Smashbox

Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer.

Primer

About this product

A silicone-based primer designed to create a smooth, blurred finish and minimize pores for a photo-ready base.

Full ingredients

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trisiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Water, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

Guru Score

80%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This primer earns praise for smoothing and blurring texture, making it a favourite for photo and video work. However, those with drier skin may find it leaves them wanting more hydration on its own, so mixing it with a hydrating primer can help fill that gap.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take October 2024

What they liked

Smooths pores effectively in targeted areas
Helps control oil in the T-zone

What they flagged

Can feel insufficiently hydrating
Results inconsistent, doesn't always perform

Type

Primer

Key actives

RetinoidVitamin ESPF

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

HotandFlashy

1.23M subs

✓Yay

"This is not for every day, this is not something necessary for every day by any means, but it is a great primer for when you're going to be taking a lot of photos or in video. I focus this in the T-Zone on the areas that have larger pores. I'm not going to put this all over because it's not necessary."

Alexandra Anele

1.44M subs

✓Yay

"I'm going in with the smooth and blur primer from Smashbox which I really love to smooth out the center of my face where I have larger pores and a little bit more oil production. I've been loving it."

All 2 takes from Alexandra Anele

Your New Favorite Goth Makeup Tutorial

"The smoothing one from Smashbox, [...] sometimes it's just not enough hydration. I like to mix them, I like to customize all of my makeup. If you haven't tried it you should try it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I would say a lot of the time it doesn't."

This is your new go-to Soft Glam makeup

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer?

A silicone-based primer designed to create a smooth, blurred finish and minimize pores for a photo-ready base.

Is Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 80%.

What is Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer's Guru Score?

Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer holds a Guru Score of 80%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.