August 7, 2012

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer ($29) how I love you so! Just the cure for my dry eyes.

I dunno about you but I prep my dry under eyes to the extreme so that my concealer won’t crease or look flaky and uneven. Eye creams, serums, lotions, potions whichever provides the most moisture gets slapped under these old eyes in preparation for concealer.

The latest to join my prepping line up would be the newly launched Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer.

Me likey!

At $29 my wallet isn’t loving the small 0.33 oz tube but I can definately forsake the cash if I know something is working well for me.

So it’s a big yay on this little primer.

Housed in a tiny tube with a slanted application this formula was created to prep and prime for concealer and other eye makeup. The formula is a pale milky shade of whitish pink which a soft, subtle fresh scent. I find the texture a cross between a cream but with the thickness of a silicone primer mixed in. Try not to let “silicone” bug you too much as I assure you this doesn’t have the velvet-y/powdery feel of one. It offers a nice brightening effect on application and promises to reduce the appearance of puffiness, finer lines, and dark circles. I can’t speak for my major issues, all those just listed, but I will say it does brighten my eye area up every so slightly and lays a nice hydrating base for my concealer. It allows for a silky finish that prevents my concealer from fading too quickly and slipping into finer lines while offering a nice bit of extra moisture under the area so concealer remains and looks fresher upon application.

It contains caffeine, peptides, and optical diffusers in the mix. Unfortunately, I didn’t notice my eyes depuffing but I’ve only been using it a short time. Caffeine is an excellent ingredient for attacking puffiness in the AM so hopefully it is doing so, perhaps I just haven’t noticed.

Eye cream is great for me but I can always use some extra moisture and preparation for concealer and Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer offers just that.

I like this stuff!

A lot.

Worth a haul if your drier eyes need a little helping hand!

Available now at Sephora, Ulta, or online at www.smashbox.com

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Phyrra

    That looks like a great under eye primer. I’ve been using Dr. Brandt serum stuff under my eyes lately.

  • Kiss & Make-up

    Looks good, but like you said, it’s a bit expensive 🙁 I currently just use my eyelid primer under my eyes as well. It makes my concealer go on so much easier. And it works fine, really 🙂

    • Cindy

      That is exactly what I do! I have an issue with my concealer settling into the fine lines after a few hours. Using my eyeshadow primer really helps it not move around. Darn me and my oily skin!

    • the Muse

      no kikai they are two different products, def different consistencies, formulas, and what they actually do. MAC’s version is more of an eye cream versus a primer. agreed on the price though. But mac’s version is exactly the same product as what this offers. I do have Vibrancy Eye though and enjoy using it 🙂

      • kikai

        Product description, plus it is in MAC’s Prep & Prime line. 😉

        Instant eye prep! This quick fix reduces the look of puffy eyes and under-eye shadows while imparting a bright natural radiance to the entire eye area. Perfectly primes the eye for makeup.

  • Veronica

    Just saw it on smashbox website, instantly intrigued, so thanks for your review.
    I tried the eyeshadow primer on my undereye area trick, but find the texture too drying, since primers tend to absorb oil to make eyeshadows stay for longer. Used MAC undereye primer, big disappointment, no smoothing effect whatsoever. So always willing to try something new
    btw, do you use it on its own or do you layer it on top of eyecream? thx xxx

    • the Muse

      my pleasure veronica 🙂 I love UDPP that’s my fab eyeshadow primer 🙂 on top of eye cream!

  • anne

    Muse how are you currently liking this?
    I remember trying this a while ago in a lil sample packet (i loathe those lol). But I didn’t have a system to setting my concealer, now i use ben nye so it really helps to stay in place. So I went to go get a sample of this today. the pink totally threw me off. i thought it was more cream colored but the lady advised me that it would dissipate once its on.

    • the Muse

      still use it daily anne. It applies transparent so should be a problem with the color, it’s like an eye cream prep prior to concealer, provides moisture 😉