Product Reviews Rated 4.44 out of 5 stars
1731 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review A Love Story from an Acne Prone Gym Goer PHOTO: The attached photo is after approximately 12 hours of wear on a naturally oily face, and an extremely sweaty workout.
I have fallen in love with this product as well as the eye primer. I went to Ulta in search for a new foundation because I thought that my Tarte, powder foundation couldn't handle sweat (I walk a mile to and from my office in Florida) because it would embed in creases and looked horrible. Boy was I wrong!
I asked an employee to recommend a new foundation that would work better for sweat, oily, and acne prone skin. She told me that my current foundation is what she would recommend, but that I should you a primer. I must confess, I thought she was a bit crazy, but now I am a BELIEVER in the wonder that is Photo Finish Primer.
How I use it and what I use it with:
I cleansed and moisturized my face, applied the primer with my fingertips, applied my foundation (Tarte Airbrush full coverage), blush, and Tarte Smooth Operator (this likely contributed to my good experience).
I went about my day, including the gym where I SWEAT WATERFALLS down my face. When I got to my car and looked in the mirror, I was in shock to see that my makeup was still fairly FLAWLESS! After all of the sweat my face had less of a matte finish and more of a dewy finish, but my personal results have been amazing. If anything changes I will update this review.
Most Helpful Critical Review Not for Oily Skin This is the worst primer I have ever used.
I have an oily tzone, makeup slides off my nose very easily. I use Estee Lauder's Doublewear makeup and needed something to prime with.
Previously, I had been using Benefit's Porefessional, which is decent for dabbing on problem pore areas.
I bought sample of the smashbox primer, because everyone raved about it on Youtube.
I found it applied fine and made makeup apply smoothly. BUT It actually descreased the wear time I got from my Doublewear. My nose was an oil slick by 3 hours in the work day.
It also caused me to break out around my chin. I never break out and I'm not too sensitive to products, but this did cause small bumps to pop up.
I have found a primer that works, however. Loreal's Infalliable Setting spray is a dream. Spritz before makeup, apply face, spritz again. Done! It leaves your skin looking doll like, a plus for my heavy coverage makeup. It also set my nose makeup perfectly. No sliding.
Reviewed by 1731 customers Favorite primer EVER!! 5
Jen from Eastern Idaho
This is the best primer I've used. I have pretty prominent pores & am starting to get a few wrinkles & when I wear this I feel like I look years younger. It's lightweight & stays put
I would buy it again 5
Chelly from Palm Springs, CA
Really makes skin look smooth
One of the best primers 5
Coco from Houston
I have large pores and still figuring out how to help and conceal them. I've always wanted to try Smashbox primers and this was amazing!
Hands down this is the best primer 5
Tootie from Sun City West AZ
Applied after moisturizer this product makes your foundation go on so smoothly
Photo finish smooth & blur oil free primer 5
Camry from Jax
I will buy this again in larger size. This primer works very well and I feel it hides my pores better then anything else I've tried
Nope 1
Max mom from Virginia
This felt super oily when applying to my face and made my makeup feel slippery putting it on. I didn't like this one. Returned it.
I love and will buy again 5
Brookiepix from Columbia MO
So smooth and not tacky love it
50/50 3
lydfra from Marlton NJ
I loved how it made my face was so soft and felt very smooth. Only downside was the acne breakout. It made me break out big time. I am very nervous to try it again.
This is the only Primer I WILL EVER BUY!!!!! 5
Gen from NEW YORK
Perfect. Makeup lasts longer and gives me beautiful skin. easy to apply. skin looks flawless.
To oily don't like it 1
Nan from Lawrenceville NJ
The product was oily not happy
Greasy feeling 3
Lainer from Albuquerque, NM
I was hoping this primer had more of a matte/blurring quality, but it feels greasy/oily and I have to wait until it dries before applying my make up. Also, this size is so tiny, It should be a free sample not something to purchase.
Meh 3
Denise from New Braunfels TX
I bought this to fill in some fine lines on my forehead so my makeup doesn't settle into them. Well it really doesn't help with that. It's slick and maybe thats why. I am on the hunt for one that will fill the lines. It would be good for other uses. Didn't break me out so that's a plus.
Sample to future purchase 5
Miranda G. from Arkansas
I received a sample of this with a recent ulta order. After I used it and IMMEDIATELY added the full size to my list. I love the way this helps your foundation blend. Feels so silky and smooth on your skin. Not fragrant at all. I hate makeup with overbearing scents. I have a primer I'm trying to use up then will definitely look into purchasing this one.
Good primer 4
TMA from California
This primer is good, than most.
Best one ever 5
Maggie from Dallas TX
I've been using it for 4 years and I still love it
Love! 5
Clcarder03 from Olive Branch, MS
Love this stuff!
Little dots of foundation 2
Sendab from Earth
At first my makeup looked amazing…but 30 mins later I had dots of foundation all on my face that wouldn't budge! It looked absolutely disgusting close up and I had to leave (couldn't fix it before leaving) chunky under the eye just nasty looking. This is the 2nd time this has happened. First time I thought it was my foundation but this is new foundation and same nasty finish.
Not good 3
Jgermann from Xenia
I loved the feel of this product, but it did NOT blur my pores. My foundation still settled into my pores, and after 5 hours of wear, I had dots of foundation sitting on top of my pores. it looked just okay far away, but up close it was pretty bad.
Amazing Primer! 5
eli from Pa
This is definitely my favorite primer, it doesn't irritate my fairly sensitive skin and makes my skin/foundation look flawless.
PRIME PHOTOFINISH 3
GRAPECOLA from Mt. Pleasant
Smash box is a TOP quality brand! RECOMMEND!
silky face 5
queenie from TEXAS
love the feel.... light and silky
Great product. 5
Grammy from MID WEST
I searched for a product for aging skin and Smashbox kept coming up. It is well worth the $$. After applying this primer, my make-up went on so smooth and did not creep into fine lines. Very pleased with is and will also try the make-up.
GREAT PRODUCT! 5
Ann from Florida
This product goes on smooth and does everything it says hides lines smooths pores for a photo finished look! I highly recommend it!
Great product 5
Queenz from Tucson, Az
Really minimized the appearance of my pores! My makeup went on so smoothly!
Primer 5
Di from Alabama
The BEST primer ever
