FAQs

1. What does makeup primer do?

Makeup primers go on after your skincare and before your makeup. They create a perfect, flawless base to help your makeup look better and last longer throughout the day. Here at Smashbox, we have a makeup primer to suit every skin type and concern.

2. What comes first, primer or moisturiser?

We advise you use all your chosen skincare first and then apply your primer. Remember, a primer creates the perfect base ready for your makeup by smoothing the skin’s surface while your skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers. Primer is the last step in skincare and first step in makeup

3. What primer is best for combination skin?

Our PHOTO FINISH PRIMERIZER is a great primer for combination skin.  This primer offers overall hydration because it is packed with hyaluronic acid, but it also designed to control oil and shine for up to 12 hours. 

4. What is the best primer for oily skin?

Our PHOTO FINISH PRIMERIZER is a perfect primer for oily skin because it contains niacinamide to help control oil, while the hyaluronic acid helps to retain the water in the skin, helping to plump over time. 

5. What is the best primer for dry/sensitive skin?

Looking for a primer for dry/sensitive skin? We suggest our PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER LIGHT. This was developed with sensitive skin in mind because it’s a lightweight, water-based formula that contains vitamin C to brighten and peptides to plump, giving overall more hydrated and perfected skin.

6. What primer is best for glowing skin?

If you’re looking for a [primer for glowing skin], we suggest our PHOTO FINISH PRIMER OIL. This is a fast absorbing oil that had 15 different plant extracts and oils that moisturise and hydrate the skin. You can even use it over the top of makeup for that ultimate glow. Another pro tip is to try mixing with your favourite foundation for a gorgeous dewy finish.

7. What primer keeps makeup on all day?

If, for example, you’re going to a wedding and you want your makeup to last all day, go for THE ORIGINAL PHOTO FINISH  SMOOTH & BLUR PRIMER as it will smooth your skin and help your makeup last. This was created in the Smashbox studio for photoshoots, where makeup has to keep up with the long days and heated lights. The OG long lasting primer really does minimise the need for touch ups so you can enjoy the special day or night.

8. Can you use a primer without foundation?

Yes, you can definitely wear your [primer] without foundation. We recommend wearing THE ORIGINAL PHOTO FINISH SMOOTH & BLUR PRIMER to smooth out pores and blur any imperfections on the skin. It also contains vitamins A & E and is packed with antioxidants to help protect the skin.

9. What are the top primers for men?

We would recommend choosing a [primer for men] based on the required benefits and what you want your skin to look like. Our ORIGINAL PHOTO FINISH SMOOTH & BLUR PRIMER as it works for all skin types by smoothing the skin’s appearance and blurring pores. Our PHOTO FINISH OIL AND SHINE CONTROL PRIMER helps to control shine throughout the day but also has amazing skincare ingredients like witch hazel, salicylic acid and zinc.

10. Are there any disadvantages to using a primer?

There are no disadvantages of primer – primer will only benefit your skin and how your makeup will wear. Here at Smashbox, our primers contain amazing ingredients like hyaluronic acid in our PHOTO FINISH PRIMERIZER, vitamin B, C and E in PHOTO FINISH VITAMIN GLOW PRIMER and caffeine in our PHOTO FINISH HYDRATING UNDER EYE PRIMER.

11. Can you use too much face primer?

Yes, you only need a pea-sized amount of face primer. In some cases, if you use too much face primer it could cause your makeup to roll or slide, so start by using a small amount and then add a little more if needed.