Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer Review

Hello everyone,

We all know the importance of primers in our makeup routine. While most of us take care to prime our face and eyelids, do we do the same for our under-eye area? This review will be on the Smashbox Hydrating Under Eye Primer.

Product Description:
An innovative primer dedicated to the delicate skin under eyes.

What it does: This breakthrough, ultra-hydrating formula primes the under-eye area while reducing the look of fine lines, puffiness, wrinkles, age spots, and dark circles. Smooth under eyes before makeup application or wear alone for instant brightening. Its soothing qualities improve skin texture and tone, and unlike moisturizer, this silky primer prevents concealer from slipping off and settling into fine lines.  This product is infused with anti-aging, good-for-your-eyes ingredients such as caffeine, peptides, and optical diffusers.

Research results: This primer immediately provides the following key benefits:

• 69 % increase in hydration.
• 56 % improvement in clarity.
• 46 % improvement in radiance.

Key benefits shown in 8 weeks:
-37 % decrease in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
-28 % reduction of dark circles
-21 % decrease of puffiness.

Price:
$29

My Experience with Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer:

Packaging:  This primer comes in a squeeze tube, which is clear, so you know how much product you have left. The applicator is silicone type material. You can use it to directly spread the product on your under eye or take some on your fingertips and dab it on, which is how I like to apply this. A little goes a long way with this product; you do not need to cake it on.

Texture:  This primer is very smooth and hydrating yet lightweight. With a few light dabs, it absorbs quickly in the under-eye area without leaving any heavy sticky residue. It feels refreshing and mildly firming on my under eye, which may be due to the presence of caffeine.

Feel on the skin:  This primer feels like a lightweight eye cream. I have very oily eye area while the rest of my face is dry. My concealer if not set with a powder will get shiny and crease in a matter of a couple of hours, hence I refrain from layering a heavy eye cream before my concealer application as it is sure to make my concealer slide around, but that is not the case with this product. While it thoroughly hydrates my under eye and preps it for concealer application, it does not make the greasy or shiny. It does impart a brightening effect, but does not alter the finish of your concealer, for example, I prefer my under-eye to be all matte and this primer does not hinder that.

It smooths my under-eye area and I do detect a difference in how my concealer wears on top of this primer vs by itself. I do notice how my concealer applies and blends smoothly and does not seem to settle into creases as easily on top of this primer. Though it does claim to reduce the look of dark circles, I saw no such effect on my heavy dark circles, it mostly applies clear onto the skin.

I do like the fact since it is not heavy or greasy, my under eye eyeliner and mascara don’t smudge. It does make my under eye concealer wear better and longer throughout the day and keeps it looking fresh and non cakey.

Fragrance:  It has a mild scent, nothing overpowering.

Overall, though initially, I was very skeptical about this product and thought it was a gimmick, it has become an imperative routine in my pre-makeup prep, just like a face and eyelid primer. If you already have a good eye cream which works for you which you use before your concealer application, I wouldn’t say this is a must have, but if you have not had any good luck finding one, try this one, you might be pleasantly surprised as I was. I will recommend this product.

Pros of Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer:

• Lightweight, non greasy.
• Hydrating yet not oily.
• Preps under-eye for concealer application.
• Brightens under eye.
• Does not alter the finish of the concealer.
• Makes the concealer look fresh all day.
• Improves the wear time of the concealer.
• Does not let the concealer settle into fine lines.
• Does not smudge under eye makeup or mascara.

Cons of Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer:

• None for me.

IMBB Rating:
5/5

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