Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I don't usually mess around too much with 'extras' but for special occasions I do like to make some effort. I really do notice the difference this makes - it improves not only my 'look' but also the wear. I guess the bonus of not using it on a daily basis means it lasts a lot longer - which helps with the budget aspect.

This is a gorgeous primer that lasts the test of time and my liquid foundation did glide on effortlessly over top! The only no-no with this product was that I have a slightly dryer skin type, and even with my normal moisturiser underneath it did make my skin feel quiet tight and dry later in the day.

It glides on so smoothly, and makes my skin feel so soft, definitely makes it a great base for foundation. Definitely helps by giving a smooth, even appearance of foundation, and makes it last all day!

I was a little sceptical as I always am when it comes to primers, I have certainly had a good go at a large amount of others on the market but after trialling this as a sample I rushed and ordered the full size even though it is one of the more expensive ones I have ever brought.

This wonderful primer comes in a very understated tube of white plastic with the Smashbox logo and design upon it. The best thing packaging wise is the lid, it is nothing amazing, just a regular flip up and down function but it actually does that with a firm snap shut unlike so many other tube products I own that don't properly align themselves so they never fully close and end up leaking out slightly and congealing around the lid in a messy fashion.

Formula wise this sily soft milky in appearance primer is just the correct level of fluid to easy blend over your face without piling up into little balls as it sinks in rather than sets on your face. Leaving a veil of softness over your face that blots out oily areas and reduces the appearance of larger pores giving you the perfect face canvas to apply the rest of your makeup upon. Duration of cover is all day, with only a light foundation and setting powder over top I can go from morning to evening without the product seeping into my pores or oil creeping up and spoiling my flawless look I aim for.

I highly recommend this primer, even though it is a little pricey, you can just apply it over the t-zone area, or areas where you tend to have larger pores or oily outbreaks rather than all over your face so a little goes a long way.

I have combination oily/dry skin, so I tend to wear very matte long-wear foundations to combat the oiliness. Unfortunately these kinds of foundations aren't always kind to the dry patches and can really make them stand out and look patchy, so primer is a must have for me to even things out.

This primer glides on beautifully and is a really stunning silky texture that leaves a smooth base to work with. It's not too heavy and a little goes a relatively long way. It has a huge impact on the finish and blendability of the relatively dry and heavy foundations I use, which is a big win for me - it's a godsend being able to slap it on and buff it out with a brush and know it's going to look good even if I rush it.

It doesn't really seem to improve the longevity of the products I use, though, so it does lose a couple of points there.

This has been one of the most pleasant primers I have worked with and does everything it claims to do, leaving your skin flawlessly smooth and even and holding your foundation firmly in place for hours.

This is the type of primer that you want to pat into the skin especially over the pore area to minimise their appearance and give a soft veil effect to the face as a perfect base for makeup.

I would give it 100% but it is really expensive even though if used sparsely should last you a really long time as this is a generous size tube, but there are a few other primers on the market that do the same, if a little sub par in terms of long wearing but if you set your face properly will have the same effect.

While I don’t like the feel of this – it feels suffocating as opposed to hydrating & moisturizing, I cannot deny the results. It definitely serves it’s purpose, keeping foundation in place all day.

Silicone primer

This primer I received as a gift. I could never justify the purchase of this. Packaging: this comes in a clear tube with black printing & a black screw top lid which it sits flush on. You can see the contents of the tube. Good to know how much is left for use. Contents: is a clear gel formula which isn't too slippery for silicon & has a velvet feel to it. It does spread out well & of course as stated is transparent. Now for the finish it gives. This is a good product for my foundation to adhere to however it doesn't extend it's stay power & I become oily by midday which a quick brush of powder can mattify the issue. I have normal to oily skin type so I'm in belief that this primer isn't suited for my skin type rather it would be perform better for normal to dry skin type fact being it's silicon based. Where stay power is factored I couldn't say if this would enhance longevity of one's foundation with a different skin type but I can say it doesn't hold up or extend the stay of my foundation. I used a matte foundation with this primer & the shine it gave was a dewy look nothing radically soppy or oily looking I put that down to the finish of my foundation. This could differ if I hadn't used a matte finish foundation. I also need to top up of my foundation around the t zone. Would I use this heck yeah for the price it cost but I wouldn't go to and buy this again (grated it was gifted) it saved my curiosity & now I can tick this primer of as a no go for me.

I used the smashbox primer as a couple of samples - one I received at NZFW and the other in a goodiebag somewhere. They are really good sized ones as well and I've still got one of them. The primers feels lightweight, blends into your skin and actually feels silky (like it says it does). I don't know that it made any difference when I added my foundation on top, and I didn't really notice that my pores were any smaller or a reduction in fine lines. It sorta helped make my skin a nice little canvas though for easy application so it did sort of smooth it out. Not sure that it's worth the hype. I'll probably try one of the colour correcting ones though which might work better for me. I'm addicted to Benefits Porefessional at the moment which is perfect for my skin type and pores.