Primer help

I think it's the Photo finish.

Am going to ask my make up lady if she will use it on me - if I agree to provide it.

I wont be asking, I will be taking it & telling! lol

I get my make up trial in a couple of weeks & im going to ask her to write everything down that she uses so come July she has it all in front of her!

If you want the Smashbox one, it's the photo finish one that you need.

I went looking for some in our local Debenhams yesterday and ended up at the Benefit counter instead.....and ended up spending £88 on their 'That Gal' primer, 'Some kind-a gorgeous' cream to powder foundation, 'Hello Flawless' powder and a foundation brush.

The girl on the counter did me a whole face of make up (half face at a time so I could see the difference!?) and I have to say that it looked fabulous. I'm not really a heavy make-up kinda girl, but this was lovely and light and looked really natural (I just need to wait for payday now so that I can get some of the other things she used). The primer was lovely and even on it's own made a big difference, so if you can't find the Smashbox stand (like me!), I can fully recommend That Gal' instead.

Thanks guys

Mynnie I too have fallen foul of the benefit counter free makeover and do alredy have that gal primer but it is more illuminating and i worry about bening shiney in my pics, I usually use it mixed with yourebel as a base and its fab. I also love the some kinda gorgeous foundation but it comes in such a shallow pot I find it doesnt last very long so unless i am feeling particularly flush I have gone to yourebel instead as a tube lasts ages

@ Minnie - I love the Some kind-a-gorgeous foundation (when my skin is looking good!)

Naboo & Kayl: I know what you mean about the shiny - I refuse to wear anything (even eyeshadow) with any shine to it - I'm mega paranoid (hence the powder too?). Good to hear that the products are good though, this is my foray into 'expensive' make-up and I'm a little worried about justifying the cost when compared to the likes of L'oreal etc especially as it's mainly for work. You've got me a bit worried about the shine thing now though. I'm hoping I wasn't just a bit overwhelmed by my first face of properly done makeup. Oh well, we live and learn I suppose.

You'll have to do a report-back on the Smashbox for me if you get it (if you don't mind) - literally the only reason I didn't get any is because our local Debenhams is pants and apparently doesn't have a Smashbox stand and I didn't want to buy online without seeing the shades first.

I have all the benefit cheek colours / powders but never tried their foundation so the next time I need a new one I'll give them a whirl..

With regards to shiney, I use the holywood Glo over my foundation, on my cheekbones & under my eyebrows (semi circle shape) & then dust powder over. It 'illuminates' but never looks shiney or greasey.

Mynnie worry ye not about shine, it is really nice and illuminating (in a good way not a greasy way, skin klooks fresh not shiney) its just I have a highlighter which I love and want to wear on wedding day and I worry that this with an illuminating primer and my oily t zone will translate to shiney face in photos! thats why I thought about the smashbox instead.

I usually always wear powder too but did find that my kind of gorgeous is the only base that I dont need to wear it with

I use Smashbox primer and it is the photo finish one you want. There are a couple of different types within the photo finish range but they should all work as well as the original, it is just that they have now released one that is anti-ageing, a green tinted one to even out skin tone etc. They are not coloured so you dont have to match one to your skin tone or anything. Although, if you happen to be going anywhere near the US before the wedding the Victoria Secrets primer is also excellent and a lot cheaper (I think it was $14 !!). But if you have to buy in the UK then I would definitely go for Smashbox.

As someone who has used the Benefit one, that has colour in it so is ok a face illuminator, even on it's own, but I thought it was useless as an actual primer under make up.

Cheers for that niche79, that clears up what i was asking, i agree about the benefit one so will give smashbox a go, cheers for the info

I was looking at Smashbox and then heard about MAC

In the meantime I have tried that gal - I already have oily skin and this made it shinier

I came across this which might help you xx

https://allwomenstalk.com/review-macs-prepprime-vs-smashbox-photo-finish-primer/

Nooooooooo!?

Mynnie, did your face look shiney when the lovely benefit lady did your make over? Im assuming not else you wouldnt have bought it so it is not suddenly going to go shiney now!!!

Honestly dont panic about your awesome new make up i bet it looks fab (else you wouldnt have bought it!!!)

It will look fab, it will look fab, it will look fab!?

I'm sure it'll be fine, I have an oily side of nose/cheek area anyway, so I'll just have to powder it regularly if it becomes a problem.

Other than that, my only issue is a major attack of the guilts for spending that much money on makeup this close to the wedding!?

Keep repeating that mantra, I have an oily t zone and never had any probs with this! Are you using it for your wedding make up?