Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer was part of the Smashbox Superstars that I got last year. I've been using this primer since then, and the first 2-3 times I thought it's one of the best products ever! It minimized my pores & made my skin so silky and smooth!
And then when I used it after that, maybe in early December, I got the most painful and angry pimples I've ever had on my forehead near my hairline, and on my chin- which left a scar! This is because it has Dimethicone, better known as Silicone, which is known to clog pores and cause breakouts.
Still, I wasn't ready to give up on it, so on Friday, I used it again and the next morning, ta-da two pimples again- on my forehead and cheek area near my nose where the larger pores are. Sigh! But this time, they are small and not so painful.
See how it works:
*The best way to test foundation primers & line fillers is to apply them in the thenar space between your thumb and index finger.
 |
| BEFORE: Without Primer |
 |
| Applying Smashbox Photo Finish Primer |
 |
| AFTER Primer |
I'm just glad I didn't buy the big sized bottle, like I planned.
Maybe if i keep using it, my skin will develop a resistance to the pimple-causing silicone, like Katherine became resistant to Vervain (flower that weakens vampires) by taking a small dose everyday in The Vampire Diaries? :)
♥ Cynthia Z ^.^
♥ Cynthia Z ^.^
I generally avoid primers for this reason itself - they have a very high concentration of silicons that gives them that slippery, smooth feel, which I personally don't like at all - each time I use it - it feels like a film over my skin.. I generally keep it for big events only..
ReplyDeleteBut I loved yr method of testing primers - thks for sharing :D
Thats aweful..i really had no idea abt silicone being like that..will avoid it in future...
ReplyDeleteI dislike their primers as I have used two samples. Both made my skin feel really smooth but when people took my photograph, I looked like I had a white furry face.
ReplyDeleteTry Korres, they're really good.
Your tip on testing primer is very useful...
ReplyDeleteI think you might just develop resistance. Sometimes I feel that leaving pores open in pollution like this is worse.
ReplyDeleteI have a tip for you. If you pay attention you will know when you might be developing pimples..that area starts itching a little before hand. When you feel that put very little white toothpaste there and you will not get the pimple.
Make sure you use WHITE toothpaste and put it BEFORE getting pimple and use a very small amount.
This thing made my skin dry n flaky - no breakout but. Totally hated it.Thank god, it was just a sample size from Smashbox n I din't splurge on it! Since then, I tend to stay away from gel based primers.
ReplyDelete*breakouts, I mean
ReplyDeleteCynthia do try the laura mercier oil free primer..its an amazing product, which may not give the same smooth appearance as smashbox only coz it contains less silica and usually never breaks out people :) btw i love your blog such honest passion and talent for makeup in india is rare :)
ReplyDeleteOo I would stop using it. There are other primers to try that do not contain silicone or a lower concentration of it. I hate the way this prime makes my skin feel and daily use makes my skin flakey and gross. Thanks for the testing tip.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so awful :(
ReplyDeleteI don't have issues with silicon, so I guess it didn't irritate me for that reason. In fact, I break out because of foundation near my nose and this primer helped me not break out by making a shield. We all have different skin, I guess.
aoyv- oh ur so lucky! Ya it's a diff story for diff skin type
ReplyDeleteFannie- Ur welcome. Too bad it didn't for u too Ya other primers I have don't break me out
Anonymous- Ya I have that n like it a lot..doesn't cause breakouts. Thanks u so much, that's very sweet of u to say :)
appu- oww...too bad
tejal- Thanks for the tip! My skin does itch before I get pimples. I will get a white toothpaste esp for that
♥xx♥
shalini- glad u find it useful :)
ReplyDeleterhamnousia- I so wanna try Korres products!
pnb- ya better avoid
T- ur welcome! Some primers are actually really good
♥xx♥
Saw this yesterday in Sephora- thank god I didnt buy this- Actually Silica dekh ke hi nahi liya
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of getting this but have an acne prone T-zone so maybe I will avoid it. Thanks for the review
ReplyDeletetoo sad that a so called great product contains ingredients thats cause pimples. i can understand your pain
ReplyDeletei use this too but luckily it does not break me out. i have find that there are better primers than this though, IMO this product is so overrated. ^-^
ReplyDeletei never knew silicone was bad for skin, thanks dear for the wonderful post
ReplyDeleteomg! just two days ago i ordered a huge 2 0z tube of this primer for my kit! i am scared now! :-(
ReplyDeletesiri- aww..don't worry girl, maybe it'll work on u. I hope it does
ReplyDeleterentu- thank u
sugar sugar- good that it doesn't break u out. I like it but it doesn't like me ;)
♥xx♥
saimese- ya better avoid it if u have acne prone skin
ReplyDeletebee- good call :)
♥xx♥
Awwe too bad it isn't a great primers, otherwise it really evened out your skin xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat tip for testing primers. When I read that the last time u tried it the pimples were not so painful.. I wanted to say ur skin got used to it :)
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction with MAC's Prep+Prime primer.. the pimples were the cystic kind and they took ages to go away. I now use Laura Mercier's oil free primer. It's not perfect but it makes my makeup last a whole day at work and it does not break me out.
ReplyDeletetry the inglot under makeup base. its fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI was actually planning on getting this product after my NARS primer runs out. Good thing I found your review! You saved my skin and my wallet. Thanks Cynthia!
ReplyDeleteOh, glad you found it helpful :)
Delete♥xx♥