Review – Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit SPF30/PA++

I am loving my Skin79 Super + Beblesh Balm BB Triple Functions (SPF50+ PA+++) that I ordered after trying my huge Asian cosmetic stash.  Click here if you missed it and are curious about Asian beauty products.  *side note – they are the bomb

I received a sample of the Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit SPF30/PA++ when I ordered the Skin 79 BB cream.

Why I loved it

I loved the shade.  It was a perfect match for my crazy pale skin.  Although, with Asian brands, I’m pretty lucky that they match my paleness pretty well.

The texture is super nice.  Creamy and covering without being overpowering.

Kept me moisturized.

Didn’t get me oily.

❤

Why I didn’t love it

I wish there was more!

Will I purchase?  Yup. Absolutely.  Already planning it.

Have you tried Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit SPF30/PA++?

Do you love it or do you have another Asian fave?

~Anna

Korean BB and CC Cream reviews of sample stash – LONG post

Remember when I got this?

So after careful scientific research…ha, here are my thoughts on the various lines of Korean BB and CC creams.

These are in order I used them.  I hope you enjoy!  Keep in mind – a lot of these products have whitening claims/properties – this is a cultural thing.  Also, since these are for an Asian, specifically Korean market, you won’t find a lot of shade variations.  The option is pale and more pale.

Skin 79 – Hot Pink Super Plus Beblesh Balm

This is whitening, moisturizing, priming, protecting.

As you can see from my picture, the color of this balm was a bit dark for me.   I used it over a moisturizer like the directions on their website suggested since I am dry in the Winter.  I thought this worked beautifully.  The only draw back is the shade.  I looked like I had a slight tan.  This may work for me in the Spring and Summer though.

Tonymoly  – Luminous Live Aura CC Cream

This shade is way better matched to my current skin tone.  I felt like this CC cream provided better camouflage of imperfections.  It blurred anything red and pore size.  Also, this had a slight tingle/burn like a peeling or retinol agent.

Skin 79 Super + Vital BB Cream Triple Functions (Hot Orange)

Ok, new fave.  This creams has a lot more coverage than the previous 2.  Covers a lot of redness, almost no under eye concealer is needed.  WAY AMAZE.

M Signature Real Complete BB Cream SPF25 PA++

This looks a bit darker than it actually is.  It blends really well and this is the most moisturizing CC cream so far. I think this clogged my pores a bit.  I vote no for this one.

SkinFood Agave Cactus Sun BB Cream

This is a bit more runny than the previous creams.  The creamier consistency made this cream easier to apply and distribute.  It smelled really nice, sort of like aloe or a sun product.  However, I felt that it wore off the fastest of all I’ve tried.  Although it felt the best while on my skin.  This would work best for dryer conditions or after summer when skin is thirsty.

Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream

 This was very similar to the Agave Cactus version.  I honestly can’t tell the difference and  the scent is almost identical.

 Skin 79 Super Plus BB Cream Skin79

 

This is my last sample from the Skin 79 line of Super BB’s and I’m super sad.  All of these were great, and each other than the Hot Pink matched my skin perfectly.  Great products.

Tonymoly Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream

I like this line of CC creams.  I am considering getting one of these for my collection as well.  I really like the consistency of this cream.

Skinfood Vita Water Drop CC Cream

I really disliked this CC cream.  I thought it was very watery and the wear time was not very good.  I don’t think it lasted through my work day.  Also, now that it is warming up my skin is not dry anymore and this was sort of oily on me.

I did pick a winner and ordered!  Want to know what I love?

Skin 79 Super Orange!!!!

~Anna

 

Review – Coola Face SPF 30 Mineral Matte Tint Unscented

Coola Face SPF 30 Mineral Matte Tint Unscented surprised me.

I received this in my Birchbox in March.

I have a number of these Coola products that all seem slightly different, but the same.  And you have to read the entire package to actually figure out there are some differences.  I don’t know if it’s because they are still playing with the formula or what.  All I know is that I tried this and liked it and went to look at all my other samples and they didn’t exactly match this.  Wah!

Why I love this~

It says matte and it means it.  There is no shine.  It’s great.

Stays more matte than most bb/tinted moisturizers.

Good wear and lasting power.

Would I buy it?

Maybe.  I like it as a tinted moisturizer.  I don’t really think it’s a real BB cream in the way of Asian BB creams. Asian BB creams are more than just a tinted moisturizer.  They are more like tinted treatments.

Are you a Coola fan?

~Anna

Korean Skincare – Sample Stash

Dig on this

What you see here is a sample of Korean BB creams! SO MANY KINDS.

The site Cosmetic Love – a Korean Beauty Shop sells and delivers to the American market.For $6.38 USD you can order a sample pack of 12 BB and CC creams.  I received mine in about 3 weeks from order.

I am slowly making my way through the stash.  Just finished my second sample.  I am able to get 2-3 uses out of each packet.

So far, love them!!!

-Anna

What I am trying – Smashbox Camera Ready BB Eye Cream!

BB cream for your eye?  Yes, says Smashbox.

I needed to try this because I love BB/CC anything and I love a good under eye concealer.

So I requested a sample from my local Sephora.  Here is a link to the product.

From Sephora:

What it is:
An innovative eye cream that features all the benefits of a traditional BB cream.

What it does:
Simplify your beauty routine with this do-it-all formula that comes in a range of shades and combines the benefits of BB Cream with the coverage of concealer. It fades the look of dark circles instantly and over time, reduces the appearance of puffiness, visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, and improves firmness. It also primes, protects, conceals, hydrates, and illuminates.

I have a generous sample, so I am really excited to play around with this.  It retails for $25.00 USD, not super expensive.  So if I like it, I will shell out my dollars for this.

I will do a full review after about a week.

Have you tried Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Eyes yet???

~Anna

Review – L’ORÉAL Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream!

1.5 steps to easy perfect skin!

I bought the  L’ORÉAL  Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in January.  I used it enough now to do a full review.  Here are my first impressions, in case you care and/or missed it :-).

What is it?

From L’Oreal –

Meet the Magic all-in-one skin BB cream, with Beautifying Beads; encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with antioxidants Vitamins C&E. This mullti-tasking skin beautifier delivers 4 beautifying actions in 1: hydrates, corrects, evens and perfects. Instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish. Over time, more beautiful skin

How does it perform?

Hydrates? Sort of.

Corrects? YES

Evens and perfects?  YES

As you can see, right out of the bottle it is very white.

Here it is blended in, without and with flash.

As you can see, it blends it really easily and completely.  I am rather pale and I am using the Fair color.  It finishes sort of glowy.  It comes out more shimmery in pictures than it is in real life.

What will it cover?  

Pores

Redness, including blemishes.  I was actually surprised how well it covers and diffuses redness.

My personal thoughts –

I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I do.  I find myself reaching for it almost every day.

I don’t feel the need to use anything else in addition to this.  This makes m skin look pretty good and I don’t feel like I am wearing make up.

It diffuses and blurs any imperfections.  LOVE.

I will repurchase this because it’s  a great value and really delivers what it promises.

Some hints –

L’ORÉAL  Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream works better when used over a moisturizer especially if your skin is on the dry side like mine.

If you over apply, it will look cakey.  Really cakey.  Less is more.

It dries really quickly!  So once you have it on your skin, apply and distribute fast.

If you have drier skin near your eyes, be careful about bringing the cream too close.  It may not provide enough moisture.   I work around this by applying my eye cream liberally.

The drying may not be an issue once we are out of the arctic winter.  In which case, it will probably be amazing on my oily forehead 🙂

 

New Obsession – Korean Skincare and Cosmetics

I have a growing obsession with Korean skincare and cosmetics.  After all, that is the birthplace of the BB and CC creams we’re currently rocking.

Their websites are  pink and girlie, I can’t stay away.

I have my eyes on these  from Missha –

Sometimes my skin around the eyes gets dry mid work day.  I love this idea of  stick eye cream, GEUMSUL VITALIZING STICK EYE CREAM $30.00

Here is what it says:  “Herbal eye care for healthy, luminous eyes.
Mild formula hydrates and protects delicate skin around eyes.
Stick type eye cream can be applied liberally and easily over and or under makeup.

Contains herbal ingredients to strengthen sensitive skin. Panax Ginseng Seed Oil protects, Safflower Oil moisturizes, and Evening Primrose Oil brightens skin.”

COMPLEXION COORDINATING BB SPF43/PA+++ NO.2 FLAWLESS COMPLEXION $34.00

From Missha – “Complexion Coordinating BB Cream SPF43/PA+++ gives you a clean, even more natural look! No.2 Flawless Complexion is a flaw correcting beige cream for clear and smooth skin.

CC BB Cream features the Inner and Outer Complexion Coordinating Systems to provide skin care benefits for smooth, flawless skin.

Inner Complexion Coordinating System:
1. Brightening – Giga White, Pomegranate Extract, Arbutin
2. Firming – Peptide, Adenosine
3. Moisturizing – Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water
4. Soothing – Phytoncide, Cactus Extract

Outer Complexion Coordinating System:
1. Improve skin tone – Tripled Layered Color Capsules
2. Correct flaws – Skin Wrapping Powder
3. Even skin texture – Light Scattering Powder

Shade is comparable to M Perfect Cover #21 Light Beige – #23 Natural Beige.”

SUPER AQUA OXYGEN MICRO ESSENCE PEELING $23.00

“The gel-type peeling essence is gentle and gives an intensive care to clean and hydrate skin.
Watch as it bubbles to remove dead skin cells, impurities, and oil.
The Oxygen Micro Peeling System has the benefits of peeling + nourishing + soothing + turn-over.”

Have you used a cosmetic from an Asian brand before?  What did you think?

~Anna

New purchase – L’oreal BB Cream

I had a $5.00 off coupon from Ulta for spending  some bucks on Ulta Christmas presents, so I got myself a BB cream from L’oreal.  It’s called Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream and it was $10.99 before coupon.

I haven’t used much of it yet, but preliminary observations this is very matte.  It may be better suited for summer use, at least for my skin.

Have you tried this?  Did you like it?

~Anna

Best BB Cream For Your Skin

BB and CC creams are ALL the rage right now.  Woman in Korea have been using them for years but the cosmetic trend in the US has just started to pick up over the last few years.

What is a BB cream?  BB creams are essentially and All-In-one product that acts as a moisturizer/foundation/sunscreen.  Some of them have skin correcting anti-aging ingredients, some have ingredients to correct redness or dark spots.  Really, they are all quite different.

As they aim to replace all your other products, sometimes you just need to layer.  If you have super dry skin you might need to apply moisturizer first.  Bad breakout? Probably need concealer or even foundation over the BB cream.

(Click the image for more info)

Best For Oily Skin:
L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream ($10.95, lorealparisusa.com)

Best For Pale Skin:
Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ ($34, sephora.com); one shade

Best For Dark Skin (and Medium and Light):
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector SPF 30 ($7.44, maybelline.com)

I personally need a more medium-full coverage Foundation so I have yet to find a BB cream that can replace my go-to 100% Pure Foundation.  But if you are one of those people lucky enough to not have to wear foundation, a BB cream might be perfect for you.     -kassi

Related articles

• GARNIER BB Cream (viviennebeautyblog.wordpress.com)
• Battle of The Body Shop BB creams (sophielaurasblog.wordpress.com)
• BB cream by CoverGirl (sarahb5891.wordpress.com)
• Foundation Education: BB Vs. CC Creams (thesidetalk.wordpress.com)

Review: Lumene Vitamin C+ Illuminating Anti-Age BB Cream, Medium SPF 20

Kassi and I exchange makeup a lot.  She got this free with a purchase and decided to give to me to try.

What it is:

Lumene Vitamin C+ Illuminating Anti-Age BB Cream, Medium SPF 20 $14.99

What it does:

Discover a daily, multi-beneficial beauty product that works like skincare but acts like lightweight makeup. Lumene Vitamin C+ skin Illuminating Anti-Age BB Cream not only delivers powerful SPF 20 protection but also brightens, hydrates, evens skin tone and covers blemishes, all while improving elasticity for a more youthful appearance. Available in two shades, the BB Cream can be used alone, after applying day cream or under foundation. It’s the quick and easy way to younger, perfect-looking skin. That’s the Power of Arctic Nature.

My Review:

First of – I want to point out that on the CVS site, the directions tell you to use this as a day cream. “Use as Day Cream. Apply to cleansed skin.”

Sounds simple, yes?

Curiously, on my sample the directions told me to reapply every 2 hours.  Closer to how you are supposed to use sunscreen.

This turned me off immediately.  If I wanted sunscreen, I would use sunscreen.  And then reapply every 2 hours.

Based on that, I think this may be used best as a sunscreen.  Like at the beach.   Because I don’t know any girl who is going to continuously slather her face with sunscreen while at work.

Get real.

Pros:

Good coverage, the Medium was dark for me but I don’t think it would be dark enough for a much darker skin tone.  I was able to easily blend it in using some concealer.

It didn’t break me out

It didn’t smell

Cons:

Doesn’t seem to be an actual BB cream, but a sunscreen product with added benefits.  Which I think is great, if it was marketed correctly.

If you are looking for a BB or CC cream, find one with a non-chemical sunscreen.  This will eliminate the need for reapplication.

~Anna

Related articles

• Beauty School: The Lowdown on BB vs. CC Creams (makeup.com)
• BB and CC Creams Confusion: What’s the Difference? (prweb.com)
• Differences Between BB Creams & Foundations (lefashionsilhouette.wordpress.com)