Product Review: Sleek Be Beautiful Blemish Balm...

I've been on Obagi Nuderm regimen for more than 3 months now and I'm glad my skin isn't as problematic as it was last year.  I rarely get pimples now (knocks on wood) and the scars are a lot less visible.  My skin looks more refined, too!  Of course there are still days when my skin will still go gaga, most especially when I haven't had much sleep or when I've been eating too much junk food.  But yes, I am happy with my skin now and hopefully, it stays that way.

^_^

Now that my skin is at its happier state, I don't use heavy foundations as much as before.  I try to let my skin breathe and stay away from putting layers of bases.  Before, I apply a primer, liquid foundation, concealer then set everything with a heavy coverage powder just to make sure I keep those nasty blemishes from saying hello to the world! (laughs) But now, I prefer using light bases like tinted moisturizers or BB creams.  When set with a light dusting of powder, they are already enough to make my skin look more even and well, less scary. 

So when I got my hands on the Sleek Be Beautiful Blemish Balm (or BB cream to put it simply), I was just so glad because aside from I love trying out new products, this is the type of makeup that I would prefer  having on my skin these days.  

Sleek Makeup Be Beautiful Blemish Balm

Be Beautiful Blemish Balm combines unique properties of skincare with makeup, with this multitasking balm that can be used as a primer, tinted moisturizer or concealer.  With added benefits of SPF15 to protect you from harmful UV rays, it is perfect for those who want light to medium coverage.

Product Review: Fairydrops Candy Bar BB Cream

I know BB Creams are so yesterday, and CC creams are "IN" nowadays...or at least will be, soon (please see Liz's feature on it here).  But please let me share my review on the BB cream that I've been using, and surprisingly liking so much as of the moment, that I've been reaching out for it a lot more often that my other foundations.

Fairydrops Candy Bar BB Cream

Produced by Mayumi Yasutomo, a newcaster who desired to have a product that will make her skin look flawless while on camera.  This shine-free, oil-free and waterproof product was the perfect solution.  The product itself has a lightweight formula allowing you to apply the amount of layer you would like without feeling like your skin is being weighed down.  Micro-gold pearl hides scars and freckles.  Soft-focus powder uses light diffusion not to show wrinkles and makes skin smooth.  Cover with thin film, and protect from dry and rough skin.

I love that it comes in an easy-to-squeeze bullet-like shape and that it can stand on a dresser on its own.  Packaging is matte white with pink, which is cute but I wish it comes in another color instead of white.  It gets dirty easily.  Or maybe it's just me. I think I have to learn to wipe my fingers clean first before squeezing more product out of it.

^_^

Unlike other BB creams that I've tried, this one comes with a sponge that's attached to a nozzle underneath.  The nozzle allows a steady, controllable stream of product.  The good thing about it is that you can actually detach the sponge from the nozzle, which is a lot better because sponge applicators tend to get soaked with product and yet, never makes it on your face.  With the sponge, you'll never get to see how much product you're squeezing out of the tube.  And I hate that I need to wash the sponge every so often to avoid bacteria build up that would lead to breakouts!  (geesh, I already am a walking pimple)

Here's an illustration of how you can unscrew the sponge so you can wash it:

Now for the swatch:

It comes in two shades only: Light Ochre and Ochre.  I'm using Light Ochre.  

It goes lighter at first, but REALLY blends into the skin after.

and see how it fares on my skin:

(scars, and more scars)

My face after a layer of the BB cream.  Look how it helped conceal most of my redness.  For this photo, I've applied the cream using the sponge.  I've applied another layer to better conceal the areas that need more...meaning, my entire face!

^_^

and here's me after the rest of my makeup has been applied:

Take note that I've applied Kuma concealer on my undereyes and on the sides of my nose, and lightly set everything with L'oreal True Match pressed powder.

I love:

- that it conceals most of my redness in just one layer. Another layer and my look's almost flawless

- how it brightens my skin and makes me look glowing...not shiny!

- that it feels light on the skin

- that I haven't experienced any breakouts after weeks of using it

- that it stays put the entire day, with minimal blotting.  I used it one time when I had to run on errands almost the whole day and it still looked good after all the sweating and blotting!

- that it's easy to blend, with the sponge or with fingers or with a brush.  And that it gives you option to remove the sponge to make it more hygienic

- has no SPF so it's camera-friendly.  but of course, I still put on sunblock before this.  yep, no primer!

- it's yellow-toned! So bye, gray cast!

- that it's great for oily-skinned like me!

I wish:

- that it comes in more shades

- that the packaging comes in another color, instead of white.  Or at least, make it a lot easier to clean after. 

- that it doesn't come in Php1550 pricetag.  But a little goes a long way, and this stuff is amazing.  And yes, amazing stuff comes with a price.

Overall, I am liking this BB cream and will be getting a backup in a few more weeks.  This is one good stuff that I wouldn't want to run out of.  It works like my other foundations without the heavy-feel and since it's a BB cream, it has amazing skincare stuff in it too!

Get this and other Fairydrops items from Beauty Bar.  I really hope it comes in other shades so more people would be able to experience how great this is.  

Please like Fairydrops Philippines on Facebook to know more about this product and their other products.

Have a happy Friday, y'all!

Please like me on Facebook ( IambrigittePage ) and follow me on Twitter (Iamsutil) and Instagram (Iambrigitte)

Product Review: Estee Lauder CyberWhite Brilliant Cells Extra Intensive BB Cream SPF 35 PA+++ EXtra

Aside from making your skin look more even, BB creams offer a few other good things like whitening, moisturizing and anti-wrinkling properties...and of course, a good amount of SPF.  They are known to be less harsh, though I was able to use other BB creams in the past that aggravated my already-worse skin condition. 

So at times when I feel like my skin needs some rest from my usual liquid foundations, I go for BB Creams. I am loving my Tonymoly Snail BB cream and my Palgantong, but here's another one that I've had a long ago but haven't been able to use until recently.

Brilliant Cells Extra Intensive BB Creme Multi Action Formula SPF 35/PA+++

All-in-one cream to brighten and help protect instantly.  Combines a high level SPF with advanced brightening effects and natural-looking coverage.  Lightweight cream keeps skin looking fresh

It comes in a white, easy-to-squeeze tube that is sealed upon purchase.  The white packaging with light blue cap and prints give the product a clean feel.  It's like telling you "Use me, I am clean and fresh!"

^_^

Unlike other BB creams that comes off grayish, this one from Estee Lauder comes in relatively light beige with pink undertones.  

(Sorry for the poor picture quality, I took these swatch photos at night and I am just SO GOOD in adjusting my camera settings! LOL)

It's creamy but not as heavy as the other BB creams I've tried. 

Look how it brightened the area at the back of my hand.

Let's see how it looks on my face:

after a layer

 It wasn't able to cover much since this only offers sheer coverage and is good for those with already good skin whose only concern are slightly uneven skin tone and some redness.  I apply another layer and it does a great job in covering my redness more.  I find it easier and practical to apply using fingers.  It blends out easy without being streaky.

I use a light dusting of powder foundation (i love how it matches well with my Revlon Photoready powder) if I'm going out.  I use it alone on days when I still want to look "normal" even when I'll just be staying at home (vain much!?)

Estee Lauder BB Cream + Revlon Photoready Compact Foundation

And here it is more than 10hrs after:

No touch-ups, just used oil blotting sheets, but not as much.  Surprisingly, my makeup still looks okay, except on my nose area and cheeks.  Also, I didn't use much blotting sheets like I used to so I can say that this helps in controlling oil.

I love how my skin feels soft and looking radiant with this bb cream and so far, after using it for weeks, I haven't had any allergic reactions.  It does not settle into pores and no matter how much you apply, it won't look cakey.  It has a slight scent but not irritating.

 So is there something I don't like about it?

The price.  It sells for Php2500 for a small 30ml tube.  Pretty steep, huh! 

I'm thankful that our friends from Estee Lauder gave me a tube to try.  I don't think I'd be buying one after I finish it though, as this tube would last me for months even if I use it everyday.  And I still have lots of stuff to finish. But let's see. (laughs)

Product Review: Palgantong Vita White BB SuperCover

I've tried a lot of BB creams in the past but most of them only provides little or zero coverage.  So I used to think that BB creams are for only for good-skin days.  If you need a bit more coverage, you can pile layers and the best way to do it is by dabbing the product onto the skin using fingers.  I found this to be effective and efficient, rather than stippling the product or using a sponge.

I was okay with the idea of using BB creams as tinted moisturizer until I got hold of a BB cream that provides coverage like my other liquid foundations:

Palgantong Vita White BB Super Cover SPF30 PA++

comes in a cute, red 30g tube

I'm not sure how many shades are available, but I have #10 Light Beige and  #20 Natural Beige

Light Beige, Natural Beige

The shades can be a bit confusing.  If you check on the stickers at the back of the tube (pic above), you'll see that Natural Beige is more yellow.  But looking at the swatches, Light Beige is yellow while Natural Beige is pinkish.

#10 Light Beige

#20 Natural Beige

bare face + pimples + red disclorations

after a layer

notice that it already covered most of my reddish marks

(sorry for the patchy look, was in a hurry to take a picture I wasn't able to blend well ^_^)

added another layer for more coverage

PROs:

Creamy consistency, easy to blend

Provides medium to heavy coverage, best applied with fingers

No heavy feeling on skin

Matte finish

No need to use a separate concealer 

Did not break me out, no allergic reactions too

It has SPF!

Aside from SPF, it also has Vitamin B3, C, E and Pearl Extract to reduce the appearance of spots

Keeps my oilies at bay for 3-4hrs, but I didn't need to retouch the whole day.  I just used oil blotting sheets..

 

I used Palgantong Theatrical Powder to set everything before stepping out

CONs:

Can look patchy or streaky on skin when you have dry skin, so make sure you moisturize well first. I used it when my skin's peeling a bit because of Obagi and it didn't look nice.  But the coverage is amazing!

A bit expensive at Php1200/30ml tube but you only need a little to even out skin discolorations (layer if you need more coverage) so I bet this tube will last long

Neither of the two shades is my exact shade, but Light Beige blends on my skin after a while

I find that the best way to apply this is using your fingers.  Dot the product on your face and then blend outwards. This will even out your complexion a bit.  Then dab a little more product on areas where you need more coverage.  Start with just a little amount, dabbing it on the spot you need to conceal and adding (dabbing) a bit more for more coverage.  I confess that I tend to apply a lot on my first few tries so I ended up looking all-patchy.  But don't worry, you can remedy that by wetting a sponge and dabbing it on those areas.

I still can't vouch for its healing/skin brightening properties as I don't get to use this everyday, but I really like the coverage.

^_^

Another thing:  This is not available locally but there are online sellers that sell this baby and other Palgantong stuff.  Check out BeautyandMinerals and get yours fast as she only has limited stocks.  Don't forget to get the Theatrical Powder too!  Set this BB cream with that loose powder and promise, you'll have perfect-looking skin the whole day.

 

Product Review: Purederm 3 in 1 Magic BB Cream

Purederm 3-in-1 Magic BB Cream

Moisturizes and protects stressed skin
With SPF30 PA++, it blocks out UVA and UVB rays from the sun
It's waterproof feature makes sure that the 3-in-1 attributes remain against water and sweat
Enriched with natural and herbal tea extracts increases skin elasticity and improves skin conditioning

whenever my skin becomes problematic (be it due to stress, or too much experimenting on skincare), i always turn to BB creams. i've always considered these creams as "medicated" foundations that can provide medium to even heavy coverage for skins that can no longer keep up with the harsh ingredients of other traditional foundations. whenever i have a bb cream on, it makes me feel that i am somehow letting my skin heal.

i've tried a lot of brands already, and i can only name a few that i liked. though some have promising healing ingredients, they either make me look too pink or grayish. also, some fail to give me the coverage that i need. i would sometimes end up using thick concealer, or layers of powder just to cover up those nasty blemishes. and yeah, those things would just aggravate my already-sick skin.

having used Purederm 3-in-1 bb cream for weeks, i now consider it as one of my HG.

swatch

blended

here's a before pic:

(okay, you may stop freaking out now...^_^)


after 2 thin layers, applied by fingers:

i love that it covers my blemishes well. applying another layer on my cheeks would hide those nasty pimple scars more. it's also yellow-toned, easy to apply by either fingers or a stippling brush. i've been using it for almost a month (alternating it with other foundations, of course) and i haven't had any allergic reactions. it also provides a fresh, dewy look after a few hours. i am still on Obagi regimen and it does make me a lot oilier than the usual, but it's nothing that a good blotting paper won't be able to fix.

the pink-tube packaging is an eye-candy and it makes me reach out for it a lot more often. a little goes a long way, so i'm sure this tube would last me for months.

it has SPF, anti-wrinkle and whitening properties (though i can't really vouch for it's whitening/anti-wrinkle properties since I am on Obagi), what else can you ask for?

after setting with Shu Uemura loose powder:

i just wish that like my long-staying foundations, it would stay for hours on my skin. but i guess, that would be asking for too much already.
^_^

available in Watsons stores, priced at Php695

BB Series: Missha Perfect Cover BB cream

I've been hearing a lot of raves on Missha BB creams...actually, this brand get the most number of rave from BB users out there. And the curious me gotta know why.

by the way, I won't be posting a before pic anymore since I am quite sure you've had enough of my horrible bare face already.
^_^

applied a layer of the bb cream all over face...no finishing powder.
(see how more matte it looks as compared to Skin79)

again, i didn't use any concealer but I built the coverage on blemished areas and undereyes by patting another layer of the bb cream.

applied the rest of my makeup and a layer of Shu Uemura finishing powder

comparing to Skin79, I didn't have to reapply my finishing powder but I did blot a few times the entire day.

after 10hrs:

red marks are again visible but not that much. i also still look like I have the bb cream on, it didn't totally slide off my face. again, I didn't use any primer.

hmmm...what do you think? looks like I have one candidate for a possible full size purchase huh?