they're stretched larger than usual, salicylic acid (BHA) can clear out gunk (dead skin cells and bacteria) that's widening them. Niacinamide is good for pore maintenance, among many other things.
As we age, our skin naturally stretches/sags which can make pores more visible. This is another area where skincare helps more than makeup. Since my skin's mostly dry anyway, I'm always trying to keep it well hydrated and moisturized. This helps it look plumped up. But I also use things to boost collagen production, particularly vitamin A (I use retinaldehyde/retinal nightly, but the vitamin A family includes retinoic acid/tretinoin, retinol, adapalene, etc.).
The only powders I've used that I'd say truly have anywhere near a pore-blurring effect are both By Terry products, and one's been discontinued (my favorite powder foundation). The other is a loose powder: By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder (translucent). I use this to set concealer in my hollow tear troughs and need just a teeny tiny amount—so little, you can barely see it on my brush. That powder's a rockstar when it comes to setting concealer, and it does blur my undereye lines and texture a bit but, of course, doesn't hide them. I've also used it around my nose to set concealer (masking some surface redness) and it doesn't cake things up. It gives me a velvet finish without looking very dry.
When it comes to makeup, I always recommend cream-based products because, let's be honest, they simply look better. Unless you have flawless skin, powder-based products just don't do justice. The popularity of cream makeup has soared in recent years, and there are plenty of reasons why. Let's dive into why I'm a huge advocate for cream-based makeup.
Powder makeup tends to sit on top of the skin, leaving behind visible dust particles. This is especially noticeable with powder blushes and highlighters. On the other hand, cream products blend seamlessly into the skin, providing a natural flush of color without that heavy makeup appearance. No streaks, just effortlessly beautiful.
Our model Ocean here is wearing our Cream Blush in shade Scarlet and the Cream Highlighter in Champagne. Both products blended out perfectly for a natural, seamless look.
For those who prefer a natural, no-makeup makeup look, cream products are perfect. They blend so effortlessly that you can easily control the intensity of the pigment. Apply a little for a subtle effect or layer it on for a more pronounced look. Surprisingly, even with additional cream blush, it won't make you look cakey!
In this photo, I'm wearing the Minori Cream Blush in Orchid on both cheeks, pointing to the side where I built it up for more intensity.
It's extremelly easy to build up cream blush from a super sheet to a very pigmented look by simply applying more product. You have full control, so you won't accidentally go overboard, like with a hyper-pigmented liquid blush.
One of the best things about cream-based products is that you can apply them with your fingers. No need to carry around brushes or worry about packing them for travel. Keep a small jar or clamshell with a bit of cream blush in your purse for quick touch-ups on the go. It's convenient and hassle-free!
Whether you're dealing with adult acne or gracefully aging skin, cream products are your best bet. They help create a blurring effect, smoothing out any imperfections. In contrast, powder makeup tends to emphasize texture, whether it's acne, wrinkles, or dry patches. Embrace the creams for a flawless look!
Here is a small demo of how my acne prone and textured skin looks with powder vs cream blush. In order to get the same pigment intensity I had to apply quite a bit of the powder, which made my makeup look quite heavy and cakey. Even though I have no active breakouts on that side of the cheek, my skin looks more full and uneven. The cream blush side looks fresher, dewier and more natural. My eye is drawn more to the glow, than the pimple on my cheekbone.
We all desire radiant skin, regardless of whether we have oily or dry, mature skin. Cream products bring that desired glow to your cheeks, eyes, and lips, making them look fresh and moisturized. However, not all creams are created equal. Some can feel overly tacky or greasy. That's why we put so much effort into perfecting Minori's formulas. Our cream blushes and highlighters feel like velvet, giving you a natural, moisturized look without any heavy sensations.