This or That: Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer Vs. Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector

Woo hoo! It's time for one of my (and yours too, I hear) series: THIS OR THAT! I compare similar products to find out which one is the best. This week I'm comparing Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Oil-Free Pore Minimizing vs. Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. I have been meaning to post this since September, and these are two of the more-recent high-end primers.

I've reviewed lots and lots of primers on here before, but let me back up a sec: what are primers? The most common types of primers are for eyelids (read about eye primers here) and for the face. Primers, like these, usually go on your face before applying makeup. They have different functions, like mattifying skin, allowing makeup to stay on longer, giving an even surface to better apply makeup (and have the foundation look better), some help hide redness or dull skin, and they help with blurring imperfections. There's pretty much a primer for every need. Many primers can be worn alone (not under makeup) and some can be added on top. Primers have different ingredients and come in different colors, depending on purpose and ingredients. See more about primers here.

First up is Smashbox Pore Minimizing Primer. Time for some bullet points!

• 1 0z.
• $39 (there is a travel size for $15)
• primer and pore minimizer
• mattifies skin
• oil-free
• mousse-like texture (similar in texture only to NYX Pore Filler)

And its competitor: Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector.

• 1 oz.
• $35
• skin smoother that transforms skin in seconds and over time
• diminishes appearance of pores and refines skin texture
• paraben-free
• creamy texture (similar to Too Faced Primed and Poreless or L'Oreal Pore Vanisher)

THIS OR THAT:
Ok, before I go into more detail, can you believe these have the same amount of product? They look so different. Ah, packaging.

Smashbox:

• Despite being labeled as oil-free, I conducted my "oil-test" (read about that here) and found the Smashbox to have more of an oil ring instantly. But that being said, the Smashbox definitely is more mattifying. While dry skin can use it, combo and oily will like this better.
• The mousse-like texture allows for even application and works well with most foundations as well as on top of foundation.
• On my dry skin, it does a decent job of temporarily minimizing pores.

Kiehl's:

• While this isn't billed as a primer, it is closer to a primer than say, a moisturizer.
• It has all sorts of fancy-pants ingredients.
• It features a creamy texture (pictured above) that is moisturizing without making skin oily.
• I feel like I need to use more to hide pores and it doesn't play well with all foundations if I apply too much.

Overall, I really like them both for different reasons, and would repurchase either. However, I probably wouldn't repurchase the Kiehl's because it reminds me too much of the Too Faced or L'Oreal primer. And I still like Benefit Primer or L'Oreal Miracle Blur better, but I think these offerings today are worth a try.
Giveaways:

• $225 Nordstrom giftcard
• $100 Visa giftcard