February 11, 2011

Mally Beauty Poreless Face Defender Review

You’ll remember the Mally Beauty Mally Poreless Face Defender from my post last Friday. I didn’t review it on my original post because I thought it deserved its own post since it’s such an interesting product.

Let’s have a look!


A finishing powder slash primer in a solid form for locking makeup in place!


Ok, so first off Mally created this and released it a few months ago with a price tag of $36 and a size of 0.46. Fast forward a few months and Diorskin Crystal Nude Natural Matte Skin Perfecter hits the market with their version at $40 with a 0.26 oz size. Moral of the story? You might want to go with Mally’s version as it is the better option and I’m betting they work pretty much the same way but don’t quote me as I haven’t tried Dior’s version as of yet.

What is it, what’s it do, etc…etc….

The best way to describe it would be it’s as if they took a silicone primer, liquefied it, poured it into a compact, and let it harden. Weird eh? But that’s the concept in a nutshell.

You’d think that someone like me who dislikes silicone primer with a passion wouldn’t like this but I actually love it. Mally totes it as a finishing “powder” of sorts that locks makeup into place while diffusing the appearance of pores and fines lines and offering a smooth, matte finish sans that dry, ashy look that setting powder gives skin!

You’re supposed to use it after full makeup application but you can also use it prior to makeup as well as a prep of sorts but I get the best results when using it on my completed, made up face. I was a bit worried that it would completely screw up my make up but you simply take the sponge, swipe it over the product, and just pat it into place. It’s not uncomfortable to wear and feels incredibly lightweight more so than powder actually plus the finish doesn’t accentuate my dry areas unlike powder which indeed makes those areas worst.

The results are interesting to say the least. I do not have fine lines nor do I have large pores but I still can see a noticeable different when using this as my face looks more polished and almost airbrushed in appearance. I absolutely love how it makes me look perfectly flawless.


After using it a while here are some observations I made.

It needs a touch up ever three hours or less. I noticed that gorgeous airbrushed look pretty much disappears after a few hours or so. I also noticed that it didn’t “lock” my makeup in place and my foundation still oxidized fairly quickly. It might have given me an extra hour at the most with my foundation but no more or less.

I’m not sure how will it will do at hiding large pores. It might just diffuse such a problem however it won’t fill them the way a good liquid primer will plus you’ll need to do a fair bit of touch up through the day to keep your pores and fine lines from making unexpected guest starring appearances or at least I think this will be the case but of course it needs to be tested out on such a skin type first.

Mattifying…hmm yes it does have a matte, powdery finish but on a really warm day I don’t think it’ll keep shine at bay for long but again I need to test it when my skin is alot less dry and a bit more oily.

  • Those seeing a flawless finish.
  • Those with oily skin (this might do the trick at mattifying but not for hours and hours on end).
  • Those with fine lines and pores (this will diffuse those areas and give an airbrushed appearance however it won’t fill the areas).
  • Those who hate silicone primers (if you get a bad case of the itchies from silicone but still like such a medium this is a good way to get the same results without the irritating, heavy feel of a silicone primer).

  • Those wanting a solution to lock their makeup into place (it won’t really prolong makeup wear in my experience).
  • Those seeking to keep their pores and fine lines under wraps all day and into the evening (touch ups are required).
  • SUPER oily skin (I’m doubtful really oily skin will feel it mattifies enough).


This is one of those products you have to try and experience for yourself. I liked it alot and will purchase another when I’m finished with this however I do wish I didn’t have to touch up so often with it. It just seems to wear away within a few hours and that brilliant, flawless finish just disappears however when it’s in place it looks AMAZING.

Really liked it. Formula might need a bit of work but overall it’s an interesting product that I’ll buy again!

Anyone try it or the Dior version?

Your thoughts?

Available now from www.qvc.com. If you want it might I suggest the Mally Beauty Collection as it’s the better deal and features Poreless Face Defender plus several other full size products (CLICK!).

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Isabella

    I lost mine somewhere, hoping its in the house and will turn up
    but it does give a nice matte finish over foundation, and does need a touch up eventually

    good thing i got the AD!!

    • the Muse

      aw jeepers Isabella ha always laugh when I say your name as it’s mine too feels like I’m addressing myself. Hope you find it!!!!!!! I really liked it but def needed a touch up ;D yay for AD!

  • Gouldylox

    I’ve tried both and use one or the other every day. I find that they both make my makeup, especially my blush, fade faster. But I LOVE the airbrushed look it gives, so I let it slide. I have found that the Mally is much softer than the Dior and it gets used up much faster. They both work very well and they both hide wrinkles, pores and fine lines. I love them both.

  • sugar sugar

    i want to try this too but for the time being i’m using etude house has this new princess pact which does a good job at hiding my ginormous pores and it mattifies my skin too. 🙂 people have been complimenting on how flawless and radiant my skin looks. =)

    some people say it’s a highlighter because it has a subtle sheen to it but i asked them on their FB and they said it was a finishing pact so i assume it’s similar to a finishing powder.

  • LorraineER

    Hey Muse, this is unrelated and I apologize but I have a question you may be able to answer that I’ve been asking around. Do you remember lip gunks from Urban Decay? I’m looking for dupes of two of the shades, one is SWF which they still have a e/s color of and they used to offer in lipstick as well..it’s a pale pink satin finsih with silver glitter in it.
    The second was Big Bang which was a bright blue-based pink fushia with blue glitter in it. Big Bang was a little like MAC Hot House lg released with Venemous Villains but it was more opaque and SWF base color was a light pink with a hint of mauve like MAC Snob but with silver glitter particles. If I can’t find dupes I may look for the base colors and glittery glosses seperately or even add glitter to gloss myself if I have to but getting dupes would be easier. Gloss, lipstick or liquid lipstick would be cool. Thank you in advance if you can think of either or both or help at all 🙂

    • Majick

      Lorraine – you may know this already but Urban Decay now have the High Saturated Lip pencils and guess what? They have BIG BANG!
      I’ve been thinking about you since I read your request, I know how it is when something you love gets discontinued.
      Believe this (and I know it’s really bad) – I still have a tube of Big Bang. I found it this morning whilst tossing out 4 Chanel lip glosses (boo, they do not last forever). It still smells ok but I think at 51 I may have to retire the glitter lips. LOL
      I saw pics of it on the web and it looks just like the old lip gunk.

  • grace

    muse- i have recently moved from the US to the UK. now that i am in england it is difficult for me to find some products that are sold in the states at the department stores in england- for example, stila and lorac! i am absolutely gutted about that! i love your blog and will NEVER abandon it (hehe) but can you tell me if you know of a british blogger that is similar to you that i can follow? thanks, muse! 🙂 xx

    • the Muse

      LOL grace please don’t abandon me ;-D xoxoxo! My best mate Rowena is a good place to start. She updates daily, has a ton of reviews on alot of products and she hails from England. Cosmetic Candy is the name of her blog and also check out Lipglossing ;-D hope this helps dear!

  • katrosado5

    I don’t know if I’ll pick this one up or the Dior. I haven’t decided. But I will say that I have in the past dabbed on liquid smashbox primer over areas of large pores after makeup application and it worked very nicely. Didn’t try it on my wrinkles though. I tend to experiment with makeup from time to time in that way.

    Muse what is the texture of this? If you run your fingers across it does it feel almost powdery? Just curious.

  • Julie

    This is one of my favorite products ever. It keeps my forehead looking smooth and shine free. It’s pretty amazing.

  • Jojo

    I agree with you, this stuff gives you an airbrushed look but it does not ‘set’ makeup like loose powder does. For the touch up issue, I guess Mally solves it by making this compact one 🙂 The original full size one is too bulky to bring around! When this came out with the set you also reviewed, I just had to get it! 🙂

  • Josh

    Smashbox has a product like this as well! It’s only available online as it was pulled from stores due to poor sales — Smashbox Anti-Shine Compact. Check it out. 😀

  • Jen

    Great review- I recently started using Mally Beauty products and this one sounds like something I want to try. Although it would be great if it could control my oilies at bay but this sounds good enough.

  • nancy

    i like it too! it controls my oily nose pretty well.

    i also notice that it leaves dust/lint on the pan…

    • the Muse

      I don’t use feelgood rebecca sadly it breaks me out so I avoided using it all over my face.

  • Shay

    I have the dior one. I find I like it best as a primer (hate the look of a dirty sponge). But I’ve worn it more sans makeup than with. Gives the perfect airbrushed affect to the point I don’t need foundation at all. Lasts on me 6-8 hours and its my new holy grail!!

  • JenJ

    Picked this up not too long ago. Went back and forth on whether or not to give this a try. I really like it. I think this will be great during the summer for me. We shall seeeeeeeee….

  • Cat

    I like this product a lot but as they sell you a huge metal compact with what appears to be an easily replaceable refill WITHOUT the option of purchasing a refill. . .I won’t buy again. Mally has no environmental integrity or customore service ethic. Thanks for the postings. I’ll try the Dior product and see if they rip us off as well. . .

  • linda

    Hi,Everyone. I live in the uk and I am looking to buy Mally cosmetics.Dose anyone know where I can buy them at wholesale prices?
    As I cannot afford to buy them singely.i have bought a few items from QVC. but I would rather buy them wholesale to stock up.regards from linda.

  • Suz

    I love to use Mally primer first on bare skin, or mixed in with a moisturizer. I do like the Mally Poreless Face defender finishing product also, but like you said it does not last, even if your sitting still. I have normal skin (no oily or dry). It needs touch up. I still love it but I also like Clinique loose powder in place of Mally sometimes. Like you said try it. It is hard to get, stores are usually sold out, there is no refill as once offered. QVC sometimes sells out plus you pay shipping. There are many finishing products out there, some are in tubes, such as those sold at Macy’s or Belks
    which I have not tried yet.

  • Alexandra

    Hi Isabella.I got the product from Mally about a year ago.It is a great product but i have notice that it has began to dry an looks cakey..as you said it is made of silicone,do you think that heat can fix it?Thanks…Alexandra