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Friday, May 27, 2016

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer Review And Swatches

I have a quick review for you today, before we head into the weekend! I've tested a number of primers since blogging. My favorite has been Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer. I really love it's "blurring" qualities. Well four years later, my skin is a little drier and it hasn't been working as well. So I purchased Smashbox's Photo Finish Hydrating Primer. I applied it. My skin felt hydrated & refreshed. My makeup applied beautifully! BUT!!! Yes, there is a but. It doesn't BLUR as effectively as the original :( Not even close! SOOOOO, I'll never forget what my Science professor told me in college! Kim! Sometimes in life you have to improvise! An improvise, is what I did! I applied the hydrating formula FIRST to my skin...then I smacked dabbed the ORIGINAL over that! Together, they work like a dream! Do I want to continue doing this? NO! I don't want to buy TWO PRIMERS! Do you know the cost of these? But this current system I have finagled, will have to do for now. I do plan on going on a beauty primer hunt. A beauty blogger spoke very highly of Hourglass' No. 28 Primer Serum (NOT their Veil Mineral Primer - didn't hear good things about it) and Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Face Base (normal to oily) or Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Cream (normal to extra dry). So, maybe I'll start there. Do you use a primer? What's your favorite? Also, let me know if you've heard of any good ones!

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet
supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer is Sweet

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20 comments

  1. I wouldn't have thought to mix the two primers! That's a good idea but you're right that I wouldn't want to buy them both. The original photo finish made my face break out, I have a hard time with primers and a lot of them cause breakouts on me so I never tried another smash box one yet! I didn't care for the hourglass mineral veil, but I haven't heard about the serum primer! I do love benefit Porefessional, and right now I'm using Too Faced Rx hangover and like it a lot!

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  2. I have an idea for you Kim! The hydrating one sounds just like the NYX Hydra Touch primer, which I love, but it doesn't blur everything, just provides a great base and hydration. If you end up liking this combo, you could always substitute out the hydrating smashbox for the NYX and save some money!

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  3. Agree with the first comment....Kim, that's so brilliant to use both primers together, but yeah....for the cost, that's not a good thing to do in the long run. And the reviews I've read of the Hourglass Veil primer have been good! Didn't know that some peeps didn't like it (which does make sense coz we all can't like the same thing:P) I've been looking at the Innisfree No Sebum Blur primer, which I heard is great, but haven't tried it myself.
    Have a fab weekend!

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  4. I don't use primers, but I know about layering products because I do the same for my hair. I'm glad the concoction worked for you. Buying two primers is not a good idea. I agree with you, Kim!

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  5. Mixing two primers to get your desired effect is totally genius! But yeah I can definitely see how it's not really cost effective at the same time. I'm currently using Veil Cosmetics Sunset Light Primer which I really like though I don't use as regularly as I probably should ;p Happy long weekend Kim!

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  6. I remember the previous one and using together with this one must be very cool! Nope, I dont use primer Kim, I prefer to let the skin breathe more! xo

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  7. My fave !!! (the original)
    I never tried the hydrating one and won't-

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  8. I am so bad about applying primers but you're reminding me to pull them out again haha!

    http://asequinloveaffair.com

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  9. I dislike the original Photo Finish primer, it makes my skin looks really dry, cakey and flat. :-( And this is the second time I'm seeing Hourglass No. 28 primer being mentioned, I hope you'll do a review on it if you decide to get it. Have you tried Too Faced Rx Hangover primer? Many highly suggested that too.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  10. Great idea to mix the two to get the results you want Kim! :) Although yes not ideal in the long run!

    I don't use a primer, I do use a BB cream but I don't put anything on top. I'm currently using rimmel BB cream 'radiance' it's called or something like that, and it's pretty good! :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

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  11. I love this primer works anazing on my skin awesome review.

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  12. For beauty primers I usually use the Chanel Illuminating Base or the Laura Mercier. Using a primer really makes a difference to the skin and the make up.

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  13. How clever to combo the primers to get the result that you needed! I have been a fan of the Smashbox primers for a while, so I am really dying to get my hands on this one.
    Fab review Kim!

    Keisha xo
    The Chrysalis Gal

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  14. Hi Kim, I enjoyed your snapchat on the three travel size primers you tested out. I have not used the smashbox primer yet. It has received many good reviews. Hopefully I can get a sample of it in store and test it out. So true that primers are so expensive. Great review. xxx

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  15. I've never thought much of any primer that claimed to have a blurring effect, until I recently tried the Pore Vanishing Stick rom The Estee Edit. It really worked! I'd love to read your thoughts on it, Kim - and I'm sure it would be better than using two primers! (Although if you have them, you might as well keep it up for now.)
    xox,
    Cee

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  16. Mixing products always makes me feel like a scientist, hehe, and I don't do it that often because I'm afraid I'm just messing things up xD But this solution you came up with is genius! Great idea to get the best of both worlds. I'll be eager to hear what other primer you come up with as a solution too though. Right now I've been using the One and Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector by Urban Decay and have been loving it. Then I use the Maybelline Pore Eraser for my nose area. So far that's been working well, although it's not like I've tried a ton of products haha so I rely on your reviews! ;)

    The Dragonfruit Diaries
    Visit my YouTube channel!

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  17. Girl...I wear 3 primers...yes 3! It's a pain in the butt! I have a few samples of the original that I will not be using if you would like them! I'll have to double check, but I'm pretty sure I have at least 2, if not more.
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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  18. That was a smart idea to mix the two different primers! I never thought to do that but I can understand why you wouldn't want to do that on a regular basis. These are pretty expensive! I like the Maybelline Face Studio Blur and Smooth. I wouldn't say it blurs my pores completely but I do like it alot. It makes my makeup go on smoother and my pores do look LESS noticeable but still there. I also love the Too Faced Hangover Rx Primer. That def gives me more of a dewy look but its offers great hydration.

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  19. Wow using two primers would become very pricey! Is it worth it though if it's the perfect base?
    I'm still just dipping my feet into the primer world so I can't help you, I hope you found your perfect primer though! :)

    corrie | corriearnold.co.uk

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  20. I assume this version is a no no for oily skin ?

    http://kayxcake.blogspot.co.nz

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