SUMMER is a beauty anomaly. The season of shiny-faces, oiliness, and melting makeup, American beauty brand Smashbox is here to help with their Photo Finish Oil and Shine Control primer.
Created in Los Angeles, heat-proof beauty is built into this brand’s DNA. Since its release, the Photo Finish primer range has become a staple in the beauty community, impressing the masses with its staying power and blurring effects. Not one to believe the hype, I decided to see if the primer was really worth the rave.
The primer is designed for all skin tones and types, with a weightless and translucent finish. The primer also immediately appealed to me as it is completely odourless, which was especially attractive considering my recent beauty nightmare with a star-anise primer which made me smell strongly of liquorice. The formula is pleasantly silky smooth, applying to the skin easily and evenly. Unlike other primers I’ve tried, the primer features an oil-to-powder formula, which I initially had no idea even existed in the beauty world. Impressing me with its subtly matte finish, the oil-to-power transformation absorbed my shininess while blurring my skin’s redness and pore-visibility.
Photo Finish Oil and Shine Control Primer
Without a doubt, the best thing about this primer is its durability. When using this primer I found that my face makeup could easily last a 12-hour wear, with no need for any touch-ups. I was even able to spend a sweltering day at London Pride without having to lug around my makeup-bag – impressive by July heat-wave standards. However, the primer isn’t just designed to help with long-wear, but also contains added witch hazel, salicylic acid and zinc for added skin benefits.
Having lived a day with the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, I can now say I understand the hype around the collection. Keeping my face matte, while not drying out my skin or creating a cakey finish, I was happily surprised by its longevity and functionality in comparison to other primers I’ve tried out. Definitely a summer beauty must-have, the primer proves its worth as one of the beauty brand’s consistently best-selling products.
by Emma Hart
The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil and Shine Control is available online here