Smashbox Photo finish Primer versus Benefit Porefessional Primer

Smashbox Photo finish Primer versus Benefit Porefessional Primer

 First of all, Happy New Year and Happy Valentine's Day... Hahaha... Yes blogging is back; it was never gone. I was just too focused with my corporate job but I am here now... and we will keep the ball rollin'

So today, I will be reviewing 2 primers; Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Benefit Porefessional Primer. It would be a comparison review.

But let me define what a Primer is. Primer is a product applied on the face prior to foundation to ensure that the surface or canvass will be smooth, poreless, refined and sometimes used to prolong the staying power of the foundation; as it also can control oil. Imagine painting your wall? We use primer first before the paint right? Same thing on our face.

There are difderent types of primers but today I will just focus on the 2 mentioned brands; Smashbox and Benefit.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe those brands are part of the high-end line. So I also had high hopes for them.

Characteristics:

○ Smashbox○

As it claimed, create the perfect canvas for makeup application and get a velvety-smooth, even complexion with this primer. Wear alone or under foundation.

○Benefit○

Probalm to minimize the appearance of pores.

-Both are silicony (with silicone content)
 

SMASHBOX

- You can smell a hint of gasoline

BENEFIT

-This primer has a scent to it, pleasing to my nose hehe

Packaging:

○Smashbox○

Very Sleek, straight forward, looks like for pro.

○Benefit ○

Very girly, cuty design

Sizes:

So I just bought the smallest size for Smashbox (15 ml) and for Benefit, it is also the smallest size (7.5 ml)  but it was just given to me by my sister ☺☺☺ They have full sizes as well.

Price:

Forgive me, I forgot the exact price but for both mentioned sizes, price is more than 800.00 but less than 900.00 . For the full sizes, it ranges around 2000 to 3000. But since smashbox is 15 ml and Benefit is just 7.5 ml, SMASHBOX is cheaper.

APPLICATION:

Both have this silicony feel when you apply it.

Both products are easy to glide

For Smashbox, there was just a little greasy feeling with my hands.

For Benefit, no residue on my hands.


I applied Benefit on the right side of my face (your left) and Smashbox on the left side of my face (your right). I used Loreal Infallible Pro Matte. I did not bake so we can see the performance much better.

FINISH:

○ Smashbox○

It made my face matte without that glow but my face can be left with that product alone. My pores were not completely filled in.

○Benefit○

I can see a little glow on my face maybe because it haa a little tint. It accentuates dry patches on my face. My pores were filled and looked flawless on those bigger pores. But again dry patches were accentuated.

PERFORMANCE:

Both Primer did not control the oxidation of my foundation.

After 4 hours, I noticed that the Benefit side is oilier than the smashbox side. Smashbox side looked more matte, a bit dewy but not as dewy as with the Benefit side. My foundation still looked ok and was still staying on my face. I retouched after 4 hours and foundation still looked good.

After 6 hours both sides are dewy but as I observed, Benefit side oils up faster then Smashbox side.


For both sides, after few hours, my little bumps were become noticeable but was tolerable.

WHERE I GOT THEM?:

○Smashbox○
- Beauty Bar Trinoma

○Benefit○
- Benefit Trinoma

FINAL VERDICT

○Smashbox○

Pros:

- I do not easily oil up.
-For around 800.00, I get a decent amount of a high-end primer.
- Packaging looks classier


Cons:

- I do not like the scent.
- Feels a little greasy.
- Did not make my face super poreless.
- Did not have so much effect on my foundation

○ Benefit ○

Pros:

- It really filled in my pores.
- Makes my face smoother.
- I love the scent.
- Good finish of foundation.

Cons:

- Not so good in oil control.
- Accentuates dry patches
- Pricey
- Sometimes it is being removed whenever I blend foundation


Who won the comparison?

I so love Benefit. I really love it. But knowing myself, if I would re-purchase, I'll buy Smashbox again rather than Benefit since it is more affordable. Affordable but close to Benefit's performance. Smashbox's performance is almost quite Benefit's. If you really want a poreless finish and do not bother about oil control, choose Benefit. But if you want a good oil control primer but do not bother so much about filling in your pores, choose Smashbox.

 Overall, BENEFIT won this comparison for me since I feel my skin's better using this primer.

DISCLAIMER:

The review was based on my personal experience and it does not reflect the view of the company and other people associated with the product. The review was not paid, not sponsored and not for advertisement. My personal experience with the product may be different from yours.