21 Comments

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Crystal Avatar

Well, I havent used the Smashbox one but I do use the Rimell fix & perfect and I’m on my second tube. I love the feeling of it and sometimes (on lazy days!) thats all I have to use, it evens out my skin tone and I love the formula its very creamy. As for using it with my foundation its great, and for seven bucks its worth a try!

Brooke Avatar

I’ve only used the Smashbox one, and no matter how little I used I felt like I had a mask on all day. I couldn’t stand the feel of it on my face.

Erin Avatar

My favorite ones are MAC’s Prep and Prime and Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Foundation Primer. The MAC keeps my foundation looking pretty matte. The LM does the same but keeps my skin very soft feeling. Make Up Forever’s HD primer is a great one too.

I have not tried the others.

Jnnlis Avatar

on makeupalley they are alsways talking about how monistat anti-chaffing gel is the same as smashbox. i don’t know if that’s true.
i have used nars primer and smashbox primer and napoleon perdis. it’s good to use for an extra special look but i can’t say it makes or breaks it for me.

Vivi Avatar

i like DHC’s Velvet Skin Coat. My skin just seems to like it more than Monistat and other primers. I dont use it very often though, since it adds another step to the regime. I only use it for special occasions or when i have ample time.

SnickerDoodle Avatar

I have only ever used Sephora’s Perfection Primer, and I love it. Use it every day. I want to try the Smashbox one next, or Laura Geller Spackle…I have a sample of it from Sephora and can’t wait to use it.

Jill Avatar

I just got a sample of that spackle, and I love it, I usually use the smashbox stuff, but I’m seriously considering replacing it with the spackle. it’s amazing.

MACPixie55 Avatar

I like MAC Prep and Prime, and I recently also got the one from Revlon. I’ve only used it once but it seems to be pretty good. I love the Smashbox one but $44 CAD is a lot to drop! I like how much better foundation applies with a primer on and I like the idea of a barrier between my skin and my makeup.

Charlene Avatar

You should check Shoppers Drugmart for the line of GOSH cosmetics. they have a primer with a similar consistency it’s called “VELVET TOUCH FOUNDATION PRIMER” and I believe it’s 19.99

Kellye Avatar

I’ve only used two. The Smashbox was too heavy, but I LOVE the Laura Geller. It’s lighter than then Smashbox, but still does an excellent job.

Angie Smith Avatar

I love Carmindy’s primer. Has some shimmer in it, but don’t let that freak you out, you can’t really see it once you put on your foundation. It makes my skin feel SO much softer.

Liz Avatar

Monistat’s Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel. I’ve been using it every day for almost 2 years and it’s so good and cheap. You need so little each time that one tube lasts me a long time.

Inky Avatar

I had only used Smashbox primer but noticed it always turned my face red a bit at first and when I ran out last time I decided to try the much ballyhooed Monistat

Beda Avatar

LOVE MAC Prep+Prime SPF50.

HATE having spent $16 on the travel size of Smashbox Photofinish. It is an OK primer but it has a ridiculous price tag. I don’t feel it is any different from the Monistat Anti-Chaffing Gel, texture and results are the same for me. (I do use the Monistat gel sometimes, again, OK primer but goes for about $5-$7)

Nanzy Avatar

Coastal Scent Silica Powder ($4.00 for 1 oz tube -it’s huuuge!) and works just as well as Make Up Forever High Definition Powder ($30.00)

I also like Camellia Rose Primer, works like wonders hiding my ginormous pores hehe

Jennifer Avatar

Everyone loves Smashbox, but I’ve tried it so many times, and it just becomes a gritty mess when I try to apply anything over it.

Laura Geller Spackle is smooth and doesn’t go gritty, but it never really did anything to prevent “sliding” due to oil.

But MAC Prep+Prime… when I found it, I knew I’d never fall in love with another face primer again. Smooth, creamy, no grit, massive amounts of sun protection for my lily-white self, and it helped me kick oily skin in the arse! It’s pretty much perfect.

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