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Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Overall rating from 63 reviews so far:
4.2/5
Would use it again?
4.2/5
Did it do what it said it would?
4.3/5
Would recommend it to a friend?
4.1/5

Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky, lightweight blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea.

Worn alone or under foundation, our best-selling, oil-free primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish.

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Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Reviews

Overall rating:
2.7/5
21st October, 2013
0 members found this review useful
photo finish primer

I love smashbox, but sadly I did not love this. I get samples of it with my halo powder, so used it a couple of times, but didn't love the texture. I've never been a fan of those silicone based products, it just feels thick and like I've got a mask on (I hate heavy products on my face. Why I use only bb cream or mineral powder). It did work well if I applied the halo powder directly onto the primer, in that it sat well and stuck in place, but it didn't work well with a bb over the top. I felt like it made my skin too filmy and slippery. As I said, adore smashbox, but I don't like these kind of primers. I prefer light, hydrating ones like Murad acne and shine or Naploleon Perdis auto pilot.

Tips: If you like that silky, silicone feel, you'll like this. To be fair to the product, it really is just personal taste. I have two friends who love this product (I know, coz I give them all my samples haha). If you're like me and hate that filmy mask, the two aforementioned are more if a lotion texture and both really hydrating and non greasy.

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Overall rating:
5.0/5
2nd November, 2013
0 members found this review useful
The Best Primer Available

Unbeatable this is the best primer I have found to keep your makeup looking fresh for a whole evening or day

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Overall rating:
5.0/5
6th June, 2014
0 members found this review useful
A Must Have Primer

This is one of those pricey items that I think IS worth the price tag.

A little goes a long way so this will last you for a while! This primer makes my skin feel super soft and smooth. It is really easy to spread and blend into the skin and has a really silky feel to it. I find using my fingers to apply this gives the best result as you can really spread and pat it into the skin.

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Overall rating:
5.0/5
21st October, 2013
0 members found this review useful
Dont get the bad press, this is a winner

I have used this on and off alongside my old faithful napoleon and I have always loved it. However there is definitely a trick to using this product.. As it almost feels serum/oil like in texture and application you really need to focus on using small amounts, blending it into your skin well and letting it soak in. Once you have done that make up application is substantially easier, you will use WAY less foundation than you would without and your make up will definitely set nicely and stay in place. I think they have changed the formula over years as I remember not being very impressed with this when it first came out.. However I have got hold of this recently and find me using it very often. Tried, tested and approved on sensitive skin!

Tips: LESS IS MORE.. This product feels very oily/serum like when you spread it out (despite being water based) so you need to use it sparingly when you do, you will find its a brilliant product.

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meimei
21st October, 2013

Totally agree! Best primer on the market

Overall rating:
5.0/5
31st October, 2013
0 members found this review useful
Smashed it out of the park!

You really need to try this primer to see for yourself. Its not just the fact that it makes your skin silky smooth all prepped for that flawless foundation look, but it actually helps you use less foundation. I'm using half the amount of foundation I would normally use thanks to this primer. Plus it really helps my makeup last the whole day without touchups. I adore this product!!

Tips: Go get some asap! Its worth the investment. The bottle is so much bigger than the other primers you get at Farmers etc so its definitely worth it.

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xjayloux
3rd November, 2013

Love this review, I don't understand how people don't like it!

Overall rating:
5.0/5
23rd November, 2013
0 members found this review useful
Fave Primer!

I LOVE THIS PRIMER! Although it has a higher price tag its totally worth it! You only need a small amount to cover your whole face. It keeps your make up on longer and helps it go on way smoother and helps fill in imperfections. I also find I use way less foundation when I use this primer which means it actually saves you money!

Tips: GO AND BUY IT! Use your hands to apply it and smooth it all over your face

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This review is the subjective opinion of a Beauty Review member and not of Beauty Review Limited.
Overall rating:
2.3/5
15th June, 2015
0 members found this review useful
Bit of a let down

I suppose when you see consistenctly amazing reviews for a product, you expect a lot from it, and for the price of this product, boy did i expect a lot.

Firstly, the packaging is simple and understated. It comes in a clear plastic tube with a black lid. Nothing special, but its whats on the inside that really counts right?

So this primer is a silicon based primer, which typically is not my favourite primer to use. Anyway, a little bit goes a long way and applies smoothly to my skin. I won't lie, its feels really nice on my skin, and when i touch my face it literally feels silky sooth. My foundation and product sit nicely on this primer, and when i leave the house i feel like my face isn't looking too bad.

I deserve a slap on the hand, but yes i am one of those people who touch my face during the day. Not heaps or anything but when i feel uncomfortable or have an itch. Anyway around lunch time every time i use this, around my nose starts to feel.. oily? Its weird because this isn't usually a sport that is overly oily even though it is near my oily t zone, and when i look in the mirror, my whole t-zone had a slight oily glaze over it. Yuck. I have to say my maeup of my cheeks did last for most the day, but everywhere else.. nope not at all

I suppose this wasn't a result i expected from a oil free primer, but t i wasn't impressed. I would say this primer would be better from dry & normal skin types where as my skin type is combination dry and it does not work for me.

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Overall rating:
5.0/5
17th January, 2014
0 members found this review useful
Nice and smooth primer

I really like this primer as it reminds me of the E.L.F one, it glides on so smoothly and makes my skin feel so soft. Foundation goes on so much better with this underneath.

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Overall rating:
4.0/5
25th May, 2015
0 members found this review useful
By far the best primer to come in a tube

I was a little sceptical as I always am when it comes to primers, I have certainly had a good go at a large amount of others on the market but after trialling this as a sample I rushed and ordered the full size even though it is one of the more expensive ones I have ever brought.

This wonderful primer comes in a very understated tube of white plastic with the Smashbox logo and design upon it. The best thing packaging wise is the lid, it is nothing amazing, just a regular flip up and down function but it actually does that with a firm snap shut unlike so many other tube products I own that don't properly align themselves so they never fully close and end up leaking out slightly and congealing around the lid in a messy fashion.

Formula wise this sily soft milky in appearance primer is just the correct level of fluid to easy blend over your face without piling up into little balls as it sinks in rather than sets on your face. Leaving a veil of softness over your face that blots out oily areas and reduces the appearance of larger pores giving you the perfect face canvas to apply the rest of your makeup upon. Duration of cover is all day, with only a light foundation and setting powder over top I can go from morning to evening without the product seeping into my pores or oil creeping up and spoiling my flawless look I aim for.

I highly recommend this primer, even though it is a little pricey, you can just apply it over the t-zone area, or areas where you tend to have larger pores or oily outbreaks rather than all over your face so a little goes a long way.

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Overall rating:
5.0/5
3rd December, 2014
0 members found this review useful
The best yet.

I have been a bit skeptical of primers in the past, I had only used cheap versions and found them pretty much useless. I should have just splurged on this one all along because it really is wonderful. It glides onto your skin really easily and instantly makes it feel soft and smooth, which means anything that goes over the top looks much more flawless. It also completely mattifies the skin, keeping it oil free for hours, which helps the makeup to last a lot longer. I can wear this on a night out and come home with my foundation still on.

It'd definitely a pricey product so I only use it on special occasions or when know i'll have a lot of photos taken and want to look extra special :)

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