If we remember, I wasn’t enamoured with the legendary Urban Decay Primer Potion. Urban Decay came out with a tinted version called Sin which I have not tried (and probably will not try) but I believe it will behave in the same manner as the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude.
This is unfortunately, a limited edition item under the Smashbox Naked Beauty summer collection. I liked this very much and a couple of you asked for a review just on this, so here are my thoughts.
The Golden Nude lid primer is tinted and there is fine shimmer, so you can use it as a nude or neutral cream eyeshadow. I like using it on its own with a thick eyeliner.
On my not oily lids, it sticks and hangs on the whole day so that’s great for me. It is also very easy to apply. Just dab the primer on your eyelid, and blend it in.
You can see that it sheers out into just a slight hint of colour on my lids. It does not change the colour of your eyeshadow that goes on top of it, which is good. You don’t want that happening!
In terms of lasting power, I found that it lasted all day for me. Even in the evening, were I to top up some powder eyeshadow on top of the primer, it still works. If I use it as a lid primer and use powder eyeshadow on top of it in the mornings, it lasts me all day without creasing or fading. Then again, I don’t really experience that in any case.
You might be wondering how I like it compared to the Urban Decay Primer Potion? To be honest, in terms of using it as an eyelid primer, they are the same for me. It doesn’t serve that purpose simply because I do not have a problem with oily lids.
I do like using this as a base for loose powder eyeshadow or pigments. Like the Urban Decay primer potion, this is the only real reason I’d use a lid primer. However, I use this Smashbox primer more than Urban Decay one, because its tinted and thus serves its purpose as cream eyeshadow that lasts and is travel friendly due to its slim size.
Pros: Lasts all day, Good neutral cream eyeshdaow, Makes a good eyeshadow base
Cons: Limited Edition item, Does not help my shadow stay on longer because I do not have oily lids
All in all, I’d say this is a great little multi-tasking product. If you have been wanting to get an eyelid primer or are lusting after the Urban Decay Primer Potion (which we do not get here in Malaysia) try the Smashbox Photo Finish lid primer as an alternative. In terms of use, I find them indistinguishable and at least Smashbox is easily available here.
Incidentally, Karen of MBB does not quite like this Smashbox primer, but she prefers the Urban Decay sin primer. I am the opposite… well -ish since I haven’t tried Sin 🙂
Have you used the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer (original version) or even this version? Do you find yourself needing a lid primer? I needless to say do not 😛
Paris B
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer in Golden Nude retails at RM76 at the Smashbox counter at Parkson Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Golden Nude is limited Edition but the regular Photo Finish Lid Primer is a permanent item.
Nikki says
August 9, 2010 at 9:22 amThis will be interesting to try, I am loving the Photofinish primer for the face for my clients, this will be a great addition base on your photos
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 10:37 amThe Photo Finish Primer for the face does work pretty well. I’m supposed to write about it (but keep forgetting) and now I must! 😛 There’s a normal lid primer for the lids though that doesn’t have colour. That might work better for you?
xin says
August 9, 2010 at 9:43 amim itching to get this and try, wonder if it works well for oily lids tho
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 10:37 amYa coz I can’t tell you how it works on oily lids 🙁
LeGeeque says
August 9, 2010 at 10:05 amLove that your post co-incided with the fact that I wore eyeshadow for the first time in months! It’ll be interesting to compare a few types of eyeshadow bases. The other one that’s sworn by makeup users – Too Faced (can’t remember the fullname).
On Saturday, I was using Nars Smudgeproof eyeshadow Base. It’s a tiny little tube that I got as a sample when a friend picked something up from Sephora for me. I love it. In fact, I think it’s much better than Urban Decay’s.
I MUST use a primer or everything’ll be gone in half a day. 🙁
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 10:39 amThe thing is, I’m just not into eyeshadow bases coz way before I used any, I would use just cream eyeshadow… and it worked! So now I have a dedicated eyeshadow base and I’m just thinking its all sorta meh for me 😛 But then I don’t have oily lids so that might be why.
Sugar says
August 9, 2010 at 11:12 amhey this looks beautiful! but i do prefer your Benefit Birthday Suit one. or is it almost similar?
i’m like you Paris, i have completely unoily lids which dont crease even when using Maybelline eyeshadows without base or primer. yay!
so i guess i would use this as an eyeshadow, and it really looks good. currently i’m using a shade abit like this as well, but in powder form. have you tried MAC’s paradisco? if you like this primer you’d sure like paradisco.
btw. have you also tried Clinique’s moisture surge facial mist? LEMMING!
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 11:21 amNope this is not similar in shade to Birthday Suit. Its actually a golden neutral – looks amazing with thick black liner 😀 I haven’t tried Paradisco but will take your word for it 🙂
Clinique has a facial mist? If you try it do report 🙂
Sugar says
August 9, 2010 at 2:48 pmyes seems everyone is jumping on either the hyaluronic, bb cream or facial mist bandwagon. this is the same range as the Moisture Surge extended thirst relief. but it’s a hundred bucks! argh!
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 5:49 pmOuch! That’s pricey for a face mist! Will stick to my thermal waters 🙂
Yani says
August 9, 2010 at 2:53 pmOkay. Must. Get. Now.
ParisB says
August 9, 2010 at 5:48 pmHaha you’re into lid primers?
Connie says
August 9, 2010 at 6:38 pmI have UD sin! and it looks pretty similar. As with MAC’s Paint in Stilife. I still prefer nude primers though a tinted primer comes in handy when I just want a nude wash.
ParisB says
August 10, 2010 at 2:44 pmYa that might be the only time I’d use a nude primer – when I want a wash of colour that lasts, or to build warm shades on 🙂