5 star rating

My favourite face primer of 2021

Personally, I like to keep my skin as healthy and natural as possible whenever I can. Unfortunately though, my pores can sometimes look bigger than usual and my complexion can appear noticeably flawed. This is where a good face primer comes in handy.

On these days, the last thing I want to do is smother my (already suffering skin) with a ton of makeup products. I also don’t want to go out looking like I’ve been awake all night though!

It is in these moments that I reach for my Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer. A great stand-alone product to layer on after your normal moisturiser, as well as a face primer for makeup.

This primer blurs flaws in your complexion, makes skin appear smoother and your pores look less visible. No need for any concealer or foundation at all.

…Of course, as it is a primer, its primary goal is to prime skin for the smooth application of makeup. I know, that was a lot of “prime’s”!

Just a small amount of this product goes a long way and will help your makeup to last longer and appear more fresh throughout the day.

  • Suitable for: All skin types and tones.
  • Free from: This product is vegan and cruelty-free. It is also free of SLS, parabens, oil, fragrance and talc.

Key Ingredients

💞 Vitamin A: Encourages the production of healthy skin cells and strengthens your skins defences. This keeps your skin firm, moisturised and less irritated. Vitamin A also helps to keep skin structure, texture and tone strong. This reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.

💞 Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a naturally occurring nutrient and antioxidant in your body, which protects against discolouration, UV damage and free radicals. This contributes to its anti-ageing properties. The anti-inflammatory benefits of Vitamin E help to calm signs of acne.

Application 

This primer is a clear gel-based primer, so you don’t have to worry about any tints or streaks. It is oil-free and lightweight, so even though it is thick enough to automatically smooth the appearance of my pores, it does not actually feel heavy or thick on application.

It has actually been described as (and I would agree) “velvety”.

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer can be used on its own to smooth the appearance of your skin, or as a base for makeup application.

smashbox photo finish primer

How to use

  1. Squeeze one small (large) pea-sized amount of the primer on your fingertips.
  2. Smooth a single layer over clean, moisturised skin
  3. Let it sit for 15 seconds.

Tip: It has been suggested that you can also use this primer in your hair to tame strands.

Results

After using the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer for over a year, I am still obsessed with it!

I found the results of consumer testing on 103 women after 1 week of daily use and decided to compare their results with my own. I have to say, I actually agreed with every single point on their list:

  • 93% saw blurred imperfections
  • 93% saw smoother skin
  • 91% saw minimised pores & lines
  • 95% said it helped makeup go on flawlessly
  • 94% said it worked well with their skin tone
  • 94% agreed foundation blended more easily

My face feels and looks smoother after applying the primer and my makeup stays on (and looking fresh) for a good few hours more than without using the primer.

Where can I buy it?

Smashbox – £29.50 – 30ml

Look Fantastic – £29.50 – 30ml (new customers can save 15% with the code NEW 15)

Boots – £29.50 – 30ml

Ingredients

Formulated without Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Phthalates, Oil, Fragrance & Talc.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Water\Aqua\Eau, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol 

Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.