Kiehls Micro Blur Skin Perfector

I always get excited on the rare occasion Dubai has a beauty product launch before the UK and the Kiehls Micro Blur Skin Perfector was on my wish list after reading some pre-launch reviews on it (Wayne Goss and Amelia Liana swung the deal) and I found it staring me in the face one day when I 'popped' into Dubai Mall after work 'for five minutes'.

1 minute later I had paid for it and was triumphantly swinging it about in its Bloomingdales carrier bag,  And then it sat in the spare room for a couple of weeks-and launched in the UK.

If I remember correctly, Kiehls isn't that big a deal in the UK.  As far as I know they have no standalone stores and have small concessions in Space NK, Selfridges, House of Fraser and John Lewis.  Which is a shame as it's a really lovely brand.

Their newest offering is this, the Micro Blur Skin Perfector.  A primer with added long term skin benefits.  The description on the website says you can use this as part of your skincare routine (last thing you apply before make up in the morning and last thing you apply before going to bed at night) to diminish the appearance of pores and refine the skins texture.  I would NOT recommend using it as part of your evening skincare routine.  I am not sure what ingredient in it constitutes a skincare benefit and to me, this feels very silicone based making it ideal as a make up primer but not something you want to have sitting on your skin overnight.

It's non comedogenic and paraben free but those who haven't got on with Benefit The Porefessional or Smashbox PhotoFinish might want to give this a wide birth.

I have been using it for the last few days under my foundation and I have to say I am not as bowled over as I expected to be.  First of all I keep squeezing out too much product and wasting it-a little really does go a long way.  I smooth this over my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead and whilst it feels smooth and velvety I don't see that instant 'blurring' and mattifying effect I see with the Smashbox Photofinish.

It dries quickly and foundation goes on over the top of it evenly but just something about it doesn't wow me.  It didn't keep my skin mattified any longer than usual and my pores looked as visible as ever.  I've also tried it over make up to freshen it throughout the day but it just doesn't seem to do anything for me at all.

One tip if you are looking at this in store.  Don't be fooled by the 'let's try it on the back of your hand' demonstration because without doubt it smooths and blurs pores on the back of my hand-the difference is remarkable.  But that does not translate to the face so do ask to try it on the face.

Sadly this is a miss for me-I'm sticking with my beloved Smashbox Photofinish.