Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil Review

Hello everyone,
I am one of those people who is blessed with dry everything, dry skin, dry hair, dry eyes, you just name it! Hence oils are my best friend in a way. I have use many kinds of oils for my skin and the item I am about to share with you today has been so impressive, it might probably go in my top 3 favorite oils of all time. So, without delaying let’s get into the review of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil.
Smashbox primer oil

About the product:
A primer with the luxury of a face oil, infused with a blend of 15 essential and lipid-rich plant oils to moisturize the face for seamless foundation application and a dewy, youthful finish.

What it does:
This revolutionary primer preps your skin for makeup in two different ways: it sits on top of the complexion to smooth its texture, while it absorbs directly into the skin to hydrate and boost moisturization. It reduces the appearance of dry, fine lines and leaves you with a glowing look. Featuring a specially formulated, lightweight blend of jojoba, arabica, and argan oils, it’s also infused with soothing chamomile and lavender oils to calm the senses. Each is hand-picked for its known skin benefits.

Price – $42
ingredients

My Experience with Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil:

Packaging: This oil comes in a glass bottle with a dropper dispenser. Since it is a transparent bottle it is best to store this away from direct light to keep the ingredients stable for long. But overall the bottle is very pretty but not travel friendly.

Texture and usage: As the name suggests this is primer “oil” but the consistency of it is thinner and more lightweight than all the other facial oils I have used. Hence it works fabulously for its intended purpose which is to prep and prime the skin.
Smashbox primer oil bottle packaging

I need only 1-3 drops depending on how dry my skin is and rub it between my palms and pat it all over my face. My skin just absorbs this in without leaving a heavy, sticky or greasy residue behind. I wait for 1-2 minutes for it to work its magic before starting with my makeup application.

The way it immediately smoothes and replenishes the driest, dehydrated areas of my skin is nothing short of magic. It does leave a slight bit of oily slip to my skin like a protective barrier but it does not feel greasy and in no way interferes with how my makeup sits on my skin except to make it look even better.

I find this product works best when worn under makeup and not mixed into foundation – since it is still an oil it has a potential to break down makeup (for this purpose look into Cover Fx Custom Infusion Drops).

I love this product so much that I would just use it whenever my skin needs a bit of ‘TLC’ after sitting too long in AC or after using a really drying clay mask. It can also be used to smooth flyways, split ends in hair, as cuticle oil and to treat dry areas of the body like elbows and feet or as night oil. This product is just ‘HG’ stuff for me.
Smashbox primer oil dropper

Finish: It does leave a slight luminous glow to the skin which I like. It does leave my skin looking smoother but it does not fill in pores (nor does it claim to) like silicone primers would. It just makes my skin look supple and baby soft. It gives the much needed luster back to dull skin.

Staying Power: I have not noticed this oil adversely affecting the wear time of my makeup. It doesn’t necessarily prolong the wear either. By the end of the day I have not noticed my face getting shinier or greasy any more than it usually would.

Fragrance: It has a mild sweet scent – the smell of sweet Almond oil which I find very soothing.
Overall if you have not already noticed, I am completely in love with this product. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this to oily or combo skin but if you are dry or super dry, run to a Sephora near you and grab this and thank me later!
Smashbox primer oil swatch

Pros of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil:

• Beautiful bottle.
• Light weight, non-greasy oil.
• Multipurpose oil; can be used on skin hair, nails.
• Light sweet almond oil scent.
• Leaves my skin moisturized and supple in minutes.
• Improves the softness and texture of my skin in the long run.
• Makes the foundation on top apply smoother and not cling to any dry spots.

Cons of Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil:

• Glass bottle, clumsy people take caution.
• Does not necessarily affect the longevity on my makeup, in case that is one criterion for buying this.

IMBB Rating – 5/5

Importance of Makeup Primers
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Foundation Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer Adjust
Smashbox Oil-Free Photo Finish Foundation Primer

IMBB RECOMMENDS

2 thoughts on “Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil Review

  1. I was supposed to get a sample of this with my Sephora order – till then went ahead and cancelled my order – AGAIN!!!

    Did you try using it for blending with a BB? Like the Farsali oil? Im curious…

    1. Well for your skin type and mumbai weather it’s best u didn’t get this, but then again that’s what samples are for.
      I find my fingers and warmth of my hands work better for this, BB would soak up too much since it is a thin oil, I rather not let this precious oil go to waste

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