I’m always in need of a dependable eyeshadow primer. It’s a necessity in my daily makeup routine so I can look bright-eyed and ready-to-go for the day. The Benefit POREfessional face primer has been a staple for me this year, and I confess that I tried to use it on my lids in the hopes that it would double as an eye and face primer for me. While it performed beautifully under my foundation, as is intended, it ended up creasing on my lids. And so, I ended up at Ulta in search of an eyeshadow primer. Someone pointed me in the direction of the Smashbox 24-hr Photo Finish Shadow Primer. The product claims to keep eyeshadow in place and looking vibrant through the day without budging or creasing, even for people with oily skin. It’s also supposed to be sweat and humidity resistant. I’ve been trying it out for a couple of weeks now and here are my thoughts on the product…
PROS
Ingredients: Two thumbs up for an ingredients list free of parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates and fragrance.
Application: The product has a waxy texture when it first comes out of the tube, but feels silky when you apply it across your lids. You only a need a small dot of product for both eyes. It feels tacky for a few seconds before it dries down. Make sure to let it dry like the directions say before applying eyeshadow.
Performance: This product works well for me. It keeps my eyeshadow in place, doesn’t crease, doesn’t cause eye irritation or dry out my eyelids. I even apply a little on the outside corners of my eyes to keep my eyeliner from moving. It even holds up to humid days and rainy weather : )
Packaging: The small, convenient tube makes it easy to squeeze out the amount of product you need without wasting any. It can easily be tossed in your handbag or makeup kit for travel.
CONS
Price: This product runs for $21 a tube, but I feel that it’s worth the investment, especially if you have problems with eyeshadow creasing during the day. I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion for the longest time, and SMASHBOX primer costs a few dollars less for more product. I admit that I wasn’t sure how long this small tube would last me with daily use, but a little product is really all you need.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the SMASHBOX 24-hr photo finish primer lives up to its claims for me. It creates a strong base for my eyeshadow and helps it adhere without creasing all day. I like the silky feel of the product and how it glides on during application without tugging on my eyelids. It doesn’t irritate my eyes or let my eyeshadow and eyeliner budge. It doesn’t cling to dry patches on my skin and the product claims to work equally well on oily skin types. If you’re looking for a new eye primer, I recommend looking into this one and seeing if it works for you.
Hope you found this review helpful!
Saba
