Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Vs. Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer

Until recently, there were not many inexpensive options on the market. High-end lines such as MAC, Laura Mercier, and most famously, Smashbox, sold primers, but the high prices made the products out of reach for many women. I thought I was out of luck until I came across Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer while browsing the cosmetics aisle at my local Wal-Mart. It cost about $7, so I had to give it a try to see if it could be a possible Smashbox replacement.

So which is better - Smashbox or Rimmel?

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, $36 for one ounce.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is the most well-known products among makeup mavens, but the $36 price tag was discouraging for those of us with limited beauty budgets.

The primer itself is colorless and goes on clear. The texture is silky smooth and the formula contains vitamins A and E, grape seed extract, and green tea. It promises to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and minimize pores. The primer can be worn alone to minimize shine and give skin a matte-looking finish, or under foundation to help it last longer.

Because of the price tag, I do not use this primer every day. I tend to save it for special occasions when I want my face to look absolutely flawless. I have combination skin with an oily T-zone. This keeps my makeup looking fresh even in after I sweat it out on the dance floor. This product really delivers what it promises, and I usually only look a tiny bit shiny when I get home at the end of the night. It also keeps parts of my face looking "done" even if I don't use foundation on those areas. For example, I usually don't put foundation on my forehead, but this primer keeps me looking shine-free without caking on the powder.

A small amount goes a long way and creates a beautiful smooth canvas for your makeup. In my opinion, it's worth the price. A sample sized tube will run about $16 at Sephora. Although it's not the most cost-effective, it could be worth a try if you're unsure about spending almost $40 on one product.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is available online at Sephora.com, Ulta.com, QVC.com, and beauty.com.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer, $7.49 for one ounce.

When I saw this product on the shelf at Wal-Mart, I stopped dead in my tracks. I was intrigued by this product, so I had to scoop it up and give it a try. I was hoping for a close drugstore brand duplicate of my beloved Smashbox, but that would be too good to be true.

My biggest problem with this product was the tint. When you squeeze the product out of the tube, it appears to be an orangey salmon shade. Since I am extremely fair, I was worried that the primer would leave orange streaks on my face. I was able to blend it into a powdery finish without streaks, but I was still concerned that I might have missed something. I didn't feel as confident with the shade since I could still see a slight orange tint on my face. It was much less noticeable after I applied my makeup.

The tint of the product probably wouldn't be a problem for someone with darker skin. The apricot tone is meant to camouflage blue-based flaws, like under eye circles, so it might be a great product for someone with that specific concern.

I used the primer before doing my makeup for a night out, and I was generally pleased with the results. My foundation still looked smooth and my skin was not greasy. It did not perform quite as well as the Smashbox primer, but it was overall pretty good.

It's a decent product and well worth the price if you're new to the world of foundation primers and don't want to spend a lot of money on something you're unsure of. It's not a bad item but it doesn't come close to Smashbox's version.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens.com, and Ulta.com.