We put the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. WE GREW OUT OF AN ACCLAIMED LA PHOTO STUDIO, WHERE ONLY TOUCHUPS KILLED THE VIBE. ENTER: THE ORIGINAL SMOOTH + BLUR PRIMER. There are loads of primers which have different purposes, with many plumping and firming collagen primers made specifically to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Refresh and prep your skin in one simple step with the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water. Misting your skin with a veil of moisture to create a smooth and hydrated canvas for makeup, the ultra-fine spray absorbs instantly into the skin and energises the complexion with a blend of revitalising electrolytes. The idea behind Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is interesting and maybe even sounds fresh and unique. But in the end, it’s just another facial mist and happens to be one that’s a bit on uneventful and falls flat in its performance.

Every primer is designed for a specific skin type. For example, if your skin is dry, you'll want to avoid primers with a matte finish or ones that are too lightweight to give you a deep hydration. The primer water is free of silicone, alcohol and oil, and it contains revitalizing electrolytes that help to wake up and restore your skin’s moisture. While makeup primer might seem like an optional makeup product—one best saved for special occasions—its unique benefits, like helping makeup last longer and creating a smooth base for application, make it worth keeping on hand for daily use. But not all primers are created equal. The best water-based primer can be a gamechanger for your makeup routine; formulated with water versus oil or silicone, it’s a great option to consider if you’re not a fan of the texture, weight, or feel of the average primer.

Oily skin? Matte will be your match. You'll want a smoothing, water-based or silicone-based primer for the best results. Water\Aqua\Eau , Butylene Glycol , Caffeine , Magnesium Chloride , Calcium Chloride , Sodium Sulfate , Potassium Nitrate , Potassium Phosphate , Polysorbate 80 , Diamond Powder , Fragrance (Parfum) , Limonene , Linalool , Citral , Phenoxyethanol , Sodium Benzoate Aside from your skin-type, choosing a primer all really depends on what you want out of them, because some act as a smoothing canvas whereas others give you that golden, high-shine glow. Ask yourself, do you want an evened-out base complexion or a sparkling fresh-faced shine? Does Smashbox primer clog pores? I echo the above comments. And great review btw. This is a big pass for me. I really thought this was some revolutionary primer, and given that its silicone-free, I was anxious to try it. But it sounds like fragranced water to me too. Such a misleading name IMO.

In a soft-gel formula, Smashbox's transparent primer promises that soft-focus finish, as though your skin has been airbrushed IRL – it acts as a base for you to apply your make-up, ensuring that it stays in place on your face for longer without going patchy. Perfect for those who struggle with the appearance of enlarged pores and excess sebum production, Filorga Pore-Express Regulating Primer works to balance and even out oily and combination complexions to enhance makeup application.

For starters, “they are lightweight and good for all skin types,” says Lori Taylor Davis, the Global Lead Pro Artist at Smashbox Cosmetics. That said, many water-based formulas are oil-free and leave a matte finish, making them especially helpful for those with oily skin. (Meanwhile, silicone-based primers are your best bet if you don’t want makeup to settle into fine lines or pores.) You can wear this alone to instantly brighten the under eye area, or use it under your concealer to make sure it lasts all day and has a fresh look. While not exactly a skincare product, Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer Water does have some nourishing ingredients. There’s hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help with dehydration, niacinamide to refine the look of pores, and caffeine to wake up the skin. The long-term benefits of these when applied via priming/setting spray are unclear, but they definitely contribute to the final appearance when using this mist, and a little extra nourishment doesn't hurt. This primer is everything you love about the original Smashbox primer in a light, pure and refreshing form. From the silky-smooth texture of the original to the super-fine mist of this new water, now there’s a primer for everyone.

Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer Water is a versatile product with a formula that enhances its multiple uses. To help you see how it performs in each situation, I've broken my review down by purpose. Although, you can also wear primer by itself on no-makeup days, just to give yourself a more even complexion. I havent tried it for what it was made for, but it works wonderfully as a setting spray, and my ridiculously sensitive skin didnt react to it, as it does almost everything else I use. There are few things in this world that I love more than a multipurpose beauty product. A cream blush that also works on lips? Give it to me. A moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF? Sign me up—I'm a huge fan of any great product that simplifies my routine and/or has added benefits I never knew I needed.The best primers stop foundation or concealer from setting inside the lines on your face, making them less visible throughout the day – if that's filling in wrinkles, then yes, they do something like that. Smashbox Primers have a loyal following, the brand has an entire range of solutions to suit every skin type and requirement – so there’s definitely one for you.