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Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

post #1 of 38
6/27/06 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
Overall Rating: 3.5
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Probably not

The price is a bit over the top for a primer actually. When I put it on it feels weird like there is this plastic that I am putting on my face. I don't think it really helps much at all.
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post #2 of 38
6/29/06 at 1:48pm
Overall Rating: 4
Price: Not sure as it was a gift.
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Yeah.

I really like it's 'silky' texture. & You don't really have to use much. I've also noticed a huge difference in how long my makeup stays on since I started using it.
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post #3 of 38
6/29/06 at 3:34pm
Overall Rating: 5
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Definitely

I find this product to be amazing! Every single person that I have recommended it to loves it...it has vitamins A, C and E and prevents makeup from settling into fine lines and pores. I just got my mom to buy the new one with dermaxyl and spf in it and the change is amazing. Not only is it good for your skin, but it makes your skin look flawless when applied under makeup and a little goes a long way...it feels silky upon application. Many fashion magazines have rated it very well and I was told about it by a makeup artist.
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post #4 of 38
7/19/06 at 12:58am
Overall Rating: 5
Price [Value]: 4
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Most definitely

General Comments on this product:

I haveb een using this primer for years. I love it for both professional and personal use. Foundation lasts forever with this product. IMHO, it's the best primer on the market.
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post #5 of 38
8/8/06 at 4:05pm
Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 3
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Yes

General Comments on this product: I managed to buy a small size of the primer jsut to try it out. I do notice a big difference with and without using it. I wear BE foundation and it helps it just glide on with the brush. Great product!
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post #6 of 38
9/16/06 at 4:37am
Overall Rating: 4
Price: 4
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Definitely

Doesn't make my skin feel tight like some primers, it makes it feel silky and soft. It feels a bit plasticy at first but that soon goes away. Also, it doesn't make me breakout like crazy like other primers.
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post #7 of 38
9/18/06 at 1:18pm
Overall Rating: 3
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 3
Would you buy this product again? No

I don't like the glass bottle for travelling. The primer worked well, but every time I used it I broke out in horrible cystic acne. I use the Clairns one now with no problems
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post #8 of 38
9/18/06 at 10:35pm
Overall Rating: 2
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 3
Would you buy this product again? No

I ended up getting a sample tube, but I looked at the prices in the store, so I do agree it's a decent price. It's true that a little bit goes a long way, and it did make my m/u look smoother around my nose. HOWEVER, it made me break out with little bumps. I never break out. When I stopped using this product, my skin got better. I want to try it again, but I am afraid to.
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post #9 of 38
10/24/06 at 3:42am
Overall Rating: 5
Price: 4
Packaging Quality: 4

Photo Finish is an AMAZING product! It's made SUCH a huge difference in my skin.

The silky texture of Photo Finish is amazing!!! It goes on your skin super smooth and sets to a nice, soft powdery finish that's ready to accept foundation. The molecules in Photo Finish are too big to enter pores so it rests on top of the skin, keeping the makeup off your face, and locking in your skincare so it's active and working in your skin all day long. Photo Finish contains vitamins A, C, and E to nourish, and powerful antioxidants like grapeseed and lemongrass to protect your skin from environmental stressors like smoke, pollution, and sun. It also acts like a base, so your makeup will have something to adhere to, and therefore will stay on longer during the day.

$36 is pretty pricey, but it's SO worth it. I don't like the glass packaging, and the pump doesn't get all of it out when you're down to nil. However, people would use too much of it if it weren't in a pump form.

Go to your nearest Smashbox counter and ask for a sample!!! I promise you'll never go back to foundation over moisturizer!
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post #10 of 38
10/27/06 at 1:18am
Overall Rating: 5
Price: 4
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Most definitely

This is my favorite primer to use both on myself and on others. It helps the foundation go on smoothly and last all day. I have been using it for years.
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post #11 of 38
11/10/06 at 11:48pm
Overall Rating: 5
Price: 5
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Heck yea!

I was lucky enough to recieve this as gratis when I worked at Nordstrom and I flippin' love this stuff! I rarely use foundation but when I do I feel that photofinish makes it last longer, stay smoother, photograph better (the name is spot on!) and just have a better finish. I like to wear this product even without putting foundation over it. It makes my skin look dewy and smooth A little goes a long way. Go get ya some!
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post #12 of 38
11/13/06 at 7:31pm
Overall rating:5
Purchase again: YES!!!

I originally got this as a sample from Sephora. I fell in love but was hesitant because of the price. My mom picked it up for me and I was ecstatic! I have large pores on/around my nose. Wearing this under my BE foundation makes my skin flawless. Absolutely my HG product.
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post #13 of 38
5/24/07 at 8:21pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 2
Price: 1
Packaging Quality: 2
Would you buy this product again? no way

I hated this primer. It felt like a coating of plastic on my face. It made my makeup slide right off as well. Don't care for it at all.
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post #14 of 38
6/13/07 at 9:51pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 3.5
Price: 2
Packaging Quality: 3
Would you buy this product again? Probably not.

This product is definitely funtional. It does make my skin more receptive to my mineral makeup, and helps to even things out. I find it to be a little drying on me, though. My travel-sized tube cost $18 at Ulta. I don't mind paying that kind of money if a product does what it's supposed to, but for the payout it delivered to me personally, I wouldn't buy it again. Also, I've heard a lot of people complain that the last little bit of the stuff is hard to get out of the pump-dispenser, and I find it's getting hard to squeeze out of my little tube as it gets near the end too.

Like I said, this stuff is alright. I'll definitely be sticking to my HG primer, Estée Lauder's Idealist Skin Refinisher.
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post #15 of 38
6/14/07 at 3:22pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 5
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: Full Size-3, Travel Size-4
Would you buy this product again? I'm on my 3rd bottle

I have about 4 different primers in my kit...this is by far my favorite.
I cannot put on my makeup w/o this...and sometimes I just wear the green one w/ a light dusting of powder & it looks like I have way more foundation on. It feels similar to the MAC Mattifyer, but it's much smoother & lighter on the face.

Buy the travel size. It is $15 (16.50 for color correcting) & .5oz. The full size is $36 (38 for cc) for 1oz so it actually ends up cheaper to get 2 of the travel size ones.
And to be able to get out all the product, when you can't get any more out of the squeeze tube, cut the top & you've got about a week's more uses.
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post #16 of 38
6/15/07 at 11:45pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 4
Packaging Quality - 3
Would Buy Again - YES!!

love, Love, LOVE the product. It changed my life about 2 years ago. Many models don't have great skin and this definitely improves the smoothness instantly. Works very well with M A C Oil Control Lotion (oily skin) and M A C Stobe Cream (dry skin). I apply it as a 2/3 mixture with each (1 part PhotoFinish). I do make-up for photography very often and PhotoFinish is a winner!

I am able to get a flawless finish with M A C Studio Fix, Fix Fluid, and Select SPF 15 foundations. It also improves the application and wear of concealers (I use Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer and M A C Studio Finish SPF 35).

I'm fine with the price because it works so well with such a small amount.

I Like the pump dispenser, it gives me just the right amount really fast.

The glass is a bit heavy and the top never stayed on (third purchase) but I can live with that. I just chuck it.

NaturalSister19
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post #17 of 38
6/25/07 at 1:50am

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 4
Packaging Quality - 3
Would Buy Again - Obviously, since it has became my HG

Great great product! I adore the silky feelings when i put it on, and it just glides on my face. So smooth...
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post #18 of 38
7/7/07 at 9:00pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 4
Packaging Quality - 4
Would Buy Again - yes

i love it! and for people who say it makes your makeup glide off.. you mustn't be using it properly.. you only need a tiny pea sized amount to cover your whole face
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post #19 of 38
10/20/07 at 11:12pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 4
Price - 5
Packaging Quality - 4
Would Buy Again - Yes, if I ever finish the two huge bottles that I have.

I was hesitant on using this on myself because of all the negative reviews/comments I hear from people who have oily skin like mine, and I was already very happy with my MUFE All Mat. I tried it on yesterday though and I have to say that it's really amazing. The finish is so silky but a lot lighter than the finish of my MUFE All Mat, which I think is a great plus for those days when I don't want to have too much stuff on my face. It helped keep my foundation matte all night and my blush was even more vibrant than usual.

In terms of price, I'm giving it a good 5 because it has more product and is a more cost effective primer than MUFE All Mat, which is my benchmark for great foundation primers. The packaging is bulky though so maybe the people who find the glass bottle a drawback should get the travel size one in the plastic tube.

Overall though, I love how this primer felt on my face, and how effective it was at keeping my make-up oil-free, and on my face.
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post #20 of 38
10/24/07 at 11:26pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating:5
Price:3.5
Would I buy it again? Yes
Packaging Quality:3*
I have purchased this primer in the glass bottle a few times and in the tibe five times. The tube is easier to get all the product. It glides on the skin and appears colorless,feels silky, and has a slight luster to it but it is more on the opaque side. It is lightly moisturizing and never shiny or greasy. Its very sootning to the skin. Its main ingrediant is dimethicone,a soothing agent in the same sense that simethicone is soothing to angry stomachs. It makes the skin appear smooth. It is noncomedogenic,odorless,and washes off easily with soap and water or cleansers.There is no extra "junk" in this product,I would not change the formula at all. (I have tried the product with Dermoxyl. The original clear product is superior in feel,wear and performance.
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post #21 of 38
1/26/08 at 10:03pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 3
Packaging Quality - 4
Would Buy Again - Yes

I am in love with this product! Though I definitely think that paying almost $40 for a primer (that's more than my foundation cost me!) is ridiculous, the good thing is that you only need a drop of it and it will smooth out evenly. It lasts your forever and I love the silky texture of it. I have also noticed a huge difference in my skin's appearance in photos (I'm not kidding you). I love it and would recommend it to anyone.
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post #22 of 38
1/26/08 at 10:06pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 3
Packaging Quality - 4
Would Buy Again - Yes

Though I strongly disagree with paying close to $40 for a primer (that's more than my foundation cost me!) I would buy it again because it has been such a great product. I love the silky texture it has and the dewy finish it gives your skin. I have also noticed a major difference in my skin's appearance in photos. I would recommend it to anyone!
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post #23 of 38
2/2/08 at 4:21pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating - 5
Price - 3
Packaging Quality - 4
Would Buy Again - No

I loved the way this felt on my skin, and the powder finish, it really helped my skin, which is oily and shiny, look much more matte. It also made my pores look less huge.
However, I won't be buying it again because of the price, and I found another product for under $10 that works just as well (Monistat Anti-Chafe Gel). It's a great product though, I can't say that enough.
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post #24 of 38
7/8/08 at 2:11pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 2
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Nope!

I noticed no difference whatsoever using this primer. I have oily skin with noticeable pores on my cheeks. There was no discernable difference between foundation w/ this primer and foundation by itself. So why spend the money?
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post #25 of 38
7/22/08 at 3:34pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 5
Price: 5
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? Maybe Not (too expensive)

I love this primer, but I truely think it's over-priced... i found something similar to this one, BARE ESCENTUAL's foundation primer.
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post #26 of 38
8/25/08 at 5:32pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 4
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you but this product again? yes

it has a very silky smooth feeling once it hits your face.
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post #27 of 38
2/13/09 at 1:08am

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall rating: 3
Price: 1
Package Quality: -
Would you buy again: Absolutely not.

I hated how slick this felt on my skin. I don't have oily skin or anything, but this made me feel like i was greasey, even though i wasn't. Didn't do much for my foundation. Way too expensive.
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post #28 of 38
3/10/09 at 2:21pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 3
Price [Value]: 3
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? No

I have oily skin, and this primer was too wet/greasy for my face. I thought face primers are supposed to leave a matte, dry finish? This just made my liquid foundation more wet looking and did not keep my foundation from melting and moving around all day. I tried a sample of this, and I would definitely not purchase this. Now I'm using the Monistat Chafing Relief Gel (which is a dupe for the Bare Escentuals Prime Time) and it's my HG face primer! Yay!
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post #29 of 38
6/4/09 at 12:55pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Overall Rating: 5
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Absolutely!

I bought on Ebay where it's way cheaper. i use the Bronzing one since I'm quite fair. It glides onto your skin and makes it a silky canvas. I find I use less foundation and it applies more smoothly eradicating any cakiness. Love this stuff!
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post #30 of 38
6/23/09 at 5:33pm

Re: Smashbox: Photofinish Primer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Summer View Post
Overall Rating: 2
Price: 3
Packaging Quality: 3
Would you buy this product again? No

I ended up getting a sample tube, but I looked at the prices in the store, so I do agree it's a decent price. It's true that a little bit goes a long way, and it did make my m/u look smoother around my nose. HOWEVER, it made me break out with little bumps. I never break out. When I stopped using this product, my skin got better. I want to try it again, but I am afraid to.
the same thing happened to me! only difference it broke me out with big zits, not little ones and it took days for them to go away
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