Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars
605 Reviews
I was pretty excited to try this out! I have normal to dry skin, more on the drier side with some extremely dry areas. For me, a lot of primers don't seem to make a huge difference unless they're hydrating. But, I do like using setting sprays because I don't like using powders since I feel they just make my skin look dry and/or cakey. So, seeing this product - an 8-in-1 primer essence - I was excited! It claims to be a multi-tasking spray with silkscreen complex, black rose, and peony. It's supposed to help balance skin by boosting hydrating and strengthening it against the environment. It claims to have 8 skin-loving, making-perfecting benefits It has a really nice sprayer on it. It is a nice, even, soft mist. It doesn't feel like it's soaking you, spitting you in the face, or that it's spraying unevenly. I didn't notice a scent of any kind. I do feel like this does help prep and prime my skin for makeup. I think whether you will feel like this does prep and primer your skin for makeup, it will depend on what you want for priming. For me, I want something that adds hydration and gives my skin a smooth base that isn't going to cause any pilling or unevenness. This does that. It doesn't fill pores or anything like that, but it doesn't claim to. It works well under makeup. I was able to apply makeup over it without any issues and it worked well with all my different products. It does give my skin a nice amount of hydration. I apply my moisturizer in the morning with my skin care. Sometimes I don't apply my makeup until an hour or more later, so I need an extra boost of hydration. I like to use a hydrating spray to kind of re-moisturize. This does that really well. I don't feel the need to apply more moisturizer after. It feels nice and refreshing on the skin. It doesn't feel heavy, thick, or sticky at all. I do find this also helps refresh makeup when I need it. If I have added powder and my makeup is looking dry, o can spray some of this on to get rid of that dry, powdery look. Or, if I need to apply more concealer or something later and don't want to re-do my whole face, I can spray some of this on and it allows me to apply more concealer, blend it out, and it doesn't look cakey or weird. I used this as a setting spray too. I do feel it works nice as a setting spray. It isn't my favorite for a setting spray. But, my makeup lasts nicely with it. It lasts for an 8 hour day without looking bad. But, I don't feel like it goes beyond that. For setting spray, I just reach for one of my go-tos. But, I love this for before my makeup routine, throughout my makeup routine, and to refresh my makeup. If you're looking for a spray that will hydrate your skin before makeup application and work well with your makeup, I'd recommend this. If you're like me and you like to use a hydrating spray throughout your makeup application process - after applying foundation, after applying powders, at the end to melt it all together, etc. - I'd definitely recommend this! If you like a hydrating spray to refresh your makeup during the day that won't ruin your makeup and will work well, I'd recommend this. This does set makeup, but I don't feel it does great after 8 hours. So, if you're looking for a setting spray that will last past 8 hours, I wouldn't recommend this. But, I recommend it for everything else I said!
One thing I don't take lightly is my skincare and makeup routine. So I was pretty excited to try this out complementary of Influenster. I'll start out by syaing that I have a combination of dry to oily skin (dry without moisturizer, foundation and makeup make my skin look greasy the longer the wear), and while I do love the concept of an 8-in-1 product that Smashbox was going with this, I did feel as the day dragged on that I was missing something due to my skin combination. The Smashbox Photo Finish Revitalize is engineered to replace some of your serums and moisturizers to shorten your skin care routine with the added bonus of prepping and priming your skin for your makeup. As the day wears however, I found the formula to be too dry on my skin. I used it a couple different ways; one morning I added a moisturizer in afterwards to help with the dryness & itching but later looked like I had been working under a fryer all day as my makeup appeared greasy. Next day I tried switching up the order in which I use the products with similar results as the two previous days. My overall conclusion: this stuff works really well as a barrier for the skin and your makeup but as an 8-in-1 product, due to the nature of my skin, it's not as effect.
3
nellg2 from Washington, DC
A clean feeling, effective primer. Love how lightweight and versatile this primer is for before AND after makeup application. Feels great on your skin but not the most effective for keeping makeup in place.
cailuvmacca from Orange, TX
Overall it's an okay primer, but definitely doesn't perform at the price point. Save you money. There's literally hundreds of other primers that perform much better, for more cheaper. I'm going to keep using it since I have it and don't like waste, but I definitely would not repurchase.
5
shellys6 from Leavenworth, KS
My skin gets super dry in the cold winter months so my skincare has to be on point & that includes a face primer. One of my favorite's was the Smashbox Primer Oil which apparently has been discontinued. I picked up the new 8 in 1 Primer Essence hoping it would be a good replacement. I didn't pay much attention to the actual product & was surprised & a bit disappointed to find it was a primer spray. I haven't had great luck with sprays in the past & typically avoid them but I was to lazy to return it so have it a try. That was a few months ago. Since then I have gone through a few bottles of this stuff & can't live without it now. My makeup has never looked so fantastic! It also stays put all day even in the worst heat & humidity. After my regular skincare I apply Bobbi Brown Face Base or Lorac Dewy Canvas Prep then spritz the Primer Essence on & let dry. I haven't had a bad makeup day regardless of the foundation I used since I started using this stuff. It's by far the best primer spray I've used over the years.
2
Elsa from Portland Oregon
This is a very strongly scented product and it smells like citronella candle. I dont know how well this product works as primer, since it smelled so strongly
1
Ashley from Georgia
Bring back primer water!!! So much better underneath makeup.
Water Primer Fan from Los Angeles, CA
Bring back primer water PLEASE! Whatever ingredients that had made my makeup so flawless and perfect! No other brand could compare. Now smash box created another water primer and totally not the same again. If water primer wasn't broke, then why did you discontinue!?!?
Diane from Raleigh, NC
This is amazing! I used it without foundation, and it kept the shine away while holding my eyeshadow in place. When I used it with foundation, it kept everything smooth and doesn't feel like another layer on my skin. Absolutely a must have!
Jdr64 from Dallas,Tx
I miss primer water and primer oil those were the best to pair with my makeup but now they have sadly discontinued it. Save your money find something else.
4
caseyl1 from Mechanicsvlle, MD
This is an awesome primer that can be used before and after your make up use. I love that it is very light when spraying on your face.
rebekahjk from Snellville, GA
As someone with normal/dry skin this is a great spray. I like to use it as a working spray between layers while I do my makeup. It's a fine mist that applies evenly and really helps melt all my makeup together. I would buy it again.
Hailey from Chicago
I'm not sure why every single product needs to have niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in it. Neither of those ingredients work for my skin. I loved the primer water for years! Now I'm at a loss as to what priming spray I should use. The primer water was a holy grail product for me and I'm so sad they discontinued it. Bring the primer water back! (Without fragrance would be nice also)
nationoflove from Kagel Canyon, CA
I got this as a free sample just in time for my sisters wedding, and it worked wonderfully! My makeup stayed out all day from photos through dancing!
Lulu from US
This is not great. I miss the Primer Water spray! It performed way better than this Revitalize 8-in-1 whatever spray. :( This barely mists, isnt as hydrating, and doesnt work as well to prevent cakey foundation. I wish Smashbox would bring back Primer Water. Doesnt make sense to discontinue a cult classic primer/setting spray for something as ineffective as Revitalize.
angelicag3 from Whittier, CA
I don't have much to compare thia product to as it is only the 2nd of it's kind that I have tried and used regularly but I like it because it really does prime, set, and hydrate. My favorite thing about this paeticular spray, though, is the fact that it sprays a fine mist; this is unlike the other setting spray I've used. The only thing I wish were different was that it'd leave your skin dewey but that might defeat the purpose of this setting spray being ideal for photos.
marquiac1 from Great Falls, MT
This is a nice, pre-foundation spray. It's relatively hydrating, but it does require a number of sprays to get adequate coverage. It does not do a whole lot else besides that. I didn't notice any bluring, pore minimizing, or wrinkle reduction when using this product.
nodesiredlogin from Charlotte, NC
This product is so lightweight but still very hydrating. I don't break out with acne plus it gives me a glow and doesn't go into my wrinkles almost fills and gives a nature look. This is the best primer for make up I ever found. It gives me a very smooth base on which to apply my concealer and stays smooth for hours with no caking. I highly recommend this product.
courtneyd7 from Highland, CA
Used this as a primer and it held my makeup thru an 8 hour work day. I have also used this as a setting spray and my makeup held up pretty well, only needed a touch up during the day but that's normal for me. I don't have any complaints and will continue to experiment with this product.
kelleyt from Akron, OH
Great product. It goes on smooth and feels nice on my skin. My makeup looks silky smooth. I've never really used a makeup setting spray but it works amazing. I would definitely buy this again.
lovetricia from St Augustine, FL
this is by far the best setting spray I've ever used! it makes my makeup stay perfect even through this Florida humidity and heat! I wish the sprayer wya better quality because sometimes the spray is too heavy but other than that it's perfect!
candigirl from Caldwell, NJ
I thought it was a pretty good product. I like how it could be used in multiple ways. The only thing I really disliked was the fragrance.
sabinah6 from Hope Mills, NC
I'm super impressed with this primer. I have combo skin and live in the south. It smoothes out my skin and holds up really well in humid weather. Love it!
jferryall from Tulsa, OK
I was excited to try this as I currently use a setting spray to keep my makeup looking good all day. This seemed to hold up to the challenge but required more product than I am used to. My make up seemed to last. Using as an essence I felt it took a lot to absorb in and left my skin wanting more than it provided. It did have a light scent that quickly disappeared upon application.
angelam86 from Lake Grove, NY
This was a good primer spray. It does have a rose scent so if you're sensitive to that sort of smell then this is not for you. It can also be used as a setting spray which I think was effective. Good for all skin types. It did feel hydrating and refreshing. I would keep using this product as I'm a big fan of multi tasking products. I love that it wasn't oily like many primera can feel. I felt like my makeup lasted longer while using this spray.
carries3 from Diamond Bar, CA
I really liked this setting spray. I have oily skin and my eye makeup normally melts halfway through the day even with eyeshadow primer. The Photo Finish Revitalize Primer Essence actually does a great job with keeping my makeup in place throughout the day and I love all the other skincare benefits that comes with it.
saras508 from Las Vegas, NV
Pros and the only pro was I liked how it felt spraying on my face before my make up. Other than that, this did nothing for me. Not a fan of the scent and to me made my makeup cakes feeling after spraying after my application of foundation.