All About Smashbox Primer
Smashbox Primer has somewhat of a cult following in the beauty world, winning countless awards like Sephora's Award for the Best Primer and Marie Claire's 25 Products That Will Change Your Life, and it's easy to see why. The line, with its wide range of available styles to suit every skin type and need is wildly effective at doing what it does - helping your makeup to stay on as long as possible, first and foremost. All the auxiliary functions of the various types, like brightening skin, reducing redness or sallowness, are added bonuses tailored perfectly to fit every possible need.
When to Use a Primer
For those not in the know, primers are an important part of every women's makeup routine. They help smooth fine lines on the skin, tighten pores, smooth out and fill in uneven skin. By doing this, the skin becomes a flatter surface so that the makeup can be applied to a canvas-like surface. Additionally, primers have binding properties which will allow your makeup to stay on all day, and perhaps even more importantly, to stay put. While many
The products themselves are on the more expensive side, the tubes and pumps last ages and a lot of product does not need to be applied for the primer to function effectively. In fact, these products can last months or even up to a year (at which point, for sanitary reasons, it would be best to replace the product).
Photo Finish Primer
The best one to start out with for primer newbies is definitely the Photo Finish Foundation Primer. The primer comes in a 1 oz. tube and at $32, it's a good value for those still unsure of whether or not to use foundation. Additionally, without any additional properties besides priming, it's the least confusing for those who are unsure of where to start. The product, which is oil-free, promises with its lightweight formula of vitamins A and E, grape seed extract, and green tea, to crate flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish.
Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer
However, for those of you already familiar with primers, or those who might be slightly more daring, an array of options exists outside of the basic Photo Finish. The Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer series is a great way to go with its variety of products designed to even out skin tone with a formula of antioxidants, vitamins A and E, lemongrass, aloe, and orchid complex. Three shades exist in the line - blend, an apricot colored primer designed to counteract discoloration and darker spots, balance, a lavender colored primer designed to make skin less sallow and dull and brighten, and adjust, a green colored primer designed to help reduce redness. At $38, these products are slightly more expensive, but well worth the extra if one of these formulas would especially help a skin concern of yours.
Other Primers
Other primers Smashbox puts out include the Anti-Shine Primer, designed to reduce shine all day, the Photo Finish Lid Primer, designed to prime the eye area specifically, and the Photo Finish Foundation Primer Light, designed for oily skin.
Remember though, before buying a product, it is best to go to a counter to test it out - you never know how your skin will react.
