All you want is to hide pores, conceal blemishes and iron out the odd fine line, right? Okay, so maybe you want to smooth the texture of your skin too, and inch a step closer to that elusive glass or true matte finish. Achieving perfection is what we all have in mind every time we swipe a bankcard in exchange for a makeup primer. Gripping and jelly primers are currently all the rage, but have you tried a blur stick instead?
I recently swapped a £7.99 plumping and gripping primer for a blur stick that cost under £2. With a saving of over £6 in the offing, I was naturally keen for it to work. Imagine…
When I parted with that paltry asking price, I didn’t have any expectations other than possibly fading out the prominence of a few moles (beauty spots, if you like talking up the most obvious of imperfections). Guess what? I was in for a surprise.
Not only did the blur stick make me less Marilyn Monroe, it significantly minimised pores, fine lines and even a demoralising bag under my right eye. I’m not kidding. Gone was the shine in my T-zone too. As if the little stick hadn’t done enough, it also managed to deliver a flawless base and keep my makeup intact for literally hours.
Why I purchased a blur stick
Over the past year, makeup primers have undergone a significant transformation. Brands have released products to suit every skin type, meaning you can now find ones that plump or cool the skin, minimise shine, hydrate, and even offer a hint of a tint. Gripping primers, which can hold makeup in place for as long as 24 hours, have been especially popular. However, with the evolution of primer technology has come higher prices.
While a good makeup primer will prevent fading, smudging and product transfer, those benefits increasingly come at a cost. You can expect to part with at least £6 for a single tube - or stick. Yes, some blur sticks are as expensive as premium gel primers. If, like me, you wear makeup every day, the cost can become a burden on stretched finances. Not only that, gel or jelly primers have some drawbacks.
Personally, I find gel and cream primers messy to use. Having to rub another product into my skin just means yet more hand washing. I recently spent over £12 on a primer that had to be fished out of a tub on a spatula first. Too much of a faff first thing in the morning!
Less messy and definitely more convenient, I thought a blur stick was worth a punt. Honestly, the results shocked me. Before I share more of my experience, here’s some information about what a blur stick is and how it works.
What is a blur stick?
It might look like a softened candle, but a blur stick is formulated to even out the texture of the skin, making it smoother, and deliver a lasting matte finish. Sold in twist-up, lipstick-like tubes, these primers use a combination of light-reflecting molecules, polymers, silica and elastomers made from silicone to minimise facial flaws.
Minerals in the formula act like blotting paper to reduce shine, while silicones promote ultra-plush skin. Polymers coat the face with a thin, cloudy veil that instantly minimises everything from acne scars and pores to wrinkles and dark spots.
A blur stick is suitable for most skin types, but it is always advisable to carry out a patch test before applying directly to the face. It is important to understand the difference between a sun stick and a blur stick. The latter is unlikely to include SPF, meaning you will still have to apply sun protection.
The most convenient makeup primer
What I like about my blur stick is that it is just so damned convenient. No mess, quick to use and oh-so-easy to pop in a bag for on-the-go transformations. I like the fact that I can precision target specific areas of my face without wasting product. I also value how the stick glides over my skin. And, of course, I love the low price of the product I bought.
There’s no sticky or white residue, just soft, mattified skin.
I use my blur stick to iron out fine lines on my forehead and under-eye areas, as well as to camouflage pores on my nose and chin. It reduces the appearance of moles, which can be further minimised with foundation and concealer.
Tip: Don't apply too much or layer - this type of product can feel heavy on the skin or even pill, if over-applied.
The stick I am currently using is unbranded. I bought it from Temu at a cost of around £1.60. I see it is currently sold out - hence I have been searching for a future alternative. Potential buys include:
Wet ‘n’ Wild PhotoFocus Liminour Primer Stick - under £4
Relove by Revolution Fix Stick H2o Hydrate Primer - £5
Catrice Cosmetics Pore Instant Matte Stick - £5.99
E.l.f. Stay Cool Primer Stick - £7*
By shopping around, I can enjoy all the convenience of a blur stick while spending less than I would on a top-performing gripping primer.
I’m a convert. How about you?
*All prices correct at the time of publishing
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