Smashbox • Photo Finish Light • Primer/ Corrector

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elidee14 on 5/22/2013 2:56:00 PM more reviews by elidee14

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This did nothing for my extremely oily skin. When i first apply it it my skin feels really soft and looks matte but after an hour or so my skin gets oily and looks greasy.

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maiarinha on 5/5/2013 4:31:00 PM more reviews by maiarinha

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I don't think this primer does much for me. It's an ok primer but not a super nice one. Also I didn't notice my foundation lasting any longer with it, so I won't repurchase it, but I will use it up until is gone. :)

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fushigisushi on 4/21/2013 7:59:00 PM more reviews by fushigisushi

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

I had tried the regular Smashbox Photo Finish primer a few years back and thought it was okay and was intrigued when they came out with one which was for oily skin. Still not impressed. Although I dont notice more breakouts, I put this on in the morning under concealer and loose powder and am still shiny by midday. Will not be repurchasing.

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kattleya on 4/21/2013 12:09:00 AM more reviews by kattleya

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have combination skin where my forehead is oily and my cheek is normal with large pores around the nose area. So that said without primer that area will look greasy 4 hours after i put on my makeup. At first i didn't know the benefit of primer, all i know i just want something to minimise the oil. Then i researched for the best ones, many have said that this and Laura Mercier are great. But at the end i choose to buy this on Sephora because i asked the BA what's the best between those two for oily skin, she choose Smashbox.

I'm impressed with this because it does the job really well. I put on my makeup at 8am and by lunch my makeup is still shine free. It last like that until 5pm (with powder touch up), after that the oil starts to appear but in softly sheen so my face looks dewy not shiny. This primer works better with liquid foundation, and another good thing is it doesn't emphasize the dry patch. I apply this with fingers and apply my liquid foundation with stippling brush, so maybe that's why it doesn't emphasize the dry patch.

I bought this on August 2012, i still have half of the bottle left. I only use this on my oily spot and dotted it with my fingers. I like this better than Benefit's Porefessional. And in my opinion Smashbox has wider range of primer than any other brand. They have the purple and green colour which are great to color correct and reduce redness.

Would i buy this product again? yes definitely.

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Stefania09 on 4/20/2013 5:53:00 AM more reviews by Stefania09

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

My t-zone has been ridiculously oily lately. My makeup has been literally sliding off my face so i've been desperately searching for a primer to work some magic.
i went into Myer Melbourne after doing days of research and reading reviews and stopped at the KIT counter. The salesgirl highly recommended this Primer over all others including Too Faced as its oil free. at $52 i was very hesitant to buy until she advised i had 2 weeks to return it if it wasnt for me so i was sold.
i wanted to love this. and day 1, hours 1 to 3 i did. and then the makeup started sliding off my face. i tried every combination. dr brandt bb cream, eliss fass skin veil, studio fix, jane iredale powder foundation, no moisturiser, moisturiser, u name it. but alas, nothing helped. maybe if i was only slightly oily it would be the one but i returned it after 1 week and gladly got my money back. ordered arbonne from ebay for half the price so waiting on that to arrive (i have 14 days to return that also) :)

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sarahdude9 on 4/8/2013 8:13:00 PM more reviews by sarahdude9

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

This is my first primer. It didn't make my foundation stay on any longer or help my makeup look smoother. Luckily I only got a sample size.

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CathS on 4/6/2013 5:31:00 PM more reviews by CathS

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this primer! Smooth, velvety & silky texture. My pores looks so much smaller after i apply this (on my T-zone only) and it helps my makeup to stay in place! Also it makes my skin feel really soft!

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Princesseren on 3/24/2013 1:09:00 PM more reviews by Princesseren

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I got this because Sephora discontinued the primer I was using and the MUA recommended this as a substitute. I must say that I really like it. It is soft, matifying and reliable. It works well with a variety of foundations including long lasting ones and luminizing products. My only complaint is the price... for a primer $40 (canadian) is very expensive. Sephora's version was $25. But oh well! If you can afford it is definitely worth a shot.

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FlawlessRayne on 3/14/2013 8:59:00 PM more reviews by FlawlessRayne

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Love this primer! I live in Phoenix where its over 100 degrees over half the year. I have oily skin and have always had problems with makeup melting off my face because of the heat. however this primer make my makeup stay on full for 10-12 hours, even in the worst of summer time. Also before anytime id talk in my cellphone, id get oil and makeup on my smartphone screen but with this primer it doesnt happen. I always re purchase this primer and always will because of that. Price is rather high yes, but as they say "you get what you pay for".

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simplyashleyj on 3/5/2013 12:53:00 AM more reviews by simplyashleyj

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is hands down the best primer. It is the only one I have ever tried that's worked. It helps to even my skin tone, smooth my skin, and keep the oils at bay throughout the day.
Another great thing is that it doesn't take a lot so the product lasts long. To me, finding a product that will actually keep my makeup on is worth the high price tag.
I will continue to rebuy this as long as I wear foundation. Holy freaking grail.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

xannieee on 3/2/2013 9:55:00 PM more reviews by xannieee

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

I've used this for half a year and I think $36 is a lot for a primer, but it's so worth it's money. It doesn't feel greasy or anything and it keeps my makeup on for a long time. It doesn't break me out and I would definitely buy this over and over because that's how much I love it.

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SarahB07 on 1/31/2013 1:26:00 AM more reviews by SarahB07

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

First and only primer!
Yes that's a little silly to admit but if something works why change it?
My skin is very dry and sensitive/acne prone so when searching for a primer I did quite a bit of researching and realized this one was my best bet (quality/price/hype considered).
And it was a winner! Great feeling and no real smell.
I put this on after my moisturizer has soaked in for about 30mins and wait 2 mins before foundation application. It smooths my skin, fills in lines and of course adheres my foundation and makes it last for a long time.
One package lasts about 6 months and the price is far. Has never broken me out or caused irritation, in fact it's a great barrier between your face and your foundation etc.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kuchka on 1/25/2013 9:17:00 PM more reviews by kuchka

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

I love this primer. I feel I jumped on the primer bandwagon late, but since using this Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light; I see what a difference a primer can make. My make goes on smooth and looks fresh! Love this primer. It is pricey, but well worth it!

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romagrey on 1/6/2013 4:37:00 AM more reviews by romagrey

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This primer confuses me so much!
It is the first primer that I have ever used.
I have an oily t-zone, and prior to trying primer, I would look like a hot mess by 1 or 2pm, cakey from having to powder so often, streaky from my foundation separating and somehow, still oily.
Upon using this primer, I am no longer oily, and I now need to powder my face about 90% less often. My foundation goes considerably less streaky, and only really separates under my nose now which is the most common place for that to happen on anybody. I also feel like it is nice and light on my skin and doesn't clog my pores too much,, and it is also really fast drying.

BUT, and there are a few buts. When I purchased this primer I was told, "oh you only need a tiny microscopic drop and it just covers your whole face." This is very unture, as I have to use about four times the amount I was specified to even get it to move across my skin, and this is after moisturizer (I literally cannot blend foundation at all on top of this primer without moisturizer). It is a very stiff formula. However the amount I was told to use could just have been salesperson lies. Also, you have to move very fast when applying foundation, and you can only apply foundation on top of it with a kabuki (buffing) or stippling brush or it just wont blend. I also find it makes it a little bit tricky to apply some concealers after foundation. I have no issues with powder, brozner or blusher with this primer however I have had liquid highlighter issues with again, blending.

OVERALL, this primer does what it claims and I have never been more matte and my make up has never lasted longer or looked better towards the end of the day, baring in mind though it is the first primer I have tried. However it doesn't glide over your skin easily and make blending a lot more difficult, and applying concealer and liquid highlighter more tricky. I almost feel as though I should try the normal photo finish primer and see if it makes me matte and doesn't clog my pores without the blending issues, but don't want to buy it just a sample -_-. Anyway hope this helps you guys it is good, overall.

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enebish on 12/21/2012 9:36:00 PM more reviews by enebish

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Olive, Cool   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I have VERY oily skin.. I'm usually an oily mess after an hour or two after wash. Before this primer, i used to blot every 2 hours.

This stuff dries pretty quickly. So there's no "wait 5-10 mins after primer" thing needed. With this primer and MAC's Studio Fix, i stayed looking flawless for about 6 hours. I blotted and then i was good for another 6 hours. That it pretty amazing for me.

The price is a bit expensive $37. I will still be trying different primers and try to find a cheaper one.

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Sunflower5418 on 12/13/2012 6:29:00 PM more reviews by Sunflower5418

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Unlike the original SB primer which is silicone based this one is water based. I know some people like it because it is lighter and might be better for oily skin, but I found that It didn't really do anything at all. I didn't get the same smoothing effect from it as i did the original SB primer. I gave it a two because it didn't do anything bad, but it didn't do anything good either.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

junelove on 11/20/2012 5:18:00 PM more reviews by junelove

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I really really like this primer. I originally bought the small travel size version that Sephora sells in the little bins near the checkout counter, but as soon as I was done with that one I went back for another. It lasted me a really long time, mind you I rarely use foundation all over my face so a primer is not necessary. I was (and still am) only using it under my eyes before I apply concealor and it has given me amazing results! If you are finding that it doesn't keep your skin looking matte all day, you could always try the urban decay all nighter spray which is primarily designed for that specific reason!

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beauty1204 on 10/26/2012 12:09:00 AM more reviews by beauty1204

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

As a reference, I have oily skin, noticeable pores on my nose, small wrinkles under my eyes (nooo!) and sometimes rough, bumpy texture on my forehead. I apply this to my t-zone and very lightly under my eyes after moisturizing and prior to foundation and concealer. This primer provides a smooth canvas for makeup application. I do notice that my makeup looks nicer when I have this on. It also fills in my pores and fine lines under my eyes. Unfortunately, this product does not keep my skin matte all day, like Smashbox claims. It keeps it matte for about 2 hours before oil starts to peak through. Also, the texture of my skin starts to look less smooth after about 5 hours of wear. Since I'm out and about at least 10 hours a day, I wouldn't repurchase this. The price is not worth how long it lasts. Lastly, although this product is marketed to people with oily, acne-prone skin, I think it would work better for people with normal to dry skin.

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sevel on 10/17/2012 5:37:00 AM more reviews by sevel

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I have a love hate relationship with this product. So I'm breaking my review down into two - PRODUCT - PACKAGING.

PRODUCT: The product itself is amazing. My make up doesn't budge when I use this and it really is my "go to" primer. Before this I had tried MAC's prep and prime and it broke me out all over my face! This product goes on beautifully is super silky and keeps my face looking nice and matte all day.

PACKAGING: I'm not sure what's going on at Smashbox HQ but the change in packaging is quite annoying and I still don't think they've mastered it. The first one I bought came in a pump type bottle- I didn't really like this as I felt a lot of the product towards the end was wasted and you wouldn't be able to get out - which is annoying considering how pricey this is in Australia $60. Then the packaging changed to a tube which helps get all the product out but I still think you end up wasting a lot of product towards the end - I will say being able to cut the end off the new tube means you can scoop out those last little pits but again you do end up wasting some product. Perhaps a tub form would be better?!

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Gabriela99 on 10/16/2012 10:57:00 PM more reviews by Gabriela99

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the only primer I have used. the first times I used it with a moisturizer for normal skin and this combination did not work for so I stopped using it. It just made my skin look dry. However when I changed to a moist. for dry skin it worked amazing!! I do have kind of dehydrated skin but very acne prone, but after changing moist. and together with this primer my makeup sits perfectly and skin looks smooth and has a perfect "shine". - does not look oily nor dry at all. I would defo buy this again but still curious to try other primers....

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