Smashbox • Photo Finish Primer • Primer/ Corrector

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*TOP REVIEWER* Therealslayergrrl on 12/22/2012 11:19:00 AM more reviews by Therealslayergrrl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I don't understand all the hype with this product. It doesn't make my skin flawless all it does is leave me an oily mess. My foundation slides right off my face. I've tried numerous different ways of applying it. patting, t-zone, and all over. It never worked for me. And at that price I can't afford to buy a product that makes me super oily and makes my foundation slide off my face.

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hondafan1122 on 12/14/2012 12:59:00 AM more reviews by hondafan1122

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

I don't really know what all the hype is about this product. I know it's "award winning" but I don't like it one bit. The consistency is a bit weird, and it gets to the point where it stops coming out of the pump. I've had to take off the pump and try and get some primer directly out of the bottle using a q-tip. It feels weird when I try and put my foundation on top of it. I gave my bottle away to a family member who said she didn't mind using the rest of it...

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Sunflower5418 on 12/13/2012 6:21:00 PM more reviews by Sunflower5418

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

This is my favorite primer of all. It is silicone based so when I put it one it feels like velvet. With other primers that are water based I feel like they don't do anything (besides maybe pill up when I put foundation on). My makeup glides over this primer so easily and it helps keep its in place all day! I know some people with oily skin say it increases their oil, but I have not experienced that at all.

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dieffenbachia on 12/4/2012 1:32:00 PM more reviews by dieffenbachia

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

My friend swears by this; I don't. My friend is normal/combination; I am acne-prone.
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Ultimately, I think this will be an HG for some people because it works well with their skin, but not for oily or acne-prone skin types.
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I tried this out and firstly it balled up into little bits (maybe I put too much on) when I applied foundation over the top.
During the day my face became an oil-slick and so my foundation slid off.
Finally, after using for about a week, I found that it appeared to clog me and cause me to have little lumps and bumps under my skin.
Not for me.
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A good serum can work just as well as a primer. I like Olay Regenerist but sadly this is also causing me to break-out. My PC resist hydrator is probably the best primer for me: it doesn't quite do the best pore-filling or smoothing effect like specific primers, but on the flipside, it doesn't clog my pores.

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DellaSimone on 11/23/2012 10:24:00 PM more reviews by DellaSimone

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

PROS: I never used primer until I received a free sample of Photo Finish Primer last year from Sephora. Then - my face cleared up; it smoothed; makeup looked better - I LOOKED better! Most of us girls know this is the best primer on the market. Whether you prefer the regular Photo Finish primer (like me), or the light version (also very popular), you WILL notice a difference in the appearance of your face - a cleaner, more youthful appearance with makeup that lasts a heck of alot longer than applying it bareback. :D

CONS: PRICE!

SUMMARY: Every single makeup-wearing woman (and man!) should be wearing a primer under their makeup. Also, did you know that Smashbox also gives tips to try this product as a hair smoother? It does work rather well in a pinch! 5 stars.

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*TOP REVIEWER* kikidoll27 on 11/23/2012 4:18:00 PM more reviews by kikidoll27

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is one of the most popular primers out there. There's a ton of hype surrounding it- which was why I wanted to buy it. Thank God my friend had a tube of it laying around, or else I would have wasted my money on it! I stayed at her house a few weeks ago and forgot my makeup bag on my dresser (oh, the shame...). She let me go through her makeup stash and use whatever I needed, which was only this. I normally would never review something that I've only used once, but, oh my gosh. Worst breakout of my life! My entire cheek was enflamed in under the skin blemishes. Not only did it hurt, it was nearly impossible to conceal, even with my beloved Rimmel Match Perfection. The only reason I gave this two lippies is because it glided on so smoothly and seemed to 'fill in' my pores, which now I realize was just the product clogging them. I told me friend, and she says she loves this product, but she has noticed that she's been breaking out more lately...a result of this? We're not sure. All I know is this isn't for me, and I wouldn't recomend it to anyone who's acne prone like I am.

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JeniRyder on 11/22/2012 2:29:00 PM more reviews by JeniRyder

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Black    

Very smooth primer that makes all my foundations work well on my skin.
Helps even out my skin and let my foundation cover my acne areas better without breaking me out even further.
Unfortunately, it’s very pricey, and the ELF Mineral Face Primer is a good dupe for it.

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mizzcremedelacreme on 11/14/2012 7:22:00 PM more reviews by mizzcremedelacreme

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

This product is ok. I asked the SA at Sephora for a good primer because i ran out of my MAC prep and prime primer and wanted to try something different. She told me that this is a nice primer because it goes on smoothly because of the silicone in the product and it's long lasting. She was right, it does go on smoothly, but I never saw any amazing results from this as far as lasting power. I really dont think it's anything special really. I would probably get the same results with a drug store primer like Revlon's. It didn't break me out or anything which is good, but once again, it wasn't worth $30. NOTHING special! Their healthy fx foundation is AMAZING though. Perfect for me. So i love Smashbox. Just not this particular product.

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ativaneyes on 11/4/2012 12:21:00 PM more reviews by ativaneyes

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I'm giving this two lippies only because it really is velvety smooth and does make foundation application slightly easier and makes my pores less visible.
that being said, every single time i have worn this, i have broken out with 1-4 huge, painful, deep cystic pimples. i know that it is this product causing the cysts because they occur within 1-3 days after wearing it and it was the only change on my makeup routine. not to mention, the cysts were mostly on my cheeks, where i NEVER, EVER get pimples. they take weeks to come to the surface and then leave a huge purplish dark blemish on my very fair skin. it's taken over six months of daily exfoliation and bi-weekly 20% salicylic acid peels for these bad boys to fade.
i have learned my lesson and will never use silicone on my face again!

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ericasurvive on 10/15/2012 7:54:00 PM more reviews by ericasurvive

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Although this primer is fairly pricey, it is amazing. It glides on my face super smoothly and makes my foundation look even more amazing!

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*TOP REVIEWER* blondebohemian on 9/30/2012 9:19:00 PM more reviews by blondebohemian

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I used this for about a year - it is a great primer in terms of easing the application of foundation and making it last longer. Initially, it gave my skin a velvety feel, which I loved. It made it incredibly easy for my make up to glide on flawlessly.

However, while it did not give me break outs, I noticed that over time it was affecting my skin (little white bumps, a lack of that natural glow). My skin felt clogged. I stopped using the Smashbox primer, and switched to Laura Mercier Radiance (which does not clog up my skin).

This is relatively pricey. 36 dollars for 1 oz - but you can cut the tube in half and make sure you get all the product out..

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*TOP REVIEWER* LookingGood85 on 9/24/2012 12:21:00 AM more reviews by LookingGood85

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I used to use the light version and adored it, it still is one of my faves! But I now use Urban Decays tightening primer as its more within my price range. Anyhow, rebought my beloved Halo powder from smashbox online and was given a delux sample of this primer and also a sachet of it in the Halo box. Gave it a shot, have worn it each day for about 5 days. It's very velvety to touch, all the silicones I guess. My makeup applied like a dream (as I knew it would) and lasted, it seemed, forever! So I gets to yesterday, and I start feeling painful lumps under my skin near my nose and on my chin. My two danger zones for acne. I havnt had a breakout from a product in ages, but this seems to have caused a lovely breakout :-( painful spots have appeared, and I'm now having to slather my Duac cream on to get rid of them :-( the primer is the only change in my usual routine this past month or so, so it can't be anything else. To be truthful, my skin DOES feel a little suffocated with this primer on, feels too heavy for me, guess it clogged my pores instantly!

Great product if you don't have acne prone or sensitive skin! If you do, give the lit version a try or the UD brightening and tightening primer :-)

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phoebeweatherfield on 9/23/2012 12:27:00 AM more reviews by phoebeweatherfield

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

This product does what I want primer to do: keeps my makeup in place throughout a long day at work. No, it hasn't improved my skin (though it certainly hasn't made it worse), nor does it feel like a particularly luxurious part of my routine, but it gets the job done, and it's a good choice if you have pretty normal skin and are looking for a no-fuss, basic primer that will keep your foundation in place and looking pretty fresh throughout the day. It doesn't feel heavy or greasy, and I actually kind of like the texture. Plus, I appreciate that it doesn't have a strong scent (I hate when products meant to be used on my face have a ton of fragrance-I always feel like I can practically taste it). I might need to switch to a more moisturizing primer in the winter, but for now, this one does what I need it to do.

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helenquinnmakeup on 9/17/2012 5:56:00 PM more reviews by helenquinnmakeup

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I was very lucky with this product, as a local charity shop had done a deal with one of the shopping channels and were selling off loads of brand new make up at 50p a product. I snapped up about £15 worth of stuff, including this awesome primer.
I'd never really understood the need for a primer that doesnt illuminate, but this one has me totally convinced. It completely minimises the appearance of pores, makes foundation look much better and feels velvety smooth on the skin.
It was a complete bargain and i'd defo pay full whack for it next time.

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chantalily on 9/9/2012 5:00:00 PM more reviews by chantalily

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

Great product from a trusted company that doesn't test their products on animals. This product benefits both the skin and makeup. If you don't think your skin or ethics are worth spending a little extra on, go ahead and buy the cheap stuff.

The best thing about a primer is that you only need a tiny bit for it to do its job. If you find your face too oily after the application, you've applied too much!

I use a primer because it sets the canvas for my foundation. Applying makeup is like building anything; it's essential that you start with a strong foundation in order to keep anything you build on top of it strong. Especially if you use bronzer, blush, a highlighter, etc. on top of your foundation. If you're a busy woman constantly on the go, it's an investment to use a primer to make your makeup last all day. I personally do not have the time to reapply my makeup every 3-4 hours.

The bottom line is that a primer is definitely an investment. This primer will save you time, makeup, your skin and the environment. How awesome?

Just remember to apply a little bit at a time, as needed. You'll have this primer for awhile.

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*TOP REVIEWER* angellove1705 on 9/7/2012 3:00:00 PM more reviews by angellove1705

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I was not fond of this. The primer felt funny smoothing on and left my skin a little greasy. I am not really sure if this helped my makeup any longer. I did notice that I looked a little more shiny then usual. For me I do not see the hype.

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*TOP REVIEWER* AntiqueGlitter on 9/6/2012 7:20:00 PM more reviews by AntiqueGlitter

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

People who think primers are a marketing scam haven't tried this primer.
Photo Finish is a staple in my everyday makeup routine.
It doesn't fill in lines or pores like it claims to (get Benefit The POREfessional or L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base for that), but I would definitely rate this is as one of the best primers ever invented.
Without this primer, my foundation would look caked-on and obvious.
Without this primer, my foundation would melt off.
Without this primer, my face would be mega-oily by the end of the day.
How do I know that? Because today, I left out this primer from my makeup routine just to see how effective it really was--before I did this no-primer test today, I just wore it just for the sake of wearing it. I didn't know how it effected my makeup--until today, of course.
What's even better is that it's oil-free!
And now I know that I CANNOT live without this primer! Clearly, it deserves its special place in my daily makeup routine. (: It's no wonder that Kendall Jenner loves this!
It doesn't even matter to me anymore that it costs $36 for a 1 oz. tube--this is my HG! After I finish this tube, I'm definitely getting the 1.7 oz. tube next.
But I should note that the fact that you hardly need any product at all really does justify its price. You only need a pea-sized drop for your entire face, so with everyday use, an entire tube should last you for at least half a year. So far I've had my tube for almost a year and there's still a pretty good amount left.

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EloiseLuciax on 8/31/2012 1:34:00 AM more reviews by EloiseLuciax

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I absoloutly love this product. I've tried so many primers and this hands down is the best! I got mine on eBay for a bargain price but I'd splurge on this as i only use a tiny amount and I always got complimented that my skin looks great when I use it.

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erovero on 8/26/2012 4:29:00 AM more reviews by erovero

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best primer I have ever used. I have tried other ones, like from Bare Escentuals, but this has worked best for me. It makes my skin feel super soft, make-up glides on with it and stays on way better. It is pretty expensive, but just a little goes a long way.

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bblopez64 on 8/22/2012 5:00:00 PM more reviews by bblopez64

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is an awesome primer. It leaves your face silky smooth! It makes application of foundation look and feel smoother. You can actually feel the texture difference if you apply your foundation with your fingers. I always get compliments on how my face looks when I use this primer along with any foundation. It really helps for my dry skin because it covers up dry areas and doesn't make them noticeable when I use foundation. I love it and it is absolutely worth the price!

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