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We like
- Blurs your pores and fine lines, leaving a “skin-like” apperance
- Multi-purpose. Can be used as a primer, foundation, and finishing powder.
- Has a matteifying finish that doesn’t leave the skin too dry.
We don't like
- Smells… off. It doesn’t have a chemical fragrance, but there is a noticeable scent.
- Applicator is not helpful and leaves the application splotchy.
- Not as sweat-proof and oil absorbing as others claim
You’d think that since I was born in the summer (where my fellow Cancer babies at??), I’d be totally prepared for hot weather, swarms of bugs, and endless beach days. But every time June through August rolls around, I’m blindsided by the amount of sweat that pours from my pores. Honestly, the amount of sweat my body produces should be illegal. Like, no matter what I do—keeping electric fans on hand, wearing the lightest of light clothing, and using the most matte primer I can find—the result is always the same: droplets of makeup rolling down my face like it’s raining outside.
I wish I were exaggerating, but nope. I’ve got a ton of horror photos of me sweating off my foundation, and I just can’t keep going through this every year. So when TikTok claimed they found the most matte primer ever, I knew I had to try it out.
The product in question? Danessa Myricks’ Yummy Skin Blurring Balm. According to the brand, the balm is designed to absorb oil as you wear it throughout the day. That’s a big promise, especially from a newer brand. (ICYMI, Danessa Myricks launched in 2015 but only really blew up recently). But hey, TikTok is right about some things, so I’m willing to trust them.
Below, you’ll find my review of the Yummy Skin Blurring Balm from a girl who sweats way too much for it to be normal.
The Smell & Texture
I usually don’t care about the smell of a product. As long as it works, it could smell like garbage for all I care (okay, not really garbage, but you get the point). But just opening this blurring balm made my nose wrinkle a little. It’s not a disgusting scent, but it has a plasticky vibe mixed with... something else.. Not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to note.
As for the texture? It’s smooth and lightweight—almost like softened butter. Since I have sensitive skin, I decided to test it on my hand before applying it to my face. It didn’t take much to blend it in; a small dollop smoothly absorbed into my skin, leaving a matte but not overly dry finish. It definitely lives up to the “blurring balm” name.
My biggest concern with matte primers in general is how they can leave your skin feeling dry. But this blurring balm mattifies without stripping moisture. For that, I’m giving it an 8/10.
That said, I have to dock it two points for the application process. The balm comes with a mini spoon to scoop it out, but the texture is so smooth that the spoon is pretty much useless. The balm just gets stuck in the groove, so you end up having to use your nail to scrape it out. You’re better off using your finger to apply it.
Wear Test
Next up: the wear test. I followed my usual routine—skin tint, concealer, bronzer, brush, and powder—but skipped my usual primer, the e.l.f. Hydro Grip dupe. All of my products blended seamlessly and gave me that dewy look I love.
It wasn’t too hot outside (highs around 72°F), but the humidity was in the 90s. And we all know that humid weather makes me sweat like a fountain. I was already starting to sweat as I left the house for errands, but it really kicked in when I headed underground for the subway. (Any New Yorker will tell you how brutal the subway is during the warmer months.)
By the time the train came five minutes later, my forehead and the back of my neck were covered in sweat. But once the AC in the subway car kicked in, my makeup still looked dewy and not nearly as sloppy as it would’ve without the balm.
Still, by the end of the day—after many sweaty moments—my makeup looked more clownish than glowy, with smudged frown lines, foundation creases, and sweat tracks. To be fair, creasing happens naturally as makeup wears on, but I expected more longevity from the blurring balm. It definitely improved how long my makeup lasted, but it wasn’t the miracle sweat-proof solution I hoped for.
The Verdict
Would I use this bb again? Of course. I mean, I paid for it, and it wasn’t cheap! But seriously, the blurring balm does blur your pores and gives you that seamless, full-coverage look. However, it’s not quite as “oil-absorbing” as it claims, at least not in my experience. It does extend the wear of your makeup, but if you’re someone who sweats like me, I’d recommend opting for something a little more mattifying.
