STYLECASTER
The most on-the-nose claim a product can make these days is to say that it acts like an Instagram filter, but for real life. Imagine, if you will, a Ludwig-like effect for barely perceptible everyday bettering, or perhaps even something more like Moon for when things are looking extra rough. Who could ever say no to that"
There’s no convoluted psychology behind it: We love filters because they’re forgiving. The right one glosses over imperfections, brightens up dull, tired skin, and makes you feel good enough about yourself to post selfies with captions like “I woke up like this,” and?very relevant to my personal interests?make too-shiny skin look gloriously dewy instead.
Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer ($29.50) does the same thing, pretty much. Disappointingly, it does not crank up the brightness and contrast of my face nor blur my features into near-oblivion as desired, but it does give me the exact finish I’ve been trying to achieve, with filters and without, since I first learned that “oily” was a real skin type and not just something that could be ameliorated by washing my face 10 times a day. MORE: 10 Soft-Focus Skin Products for Making an IRL Instagram Filter Your Reality
Every allegedly mattifying primer, moisturizer, or powder I try must first undergo rigorous testing before I’m able to give it my full approval. The “rigorous testing” process involves me wearing it for one full da...