7 Best Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Dupes

A base makes the face.

There is no lie in that. A perfect base is what gives you a flawless glam. And what is more important in perfecting your base than a primer?

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer has ruled the industry for a while now. A cult favorite, this primer has a fan base spanning globally. But Smashbox is not a cheap brand. Each product comes with a price tag that quite literally takes a chunk of your paycheck.

Nevermind, what am I here for? I have some Smashbox Photo Finish Primer dupes up my sleeves. I will share them with you in a moment! Why do we not recap the heartthrob first?

Original Product: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Gel-Like
• Finish: Natural
• Benefits: Smoothes & Blurs

A primer that does it all!

This Smashbox primer takes on itself the task of perfecting your skin and it does so effortlessly. It fills in pores and blurs the appearance of them. Simultaneously, it also smooths your skin that helps your makeup glide over like butter.

Because of the smooth canvas it provides, it helps blend your foundation with much more ease. Any foundation applied on top will look flawless.

Additionally, it is also rich in antioxidants, which is a nice thing to have in your base product. The gel-like texture allows it to sit on your skin like a moisturizer. The finish will be natural, so it will not mess with your foundation!

If you want a seamless base that lasts till the sun goes up- this is your choice of weapon. But, as we have discussed, the price is an issue for most of us. So where are the dupes?

7 Best Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Dupes

01. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Gel-Like
• Finish: Natural
• Benefits: Smoothes & Blurs

A stunning Smashbox Photo Finish primer dupe!

Honestly, what does the Smashbox primer do that this one does not do? Maybe other than drilling a hole through your wallet?

This primer by Maybelline has a similar gel-like consistency that spreads out like a moisturizer. It will feel hydrating but never greasy. This will not necessarily mattify but form a natural base for your foundation.

The most similar features it shares with Smashbox is the smoothing and blurring effect. This primer blurs your pores and fills in your fine lines. All you will be left with is a smooth and silky skin that will grip your foundation!

Overall, I think this can replace Smashbox with ease. And you save tons of money too!

02. e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Creamy
• Finish: Natural Matte
• Benefits: Smoothes; Vitamin Infused

An e. l. f. cosmetics product means quality within budget!

That is correct! This primer reflects high-end quality and does a great job under your foundation. You know how smoothing the Smashbox primer is? Similar to Smashbox Photo Finish primer, this will give you a smoothing effect.

This will not do a lot for blurring your pores in my opinion, like Smashbox. However, this is much more hydrating which prepares your skin and keeps it supple. This has a more creamy texture that helps it blend out in a jiffy!

Being vitamin infused, this is good for your skin. The finish will be natural matte so you will not get shiny throughout the day. The price is also cheap, for your information!

03. Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Prime Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Gel-Like
• Finish: Natural
• Benefits: Smoothes & Blurs; Weightless

This is a nice alternative to Smashbox Photo Finish primer!

You can use this no matter what type of skin you have! The texture is gel-like and quite easy to spread out on your skin. Just like Smashbox, it does a great job of blurring your pores and smoothing your face.

This primer feels weightless on the skin which adds up to the nice texture it has. It makes way for a flawless foundation base that helps blendability. The finish is natural, the kind you get with Photo Finish. This is why it will be overly mattifying or shiny.

The price falls within the affordable range, so you can stock up on it if you want to!

04. e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Putty
• Finish: Natural
• Benefits: Smoothes & Blurs; Hydrating; Lightweight

The name says it all!

It really does blur your pores to make you look poreless. Reminds you of the Smashbox primer, does it not? Like Smashbox Photo Finish primer, this smoothes your skin by adding a soft layer of hydration. You will not feel greasy, but well-moisturized!

You would think that a putty primer might be heavy, but no. It is extremely lightweight, and just melts into your skin as you blend it. And a little goes a long way!

Even though I am particularly oily, I love this primer to bits. It does not mattify, but the natural look it provides makes me feel fresh and pretty! And it is so, so cheap. You can easily compare with high end primers!

05. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer

• Suitable For: Combination to Oily
• Texture: Gel-Like
• Finish: Matte
• Benefits: Smoothes; Good Coverage

A little something for those who have oily skin!

If you want something like Smashbox, but a little more mattifying, you could choose this. This mattifying primer creates a perfect base. It has a silky texture that goes on easily, and helps smooth out textured skin.

If you suffer with redness or hyperpigmentation, the same formula is available in 2 more tinted versions. Those help you color correct your complexion, and create an even toned skin. You might as well skip out on foundation!

Price-wise, it is perfect too!

06. The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

• Suitable For: All Skin Types
• Texture: Gel-Like
• Finish: Soft Matte
• Benefits: Smoothes & Blurs

What a great Smashbox Photo Finish primer dupe!

Regardless of your skin type, you can use this. But if you suffer through textured skin and huge pores, get this! This primer effectively fills in pores and erases the appearance of them. A perfectly smooth skin awaits you, just with a swipe of this!

The finish is mostly a soft, waxy matte. You can imagine the velvety base you will achieve with this. The texture is gel-like so there will be no hassle at applying it.

However, if you do not enjoy silicone-y primers, skip this!

The Ordinary’s products are top-notch and effective. The quality is full-proof, and the price is affordable!

07. bareMinerals Original Prime Time Foundation Primer

• Suitable For: Dry to Oily
• Texture: Liquid
• Finish: Natural
• Benefits: Extends Wear Time; Evens Texture

Suffering with dry patches? Foundation enhances texture and looks patchy?

Try this instead of Smashbox Photo Finish! This liquid primer glides over your skin while battling dry patches. It will also even out texture to create a smooth skin. But it does not mean that it will be greasy.

This will take care of excess sebum too!

Also, this will extend the wear time of your makeup by gripping on to the products. I love how easy it is to apply, and its lightweight feel!

In terms of price, you will have nothing to worry about as it is budget-friendly!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1# Does Smashbox Primer have Silicone in it?

Ans: Yes! All Smashbox primers have silicone in it. Silicone is an ingredient that creates a waxy layer and fills in pores. Most of the blurring and smoothing effects are helped by the silicone.

If you are not a fan of it, or are allergic, be sure to read the label!

Q2# Is the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Good?

Ans: Yes, it is! In fact, it is one of the best primers the beauty industry has come across! In terms of blurring, smoothing and longevity, it beats most of the other primers.

So in short, it is a great primer and worth every penny!

Q3# Does Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Cause Breakouts?

Ans: No. Unless there is any particular ingredient that you are allergic to, there is no need to worry. It will not cause any irritation or redness. Its lightweight formula does not clog pores and or trigger the skin negatively.

Q4# Will Smashbox Primer be Good for Oily Skin?

Ans: If you want a more mattifying primer, you can skip the Photo Finish primer. It has a natural finish but it will not control oil production. You can go for the Oil & Shine Control primer. That will take care of excess oil and shine!

Conclusion

Primers are an important step in creating a flawless look. If you do not pick the right product, you risk messing up your foundation. And the other products you put on top!

I believe that the Smashbox Photo Finish primer dupes will give you the perfect glam!

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