BENEFIT Pretty POREfect Gift Set - POREfessional or Not?

I have been MIA (missing in action) due to a lower back problem which was very painful, but I am back now :) with a much needed review that I have been wanting to do for a long time now.

I wondered about the crazy hype and wanted to test this product out myself. When I asked my sister to get the Benefit Porefessional Primer for me she got me more than just that, I got the Pretty POREfect Gift Set!

So how POREfect is the BENEFIT Porefessional Face Balm, It's Potent Eye brightening Cream and That Gal brightening face primer? Are they doing justice to the hype?

Almost every beauty blogger and makeup lover I know owns this Primer. I was introduced to primers a few years back and I loved its effect. I have combination to oily skin which is prone to open pores so primers have become a must for me. I was using the Oriflame Face primer and was quite happy with it but it got discontinued (dont know why) so I took the obvious next choice of course, The POREfessional.

The BENEFIT Pretty POREfect Gift Set comes with:

- POREfessional Primer
- It's Potent Eye Cream
- That Gal Tinted Primer

Benefit POREfessional Primer:

- The Cult product of the beauty world which has won many awards

- Pore minimizing Balm 

- Normal size

- Silicon Based (it can also clog pores so test it out first as it may not suit every skin type)

- Matte Finish

- Suitable for Oily skin as it keeps it matte and oil-free

- Smells Nice and subtle, not overbearing

- Blends well with skin and shows immediate pore minimizing (wish I had a Macro lens to show you!)

- May not blend with every foundation due to it's silicon based formula

- Acts as a good barrier between your skin and your makeup

- Prolong wear for Makeup

- Light weight. It feels like you are wearing nothing

How to Use: Apply just a pea size all over face and blend well. You can wear this with or without Foundation. Without foundation you can just add some face powder to finish off the look with a bit of blush.

Overall Experience: I am happy with this product and definitely purchasing it again though I wish the price tag was a bit friendly.

Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Primer:

- Tinted Primer

- Small Travel Size

- Blend into skin flawlessly

- Sheer pink glow

- Illuminating and works well when used with The Porefessional Primer

- This is an illuminating primer so it's a BAD idea to use all over face (unless you like a FULL glowing face). Only use on areas which need natural highlighting like cheeks, forehead and tip of nose.

- Can be used under or over makeup (best over)

- Strong but bearable smell

Overall Experience: I am not sure I will buy again though the travel size is actually good for travelling outdoors to add that on the go glow.

Benefit "It's Potent" Eye Cream:

- Lighten and Brightens (yes up to an extent, it did)

- Doesn't smooth fine lines

- Doesn't completely fades dark circles

- STRONG Smell of alcohol (some may not be able to take it, too much)

- Travel size

- Not a fan of creams in a jar. More prone to germs and oxidization.

- Gel-like formula light on the skin

- Tingly feeling, can irritate some skin types (test before using)

- Avoid getting it in the eye, can irritate

Overall Experience: Not impressive. It claims a lot but does very little. Nothing amazing and the price is too much if you buy this separately. I wont be buying this, travel size or otherwise.

AVAILABILITY: My sister got this from Dubai as a gift for me. Its available for approx $32 and you can order online.

For those living in Pakistan you can order this from Amor and Bells as they give the best rates for branded beauty products.

FINAL VERDICT: The overall packaging is cute and well designed like most Benefit products bit price tag is bit high. The Porefessional Primer is good but the two other sample are not worth the hype.

Have you used any of these? How was your experience?

xx,

Red Alice