Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Review
I wanna say that Smashbox is one of the first primers I ever really took note of on the makeup market, it’s also probably one of my first remembered primer experiences.
And it also turned me off to primers for a really long time. Personally I’m kinda sorta amazed how many people love it as I’ve only ever experience itchy joy from it after application plus it’s always had a knack for pilling…just an overall awful product in my opinion.
And I know I’m not alone here as many of you have felt the same way and all I can say is it’s about damn time that Smashbox created a hydrating primer!
Jump!
A hydrating foundation primer.
This is amazing stuff particularly if you have dry skin. Dry skin has a petulance for aging very quickly which is why you want to keep it as hydrated as possible plus makeup in general looks cleaner, fresher, and more beautiful with proper hydration.
I, sadly, have super dry skin and need as much help as I can get in the moisturizer department.
I don’t have larger pores so I really don’t need a silicone based primer and I tend to favor more hydrating ones thus Smashbox Photo Finishing Hydrating Primer was the ticket for me. Although I already own hundreds of hydrating primers I felt like it was a mission to check this one out after knowing, trying, and understanding the drama that comes along with the regular Photo Finish Primer.
This comes in a 1 oz squeeze tube and is a crystal clear sky blue shade but applies clear. I’m happy Smashbox is tubin’ it lately as the pump packaging just isn’t my deal and I find a squeeze tube easier and alot less hassle (excuse my swatches as my arm is a bit pink…ha was swatching blush prior to doing this review and my arm is still looking all kinds of strange).
The formula is exactly what you’d expect from a hydrating primer. It’s cool, refreshing, and incredibly lightweight. It’s not SUPER moisturizing but it’s not supposed to be. It offers a lightweight way to quench dry skin with an oil-free formula. They dub it as a great way to fill fine lines and pores….I wouldn’t personally go so far as to say that a texture like this will fill pores but it’s likely you probably don’t have larger pores if you have dry skin.
The key feature of the product is the fact it seals moisture in. I find it leaves my skin pleasantly hydrated and ever so slightly dewy throughout the day. This is important to me as the drier the skin my gets, the duller it becomes so having a primer that keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day is definitely a good thing.
There are a few quirks…
I do not like the near $42 price tag. Regular Photo Finish Primers are $38 why the price up on the hydrating version? For 1 oz, near $50 is a little bit too much to pay however, for some odd reason, $38 sounds a bit more reasonable.
It doesn’t actually keep my foundation long wearing but it does keep my foundation fresher which is just as important as wear time.
- Anyone seeking a hydrating primer versus a silicone.
- Those with smaller pores.
- Those seeking a primer to keep their drier skin moist.
- Those with dull skin in need of a primer to keep their skin hydrated to ease a lackluster complexion.
- Those wanting a primer to keep their foundation long wearing.
- Those wanting a primer to mask larger pores or fine lines.
- Those who aren’t willing to go for $42 for a mere 1 oz primer.
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer has one major quirk, the price tag…but outside of that it proves a very good primer. It won’t make your foundation last all day and it won’t blur finer lines or pores but it will keep dry skin pleasantly hydrated through the day and keep foundation fresh looking and flawless. I thought it was an ickle costly but I have to say, that this one, needs a Muse Approval particularly for the dry skin chicas out there.
I’m liking it and I see myself indulging again when this one runs out!
Available now from Smashbox.com and Sephora.com
Have you tried it?
Love it?
Do share!