Foundation Primers: DHC Velvet Skin Coat and Smashbox Photo Finish
In Part II of my DHC skin care reviews, I promised a look at DHC Velvet Skin Coat. I do so here in comparison to a similar product. Smashbox Photo Finish foundation primer is one of those products that has cult status. The magazines rave about it and so do plenty of others. It is not without its fair share of people who dislike it though. On Makeup Alley it has gotten quite mixed reviews. I was always happy with it, but now that I have tried DHC Velvet Skin Coat, I have a new foundation primer.
Smashbox Photo Finish is a decent product. A small amount patted onto the skin feels nice and provides a nice surface for foundation. I don’t feel that it fills in lines and pores to the extent that it advertises, although it does work nicely under the eyes as a base for concealer. I have been happy with it as a primer, but have never considered it a necessary product. More often than not, I am happy to simply rely on a bit of moisturizer and sunscreen and then skip the makeup primer. For those who try Smashbox Photo Finish, proper use is important. A little goes a long way, and it will be come a sticky mess if you try to pack it on. Trust me, I have used too much before and it was not pretty!
I like DHC Velvet Skin Coat much more. In fact I like it so much that I plan to start using it instead of Photo Finish. Like Smashbox Photo Finish, DHC Velvet Skin Coat feels quite nice on the skin, but it is also more forgiving. It does not turn sticky or messy if a bit more is used. Second, I felt that Velvet Skin Coat did actually work at filling in some lines and pores. It is a bit thicker in consistency than Smashbox Photo Finish, which I think makes it both fill in better and easier to handle. My makeup went on nicely after use. I also had no problems using it over moisturizer and sunscreen. DHC advertises that it absorbs oil, which can be a bonus for those with oily skin. The only downside for me is that Velvet Skin Coat does not contain sunscreen. Smashbox does have a sunscreen version of Photo Finish. That is not a deal breaker for me since I religiously wear a separate high SPF sunscreen, but I like to get extra wherever I can.
DHC skincare makes a number of other products, and I love their olive oil cleanser. For my reviews of some of their other products look at DHC Skincare Review Part I and DHC SkinCare Review Part II.
Below are also shopping links for DHC Velvet Skin Coat, along with a number of DHC skincare items and kits, which can be a great way to try their products.
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Jessica | Apr 10, 2007 | Reply
Velvet Skin Coat was the first DHC sample I tried (compliments of a friend who is a DHC customer), and I am now a huge DHC fan myself.
I also love their Tourmaline Mask (formerly Mineral Mask).
Love your blog – adding it to my reader.
Peace,
Cool Librarian (jessica)
barbara | Feb 4, 2009 | Reply
i love this products they good specially de velvet skin coat
Claudia | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
I have tried a few DHC products and samples, and I now after finishing my Deep Cleansing Oil and trying St. Ives Olive cleanser I love DHC’s better. My skin feels very clean and fresh and doesn’t dry my skin like the St. Ives cleanser did. The St. Ives cleanser was more of a soap cleanser, not a moisturizing oil. The Velvet Coat is another favorite. I don’t always wear a lot of makeup but for special occasions when I want to wear more make up and for it to look smooth and more natural I use the velvet coat as a smooth primer.
What I’ve read on your website is very informative. Thanks and hope there is more products and maybe even more that are found in stores other than department, big brand stores, like Target, CVS, Walgreens.