Product Reviews Rated 4.42 out of 5 stars
666 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Best. Primer. Ever. I adore this product. I started using primer when I became fed up with blotting paper (my face gets shiny very easily) and loose powder to keep my makeup looking fresh, and I will never go back. This primer eliminates the need for any powder to set your foundation and keeps your makeup on all day, even in humid, 90 degree weather (hello, DC summers)! I have acne-prone skin, and this primer has never made me break out. In fact, I think it's slightly improved my break outs because I don't need to reapply as much makeup throughout the day, and it keeps my foundation from getting stuck in my pores. Bottom line: wonderful product.
Most Helpful Critical Review Disappointing for me, but does work for others I have very sensitive skin. This didn't irritate it. That's the only good thing I can say about the product for my personal use. That's why I gave it two stars; it did part of what it promised.
It did nothing to make my skin look smoother. For all the difference it made in smoothness, I could have skipped this product altogether.
The longer it was on my skin, the drier my dry skin became even with adequate moisturization as a base for it and moisturizing foundation and powder on top.
As a makeup artist, I have recommended this to women who need little help from a primer but do need help blocking oil breakthrough.
Reviewed by 666 customers I would always buy this product. 5
Janie from Hartselle, Alabama
Love Smashbox because it makes my foundation go on so smoothly and evenly. Would never think of putting on foundation without using Smashbox first!
Only product I use!!! Amazing under your foundation! 5
Joanie from Alabama
Would never use foundation without Photo Finish Super Light!
I love it!!! 5
Moco129 from Maine
I love this product, it's light and doesn't leave my face feeling greasy! My foundation has never gone on so smooth.
Oily Skin Life Saver! 5
Shea from USA
I bought this by accident instead of the smooth and blur primer (which moderately controlled my oil) and I ended up loving this more! It is perfect for oily skin and it doesn't make me break out!
Would buy again for sure! 5
Anne from New jersey
Spreads easily over face. Feels light weight, never greasy or heavy.
Didn't see results 2
Kristen from OH
I've used and loved other Smashbox primers and thought this one sounded great. This one did not work for me. My skin was left looking oily and I felt like my pores looked more visible because of it. Sad this one didn't work well.
A must have 5
Sony from Corona ca
I've used many primers, and I like the results for this primer, it does help minimize lines and pores, especially end of the day you can see pores with makeup buildup so far I haven't seen this. I use this with my smashbox foundation, very happy
Good primer for my skin 5
Alicia J from Arkansas
I use this primer, along with a few Peter Thomas Roth eye & skin products (these are the BEST, full of Vitamin C). I like the Smashbox primer the best though. This is the first time I've tried the "light version" and I like it even better than the original photo finish! Because, if I haven't exfoliated properly, the photo finish is heavier and tends to "pill up" the skin on my jawline & under, especially if I have put off a Dermaplaning appt. I'll be using this light version from now on.
Not for me. 3
ConstructionKate from Fresno, Ca
The texture was nice but immediately when I put on my face the areas turned pink. I returned. This was one of the approved primers from the skin care line my esthetician suggests. Had to go with hourglass.
smooth & silky 5
Addict of All New Products from Indiana
LOVE this primer. Smooth and silky and not heavy or greasy.
Great for oily t-zone 5
Mary from Oklahoma
This primer is super great if you get oily in the t-zone. It's non drying and helps prevent oil production throughout the day. I definitely recommend this product
Yes 4
Cathy from Herriman, UT
Is tali smooth
PERFECTION! 5
NellieSue10 from Wyoming
I love this product. It doesn't matter what type of foundation I use, this product always makes my skin look good.
love it 5
rocky from illinois
favorite primer i use it without make up too
switching to this! 5
kat from Naples, FL
I have been using this primer for a while and I HAD to write a review. I love it! I used to use Urban Decay's Optical Illusion but found the product to feel somewhat heavy. I lived by that primer until recently. Since switching, I noticed that I'm experiencing less breakouts and less dry patches on my skin, my makeup is staying in place, and my pores are being concealed nicely.
Not for everyone 1
Marcela from Thousand Oaks California
My friend and I purchased this primer. Yes my make up looked amazing but my skin was peeling. I went to the dermatologist and it was a chemical burn from smash box primer
Great primer! 5
Mrs. TRR from Mars Hill, NC
Favorite primer and I've tried a lot of them. Also my favorite Smashbox primer.
Love this primer! 5
luna from Ohio
I tried this primer when it was on sale for 21 Days Of Beauty. I'm so impressed! it keeps foundation on all day long and it works with pretty much any foundation. will buy again!
Not good for oily skin 1
Ccane from Dallas
I bought this after I read all the great reviews and I was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!! My face was Very oily after I put it on. It looked like I had put olive oil all over my face I will definitely return this product!!
Prime for better look 5
Jammie from Arlington, /TX
Under moisturizer and foundation my skin looks better. Also seems to increase the life of the foundation bottle because I use less.
Love it!!!! 5
stockton209 from Stockton, CA
I absolutely love this primer!!!! I have oily/combination skin. I have been on a mission trying out different primers and I have found the one with this one. After using it for two weeks now, I can strongly recommend this product for people with oily/combination skin.
This primer holds my foundation all day. When I first use this product, my foundation looks matte.
After four hours, my face gets a bit oily but my foundation looks satin matte - NOT A BUTTERY MESS!!!! I am so happy!!!!!
Awesome finished smooth look 5
Renata from Clayton,NC
Awesome product
Wish it would help heal acne in the primer 4
Little Big Red from North Carolina
I like it, but just wish it had ingredients to help clear acne up. I will buy again until something better comes out.
Not any better than moisturizer. 3
Carmelita from Texas
I've used this product religiously for 6 years because I've always had trouble getting my foundation to last all day. I have oily acne prone skin and this one came recommended to me 6 years ago. I never felt like it controlled my oily areas very well, and it didn't seem to help much with keeping my foundation from sliding off, but it feels good going on and my makeup does apply smoothly with it. I've used it all these years because everyone recommend priming first, and I really knew nothing about makeup at the time. After a while it became habit to use it.
Recently when I ran out of this stuff, I used a moisturizer with spf as my primer. I found that my makeup applied about the same, and (drumroll please) my makeup lasted ALL DAY even though I was sweating to death! When I got home I realized my makeup still looked great! I thought it was a fluke so I used only moisturizer under my foundation for the rest of the week and had the same results every day. WAY better than this primer.
Another fringe benefit? My acne completely disappeared. I was completely blown away by the results I got from NOT using this product!
I thoroughly wash my face to remove this stuff every night, but the dimethicone and other harsh ingredients this contains did my skin no favors at all. I see that now.
It's great that this works for so many people, but after using this for 6 years I'm glad I discovered how much this does NOT work for me. I will be sticking with my moisturizer instead. Better results and MUCH cheaper.
#1 Primer 5
Gracepete from Daytona beach fl
I use first thing to my skin ...then my foundation .goes on great
