I purchased the product a while ago, but haven't done a review about it cause I wanted to give a chance. My experience with this product was bad. The formula has too much polymer, dimethecone, silicone ect. The fact that it's said oil free on the package does not mean it is.
I have acne prone, sensitive,oily T zone,and occasionally oily cheeks. This product tend to cause me break out every time i use it.
Also, it cause my pores to clog up. Expensive but didn't get the result I wanted. It's promise so so much but not effective for the amount of money. I used it when I go out to places like: bars, club ect. Places where you tend to take picture or be in picture. I get oily and shiny more then i usually do. Yeh, this product I consider a failure. Save for money and a chance of having a bad skin reaction.

I gave to my mom, she didnt like either because its causes her breakout. so she threw is out the window!!

i really wanted to like this product because it is a smashbox product and i like them ... well it did a ok job .. but it made me break out a lil bit and the container it came in the pump wouldnt pump out any product so i had to take the lid off turn it upside down and beat it out OR put something in there to pull it out of there .. so thinking about transfering it into another jar or something idk .. and it was really expensive for all this trouble so i wont buy again i hope so one else has better times with it buy hey everyone is diff and everything works diff for diff ppl ...

This is a fantastic primer! My foundation looks awful after a couple of hours so I asked a makeup artist friend for a recommendation and she said Smashbox Photo Finish is a staple for her. I bought it and have used it every day for about a month now. My makeup lasts all day and I couldn't be happier with it. I have a very oily forehead and now my foundation lasts for 8 hours, even in humid conditions.

I bought this at Sephora in the 2 oz formula. It is cheaper per ounce and I like the package a lot better. It's a lot easier to get ever bit of the product out of the container.

I love this stuff. I have really sensitive skin (sensitive to scents, oils, sunscreens, certain minerals, you name it) and this stuff doesn't make me break out! It also makes my makeup last longer and gives my skin a nice matte finish when it can get a little oily as the dat goes on.

My favorite primer by far.

i use primers only special occastions i guess lol this is hands down the best ever, its oil free way lighter than the original and does the same thing trust me!!super soft surface, less pores and lines :)

i just recently bought this primer and its amazing. i have acne prone skin with oily skin as well.omg makes my makeup lasts forever and im way less oily.my laura mercier used to make me super oily after like two hours but this one lasts up to 8 hours without retouching i love it!!!!!

PRODUCT UPDATE: I had to knock this product down a lippie because if I don't use an acne treatment underneath it I start breaking out. Not sure what additive is causing this to happen. I still use it, just not as much.


I cannot believe this product has such a mediocre buy again rating! I have horribly oily skin (which I will be happy to have in about 15-20 years as it helps decrease lines and wrinkles! lol) and I live in the lovely, yet hot and muggy state of Florida. I received a sample of this with a purchase from Sephora.com and waited quite a while to try it. I don't know why I waited so long. If I would've realized how much foundation primer could benefit me, I would've used it sooner. I could not believe how much longer my make up lasted! I have some long days during the week (working 8 hours followed by school some nights for 4 hours). Without this, my makeup would've looked awful by 6 pm. With this I have a little bit of greasiness that needs to be patted, but my make up doesn't budge and doesn't look like it's sliding off my face. No foundation girl should go without a primer and this is definitely a great one. I was worried it would break me out, but it hasn't yet and I've been using it for about 2 weeks. $36 is a bit high (Sephora's price), but for the payoff your makeup will get it is worth it and the decently sized bottle will last a while. The pump gives you just the right amount of product for the face and the packaging is not clunky or oddly shaped. I definitely recommend this as a newbie just starting to use foundation primer :)

Maybe this product works for some people. I unfortunately did not have that experience.
Being somewhat new to makeup, I bought this product after not trying it at full price. Not a great idea.
I have very oily skin, and about an hour after applying my makeup over this primer, my skin is slippery and my makeup is sliding around. I use MUFE and other high end products, so I know that this must be the culprit.
To be fair, this is fast absorbing and lightweight and did not make me break out, but I have tried I have used other primers that work better. I won't buy this again.

This is the first primer I bought. I like it because my skin doesn't break-out and the make-up lasts longer. It's quite expensive and doesn't last that long if you use it everyday. In the Summer it is useless, as it won't hold with all the heat. Nonetheless, I'm happy with it and would buy it again.

After using up my whole bottle of MAC Prep + Prime primer (the one w/out the SPF), I figure I'd move on to another primer. After hearing so much about Smash Photo Finish, I thought I'd give it a try. I have combination, acne-prone skin, so I caved in & got the light version of that about a week ago. This primer is impressive, I must say, & was put to the test after a couple days ago. We've been having this crazy heat wave in California (reaching up to 110 degress where I live), and used this primer to keep my face makeup on. Lo & behold, my face withstood the heat & sunlight! My face stayed matte a few more hours than if I had used the MAC primer, which I was pleased with. Regardless, I still had to blot, but it was satisfying to know I could go on with my day without having to blot as much. The primer itself is pretty light & glides on to the skin, it sets pretty quickly. And best of all, no breakouts for me :) That is the true test for me, at least. One lippie off for the price. continued >>