Paula's Choice • Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish • Primer/ Corrector

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*TOP REVIEWER* Jocky80 on 12/5/2012 1:03:00 PM more reviews by Jocky80

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I agree, this is not as matte and have the oilcontrol as smashbox antishine. This does not cover up/hide pores as great as the old clinique poreminimizer. BUT this does not clog up my poses or break me out as the two others.
The oilcontrol and shinecontrol is ok and it does make my pores look smaller. So for that I will call this HG.
To be honest, this did not work the first times when I used it. It did nothing. So I stopped using it but at the end of the summer I found it and after readning on cosmeticscop.com how to use it started to work for me. I apply a pea size and dot and roll it on my skin. It can leave a white film but notning bad that a bronzer can't cover.

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inouerinn on 12/2/2012 12:41:00 AM more reviews by inouerinn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

My verdict is;
- this is not as matte as Smashbox Anti Shine but it has the same attitude like Smashbox Anti Shine.
- it doesn't sit well and/or look good under sunscreen/foundation.
- no matter how much less or more I use it, it would just look patchy/streaky/uneven, especially if i am using foundation over it, the foundation would change color - lighter than it supposed to be.
- it only looks fairly good on top of my sunscreen but I am skeptical about applying anything non-SPF on top of sunscreen.
- in terms of oil control? Because I have very oily skin, it doesn't transform my oily skin into normal skin after using this product. If you have high expectations, you will be disappointed.
- in the kind of climate i am living in (summer-ry all year), the oil control ability is +-4hours at its best.

best way to use it:
- in the evenings as the final step in my skincare routine.
- (i wont risk using this alone during the day because I am obsess about sun protection.)

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melodysg on 11/1/2012 1:37:00 AM more reviews by melodysg

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Tried this under makeup and over makeup and without makeup. Best oil-control performance on no-makeup days. Better performance when over makeup better than under makeup. I use clean fingers to apply, press motion over my t-zone. cause no break-out.

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emysiu on 10/23/2012 6:56:00 PM more reviews by emysiu

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Every primer I've tried (Smashbox Photofinish, Monistat, Milk of Magnesia, etc.) has always caused clogged pores for me. This is the only exception so far. It goes on smooth, no clogged pores, even if I fall asleep with it. It does a fine job of minimizing my pores. Though in terms of shine control, it does quite a poor job. I get shiny within an hour of application. I don't even wear much makeup. I just put a layer of powder over this. However, because I've had such a hard time finding a better primer, I think that this will be my go-to for now.

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LetsSwap on 9/14/2012 12:01:00 PM more reviews by LetsSwap

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This product has dethroned my previous HG of mattifiers (Shiseido for Men). Reason being that this product doesn't make my face feel congested as with the Shiseido. This leaves a nice matte finish for me that lasts hours and doesn't "ball up" like all the Smashbox primers do. It also has a nice creamy feel, not siliconey, like Smashbox. I agree with a previous reviewer that this may be hit or miss so you'll just have to try it out for yourself.
This product works so well for me, I have to keep two handy: one to use as a primer, the other one for overnight (yes, I have to wear something at bedtime or else I'll wake up like I smeared lard on my face -ugh). It's never clogged my pores or caused any breakouts.

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*TOP REVIEWER* UrrUrr on 9/6/2012 12:38:00 AM more reviews by UrrUrr

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

At first I thought this sucked so bad and didn't do anything because I put it over primer, under foundation. Then I decided to put it over primer and foundation. After waiting for about 1-2 minutes, I would then dust on some powder. and hey! it worked way better. It keeps me matte most of the day. However, some things to note are :

- You can't put it over loose powder (and probably 2-way cake/compact powder). It will look gross and ball up or something.
- It will kinda sink into your pores when you put it over foundation. It's not very noticeable though.

Anyway, I would buy this again because it DOES help in reducing oil production provided it's used over foundation. (for my case, that is)

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*TOP REVIEWER* mapn on 8/26/2012 11:28:00 AM more reviews by mapn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I got a few complimentary samples of Shine Stopper with my Paula's Choice order. I’ve only tried a few mattifying primers before. Unfortunately, Shine Stopper just isn’t effective enough for my combination skin, which gets shiny quite quickly with or without this product. So no big difference either way. The inclusion of Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride puzzles me, since it’s a thickener, which – at least to my understanding – doesn’t really have any shine absorbing qualities. Probably works for someone who doesn’t have as problematic skin as me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* artemis16 on 8/24/2012 5:34:00 AM more reviews by artemis16

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This product goes a long way to strengthen the overall performance of my make-up.
I have combination skin and make sure I use products that do not encourage oiliness, but this is essential for me, especially in the hot summers when staying matte is a challenge even for my trusted Maybelline Dream Matte.

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nguyening22 on 8/16/2012 8:24:00 PM more reviews by nguyening22

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

HORRIBLE product. I have oily skin and within about 30 minutes of using this I was oily again! And yes, I used to correctly as directed. Thank goodness I only bought the sample version and didn't blow $20 some dollars. Make up application after using this looked BAD!!! Nothing about the product is good in my opinion. Going to stick with my milk of magnesia regime. :) works WAY WAY better!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* lizzea on 7/16/2012 12:09:00 AM more reviews by lizzea

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Quite outstanding, I tried the milk of magnesia trick but was never totally satisfied with the result.. it was matifying but I felt like I could see the product on my skin (which is not what I wanted!) so I'm glad Paula's Choice has formulated something to address the shine issue.


When I wear this as instructed with no makeup over the top, my skin is kept mattified for half the day which is extraordinary as I have very combination skin (leaning towards very oily on my t-zone) especially in warm weather. When I wear makeup on top though, it only stays matte for 3 hours or so, which is still longer than it would without this on underneath.


It's a great product and would be suitable to spot treat oily areas or for people like me with quite oily skin. I think the performance of it underneath makeup will depend on what foundation you use. If you're using an extra matte foundation it might keep you matte for longer than if you were to use a slightly dewy-finish foundation.

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*TOP REVIEWER* KerryGold on 6/14/2012 6:10:00 AM more reviews by KerryGold

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium, Cool   Hair: Grey, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Shine Stopper lives up to its name.


If you're fed up with your oily skin, try this. And I MEAN "try" because I think it's one of those things that work for different people in different ways. Read through the reviews and experiment with the different methods mentioned to hit on the one that's right for you.


I don't like to wear this directly before or after applying foundation. Here's what I do:


My preferred weekday/office make-up method is to apply my make-up as usual in the morning, then finish with powder, and around midday when I'd normally blot and powder, I blot and pat Shine Stopper on my T-zone - no powder necessary. This keeps me shine-free for the rest of the working day.


On a foundation-free, minimal make-up day, I apply concealer, mascara and blush, then pat Shine Stopper on my T-zone and top with a bit more blush if necessary. There's no need for foundation or powder. Shine Stopper seems to even out my complexion sufficiently. If you don't need coverage, it's just fabulous.


I find three small blobs - one each on my index, second and middle fingers - the right amount.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hpunkinway on 4/29/2012 4:45:00 AM more reviews by hpunkinway

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I cannot stand powder, yet have oily skin in the warmer parts of the year. This product is fantastic at keeping the oil at bay, and doing nice things for your skin. I highly recommend this, as I do most of Paula's products.

UPDATE: I do not find myself using this product at all. Too much effort for shine when you can just cleanse and blot. Won't buy again.

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judibean on 4/27/2012 6:47:00 PM more reviews by judibean

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have been on the search for a mattifying primer for months now, in anticipation of summer. I thought I would settle for Too Faced, which makes my makeup look great in the beginning, but loses its staying power when it comes time to blotting around the afternoon. When I blot, it makes my pores more apparent again. Then I found this little darling! It keeps my face matte for longer and hides the large pores on my nose better. It also does not have the blotting issue I have with Too Faced. As one other reviewer commented, you do need to use a little more of it than with other primers for it to work effectively. The first time I tried it, I didn't, and it didn't work as well in mattifying. Then I took her advice and voila! It is now my HG primer! I love that it has no scent and does not feel like you are putting on another layer of product. I did want to try the Too Faced Pure primer because it is oil-free and supposedly more mattifying than the original, but now I am wondering if I should even bother!

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jasroach on 4/22/2012 4:04:00 PM more reviews by jasroach

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Water, Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Glyceryl Stearate, Myristyl Myristate, Ceteareth-20, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol.

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julia_s on 4/22/2012 2:52:00 PM more reviews by julia_s

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

This product is amazing - it has only one shortcoming: it's no better than another product at the tenth of the price. (Can't stand the suspense? Read the next line : )

Performance: Yes, Shine Stopper does an excellent job of keeping your skin matte. I have a super oily t-zone and this primer helps keep me shine-free for about 3 or 4 hours (Your millage may very depending on how oily your skin is, whether you use an ultra-matte foundation too etc.) The only problem? Milk of Magnesia does exactly the same thing without the $17 price tag.

Texture/Finish: Shine Stopper has a surprising texture - it comes out as a very light, fluid lotion that blends super easily on skin before setting to a invisible matte finish on skin. Seriously, once this stuff sets on to skin you'll never find it again. This is its main advantage over MoM - with MoM I find that unless I use an *ultra* thin layer, then blend with a wet sponge, I always get a white, slightly chalky layer on my skin. So if you need to use a primer alone (without foundation on top) I think Shine Stopper would work better than MoM for you.

Packaging: Shine stopper comes in a tube packaging with a small, precise nozzle-tip opening which I find very user friendly (unlike say, L'Oreal's base, which also performs nicely but the jar packaging means product often gets under my nails.)

Overall: I would have given Shine Stopper a 5 AND repurchased if I hadn't been introduced to Milk of Magnesia (by Ms Begoun herself - an irony of Shakespearean proportions). BUT I still give this product a four because it, along with MoM, is the best oil-control primer I've triede PLUS it's invisible on skin. So if you are allergic to MoM, don't like the white finish MoM gives you, or are morally opposed to putting laxative on your face, give Shine Stopper a try - I'm pretty sure most of you with oily skin will love it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* polarpooch on 3/18/2012 11:09:00 PM more reviews by polarpooch

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

i have extremely, insanely oily skin, so i am always realistic about "oil control" products. this one is pretty good. i didn't find it did anything under my makeup, so i tried applying it OVER makeup. that's when i realized its potential for my routine. i get oily about 2-3 hours into the day. when that happens, i blot with papers, then apply a pea sized amount with a sponge in my t-zone. it does keep the oil at bay for about 3-4 hours when i apply it. i usually blot one more time and apply again, and find i can get nearly a whole workday out of two applications (i work 14 hour days). it's much better than pressed powder, because it doesn't cake and cause color disruption. this makes my foundation last longer, too, because the oil is not constantly degrading my makeup. as an added bonus, it smooths over large pores, making them appear smaller. i have tried it all at this point, including "anti-shine" from smashbox. i like this a lot better. it's not a miracle, but it has certainly become an effective tool in my daily routine because it helps make my face look better with makeup. BTW, my 1-2-3 for oil-control makeup is ELDW light (doesn't degrade in the presence of oil), blotting papers (like PC papers or Clean and Clear) and this. it keeps me pretty much shine free all day.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Deandra on 3/2/2012 7:48:00 PM more reviews by Deandra

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Shine Stopper does exactly what it claims - provides a matte finish when applied under makeup, reduces the appearance of pores, and I have noticed that I don't need to apply powder as frequently when using this on my T-zone. I like the tube packaging which is great for travel. My skin is sensitive and this seems to be hypo-allergenic and does not have any fragrance. My skin is combination rather than super oily, and I find this product very helpful. It is supposed to last for about six hours and that seems accurate on my skin - might be less effective if your skin is super oily. I apply under foundation, and I use more than a pea-sized amount, more like 2 peas.

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connect16 on 2/19/2012 10:43:00 AM more reviews by connect16

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I have been holding off this review for a few months since I received the product, but I can confidently say that this is the perfect solution to my oily, oily skin! I have always had an extremely oily t-zone and my nose particularly liked to glisten before noon. I would have droplets of oil on my nose, which exacerbated the size of my pores - really nasty! However, I started using this product (didn't have to use a wet sponge) and my problems were solved! No more oilyness and it lasts up to 8-10 hours. I simply put spots of it in my t-zone and my cheekbones, then rubbed and patted it in. It doesn't look too nice at first since it kinda makes my face look dry right after cleansing, but after a few hours, it starts soaking up the oils and provides a really nice sheen to my skin. No breakouts or irritation (but can sting a little bit if my skin is too dry after cleansing). The one thing I need to point out is that the cap can barely stay on. I would twist and twist but the cap would just keep falling off, so now I have to be very careful it doesn't open while in my drawer, and getting exposed to contaminants. However, I didn't take any stars off since I'm reviewing the formulation, not the packaging. Another great product, Paula + team!

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VictoriaJane on 2/13/2012 3:13:00 PM more reviews by VictoriaJane

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this-I'm on my second tube & have a back-up at the ready. My favorite thing about this is how comfortable it makes my face feel. I just can't stand that greasy feeing I always get towards the end of the day on my chin, nose, & eyelids. This does the trick. You have to use plenty, & have to be careful how you apply it (smoothing it on quickly over small areas works best for me). I've also tried L'Oreal studio secrets, & I like the texture/cleanliess (no dipping fingers into the jar) to be a big plus.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Harlot on 1/20/2012 2:32:00 AM more reviews by Harlot

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is a brilliant product. Very lightweight, NO perfume scent, dries almost instantly and packaged in a tube with a small tip that allows you to squeeze out about a pea size and no more. That`s about how much you need for your entire face. I apply it under a very lightweight, non greasy tinted sunscreen because I don`'t wear make up, and it keeps me shine free for 4 hours ( as opposed to 1hour without it) One thing I noticed, is after the oil does starts coming through 4 hours later, if I lightly blot my skin with a blotting tissue, my skin stays shine free for another 4 hours without reapplying it. I`ve also tried applying it after moisturizers, foundation, concealers etc, and it doesn`t work as well. It does works remarkably well on bare on nearly bare skin though. I`ll be really distressed if they ever stop making this, as i`ve tried about 8 other different high end brand of "mattifiers" and there is no other that even remotely rivals it...

*Helpful Hint*
Paulas website offers samples of this for less than a dollar each, so I often include a couple in my order for carrying in my purse. You get about 6-7 applications out of each sample for chin, nose and forehead touch ups if you have no powder or blotting papers handy or are unable to wash your face again at the end of a long day. Just fold the sample package and tape it at the end so it doesn`t dry out and you can reuse it at a later date...

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No