Review: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

Hi Everyone, today I have a review of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream.  

First, this is what Ulta.com had to say about the product:

Maybelline's 1st blemish fighting BB cream helps clear skin with 8 great skin benefits! With 2% salicylic acid. For combination and/or blemish-prone skin.

Why You'll Love It: Their Dream Pure BB Cream is a 1-step wonder for healthy-looking skin today and clearer skin tomorrow.

Benefits:

• Clears acne
• Conceals
• Imperfections
• Minimizes look of pores
• Reduces appearance of redness
• Adjusts to skin tone
• Hydrates and smoothes
• Enhances and clarifies skin
• Is oil-free, with a lightweight feel

2% salicylic acid is one of the highest percentages of this powerful blemish-fighter that you can get without a prescription, yet it's gentle enough to use every day.

For Best Results: Apply a thin layer of Dream Pure BB cream on skin. Can be used with or without a moisturizer.


This is what I have to say about Maybelline Dream Pure BB:

Well, this review almost didn't happen!  I found a sample of this BB cream in Seventeen Magazine.  I'm always really excited to find free samples in magazines, but I was less-than-stoked about this particular freebie score.  I have never had acne, even as a teenager.  So, I knew this this product was not for me even before trying it.  That, coupled with the fact that I had previously sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream and did not like it, made me want to just toss the sample.  (You can check out my review for Maybelline's Dream Fressh BB cream here.)

However, curiosity made me give the Dream Pure BB a try, despite the fact that it was not for my normal to dry skin and was from a product line I found to be disappointing in the past. To my surprise, this turned out to be a pretty decent BB Cream.

The sample was fairly generous, so I was able to use it three times.  The first two times I used it with my L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher as a base.  (You can see my review of Youth Code Pore Vanisher here.)  Since the Pore Vanisher is moisturizing, I decided to try the BB cream alone one day to see how it performed solo.

A swatch of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Light/Medium

The sample color was light/medium, which is the color I would usually choose.  I found that it had a decidedly orange tone.  While this orange undertone might be great on an oompa loompa, it wasn't the best match for my skin.  The orange color wasn't that apparent after the product was blended, but I still felt like this shade was not a great match for my skin.  You might want to sample colors if you consider buying this product.

Oompa Loompas

The product is thicker and creamier than the Dream Fresh BB Cream.  It has good coverage.  I'd say it is a heavier light coverage or a very light medium.  If you need extra coverage due to acne scarring, I don't think this product alone would work for you.  It has much better coverage than the Dream Fresh BB, though.  It dried to a matte finish. Despite containing 2% salicylic acid, during the three days I tried it, I did not find that it dried out my skin.  Of course, I can't say if this would remain the case over a longer period.  It worked better for me with a base, though.  When I wore it alone, it did not look quite as smooth and it settled into my fine lines.  Since I don't have oily skin or acne, which is the type of skin this product is intended for, I can't tell you how this BB fares for those conditions.  I can say it was gentle enough for my normal to slightly dry skin. 

Overall, I feel this was a much better BB Cream than Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB.  The quality is fair for its low price.  There are probably better BB creams for acne out there, but this product exceeded my expectations.  If you are looking for a budget friendly BB for acne that is not overly drying or irritating, this is a decent product.

Have you tried Maybelline's Dream Pure BB Cream? What did you think?

Review: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (No 21)

Today I have a review of Missha's Perfect Cover BB Cream in color number 21.

This product is very popular and has been widely reviewed.  Even still, since this has turned out to be one of my all-time favorite BBs, I wanted to write my own review and let my readers know about this awesome product.

First, this is what Missha's website has to say about this BB cream:

Originally developed as a salve for patients after laser treatment, BB Cream’s soothing and regenerative properties were adapted for cosmetics to improve skin while providing coverage. The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is Missha’s most popular product with over 30 million sold worldwide. Combining cosmetics with skin care, this product promotes natural-looking coverage while providing sun protection, treating dark spots, and preventing wrinkles.

The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a makeup base or foundation.

This is what I have to say:

I bought this BB in the Missha store in South Korea. It is offered in two sizes. I bought the smaller size for about 7,000 Won, which is roughly $7 US.  This bottle lasted me for a few months of daily use. I have tried various Missha skincare and cosmetics products and this brand has never disappointed me!  I feel that their prices are pretty reasonable and the products are excellent quality.

This BB is thicker and creamier than some of the others I have tried, although it is not greasy or extremely moisturizing.  I used this BB often during the hot summer months and it never made my normal skin look or feel oily.  Number 21 is the second-lightest shade.  It is a light sandy beige.  The color is definitely on the lighter side and has a decidedly grayish tone.  The first time I saw the color on my skin, I was worried it would make me look pale and sickly, but it smoothly blended into my skin without any grayish cast, and dried to a perfect matte finish.  The coverage is heavier than some BBs I have used (especially those by Holika Holika and various American Brands.)  It has a nice medium coverage, while still giving that fresh and naturally beautiful look that has made Korean BB cream a worldwide sensation.

Color Swatches

The one thing I did not absolutely love about this BB is the scent.  It is quite strong and bold, and what I would describe as perfumey and "older."  I imagine that the powerful middle-aged female executive characters that always pop up in K-dramas would smell like this BB cream.  The scent also does not fade quickly.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of the way this BB cream smells, it is only a minor issue.  

Overall, I would rate Missha's Perfect Cover BB cream as among my top 3 favorite BB creams. There is a reason why there are so many reviews out there for this product!  If you have normal to dry skin and are looking for a great BB with fuller coverage and a matte finish, this just might be the one. However, I would caution anyone with darker or very warm skin tones to test the color first, since the lightness/gray tone might be an issue for some people. 

Have you ever tried this super-popular BB? What did you think? If not, what is your favorite BB cream?

Review-Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream (Light)

Hi Everyone, today I have a short review of Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream in the "light" shade.  I requested a free sample of this product through the mail. 


This is what Pond's website had to say about the product:

NEW! POND'S Luminous Finish BB+ Cream Light

Flawless in Seconds, + More Even Tone in 2 Weeks!

POND'S® Luminous Finish BB+ was created with Tone Perfecting Complex. It works by targeting the source of dark spots on skin’s surface – visibly fading them for a difference you can see. It also delivers a special pigment system designed to blend flawlessly into a variety of skin tones and immediately conceal imperfections with natural-looking coverage.
Available in Medium.

Essential Features

• Superior* Coverage of Imperfections
• Superior* Visible Dark Spot Reduction
• Superior* Non-Greasy Feel, with a Matte Finish
• Broad spectrum SPF 15 sun protection
• Non-comedogenic – won’t clog pores
• Dermatologist tested
• Hypoallergenic

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.49%, Zinc Oxide 5.12%

*Light Shade versus Top Selling BB Cream

What I have to say:

I use BB creams every day, but I have only used Korean products up until now.  I once sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream, but I did not like that product at all.  (You can check out that review here.)  Since the Maybelline BB cream was my only experience with American-made BB creams, my expectations for this sample were quite low. 

The sample came in a fairly generous-sized packet.  I don't use a whole lot of product, so, this sample was enough for me to use twice.

What I liked most about this BB cream was the texture.  It comes out thick and creamy, but the cream is light and airy rather than heavy.  The color blended very well with my skin.  I liked that it had a more golden undertone, as most "light" makeup tends to have very pink undertones that don't work too well for me.

Here's a swatch of the cream before blending: 

It went on smooth and creamy.  At first, because it was creamy, I thought it was going have a dewier finish, but it dried to a soft matte finish.  The coverage was fairly light, but similar to other BB creams I have used.  I'd say it was on the heavier side of light coverage, but not quite medium coverage.  While it was matte, true to its name, there was a sort of luminous appearance to my skin.  It gave my face a soft and diffused appearance.  

This Pond's BB was not as heavily perfumed as Korean BB creams.  It did have a scent, but it was light, fresh, unobtrusive, and faded quickly.

Overall, I really liked this product!  I would say this BB is comparable to the Korean BB creams I have tried by brands such as Missha, Nature Republic, and Holika Holika.  It definitely holds it own and I would highly recommend this one! 

I think the creamy texture makes it ideal for those with normal to dry skin.  If your skin is combination you might be able to get away with this, but it will probably be too moisturizing if you have oily skin.  If you are looking for light to medium coverage, this is a great product for you.  If you need heavier coverage, this might work well as a base to combine with other face makeup.  I can't speak on the claims that this product fades dark spots over time, since I only used it twice.  Still, it is a nice little BB cream and the reasonable price makes it definitely worth a try.   

So have you tried this BB cream? If so, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.  What new skin product are you loving these days?  

Reveiw: Holika Holika Petit BB Moisture

Today I have a long-overdue review of my current BB cream... 

Holika Holika's Petit BB-Moisture

Here is the product description from Amazon.com:

Product Description

Holika Holika Moisture Petit BB Cream 30ML with Hyaluronic Acid SPF 30 PA++

Moisture petit BB helps make skin smooth and glossy. Hyaluronic Acid condition dry skin and make skin youthful while effectively protecting against UV-rays.

Moisturizing Effect - Clean and Clean Skin tone Elastic Enhancement - Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Improvement Smooth Skin Texture Hyaluronic Acid moisturizes the skin and enhances elastic fibers with collagen while supplying nutrients to the skin cells.

What I have to say about it:

I bought the Petit Moisture BB from the Holika Holika store in South Korea.  It was on the inexpensive side.  I believe I paid about $7-$8 US for this product.

I am already about halfway through the bottle.  The Petit BB line comes in 5 different varieties.  I have "normal" skin but chose the "moisture" formula because some of the names seemed like they might be shimmery or for oily skin, and a couple I wasn't sure what they were for.

As I have said on my other Holika Holika reviews, I thought that because this company is geared towards younger women that the products would be more about marketing and packaging than quality, but with the Holika Holika products that I have tried, that has not been the case at all.  All of the items I have tried have been surprisingly good quality, and this BB is no different.  

The Petit Moisture BB is somewhat thin and watery coming out of the tube and offers a lighter coverage than some others I have tried.  It spreads really smoothly and evenly.  It comes in one color, which is a light beige with a golden undertone.  It blends quite well with my skin.  It is not overly pale like some BBs that I have seen, but I don't think this would work well for deeper medium to darker skin tones.  Here is a swatch so you can get an idea of the texture and color of the product.

I started using the Petit BB back in the late winter/early spring when the weather was colder.  Previous to that I was using a Nature Republic BB.  The Holika Holika Petit BB gave a lighter coverage and dewier finish than my former BB cream.  While the finish was not matte, I did not find that it made my skin oily or my face shiny.  I used it through winter and spring weather, and I thought it was great.  However, since the summer began and the heat and humidity have kicked in, it is proving to be too moisturizing for my skin.  I don't think this is a fault of the product, but rather due to the fact that my skin is oilier in the summer.  Since I started using BB cream 2 years ago, I usually switch to a powder compact over the hottest part of the summer.  So far though, because this product has fairly light coverage, I have continued to use it.  Now, I just finish it off with a touch of powder compact makeup from Clinique to get rid of the shine. I really like the results.

The scent of this BB is pleasant.  It is fresh with a slight floral undertone.  One thing to note is that, while it isn't a strong scent, I feel like I can smell it on my skin longer than the fragrance of other BB's.  So I guess that could be a pro or con depending on whether or not you like the scented nature of BB cream.         

Overall, I like this product.  It is not my favorite BB of all time, but a good product none-the-less and worth a try if you are considering it.  I think it would work well for people with normal-dry skin, especially if your skin is more on the dry side.  It will probably work best for those with lighter to light-medium complexions.  I would not recommend it for anyone with oily skin, a darker skin tone, or who wants a totally matte finish.

Although Holika Holika produces some very nice skin care products, I do get the impression that this line is designed with youthful skin in mind.  The brand seems as if it is geared towards polishing already good skin rather than correcting unwanted skin issues.  If you need intense moisture or want to hide imperfections, I don't think you will get that result with this BB.  But if you just want to make the skin you have appear prettier and smoother, this is a good one to try!

So, have you tried any of the Holika Holika Petit BBs? What is your go to BB cream of the moment?

Review- Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish

I recently wrote a post about my travel bag that made me realize that I should probably use the samples I've hoarded from my trip to Korea over the summer, before they are no good!  I have quite a stash, because in Korea they almost always give you a bunch of samples anytime you buy something. So, I will review the various samples for you as I try them.

First up is: 

Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish- Normal/Dry Skin

First of all, I wasn't quite sure what exactly this product was for, since the sample packet had no English description.  Thanks to the magic of Google, I found this blurb on Amazon:

"Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish cream is a dynamic, light-weight skin tone correction cream that also provides bright radiance, moisture and SPF protection (SPF 25) to your skin. Think of it as a super light BB cream that works to enhance the look of your natural, bare face."

I used the cream after cleansing and applying my usual Missha Super Aqua Toner.  And since I'm getting to be quite the beauty blogger these days (haha), I even snapped a quick swatch of what the product looks like before blending.  Because I was only using a sample packet, this was a pretty stingy swatch, but you are able to see that on first application, it looks almost like thick pearly lotion. 

The Miracle Real Skin Finish blended easily on my skin, and it dried to a very smooth silky texture.  It felt sort of matte.  I really liked the feel of the product on my skin, that was definitely the most unique thing about it.  It added a smooth, clean, and fresh texture.  This cream is supposed to "brighten" skin, and it did have a slightly lightening effect.  I noticed I looked a bit paler than normal.  My skin, as you can see, is very light to begin with, so I am uncertain how this would look on a darker skin tone.  The cream also added a subtle sheen, almost like a highlighter.  

The directions from Amazon suggested that it was meant to enhance a bare face.  I was on my way out when trying this, and I rarely go out without makeup, so I didn't want to use it alone.  I used it as a base for my Nature Republic BB.  The highlight effect of the Miracle Real Skin Finish continued to be visible with the BB cream.

Overall, I liked this product, but I would be unlikely to buy it for myself.  

I used to be a big fan of shimmering and highlighting face products, until I noticed that the  "shimmer" looked like "grease" in many of my pictures.  It is not something that I'd ever noticed in real life, but either way, these days, I stick with matte face products over shimmery or dewy ones.  That being said, I thought the shimmery brightening effect was pretty and soft.  It looked pretty both alone, and when used as a base.  I think the lightening/brightening effect of this product might be even more flattering on someone with a skin tone slightly darker than mine.  

Also, I would not buy this because I want more coverage than this product offers.  I don't use a primer before my BB cream, so for me, this product falls into the "great quality product, but not-too-useful" category.

I would recommend Holika Holika Miracle Real Skin Finish to those of you who aren't too big on wearing face make-up like powder, foundation, or BBs.  Applying this product is as simple as using face lotion! If you already have clear and attractive skin and tend to go sans makeup, but you want a no-fuss product that adds a little glamour to your look, this is a really great little cream! The ultra smooth texture also makes it a good base, if you regularly use base.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Review

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

When I got home from Korea this summer, it seemed that every American makeup brand had developed a BB cream.  I was really curious how the American products compared to those I had bought in Korea.  I received a sample of this BB Cream for free from the Walmart.com sample page.  So, I thought I'd do a quick review.

First, here is some information from Maybelline.com:

PRODUCT DETAILs

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

BB creams combine skincare + makeup in 1 simple step
8-in-1 Skin Perfector:
• Blurs imperfections
• Brightens
• Evens skin tone
• Smoothes
• Hydrates
• Enhances
• Protects with SPF 30
• 0% oils and heavy ingredients

FOR BEST RESULTS

Apply smoothly and evenly to your face and blend with your fingertips.

My verdict:

I Did NOT like this BB Cream!

I tend to buy high-end when it comes to makeup, but I am not against using drug store brands.  I was browsing some of the reviews, and I saw a lot of good feedback about this product, so maybe it works for some people.

Reasons why I did not like Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream:

• The texture was thin, runny, and slightly greasy, rather than creamy.  
• The shade was a little on the dark side, or perhaps the wrong tone for me. Although it did not visibly darken my skin, it gave my light, golden-under-toned skin a ruddy appearance.  
• It was thin and didn't offer much coverage.  
• What I disliked the most about this BB Cream was that it made my face look and feel greasy, not dewy.  
• It felt like I had used a very cheap version of tinted moisturizer rather than a BB cream. 

I am glad I was able to sample this product for free rather than buy it, because I found its performance very disappointing.  





What are the best/worst BB creams that you've tried? Leave a comment and let us know!

Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream Review

My Missha BB cream is officially gone! Oh no! Luckily, I have some new ones that I picked up in Korea last summer.  I will review them as I try them...  

One fine summer day, I set out with my boyfriend on a BB Cream mission in the small city of Cheongju.  I examined various bottles as over-attentive sales girls hovered nearby, bemused at the sight of a clueless foreigner in their shop.  My boyfriend's bad translations of the packaging all sounded like some variation of "made with flowers and essences to enhance charming beauty."  Not at all helpful! OMG, how was I going to choose one?  And why hadn't I done my research before going shopping?  With only a few days left until I returned to the US, I wouldn't have time to shop again before leaving.  I pondered a plan of action.  Most of the BB's I priced were somewhere in the $20 range, but I didn't want take my chances on products I knew nothing about.  Finally, I went with quantity over quality and searched for smaller or less expensive BB's. In the end I bought four bottles from three different stores. 

The first I am trying is the Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream

This BB was a great deal!  At about 7,000 won full price (roughly $7US), it was already less expensive than most of the other BB creams in Nature Republic, which ran in the $15-$20 range.  On top of that, there was a very good sale going on and many items were marked down.  I got it for only 3,500 won! (about $3.50)  What a steal!

I like this BB cream.  I did not see more than one color option, and this is slightly darker than my previous BB cream but still blends well with my skin.  It has very good coverage, possibly better than my last.  It applies nice and creamy, but it has a more matte finish, which I like.  It gives a fresh look.  Like my other, BB cream, it has a scent.  At first, the scent in BB cream bothered me, but now I like it.  Not that the scents are unpleasant, it was just unusual to me to use a skin makeup that was scented.  However, once I got used to the idea, I actually began to enjoy the scent of BB cream.  Overall, I like this product.  I think it is good for anyone who wants a fair amount of coverage and is not looking for an overly dewy finish.  I scored this BB cream for an amazing price, but it can be found online for about $10, which is still inexpensive for online BB cream.       

   

Feel free to comment and tell us about your favorite BB cream. 

Makeup Essentials

What's in my makeup bag?

These are my makeup must-haves that I use everyday or almost every day.

Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream

This was my first ever BB cream. I bought it a year ago in Korea.  It is just about gone now, but it lasted really well considering that  I use it everyday.  I like the medium coverage and smooth application.  It also has a super pretty bottle, and a slight scent. I didn't like the idea of scented face makeup at first but it has grown on me.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer

This is a creamy concealer with good coverage.

                           

Clinique Perfecly Real Compact Makeup

I love the clean and basic feel of this compact.  It is like a thick and smooth pressed powder.  I use it during the summer because I find that BB cream makes my skin too shiny during the hot summer months.

Missha Under Eye Brightener

I grabbed this at the Missha store in Seoul because it was really inexpensive.  I didn't like it at first but I gave it another try, and I have been using it a lot lately.  It covers dark circles pretty well (although not as well as my MAC concealer) and it gives a brightening effect.

L'oreal True Match Blush in Innocent Flush

This is the only blush I own, but it is a very sweet, light, and natural color that doesn't overwhelm my pale skin.

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Family Silver

I've had this shadow for quite a long time. It is worn down to one little strip where the two colors meet in the middle. 

I've worn shimmery whitish beige colors like this since I was a teenager because its a perfect everyday shade that adds a little polish to my look without a lot of color or smokiness.  It really opens up your eyes. 

Mac Travel Compact Kit-Warm

I like this palette because it has some of the fun colors I wear often.  The coral, mauve, olive green, and gold colors really flatter my light golden brown eyes.  The lightest color is another one of those shimmery light colors that I so adore...so that one is all gone!  I use the dark brown to shadow the corners of my eyes almost every day, unless I want a smokier look and opt for black.

Clinique High Impact Mascara

This mascara doesn't wow me, but it is what I'm currently using. I always have some random black mascara in my bag...I like some more than others, but I'm not picky.  You can't go wrong with Clinique.

Estee Lauder Eyepencil in Soft Smudge Black

Black eyeliner is my most essential and dramatic makeup tool.  All the rest of my makeup is light and subtle, but I wear lined eyes, and it really makes a difference.  When I'm spotted not wearing makeup people always say, "Wow your eyes look tired!" due to my lack of liner. I like this liner because it works well to create either a heavier line or a smudgy smokier effect.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I was looking to invest in a good palette so I read a lot of reviews and watched a lot of makeup gurus on YouTube and there was one name that stood out: The Naked Palette.  I fell in love as soon as I saw it. Every single color is one that I would wear regularly.  There is also a Naked II-and it is amazing too- but I went with the original. I love this palette and use it every day! I bought mine on Sephora.com for about $50. It also comes with a shadow primer.

Here is a video comparison of the Naked and Naked II palettes:

So these are my must haves. What is your favorite makeup product and why?