Product Reviews Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
3455 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review I no longer melt!!!! Not to sound dramatic, but this primer made me cry tears of joy! Today was the first time in over 6 years that I didn't have to powder my face every 30 minutes while wearing makeup.
My face became quite oily in my early 20's (thanks genetics). We're not talking minor oiliness, but full face oil slick within about an hour of makeup application no matter what primers, powders, sprays, foundation, or skin care products were used (and I've tried dozens). Nothing worked well & to make matters worse, my office temp varies drastically which means every 30 minutes or so, I have to reapply powder so by the end of the work day I look cakey or like I'm melting. Add to that a chemical SPF sensitivity in a world where everything has SPF in it & your options become limited. This primer was a last ditch effort to remedy my extremely oily skin.
I went in with understandably low expectations. After prepping my face, I applied this primer fairly liberally and let it absorb. Within 30 seconds, I felt my skin start tightening & after it had fully absorbed I touched my face. to my absolute shock & amazement, my skin felt soft but not at all oily. it felt normal! Overjoyed, I applied the rest of my makeup but held off on using all of the oil control powders/sprays that are usually a necessity. After 3 hours, my matte foundation was still 100% matte! I didn't have to apply powder until the 9hr mark and only had to do so lightly! After 12 long hours of wear, my makeup looked the same as when I had applied it. It didn't look cakey and hadn't gathered in various creases. My matte foundation was shine free for the first time ever after a full day of wear & that alone was so liberating I cried.
While I'm a little displease regarding the high cost for such a small amount of product, this primer has changed the way I view makeup as a whole. Also note that if you have any textured skin, this product will make it pop out more. Still, if you have oily skin I'd 100% recommend this.
Most Helpful Critical Review A little bit doesn't go a long way I've been using this product for one week. It's noticeably different in texture than the other Smashbox primers. Lighter feel than the original, not as powdery as the pore minimizer. It doesn't spread onto my face as easily as the others, it seems to absorb with one swipe of a finger. I need to use more of the product to cover my face than I typically did with the others. It's worth mentioning that this product does contain salicylic acid, so if you're using other acne products, be careful not to dry out your skin. I've noticed that my face it a bit less oily midday; my after-lunch oil blotting requires fewer sheets. I do like that it doesn't pill when putting make-up on top like the pore minimizer formula, and that might be enough for me to buy it again. I like it, I'm just not sure which formula I like best! I suggest trying the testers in an Ulta store before choosing a primer, if you're unfamiliar.
Reviewed by 3455 customers Didn't live up to the hype for my extremely oily skin. 2
Miranda from Ohio
I have the oiliest skin of anyone I know, and I'm not just being dramatic. When this was on sale for the 21 Days of Beauty, I jumped to order it due to its great reviews. I don't believe in writing reviews after trying something like this 2-3 times, but I did give it a good week or two and I noticed my skin to be more oily than with the other primer I typically use. Will not repurchase and wish I would've returned it.
I LOVE IT! 5
Jaime from Virginia
This is by far the best primer I have used to date. It has made a big difference in the way my make up looks on my face.
I don't understand the hype, 1
Brandy from Ohio
This is not a great primer for me, not bad but I don't really notice a difference with it. It's overpriced & You have to use twice as much as any other primer I've ever tried. Original photo finish primer is way better for the same price. This does nothing special at all to control oil.
Amazing Primer by far 5
LoriQ from West Palm Beach, FL
After applying my eye cream, and my moisturizer, I apply this primer. I either use with or without foundation. Depends on my mood at the time.
Will buy again. 5
Did. from Dothan, AL
I apply this after I moisturize and before foundation.
Leaves your skin flawless😍 4
GisselXo from California
Get the full size you won't regret
Mixed feelings... 3
Bec from MN
I wanna like this product... I really do. But it's definitely not a primer that you can wear alone when you're running late because It leaves white smudges on your face that are noticeable. You can cover up the smudges with makeup. HOWEVER, it does control my oily face for around 7 to 8 hours, but I do need to touch up my face with a powder around 7 hours to control the oil. Overall good for a half day worth of makeup if you're trying to control oil - but keep in mind the white smudges it leaves and it is not a 24 hour oil control fix!
OVERJOYED!!!!!!! 5
Happy Customer! from Atlanta Georgia
I've been trying out countless primers and this is by far the best! I have oily skin and I facial sweat(yuck) so by the end of the day or sooner my makeup disappears. Not only does the makeup stay on my face, it's still nice and matte just like I've always wanted! I am so happy this came in the mail as a sample lol! Literally changed the game for my makeup days! Don't matter the price I'm buying!
In love with this product 5
Iselabby from 90255
My new fave. My makeup looks very great when I put this product on.
love this 5
batgirlpa from pa
Never will I waste money on cheap primer again! Pricey yes worth it absolutely.
Would never use this again 1
Mary from Mechanicsburg, PA
Made my face break out so bad, and didn't even control the shine at all
Better than most... 4
Rocksteadygirl from Orange County, CA
I have tried countless primers to control my oily skin. If there's a top 10 list or a YouTube tutorial, I have tried it! I can't seem to find that holy grail. On a whim, I tried the travel size Smashbox "Minimize Pores" primer. I have to say it is the first primer I have used an entire container of in quite a while. It was very good at making my makeup last, but oiliness was still a problem. This one (Oil & Shine Control) seemed like it might work better for my needs. I could not find the travel size and you can't get samples due to COVID, so I crossed my fingers and sprung for the big one. This version is also great at making my makeup last, but on day one, I was still quite oily. I decided to continue using it because sometimes your skin needs time to acclimate. I am on day 3 and I still see oil and blot/powder about 3 times throughout the day, but my makeup looks so good,
even after 12 hours of wear, that I am going to continue to use it and see what the next week or so brings. So far though, I have been impressed with both primers over any others. Wish me luck!
It controls the oil in my face and my makeup stays in place 5
Near from Great Bend Ks
Please do not stop making this product!!! It works so well on my Oily face.
New favorite! 5
FullCoverageSally from Arizona
I love this because my glasses tend to hit a part of my cheek and rub a little makeup off, doesn't happen when I have this on 😭
IN REALITY, ZERO STARS!!!! 1
Belle from Cary, NC
Did nothing except for cause my skin to be red, burning feeling and itchy!!! DO NOT BUY!!! Returned next day and got a full refund.
Highly Recommend! 5
DEANNA from NY
I highly recommend this Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control to any consumer interested in purchasing. This item has became part of my regular makeup routine. The product is of good quality but is extremely overpriced for the small quantity.
Works! 5
Mary from New York
This fills in my pores and takes away the shine without over drying.
Works great!! 5
Jenny from Riverside, CA
I have to say, this product is great! It really does control the oil and shine on your skin, I would definitely recommend.
Doesn't live up to the hype 3
Kay from Indiana
I was super excited to try this but am a little disappointed. It does nothing to control oil & shine. I've tried a few different foundations on top of it knowing that could make a difference but it did not make any changes.
Not as good as I hoped 2
sdl123 from Baltimore MD
I thought this would be better at controlling my oil and shine. My cheap primer works better. It's not bad, just not as good as I thought for the price.
Worst primer I've ever used 1
Izzy from Los Angeles
I bought this during the ulta sale. This thing leaves a white milky residue and foundation stains and cakes up where you apply this primer. Waste of $
I will definitely buy this product again. 4
Awesome A from TN
This is a very good product for oily skin.
I finally found the perfect primer 5
batgirl pa from pa
Hot and humid in PA this primer works! No blotting all day. Expensive yes but the small amount you use this will last quite awhile.
Maybe I'm too oily? 2
Cheryl from Bend Oregon
I'm on the ever ending search for a product that will keep my shiny and oily face minimized for at least 4 hours. Unfortunately by the time my 2 PM zoom meeting started I was super shiny. I may be on the extreme of oil and shiny. I haven't found anything yet that works.
No I wouldn't buy this again 3
Debbie from Long Beach
I really didn't notice it controlling my oil & my pores looked the same I have really oily sensitive skin didn't break me out. The smashbox pore minimizer primer did better in keeping me matte and poreless for more hours
