Review - Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

"Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation to increase its longevity, our best-selling primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish. In a new square airless pump for freshness to the last drop. $36.00" I always use a primer and this one is great. I use one little pump in the am over my sunscreen and I find once it’s absorbed my foundation and concealer are locked into position for all day wear. No wearing or riding in the fine lines. I can’t live without this stuff and I will repurchase when I run dry. I believe this primer is for any gal that is looking to achieve a better finish to their look. This primer really blends with your foundation. I highly encourage checking this out!

Hillary says: Two years ago, if you had told me I needed to use foundation primer, I would have thought you were nuts. Then I tried foundation primer & discovered that a good one (like this one from Smashbox) can make your foundation last all day. But not all primers are alike- not by a long shot. Smashbox's primer actually enhances your skin's condition while you wear it with a bevvy of anti-oxidants to fight free radicals. It applies effortlessly and as far as I can tell, application is fool-proof. You only need a tiny amount (1 pump) and I like to wait a few minutes before I apply my liquid foundation (the directions don't say you have to, but I like to give it a minute to settle). It makes my foundation, be it liquid or mineral, cover so much more evenly and stay on all day without settling into any cracks or crevices. The primer also fights the "cheek foundation wear off" I always used to get. I also use it under my eyes and on my eyelids. My concealer, no matter what brand, used to collect in the line under my eyes, but no more. You may think you don't need foundation primer, but I swear, give Smashbox Photo Finish and you'll wonder what you did without it (that goes double for those of us over 35 or with enlarged pores).

Sheba says: I had no idea what a primer was until recently. Once you just try a good one (Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is definitely one of the BEST) you will never be without one in the future. Perhaps you think it is just one more item to spend money on -- you won't mind spending the money for the results once you see them. Your skin actually looks 'finished' and ready for the makeup you are applying. Many people think applying a primer to a wall is a waste of money -- until they see the results after they use it and apply the new paint over it. It is the same principle here. Your makeup will look so much better because your skin has been primed. It is smoother looking and feeling and the make up just enhances that new improved base that it has. Make up stays on longer and does not gravitate towards the little smile lines around your mouth and eyes. Your pores seem to appear less noticeable. It just gives your face the perfect canvas to apply your make up to.

Trish says: Yeah, you can pretty much believe all the hype! I love this foundation primer so much, I'm already thinking of re-buying it just as I write this! As soon as I applied Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer, I notice that my skin started to look a lot smoother and softer almost instantly. Once I added my normal foundation over it, I had completely flawless looking skin! Double the results for coverup! I get complimented on my skin complexion on days wearing this primer and what might come off as naturally flawless skin is actually this miracle primer in bottle! But, shhh, let's keep that a secret between us! ;)

Sultana says: I was so happy when Smashbox came out with the Oil-Free version of this primer. I have very oily skin and just about anything will make me break out. Recently I found out I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Without getting too detailed, some of the symptoms are: Oily Skin & persistent acne. Yes, I know! YUCK. Thankfully there are great medications out there!

Primer has become a part of my daily routine because it just makes your makeup look finished. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin and it doesn't cause breakouts!!!!!!! Thank you Smashbox!!!!!!

Review- KohGenDo Makeup Color Base N Yellow

Tones down diffuse redness. Brightens skin tone. Controls uneven colorings. Hides Blemishes. Minimizes pores. Smooths the appearance of the skin. Reduces shine with oil-absorbing powder. UV Protection. Nourish your skin as you use this rich oriental botanical extract based primer.
Moisturizes and protects skin with SPF16 while concealing trouble spots like dark circles, diffuse redness and minimizes the appearance of pores for that smooth healthy look. Long-lasting skin care formula brightens the skin for a natural look and is the perfect start for high-definition makeup. $44 for .17 oz.

Right around the time I read great things about this Japanese line, this product popped up in my bag to review--what good fortune! It's professional, practical and incredibly good at what it does. The yellow warms up skin complexions while softening red and blue discolorations. I tried it as the site suggests, before foundation as a layer to make the face a more even canvas but had even more luck adding a few drops to a creme and liquid foundation, respectively. (I work with both in my job). I wouldn't hesitate to stipple some into the skin if i had gone too pink with a foundation skin tone match on someone, as well. Basically, this product is awesome, multi-purpose and the quality of it is up there with any other professional line I have used.

Review-Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

An exceptional beauty booster which immediately eliminates all signs of fatigue: facial features appear rested and smooth. It promotes a radiant complexion and long-lasting, incredibly luminous make-up. The ideal treatment before a busy day or an evening out. $45 for 1.7 oz tube.


I’m currently obsessed with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, a super lightweight balm that leaves your skin glowing. The formula tightens and brightens skin and enhances the effects of your regular makeup, lending you a healthy natural looking glow. Apply the cream after your regular moisturizer using light, sweeping strokes, but do not rub it in. Then follow with foundation or concealer and voila! You’re left with a dewy, glowy complexion that could not be simpler to achieve. You can also dab it over your makeup at the end of the day for a quick refresher before an evening out.

The balm also doubles as a facial mask – apply a thick layer and leave on for 10-15 minutes before wiping your face clean with a damp cloth. I find that the effects are much more pronounced when you use it with your regular makeup instead of as a mask, and you’ll get more use out of it that way. The price tag is a kind of hefty, but since a little goes a long way the tube should last you at least 3 months.

Josephine says: I just want to add that a tube of this has been in my kit and my personal makeup closet for years now. It's an amazing primer. I swear by it for more mature skin, too. I distinctly remember the Clarins rep telling me to tap it into skin and that application tip alone makes it totally elite since that stipple effect has a way of enhancing skin texture that's lovely and natural and polished. Well-worth every penny.

Review- Arbonne Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer

Create a flawless canvas for makeup application with this advanced primer. A blend of vitamins, skin-perfecting pigments, advanced cushioning and anti-aging ingredients work in harmony to help tone, smooth and minimize the visual appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. Item#: 6324 $32.50

This is just the kind of primer I like. The super "glide-y" kind that tends to feel a little thick and very slippery. I only got a sample of this product, but I was very pleased with the results I got from it. I even broke my own cardinal rule of never bringing home half used samples from vacations. I wanted to use it until it was gone and that alone should tell you that it's good. A little goes a long way (I'm finding that true of most Arbonne products) but be careful not to overdo it or you'll be blending all day. The price may seem a bit steep, but you literally need an amount half the size of a pea for your entire face. This is a very good and wonderfully slippery primer.

Review- Perricone MD Ceramic Skin Smoother

This oil-free treatment instantly fills lines and wrinkles, corrects skin imperfections and diminishes the appearance of enlarged pores. Formulated with a proprietary blend of advanced technologies, it also provides long lasting ant-aging benefits and antioxidant protection. It leaves skin looking smooth and flawless. $75

CLINICALS:

• 100% reported their skin appeared smoother
• 97% reported their skin appeared firmer and more moisturized
• 81% noticed more even skin tone and a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles

I have to say I was very skeptical about the claims this product makes. It sounds like a face lift in a bottle. And where I can't attest to the wrinkle part, my skin did look smoother and more even. It also felt like it was "locking in" my moisturizer. But the real stunner is what it does for your foundation! I applied it the other night at 7 PM. I went out and returned at 1 AM. I looked in the mirror and my foundation looked as if I had just put it on! I was amazed! No wearing off at the cheeks, no foundation rolling into cracks and crevices, just flawless foundation. All that & it's good for your skin! It is a little pricey, but if youve got the dough, this product is definitely worth it. It's by far the best primer I've used.

Review- Aloette Flawless HP Rapid Skin Perfection

Restore a healthy glow and even tone to mature skin with this color-correcting face serum. With a yellow tint to offset age spots and discolorations, Flawless HP Rapid Skin Perfection’s light-diffusing properties clarify and illuminate splotchy skin while minimizing the appearance of pores.

To be entirely honest, I couldn't figure out what this stuff was/did when I first took a look at the bottle. It said to put it on before applying make up, but I wasn't sure if it was a moisturizer... a peel.. some sort of make up base... or what. When I went to the website, I realized it was a corrector, it covered up spots and illuminated the skin to mask visible pores, signs of aging, all those types of things. I tried it out a few times this week under my foundation and was pretty shocked at how well it worked. It's tinted and the color offsets a lot of age related issues, but also discolorations in my skin from dullness and overdrying, and a few scars that are light but annoy me. I'm not sure if this is one of the benefits Aloette touts for this product, but it also seemed to make my foundation last longer, which is always appreciated because of long days hauling around the office and the city.
p.s. did I mention that they don't test on animals? Another great bonus!
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CitySlicker Says: I too was in the dark upon receiving this product... I was thinking Flawless HP, sounds good to me... I like the term flawless when applied to skincare – it’s a sell for me! I have been using this for just shy of one week. I really like the formula. I find that it agrees with me skincare that I apply first. As you ladies know when something doesn’t agree, well the results are nightmarish. I have applied with my fingertips and will my foundation brush. For me fingertips works much better so I get a more complete application. It really feels like a foundation primer. My face is very smooth and feels and looks like all the little lines are filled it. I think it helps with the foundation too, keeping in on and giving a longer wear time. The result after applying foundation is a smooth look that is natural. I think my skin tone has a more alive look – it’s brighter and plump too. I will use scrape this out of the tube also! My skin seems to maintain the hydrated look throughout the day too. I am using this in conjunction with look alive.

Review- Laura Geller Spackle Under Makeup Primer Trio

Spackle is a unique under make up primer that creates a smooth palette for your make up. Non toxic silicone fills in fine lines while natural botanicals nourish your skin. The original, and still the best. Oil free formula. $25 for 2 oz.

Let me first start out by saying I could not find a listing for the primer trio. The kit I recieved had primer for eyes, lips and face. Since I can't find it, I'll just review what I did find, the face primer. I'd not been in the habit of using a foundation primer, but after using this, I'm now a devotee. This primer makes your foundation go on as smooth as silk and last for hours. I thought it would be annoying to add another step to my make-up routine, but when I look at the results I get, it's worth the extra minute to put it on and allow it to soak in. It also adds that little extra bit of much needed moisture. If your skin is anything less than flawless, I suggest you give this "foundation for your foundation" a try.

Joyce says:

I tried it with liquid base, mineral powders (two brands), and cream base. On my skin, the only one that gave me results that came close to the praise my co-blogger gave it was the cream base. So . . . I turned to my friend who has skin “issues” and asked her to try it. I also gave her the Mary Kay mineral powder I bought in a summer shade. Any tanning I had has faded; so rather than let the powder sit for a year—and since I thought it would match my friend’s skin tone—I gave this to her to try, as well. What a huge difference. I’ve never seen her skin look so smooth, even, and blemish-free (which it’s not). Mineral powders are good, but they're not that good. In my friend’s case, Spackle was a huge success!

Sheba says:

Wow, Laura Geller, where have you been? My face is in love with Laura Geller Spackle Under Makeup Primer. This is like a magic potion for my face -- it actually smooths it out very evenly; my skin actually looks transformed. I use both a mousse and mineral powder -- on different days. It worked its wonders with both for me. This is an essential in my makeup arsenal now. I would be in a state of panic without it. In addition my little magic jar has lip and eye primer in the top part of it. Those are also worth their weight in gold. The eye primer smooths the crepiness in my lids and seems to keep any shadow in place for much longer periods than usual. The lip primer also helps to diminish the appearance of lip lines and my lipstick does stay on my lips a lot better. I feel that the price is definitely worth it when you see the results. I do not need a lot to get the results so it will last for a while. You can bet I will be buying more of this before I run out!! My face will never forgive me if I don't keep up this regime.

Review:- Allison Raffaele Primer

Face Forward Primer SPF 15 - Acne Response is designed to create a smooth, even canvas for perfect makeup application. A mineral-based SPF of 15 protects the skin against UV damage while Alison Raffaele's Frutta di Vita complex neutralizes free radicals with antioxidants.

One problem I've always had with wearing foundation is that I feel like it slides right off my oily skin, making it difficult to keep it on all day long. This primer (a product I didn't really even know existed until I started writing for this blog) stops that problem in its tracks. There's really not much to dislike about it - it instantly (no, really: INSTANTLY) creates a smooth, dry surface on which you can layer whatever makeup you normally use. I'm pretty much always at some level of "shiny" in the face, and in the heat of summer, it's even worse. (Remember, though, girls don't sweat...they glow. And normally, I'm glowing like a pig.) My face actually looked like a matte surface instead of a reflective solar panel. It feels wonderful, and the results are great. My face looks controlled, but natural. It's $44, but I might actually spring for this one!

Amanda S. Says:

I break out and I have super dry skin. It's a real pain in the you-know-what. Unlike above, my make up won't slide off, it'll flake my skin out like crazy. I was hesitant to try this because I was afraid it would exacerbate that already awful stuff, but to my happiness, it didn't. My make up stayed on in all the right places, no flaking, and after a week my skin looked much nicer.

Sheba says:

I also had no idea what a primer was used for until I read the reviews!! I thought I just need to put on my moisturizer and then the make up. Wow, have I been missing an important step!! My only problem is that I received such a small sample that it was only enough for 3 days and it is very hard to make a true evaluation in such a short period. I would have preferred to be able to use it for a week to 10 days in order to get some real feedback from my face on this. I am betting it would have been an excellent review judging from my three days experience. I would like to have seen if I noticed the skin improvement that Amanda had. I will say that my limited experience was very favorable. I did see and feel that my skin was more prepared to apply my makeup, etc. It was sort of like getting the canvas ready for the paint. The Allison Raffaele Primer definitely set my skin for the make up. My skin looked and felt firmer and smoother -- making it relatively easy to apply my makeup. $44 does seem steep to me but if I saw the skin improvements that Amanda saw - in addition to the benefits of the primer just setting my skin for the makeup application -- I would gladly hand over my $44. . . okay, maybe not gladly.

CitySlicker Says:

I am a primer lover! I feel like making the extra investment in primers is well worth it, no matter what age. It really assists in a better look to your foundation. Allison’s is really nice product. I got a sample and was able to scrap till the last molecule I got 4 days worth. I found the formula to be light and finish to a soft lightly powdery feel. It truly helped out in keeping my foundation in place as well as giving me a boost in the plump factor. My makeup stayed on without any slippage and didn’t ride into any of my fine lines. As Sheba mentioned I would fork over the $44 for an entire bottle. My face felt great using this!

Deedlejuse Says:

I have to agree with everyone above, this primer made my foundation stay right where it was supposed to be, and it made the application process much easier. I applied it after my face crème and before my foundation, and it didn’t feel like I had anything on! I am not a big foundation wearer. I usually just stick with the tinted lotions, because I have clear skin and I don’t really need to wear a base. So, for me to have three layers on (and a real foundation) and not even feel it is to say the least amazing. As others mentioned, I didn’t get enough of a sample to really give too much feedback. But I really liked the way my skin felt, and how it looked when I was wearing it. In fact, since I could probably get an entire lifetime out of a whole ounce (you really don’t need very much; the sample that we got was seriously minuscule) I would definitely consider getting this product for the rare occasions that I do actually wear foundation.