Review + Comparison: Benefit The Porefessional Primer + Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer

I bought both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer, during Sephora's 15% off sale. I'm glad I bought both because they actually do what they claim to do!

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

• silicone based
• oil-free
• slight fragrance
• feels silky & lightweight
• becomes translucent when blended
• covers up pores really well
• does not lengthen the wear of makeup
• contains 0.75oz of product
• retails $29

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Titanium Dioxide (ci 77891), Cyclohexasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance (parfum), Mica, Iron Oxides (ci 77492), Limonene, Iron Oxides (ci 77491), Iron Oxides (ci 77499), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Bht.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer

• silicone based
• contains camellia oil, vitamins A + C, mulberry extract, and retinol 
• no fragrance
• feels silky & lightweight
• becomes translucent when blended
• covers up pores really well
• does not lengthen the wear of makeup
• contains 1oz of product
• retails $30

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crossploymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Mica, Phenoxyethanol, Silica, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cyclodextrin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Retinol, Diacetyl Boldine, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Polysorbate 80, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hedra Helix (Ivy) Extract, BHT, Cycloheptasiloxane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Bioflavonoids, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Allantoin, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Chromium Oxide Green

Both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer have a silky texture to them that makes foundation go on smoother. They are silicone based; therefore, the product does not absorb into the skin. Instead, it sits on top of the skin, creating a barrier between the foundation and skin.

There is a slight fragrance to the Benefit primer, but it quickly dissipates with a minute of application. As for the Too Faced primer, I did not detect any fragrance at all.

When swatched, they both look slightly tinted. The Benefit primer is more yellow toned, while the Too Faced one is more neutral. However, they both look the same and colorless when blended into the skin. They also look sparkly under direct sunlight, but the sparkles are unnoticeable under foundation and under natural or indoor lighting.

Most importantly, they both perform the same and make my pores virtually disappear when applied by hand. They work like magic! Moreover, they do not ball up, crumble or flake when worn under foundation. However, I do not recommend wearing either of the primers over foundation because it will move the foundation. Also, neither of them prolong the wear of foundation. It is important to note that most of the other primers that I've tried, including CoverFX Clearprep FX Matte, Philosophy The Present Clear Makeup, NARS Pro-Prime Oil-Free, Smashbox Photo Finish regular + light version, Laura Mercier Oil-Free and Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting primer have not lengthened the wear of my foundation either. 

As for packaging, the opening of the Too Faced primer may look huge compared to the opening of the Benefit primer. However, it is actually very easy to control the amount of product that squeezes out of the tube. I can get it to squeeze out 1/4 of a pea size with no problem! 

Both primers are lightweight and are great for travel, but since the Benefit primer contains less product, it is more slimmer and more travel friendly. Also, the amount of product in both primers will last a very long time, considering that a little goes a long way. Moreover, I only use it on problem areas, such as the small crevices around my nose, where there are visible pores.

 Left: Benefit The Porefessional Primer (heavy swatch, smeared, blended)

Right: Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer (heavy swatch, smeared, blended)

Bottom Line: You can't go wrong with either of these primers. Both the Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primer provide the perfect canvas for foundation to glide onto the skin effortlessly. These two are staples and should be in everyone's makeup kit because they leave the skin looking poreless and flawless. What it comes down to is price and your personal preference in packaging.

Note: The Benefit Porefessional Primer and Too Faced Primed & Poreless Primer can be purchased at Benefit's online store and Too Faced's online store, respectively. They're also available at Sephora and Ulta.

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.

Which primer have you tried and
what did you pick up from Sephora's 15% off sale?