'Perfect for mature skin': This $16 primer blurs pores and smoothes fine lines
If you use foundation, concealer, tinted sunscreen — or any other kind of makeup — and find that it just doesn't go on smoothly or looks a bit cakey, you want to try using a primer. A good primer can blur the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and make your makeup look flawlessly smooth. We recommend starting with the Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Illuminating Face Primer, only $16 at Amazon and beloved by thousands of shoppers.
If you're new to primer, fear not: It's an easy addition to your routine. Apply it after your moisturizer and before foundation, and watch how it minimizes pores and softens lines and wrinkles. If you're wondering whether yet another layer will make your skin feel weighed down, don't be: Shoppers say this one feels super light. The texture is similar to a combination of a CC and BB cream, meaning it's smooth and velvety, and it doesn't make your skin feel greasy throughout the day. Perhaps best of all, there's no guesswork here: It comes in a universal shade that flatters all skin tones and works with all skin types, including oily complexions.
With more than 28,000 five-star reviews, this Elizabeth Mott primer is an easy win. Here's what Amazon shoppers are saying about the multitasker.
"I love this," wrote one satisfied customer. "I can use it alone like a CC+ Cream or under makeup and it totally reduces my redness. I love how it feels when it goes on and it lasts all day! Feels like a moisturizer and gives a makeup effect without the makeup. Must buy!"
One five-star reviewer shared that it's "perfect for mature skin" and said: "I finally found a product that does what it says it will do. It really does blur pores, does not enhance fine lines and wrinkles and it doesn't pill with any of my skincare products. It's seriously perfection for my 50-year-old skin! My absolute favorite product."
"I honestly don't have words for how much I love this!" raved another fan. "If it came in a 32-ounce tube, I would buy it. I'm in my 40s and have inherited my mother and father's skin issues just in the last few years. I have texture, redness, fine lines and dimpling of the skin. This fades the redness and makes my skin so even toned; it is not too dewy or too matte. It gives my skin a glow without being shiny!"
One customer cautioned that even though it's meant to be used on the eyelids, it could cause some irritation: "I liked the packaging (tube vs. pot), I liked the ease of application (smooth), I liked the color (pinkish) and I liked the price. What I did not like was the fact that it irritated my eyes."
This shopper had a different eye issue: "I had high hopes that this would solve my eye creasing problem! Unfortunately, that was not the case for me. I still got the usual creases on my eyelids, and the product made my eyelids dry and flaky as well."
We're going to take those last two reviews as a cue to avoid our eye area.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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