The Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is loved by many, and I see why. In fact, after using this foundation primer with various foundations it has now become one of my go-to foundation primers, especially for special events.
About The Makeup Primer Formula
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is one of the best silicone-based makeup primers at department stores.
However, to create the best makeup looks, it is recommended to use this primer with silicone-based foundations.
Does Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Work?
At first, I really wasn’t a fan of this primer. However, after pairing up with different foundations, I finally found a few foundations suitable for this primer.
Does it work?
So here’s the deal: it minimizes pores, blurs imperfections, and helps extremely mattifying foundations blend quickly (here’s a scenario).
So yes, it works extremely well, if it is paired with the right foundation and if you allow the primer to fully absorb into the skin before applying foundation.
Foundations That Work Great With Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Note, these are just the foundation and primer combinations I have tried, – this list isn’t exclusive.
- Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Teint Fluide Haute Perfection Ultrawear Flawless Foundation | Shade 132 Chocolat (Discontinued)
- Diorskin Forever Teint Haute Perfection Foundation | Shade 070 (Discontinued – I don’t know why???)
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation | Shade 440
- L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation | Shade 112 Cocoa
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(Marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate | Shade 84 Cocoa Medium
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Shameless Youthful-Look 24H Foundation | Shade Deep R50
- Maybelline Super Stay Full Coverage Foundation | Shade 112 Cocoa
- Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation + Concealer | Shade Golden Toffee 14
Is Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Pricey or Affordable?
Straight up – this primer isn’t cheap, but it isn’t as costly as YSL Touché Éclat Blur Primer, which I think the Smashbox Primer is a great dupe for.
Anyway, I have been searching for a good affordable Smashbox Photo Finish Primer dupe for everyday wear and so far I found a few. So if you are also searching for alternatives, here’s the tea on a few dupes I have been using for a while now.
Best Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupes
These dupes are similar in terms of texture, how they blend and perform.
Now, if you look closely at the picture below, you would realize the ELF primer looks like the odd one.
However, to be fair, the formula has thickened just a bit because it has been in my makeup stash for a while, but under normal circumstances, it would look very similar to the others.
- Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
- Black Opal, Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer
- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
- ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe vs ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer
The price range of ELF Cosmetics is unbelievable. Just thinking about the quality of the products at such a low price is mind-boggling.
Now that isn’t to say they don’t have some shady questionable duds because they do.
However, for the most part, they do a pretty good job and their line of mineral-infused face primers is proof.
I have purchased these primer several times and have made them staples in my collection.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
- Size: 0.50 fl. oz.
- Price: $15
- Price per oz: $30
ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer
- Size: 0.47 fl. oz.
- Price: $6
- Price per oz: $12.77
Is the ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer A Good Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe?
ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer compare to the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is very similar.
However, ELF mineral primer is slightly thicker and without a doubt cheaper than Smashbox foundation primer.
In terms of overall performance, there isn’t any noticeable difference.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe vs Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Maybelline is one of the popular drugstore makeup brands.
The brand produces affordable beauty products – some of them are great and some of them are duds. However, this primer is a win. Imagine it’s less than $6!
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
- Size: 0.50 fl. oz.
- Price: $15
- Price per oz: $30
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
- Size: 0.67 fl. oz.
- Price: $5.69
- Price per oz: $8.49
Is the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser A Good Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe?
Considering the price, Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is a good dupe for the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer if you are trying to save.
However, note it does not perform exactly like the Smashbox primer.
The Smashbox primer blurs way more and absorbs into the skin better.
I found that the Maybelline primer tends to sit on top of the skin a lot more than the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe vs Black Opal Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer
Black Opal, Ruby Kisses and Black Radiance have one thing in common!
These brands produce beauty produces as good as the other brands but they don’t really get the same attention, unfortunately.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
- Size: 0.50 fl. oz.
- Price: $15
- Price per oz: $30
Black Opal, Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer
- Size: 0.42 fl. oz.
- Price: $9.93
- Price per oz: $23.64
Is Black Opal, Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer A Good Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe?
Black Opal Gel Primer is a good dupe for the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer it is cheaper than Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and there isn’t much difference between these two foundation primers.
However, bear in mind for better skin blurring, the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer would perform better.
Therefore, if you don’t have enlarged pores or uneven skin surfaces to blur, purchasing this dupe instead makes sense.
Comparing The Top 10 Ingredients
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer 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
ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288)
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Ingredients: G827257 Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Stearyl Heptanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica Silylate, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Prunus Cerasus Extract/Bitter Cherry Extract. May Contain: Ci 73360/Red 30, Ci 77492/Iron Oxides.
Black Opal, Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Lactoglobulin Sulfonate, Hamamelis Virginia (Witch Hazel), Water.
So What Is The Best Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Dupe?
ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer wins this foundation primer dupe battle.
While it is not the cheapest Smashbox primer dupe per fl. oz., it blurs just as good as Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer and performs very similar to Smashbox primer.
So overall, ELF Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer is the best Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer dupe I have tested.
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How To Buy Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Cheaper
Sometimes you just want the real thing – no dupe – just the real thing. I get it.
Thankfully, there is a way to buy the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer cheaper, and here’s how!
Sephora for the Win With A Little Hack
So after searching around, I found the best price for this primer on Sephora. Shocker!
Yeah, I know but here’s the thing: You must buy the travel size tube. Plus, you must shop when Sephora offers 4% to 8% cash back through Rakuten.
Why must I get travel size? Well, the travel size is $15 for 0.5 oz while the full-size is $36 for 1 oz.
Now if you do the math real quick you will realize there is a difference of $6 you can save just by buying the 2 travel size Smashbox primer tubes vs the one full-size tube.
Nordstrom Rack Is Also An Option But …
You can also get the primer cheaper on Nordstrom Rack but Nordstrom Rack shipping fees are more expensive than Sephora, Ulta, or Macy’s.
Plus, Nordstrom Rack Rakuten’s cash back is only 1% which isn’t much as compared to Sephora’s 4% or 8% cash back and even Macys and Ulta’s cash back.
So overall it is better to get it from Sephora or other stores like Macy’s and Ulta in most cases.
Pay Less By Getting The Set
Are you considering trying other products from Smashbox? If, yes then consider getting the set.
Last year the primer set below was offered by a few department stores for $15 before store discounts and Rakuten discount.
Unfortunately, this deal no longer exists at this price range.
However, there is a new set for $29 at Ulta that includes the primer and other products from Smashbox that are actually good.
Found A Better Smashbox Primer Dupe?
If you found a better primer dupe let me know! Send us an email.
