Product Review: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

     I began testing this foundation primer over 2 months ago. I've definitely been able to put it through its paces. I wore it when it was below freezing and dry, to the gym, when its been hot out, for photos and I've worn it for literally an entire day. Now, I have annoyingly oily skin. I should probably work for BP or something (but I don't want that kind of bad press) because within an hour of putting on my makeup I'm shiny enough to be seen from space. Which would be enough trouble in itself, but then, I also have very acne prone skin with scarring and ginormous pores. Ugh! So, as you can imagine, I've tried all sorts of things to try and solve this these problems. From oil absorbing toners to face powders; from foundations designed for oily skin to varying primers - nothings worked. Until...dun-dun-dunnn...anyway...
     Foundation primers are used to create a more even-toned, smoother surface on which to apply the rest of your makeup and to keep your makeup in place longer. There are primers in different colors (pink for brightening, green for reducing redness, lavender for balancing yellowness) and they come in different finishes (matte, luminescent, etc).
   
     Packaging: I personally love simple, black packaging. I like the professional look of it and that's what I like about this product. Both the full and travel size are clear and black. I personally have the travel size (.5 oz.) which I think is plenty big. I do think that the full size bottle might be a bit big if you're the kind of girl who travels with her kit frequently, so that's something to consider.
   
     Formulation: This primer is silicone based. (If you have a sensitivity to silicone then this is not the primer for you) It is clear and feels silky smooth. When you apply it to the skin it feels "frictionless".
    
     Scent: None
    
     Application: When you apply it to the skin it feels "frictionless". A small amount about the size of a pea will easily cover the whole face. You should put on a moisturizer on first, let it absorb into your skin for 5-10 minutes and then apply the primer with clean fingers. I really like the way this primer feels on my face.
    
     Longevity:  I was pleased with the way it felt. I definitely noticed that it minimized my pores and smoothed out the appearance of my skin. As I was checking it out in the mirror after wearing it for the day, I was trying to figure out what else looked different...and that's when I realized that I wasn't reflective and covered in enough oil to make a batch of fries! Smashbox Primer seriously mattified my usually shiny, oily skin. It combats the oil and prevents it from disturbing your makeup.
    
     Price/Quantity: Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer can be purchased at Ulta and Sephora, in store and online. A 1 oz. bottle ranges in price from $36-$38 and the .5 oz. travel size sells for $16-$17 and if you absolutely fall in love with this stuff they sell a jumbo 2 oz. container for $49. It comes in a variety of colors including clear, green, lavender, apricot, bronze and one with an SPF of 15.
   
     Shelf Life: This product should be discarded after 2 years.

IF YOU ASK ME
I really love this stuff! It seems pricey, but this primer will last you a good long time and it does the job, especially if you have oily skin. This will also be great for summer when you're going to be exposed to the heat and humidity. It kept the shine down to almost nothing after 8+ hours and it made my pores and uneven skin texture much less noticeable. This is without a doubt my new favorite primer!
    
     
     
     

The Two Foundation Fix & Choosing the Right Shade

It's great to find the perfect foundation; that lovely little miracle in a bottle (or compact) that makes our flaws disappear and at the same time reveals our natural, radiant skin. What's not so great is when you wear that same foundation, in that same exact color, every single day all year long. Because, unless you live on the dark side of the moon, you're skin does not stay the same exact color all year long. During the summer months, even with lots of protection from the sun, most of us turn a shade or two darker, and then as we move into the winter we fade back to a lighter color. What I see so often is women who, despite the fact that it's minus 20 outside, will continue to wear the same foundation that they wore after spending an entire summer in Tahiti. They aren't fooling anybody. Or I see just the opposite. Girls whose faces look washed out while everything else looks sun-kissed and glowing. When you don't wear the proper shade of foundation...you're head looks like it's on someone else's body.

To solve this dilemma is simple. And it doesn't require you to buy every shade of foundation ranging from "Graceful Swan" to "Ebony Smoke". If you want to always be sure that your foundation will be spot on then all you'll need is two foundations. The first foundation will be one that is nearest your skin color when it is lightest. The second should match your skin color when it is at its darkest (which is usually only one to two shades darker). When your skin color is lightest you'll only need to use the light foundation shade. As your skin darkens just mix in a small amount of the darker foundation, adding more of the darker one as your skin gets darker. To mix the two foundations you can use either a mixing palette, the lid of the foundation container, a wax-coated paper plate or the back of your hand. Mix them with your fingers or a foundation brush and then apply. You can do this with any kind of foundation - liquid, cream, airbrush or powder. It may take a couple of tries before you figure out the right amounts to mix but once you do its really easy.

Next, how do you make sure you're face and body will blend together seamlessly? You've probably been told that to pick the correct color of foundation you need to swipe a swatch (<---say that 3 times fast!) of the color onto your jawline until you find the one that matches. The problem with this is that some people's facial coloring is naturally a little off from the color of their neck and chest, either from having a ruddy complexion or skin discoloration. If you want your foundation to look as natural on you as possible then swatch foundation colors on the lower area of your neck. It only makes sense to find a color that matches this area since your neck is the median between your face and your body, right? Also, the base of your neck will never be more than one shade up or down from your face - which, by the way, you SHOULD NOT go more than one shade up or down from your current skin color. Ever. You look funny...and not like funny ha-ha.