Product Review -- It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder

The Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder was one of the first products that I ever tried from It Cosmetics.

It does a pretty good job of living up to its name -- it really does make the enlarged pores on my cheeks so much less visible -- but it doesn't really offer the finish that I'm looking for.

It has a pretty noticeable matte finish, and with my normal to dry skin, that usually only works in warmer weather when my skin gets a little more oily.

I've never tried the pressed version of Bye Bye Pores because I figured the effect would be the same.

That's why I was really excited to see It Cosmetics add the Bye Bye Pores Illumination Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder to the line.

A poreless, glowy finish?

That sounds pretty much like heaven to me.

The powder comes in a fairly bulky white compact. There's a nice mirror for touch-ups on the inside, and a separate compartment for the sponge applicator in the bottom.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination

The powder itself is white, but it is translucent so it really doesn't add any color to the skin. However, I feel like it could make darker skin tones look a little ashy so it's a good idea to check it out in person if you're considering it.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination

In terms of its finish, the powder does have a very subtle radiance to it so it doesn't make the skin look dry or flat.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination 

But -- and this is a pretty big but considering the product's name -- I don't find that it does anything to make my pores disappear.

In fact, I find that it settles in my pores and makes them even more obvious than when I started.

I've tried several different application methods too -- a big fluffy kabuki brush, a small, dense powder brush, the included sponge applicator, a damp Beauty Blender -- and the effect is almost always the same.

It also clings to dry patches and makes them look pretty cakey.

Now, maybe it works better if you have more normal to oily skin... but then, if your skin is oily, you're probably not looking for a powder that add any more shine to your face so I'm not sure.

Fortunately, I have found a use for the powder -- I love it for setting my undereye concealer.

It keeps the concealer from creasing, makes the area look super smooth, and has a slight brightening effect, so it's pretty much perfect.

Still, I don't think I'd pay $29 for a powder that I can only use under my eyes so it's hard not to feel disappointed.

In terms of all-over setting powders, I definitely prefer It Cosmetic's Your Skin But Better CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder (There's an Illumination version of this one too, but I haven't tried it yet). It doesn't settle in pores or fine lines or have a dry, flat finish, so it works very well.

You can purchase the powder on the It Cosmetics website and at Ulta.

Have you tried the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Illumination Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder? What's your favorite finishing powder?