It's scary to think but I've been wearing make up regularly now for nearly 20 years now. My make up routine has changed a lot in that time, I'm better at applying make up now, thank goodness and something that I always use now is a make up primer.
Up until say the last 10 years or so, it was nearly impossible to find a make up primer either in a salon or on a counter, but behind the scenes, professional make up artists either used specialist products or made their own concoctions to perfect the skin and to make their make up looks last longer.
I know a lot of people are still cynical about primers but when you think about it, they make perfect sense. It's a widely used analogy but you wouldn't paint a wall or a piece of furniture with making sure that the surface was smooth, and without using an undercoat or a primer, and our skin is exactly the same, a good primer will not only help to smooth and perfect the surface of the skin, but it will also help your make up last longer.
Think of make up primers and one brand automatically springs to mind, Smashbox. In those days when it was impossible to buy primers in your local chemists, Smashbox were one of the first companies to bring primers to the mass, retail market. The original Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer was the first primer that I ever tried and it's still one of the brands best sellers. There are now more than 10 primers in the Smashbox line catering for all skin types and skin concerns but their newest primer release is by far their most unusual and most innovative.
Texture wise when think of primer you automatically think of something with either a cream or a gel texture, but the new Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is probably the first primer water on the market and as the name would suggest isn't a gel or a cream, it's a runny liquid resembling clear water. This clear water like liquid is silicone, oil and alcohol free. It contains caffeine extract, real diamond powder, and electrolytes, and claims to leave the skin shine free and radiant as well as proving intense moisture to leave the skin smooth, and hydrated.
It comes packaged in a clear pump action spray bottle which dispenses a very fine mist with a light, almost herbal like scent. The texture is almost exactly like water, and had a cool light feel on the skin, in fact you barely feel anything, it isn't oily, or greasy, and there is only, a tiny, tiny bit of tackiness
Up until say the last 10 years or so, it was nearly impossible to find a make up primer either in a salon or on a counter, but behind the scenes, professional make up artists either used specialist products or made their own concoctions to perfect the skin and to make their make up looks last longer.
I know a lot of people are still cynical about primers but when you think about it, they make perfect sense. It's a widely used analogy but you wouldn't paint a wall or a piece of furniture with making sure that the surface was smooth, and without using an undercoat or a primer, and our skin is exactly the same, a good primer will not only help to smooth and perfect the surface of the skin, but it will also help your make up last longer.
Texture wise when think of primer you automatically think of something with either a cream or a gel texture, but the new Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is probably the first primer water on the market and as the name would suggest isn't a gel or a cream, it's a runny liquid resembling clear water. This clear water like liquid is silicone, oil and alcohol free. It contains caffeine extract, real diamond powder, and electrolytes, and claims to leave the skin shine free and radiant as well as proving intense moisture to leave the skin smooth, and hydrated.
It comes packaged in a clear pump action spray bottle which dispenses a very fine mist with a light, almost herbal like scent. The texture is almost exactly like water, and had a cool light feel on the skin, in fact you barely feel anything, it isn't oily, or greasy, and there is only, a tiny, tiny bit of tackiness
It's definitely easier and less messy to use than a conventional primer, you just do your normal skincare routine, then when your moisturiser has sunk in, you just squirt a couple of sprays all over your skin, then you leave it dry and apply your make up over the top as normal
As well as a primer you also use this product instead of you normal setting spray. I've just been spraying it over my finished make up to set but you can also use it to refresh your make up throughout the day, and if you pop it in the fridge you can also use it as a general skin refresher spray. Oh and if your a real make up junkie you can also use it for foiling eyeshadows, and for transforming powder products into creams and liquids
If you think about this product purely as a primer, I have to admit I'm torn. I've been testing it since the end of January and over the last few months I've used it with all different types of foundations from creams, to liquids, powders and minerals, and I have to say it worked well with pretty much every single one of them. In most cases my make up applied more more evenly and it tended to last longer, and in one case it even stopped a foundation that I'd given up wearing, oxidising on my skin.
It definitely creates some sort of a barrier on the skin, but, in my opinion a primer should perfect the skin and for me this doesn't really do that. If you skin is perfect this would be all you need but if you're like me and you have open pores, an uneven skin tone, or texture or even discolouration, then you would probably need to use either a cream of a gel primer, alongside this one to thoroughly smooth and improve the surface of your skin.
Although it's marketed as a primer, this product for me is something more than that. For me this product comes into it's own when I use as a make up setter and skin refresher. In my experience it works way better than some of the more specialised setting products on the market. Refresher sprays and setting sprays are a real must have for me, as well as having oily skin, due to illness and medication I tend to perspire a lot. I usually have a bag or a pocket full of tissues, blotting powders and when I can, some form of face spray. It's a pain, my make up slips, and I look all flushed but I've actually found that this helps quite a bit. As well as helping my make up last longer a bit longer, this has also helped to cool and refresh my skin especially during those warmer days that we had a couple of weeks ago, and it's even better if you keep it in the fridge x
This product also makes a pretty fantastic mixing medium. Yes, you can use water to transform powder products into creams, and liquids but I don't think it works quite as well as this does. As well as getting the obvious skin care benefits, it also gives a nice smooth result and it doesn't damage your powder products. I've got a few reviews coming soon where I've used this product to take both eyeshadows and a foundation from dry to wet, so keep checking back to read them x
It definitely creates some sort of a barrier on the skin, but, in my opinion a primer should perfect the skin and for me this doesn't really do that. If you skin is perfect this would be all you need but if you're like me and you have open pores, an uneven skin tone, or texture or even discolouration, then you would probably need to use either a cream of a gel primer, alongside this one to thoroughly smooth and improve the surface of your skin.
Although it's marketed as a primer, this product for me is something more than that. For me this product comes into it's own when I use as a make up setter and skin refresher. In my experience it works way better than some of the more specialised setting products on the market. Refresher sprays and setting sprays are a real must have for me, as well as having oily skin, due to illness and medication I tend to perspire a lot. I usually have a bag or a pocket full of tissues, blotting powders and when I can, some form of face spray. It's a pain, my make up slips, and I look all flushed but I've actually found that this helps quite a bit. As well as helping my make up last longer a bit longer, this has also helped to cool and refresh my skin especially during those warmer days that we had a couple of weeks ago, and it's even better if you keep it in the fridge x
This product also makes a pretty fantastic mixing medium. Yes, you can use water to transform powder products into creams, and liquids but I don't think it works quite as well as this does. As well as getting the obvious skin care benefits, it also gives a nice smooth result and it doesn't damage your powder products. I've got a few reviews coming soon where I've used this product to take both eyeshadows and a foundation from dry to wet, so keep checking back to read them x
Yes this product looks exactly like plain water, but don't be fooled it's much more than that - in fact I think even the word primer is misleading, it's a real multi use product! If you have no real skin issues then yes, this might be all you need from a primer, but if your like me and you have a few issues with discolouration, or open pores, then you may need to use it alongside a more conventional primer for the best results. Despite that though I will definitely consider repurchasing this product rather than my usual setting spray, when I finish this bottle, for both setting my make up, refreshing my skin, and as a mixing medium. It isn't the cheapest product out there but the spray is so fine, a little goes a long way, so this bottle will last you quite a while. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water retails at around £20 for 116ml and is available from Smashbox, Boots, and Smashbox counters nationwide.
(*Sample)
Oh, it look me ages to get on the primer bandwagon. But let me tell you, it isn't just a hype! Haven't tried out the smashbox primers yet, but they sure do make a huge difference right?
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