The Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer needs no introduction. Oh wait. You haven’t heard of it? Oh dear… let’s remedy that 🙂
Just as the name implies, its a makeup primer. Use it before you apply foundation because what it does is fill up all the pores and give you a smooth finish so your foundation goes on smoothly and looks air brushed. It also has oil control qualities so if you have been having problems getting your makeup to stay on, look no further than the Photo Finish foundation primer.
However, it would do to note that the primer is nearly completely silicone based so if you are sensitive to silicones, and prone to break out from it, stay far far away. I’m not, and I do like this primer. Well, I was going to buy the full size, after trying the trial sized one that came in the set, but I’m rethinking it for reasons I will share below.
Now, as a primer, its awesome. My skin looks amazing with this on, and if you use powder foundation as I do, it looks absolutely divine. I personally feel that it helps powder foundation look so much better but not necessarily liquid foundation. It also helps your foundation and blush stay on longer. I don’t get very oily so I cannot tell you how it helps control oil, but I do find my blush staying till the end of the day.
There are 2 more uses for this primer that I learnt from Smashbox Makeup Artist Robin Flanagan which I use often:-
- Tame flyaway hair – rub a bit of primer between your fingers and smoothen down the ends of your hair. Works great in a pinch!
- Remove smudged eye makeup and mascara – pump a bit of primer on a cotton bud and wipe under your eye to remove smudged mascara or eyeshadow. It is a lifesaver when you are pressed for time and when you don’t want to muss up your makeup.
However, it is the 2nd suggestion that’s keeping me from purchasing the full sized bottle. You see, this silicone primer picks up the smudged colours and removes but it also removes things like concealer if you have it on underneath. Also, I learnt that I had to apply the primer FIRST and then top up with concealer and foundation. If I applied my concealer first, the primer essentially wipes away the concealer which is a pain.
But if I remember, then everything’s wonderful, and I do love how powder foundation looks simply air brushed on my skin when I have this primer on. I’m still thinking about whether I want the full sized bottle for now. I was so convinced I wanted it, but since I don’t have oily skin, I decided I can live without it for now.
Pros: Useful as foundation primer to create a flawless base for foundation, and to remove smudged makeup
Cons: Avoid if sensitive to silicones, Removes concealer if I’m not careful
Mine came in a little sample sized tube with the Try Me Kit Vol. 2 which you can get at the Smashbox counter for RM125 and which I think is a pretty decent deal. I do love my little tube though – it cleans up smudged makeup a treat! And if I do purchase a bottle, it will be because of this neat little trick 🙂 I believe a full size bottle is RM135 or RM138 and can last a long time.
If you have been looking for a foundation primer, do give this one a shot. Its not iconic without reason! 😉 Have you tried this one?
Paris B
rinnah says
August 30, 2010 at 9:14 amI’m so tempted by that Try-Me kit since I see it has O-Glow in there! Lemming begone! 😛
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:05 pmIts a great kit to try Smashbox’s iconic products at a good price. I rather like the Bionic mascara included too.
Hanny says
August 30, 2010 at 9:38 amOOOO! I want this! ^.^ Sorry for not commenting after so long, was scared out of surfing teeny weeny SFW sites because I’m currently in my first internship. ^.^ Oil control, you say?? I’m sooo sold. ^.^ Would it be cheaper in Singapore?
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:05 pmHiya! I’ve no idea of prices in Singapore to be honest and its a pretty good product. Enjoy your internship!
Sugar says
August 30, 2010 at 10:04 ami have no idea whether i’m sensitive to silicones! but since everything you’ve recd has always worked for me..hmmm.
but i really have a problem with primers, i just cant wrap my head around the idea that it “fills your pores”, just like the new Benefit’s the porefessional”. doesnt that mean “CLOGS your pores”? aahh.
anyway! since starting my new diorsnow white reveal emulsion, my skin has gone back to it’s beeyootifulness!
were u using this when i saw you? cause if u weren’t, then i dont think u need this cause ur skin looks airbrushed anyway.
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:08 pmHaha not all pore fillers clog pores. In fact, anything can clog pores, not just primers 😛 I use it off and on only (don’t like using it everyday) Glad the Dior emulsion is working for you! Its always so sucky to experiment and then breakout right? I’m in the midst of major breakout now and am going back to basics. Not sure if it was the sunscreen I was trying but I’m thinking that’s it.
Sugar says
August 30, 2010 at 2:35 pmoh no! yes it is TERRIBLY sucky to try products then break out. if you never had good skin to begin with it’s fine, but if u do and u break out…you keep thinking back longingly of the few days BEFORE u used the damned product and ur skin was great. haha!
like kiehls. kiehled my skin. =P altho it has redeemed itself with the surface brightening exfoliator which i am def getting.
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 3:30 pmGirl, when you’ve never had good skin and then had it, and then lost it due to testing something new, you’d hate that thing with every fibre of your being! Clue: Me. I’ve gone back to the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and I hope that’ll balance everything again. Damn this cystic acne 🙁
Sugar says
August 30, 2010 at 4:10 pmmy goodness. straight to cystic?!?! hate that product!!! do warn me in a separate e-mail or something! u know i have the same skin as u, i wouldnt wanna kena the same thing!!! =(
oh it will get better. 4 more days and u wont know it even happened.
Ling says
August 30, 2010 at 10:13 amHey paris, u bought it from the website or from counter? is it free shipping for any purchase? I’m so tempted to get 1 now… ^_^
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:08 pmDo note the website is the international website and free shipping only applies in the USA. I don’t know if they ship internationally. Mine was from the counter at Parkson Pavilion.
Jessica says
August 30, 2010 at 11:05 amI have this one and I love it to BITS!!!!!!!
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:08 pmYay! 😀
Lee says
August 30, 2010 at 11:48 amI got it from SASA. It works beautifully! It is a shame i don’t put make-up on too often, it’s going to expire soon in 6 months and i still have 3/4 left in the bottle!
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:09 pmTime to put on makeup more often! 😉
Lee says
August 30, 2010 at 11:49 amOh no, it wasn’t from SASA, it was from Strawberry net~forgive me, it’s Monday!
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 12:10 pmHaha! I was wondering which Sasa sold it 😉 No worries we’re all a little blur this Monday 😉
Connie says
August 30, 2010 at 12:50 pmI tried a sample once and didn’t like the smell! Dunno if the actual thing smells that way too or there was something wrong with my sample. I have chafing cream dupe (monistat) and it works so i’ll pass on this one! i’m typically not too keen on silicone-y stuff anyway.
I need to try that flyaway tip though. thanks!
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 2:05 pmHmm funny you should mention a smell. There’s no smell in mine at all. I’m not particularly keen on silicone stuff too but its great for powder foundation 🙂
milktea says
August 30, 2010 at 12:59 pmIs it that good ah? 🙂
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 2:05 pmFor powder foundation (for me) it is 😀
Cas says
August 30, 2010 at 1:29 pmOoo would definitely love to try this but somehow I’m convinced this will definitely break me out!
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 2:06 pmIf you’re allergic to silicone products, definitely stay far away!
eliza says
August 30, 2010 at 1:32 pmthe full size bottle a bit pricey for me @@
i use monistat chafing as an alternate primer
they say the monistat has the same function as smashbox
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 2:07 pmI’ve never tried the monistat one but I’m sure most silicone based products will work as an alternative.
Joy Chuah says
August 30, 2010 at 4:27 pmhi Paris..how does this primer compare to the Guerlain one cz i was thinking of getting the Guerlain one..love the texture of it..
ParisB says
August 30, 2010 at 4:32 pmHmm do you mean the Guerlain one with perles in it? I find the texture different. This one does not have illuminating qualities. It is a straight silicone primer over your skin. You get that silicone feel on the skin unlike the Guerlain one that feels rather more fresh and less “fake skin” if you know what I mean 🙂
Joy Chuah says
August 30, 2010 at 5:22 pmyep..the one with the perles..ooo..i see..i noe wat you mean..thx Paris 😛
Nikki says
August 30, 2010 at 8:13 pmI just finished up the full size of the Photofinish Primer Light, and I swore by this for clients! I don’t use much primer as I don’t oil up much but I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!
melchewvin says
August 31, 2010 at 12:58 amI got this in lavender (purple) the sales girls says it will help to brighten up your skin to make it more fair but i dont really see the differences but it is a good primer it saves alot of your liquid foundation,cover up pores( with foundation), fastes forever and help your foundation to stay on longer. All together its a good product.
Natalie says
September 1, 2010 at 2:31 pmI bought this primer, but it didn’t do a thing for me, so I sold it. MUFE All mat didn’t work for me either, so I think it is the silicon that does nothing for me as a primer. Your review sounds so good though and wish it worked for me! 😀
Synaesthesia says
September 14, 2010 at 2:24 pmGot this yesterday and tried today. Yes, I agreed this primer works for powder foundation but not necessary liquid. My Rimmel Lasting Foundation seems a bit cakey and patchy on the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer but never on my MAC Prep + Prime… I do find my skin is incredibly smooth after Smashbox application and not so much on MAC.
Jia says
March 16, 2011 at 6:30 amThe point of the primer is so that you can smooth out unevenness. Usually blemished spots have a certain degree of unevenness of the skin so doesn’t it make sense to put on primer before the concealer and foundation? I don’t think you should count this as a negative…