I Put BENEFIT's New POREfessional Concealer to the Test—Here's My Verdict

Courtesy of BENEFIT COSMETICS

First Impressions: The Coverage Is No Joke

I'll admit, I was a little skeptical about the full-coverage claim. In my experience, concealers that promise to do everything tend to feel like you're wearing everything on your face. But the first thing I noticed about The POREfessional Concealer was how surprisingly lightweight it felt.

I started with three small dots under each eye and blended them out using my ring finger. Right away, I could tell I'd used more product than I needed. A little goes a long way with this formula, and those three dots were enough to cover my entire under-eye area and then some. The second time around, I scaled back to just one dot near the inner corner of each eye, which turned out to be the sweet spot.

What impressed me most was how quickly it toned down the bluish-purple shadows beneath my eyes without looking like an obvious layer of makeup. I could still see my natural skin texture, but the discoloration was noticeably less visible. The finish wasn't overly matte or dewy, either. It landed somewhere in that elusive middle ground where your skin just looks like it's having a really good day.

The Blurring Effect Is Where Things Get Interesting

Here's something I've learned after years of testing complexion products: Coverage and blurring are two very different things. You can completely conceal redness and still end up emphasizing every pore and dry patch in the process.

That's why I was especially interested in testing this formula around my nose, where my pores tend to be most noticeable. After applying my usual lightweight moisturizer and letting it absorb for a few minutes, I tapped a tiny amount of concealer around the sides of my nose and across a couple of areas with lingering redness.

I initially blended it with my finger, but I actually preferred the finish when I went back over it with a small, fluffy concealer brush. The brush seemed to diffuse the edges more naturally, leaving behind a soft-focus effect without completely erasing the look of my skin.

The formula gets some of its smoothing power from microspheres that help blur visible texture. It also contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and enantia chlorantha bark extract to help manage excess surface oil. According to BENEFIT, the formula has a 76% skincare base, which helps explain why it feels more comfortable than some of the thicker full-coverage concealers I've tried.

One thing I did notice? It looked best over well-prepped skin. On a small dry patch around my nose, the concealer initially clung to the texture a bit. After adding a touch of moisturizer and blending again, the finish looked much smoother. Consider that your reminder that even the best complexion products appreciate a little skincare prep.

I Wore It for 8 Hours Without Touching Up

The real test of any concealer isn't how it looks when you first apply it. It's how it looks after you've answered a few dozen emails, taken multiple video calls, grabbed lunch, and forgotten you're even wearing makeup.

For my wear test, I applied The POREfessional Concealer around 8:30 a.m. over my usual skincare and a light layer of foundation. I set just my under eyes with a tiny amount of translucent powder, leaving the areas around my nose and chin unset so I could see how the formula performed on its own.

By lunchtime, I was pleasantly surprised. The coverage under my eyes still looked nearly identical to when I'd first applied it, and I hadn't noticed any major creasing. There was a little settling into the fine line directly beneath my lower lashes, but nothing that couldn't be smoothed out with a quick tap of my finger.

Around 4:30 p.m., I checked my makeup again in natural light, which is usually where things get humbling. The concealer around my nose had faded slightly, especially in the spots where I tend to get oily, but it hadn't separated or turned patchy. My under eyes still looked bright, and the formula hadn't taken on that dry, powdery appearance that some long-wear concealers develop by the end of the day.

Benefit claims the formula is waterproof, sweatproof, crease-proof, and smudge-proof, with up to 24 hours of wear. I can't speak to a full 24 hours, but after eight hours of normal daily activities, I was impressed with how well it held up.

Final Thoughts: Is BENEFIT COSMETICS The POREfessional Concealer Worth It?

After putting this concealer to the test, I can confidently say that the blurring effect is what sets it apart for me. There are plenty of full-coverage concealers on the market, but finding one that makes pores look less noticeable while still feeling lightweight is a much bigger ask.

My favorite way to wear it is with a minimal makeup look: a little concealer under my eyes, a touch around my nose, some cream blush, and mascara. It gives me enough coverage to feel polished without making me feel like I need a full face of foundation to balance everything out.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially if you're looking for a concealer that tackles discoloration and visible texture at the same time. If your skin is particularly dry, I'd suggest taking an extra minute to moisturize before applying, and if you prefer a sheer, barely-there formula, you might find the coverage a little more than you need.

At $32 for the full-size version, it's definitely a prestige beauty purchase. But the good news is that November IPSY Original subscribers have a chance to try a deluxe sample of The POREfessional Concealer as part of their monthly assortment.