Possibly my last post about BB Cream

BB cream has proven that it's not just a makeup trend. It's become a makeup staple (at least in certain parts of East Asia). Even my mom asked my to send her some BB cream. The number of BB creams out on the market is a bit overwhelming.

Despite the plethora of options, I've continued to use the same BB cream, Dr. Jart's "Black Label Blemish Base" for the past two years. (It's very close to my skin complexion, blends well into my skin, offers medium coverage, and feels lightweight.)

Since I buy most of my cosmetics from a drug store, I had no idea that international (i.e. Western) cosmetics brands are now offering their own versions of "BB Cream." Has BB Cream gone mainstream?

But, for those of you interested in the market's latest offering of BB creams, here's what I can gleam from this Vogue Girl article (available in print and online). These SPF containing BB Creams were rated in terms of their coverage, oiliness, application, and how long they last.


























My cousin Cyndi helped me translate the article. Translation is hard, y'all. Korean does not always translate well into English. We tried our best to stick close to the Korean wording, hence some awkward phrasing below. Don't go quoting us or anything.
Check out the original Vogue Girl article for more details.

"BB Sunscreen" (Vogue Girl Korea, April 2011)

1. Bobbi Brown "BB Cream SPF 35 PA+++" Light Color
If it's foundation your looking for, the BB Cream made by Bobbi Brown is it. You can choose between three skin tone colors. Coverage meets expectations. When you compare it with other BB creams that are clay colored, it is yellower so it is good for covering troubled skin and red, splotchy skin. This is recommended for those who want natural looking coverage. It's going to even out your skin tone, but won't cover up all your pores. 40,000 won.

2. Espoir Moisture Firming BB Cream with SPF 33.
The texture is firm. Because of it's rich texture, you fee like it will be hard [to apply], so you'll be surprised by how soft it feels when you apply it. It goes on thicker. If you don't want it to clump up, you'll have to blend in thoroughly. When you first apply the cream, it feels oily, but then it quickly becomes matte and you don't have to worry about it feeling sticky throughout the day. Like a body lotion, it's floral scent leaves you feeling good. 30,000 won.

3. La Roche-Posay UVIDEA XL BB.
La Roche-Posay boasts a clay colored BB Cream. It may not look like it (right out of the tube), but it looks much more natural when you apply it on your skin. Because of it's darker color, it's a little more effective than foundation in covering your pimples and blemishes. The cream is lightweight. Because of it's lightweight texture it easy to apply it like lotion. It feels like a thin coating over your face. The finish is very matte, so your skin may feel a bit dry. 49,000 won.

4. So Natural Tri-Active BB SFP 27 PA++
When you compare it to other BB creams the color's a bit darker. The cream is better suited for faces with acne and scars, not tiny blemishes. As soon as you apply it to your skin, it feels like moisturizing cream. It has a very light scent and texture. The cream keeps your skin feeling soft as if you applied lotion. Because the SPF is less than other creams, you should also apply sunscreen. 23,000 won.

5. Estee Lauder CyberWhite Brilliant Cells Extra Intensive BB Creme Multi-Action Formula SPF 35 PA+++
As indicated in it's long name, [Estee Lauder] tries to pack it's creme with lots of functions. Compared to other creams, it's more dry and stiff. Because of it's texture, you may feel like you have to use more force when applying the cream. In actuality, it goes on easier than you think. Because of it's pink tone, it's recommended for people with yellow-toned skin, not red-toned. [Something about it being shiny and oily, and therefore, short-lasting] You'll need to reapply frequently. 60,000 won.

6. Dior UV Shield BB Cream SPF 50 PA+++
Like liquid foundation it's watery, so you'll have to be careful when you're applying so that it doesn't drip. However, it's easier and faster to apply than other products. The coverage is very good. It feels like you're applying foundation rather than BB cream. It matches all [Korean] skin tones because of the pink and flesh-colored tones. It's more suitable for combination or oily skin. Thanks to it's high SPF, this BB cream alone will keep you from feeling guilty about not using sunscreen. 65,000 won.

- end of "translation"-

I'm assuming that these BB Creams are only available in Asia, but I could be wrong. Coincidentally, Elle Girl Korea also features a comparison of BB Creams in their April 2011 issue. You can also check out their "Best of the Best BB" feature on the Elle Girl site. The Elle Girl crew gave the highest rating to elishacoy's "Time Capsule BB."

BB Cream Week: Hanskin's Caviar gold B.B. Cream

Are y'all as tired of reading about BB creams, and I am of writing about BB creams? I realize now that I am unfit to write reviews about makeup. I have no idea what I'm talking about. Unless I come across the holy grail of all BB creams, I'll refrain from talking extensively about any more BB Creams.

I made Cyndi try out one more BB cream, so without further ado, let me conclude BB Cream Week with Hanskin's Caviar gold BB Cream. According to the package, it offers whitening, wrinkle fighting, and SPF 21.

The Video:

WARNING! Major tangent ahead. Proceed with caution.

I'd just like to make a note about the song featured in today's clip. I honestly was trying to avoid promoting Hyori's new single "U Go Girl," because a) The title of her album Hyorish is god-awful and b) The Konglish in the song drives me bonkers. To my horror, the song has grown on me. Go ahead shake your head in disapproval. I don't blame you. I think the main reason I've taken to the song is the little dance break where she adjusts her earrings and fixes her cleavage. Yikes. That last sentence sounded really sketchy, but I so know that people will be doing the dance all across the internet, at least the Korean one :). You may have to watch the video at least 10 times before Hyori is able to win you over with her bleached hair and acryllic nails. O.K.?

Anyway. Here's Cyndi's demonstration of Hanskin's Caviar gold BB Cream.


OUR THOUGHTS:
Hanskin's Caviar gold is similar in texture and smell to their Control Skin B.B. Cream. This means that it's soft and creamy, but has the faint odor of alcohol. The cream seemed to whiten Cyndi's complexion, but it didn't do a good job of evening out her skin tone. It just made her look a little paler than usual. The cream doesn't stay on very long either. Don't let the words "gold" or "caviar" fool you. There's nothing luxurious about this cream.

BB Cream Week: Hanskin's Control Skin B.B. Cream

Since Hanskin is so generous with their B.B. Cream samples, today, I tried out their Control Skin B.B. Cream.

Video:
This clip is pretty pointless because my skin looks the same as it did before I put on the B.B. cream, but perhaps you'll enjoy listening to Kara's catchy new Konglish-infused single, "Rock U."



OUR THOUGHTS:
I think the cream is designed to be fragrance-free, but it smells faintly of soju. The texture is very creamy and is easy to apply. It does not appear to dry out my skin like some other B.B. creams. Also, unlike other creams, Control Skin doesn't seem to whiten my skin. In fact, it takes on a sort of orangey/pinkish hue. Perhaps this lack of "whitening" agents is why the cream did not do a very good job of covering my blemishes. Cyndi also noted that she could actually tell that I had applied cream onto my face. Usually, the B.B. creams do a good job of blending with my skin tone. I'm not sure how I feel about Control Skin. Perhaps it'll work better for a different complexion or skin type.

BB Cream Week: M.D. Formula Nutritious B.B. Cream by It's Skin

When we first hopped on the B.B. Cream bandwagon (before we became entrenched in the seedy beauty underworld of eyelash extensions and chemical peels), we used the M.D. Formula Nutritious B.B. Cream by It's Skin. We were hooked by the fact that it was "dermatologist tested," but now I know that most of the B.B. creams have been tested by a paid professional. In fact, the "Clinically tested" thing is sort of It's Skin's shtick, part of their whole branding. Anyway, it's been a while since we've used It's Skin's BB Cream, so we decided to examine the sample packet once again, only this time, with much more knowledge and expertise (haha).

VIDEO (Watch the magic unfold before your very eyes):
Here's a brief video demonstration. I just reviewed all of my BB cream videos on jumpcut and realize that the results of the BB creams are barely perceptible. I swear that the effects are much more apparent in iMovieHD.



OUR THOUGHTS:
Before we knew better, we sent a couple of friends their own tubes of It's Skin's "Nutritious B.B. Cream." All we have to say is, sorry, friends. We realize now that the B.B. Cream is mediocre. To begin with, if you're trying to cover up any of the more brazen pimples, you'll need to dab on some extra BB cream. More than anything, the cream simply made my complexion go from inherently pale to wan. The cream is also slightly drying on my skin, and doesn't stay on very long. On the other hand, my sister and our friends back in the Homeland seem to like It's Skin's BB Cream, so it may just not be right for my skin. If I remember correctly, It's Skin's BB Cream is in the man-won price range, so one of the pluses, is that it's a good bargain.

BB Cream Week: Hanskin's Super Magic BB Cream

Our third featured BB cream is a sample of Hanskin's Super Magic BB Cream. Cyndi vaguely recalls reading somewhere that Hanskin was one of the first cosmetic shops to get into the BB Cream game. I'm not sure how long Hanskin has been producing BB creams, but they certainly have a daunting array of BB creams to choose from. Fortunately, Hanskin is very generous with their samples (just be sure to request lots of samples), so it's easy to try out their creams without committing to a whole tube. Hanskin's products are higher priced than that of FaceShop or Missha, so we had high expectations for the Hanskin BB creams.

Hanskin has a couple of "Magic BB Creams," but Cyndi tried the one in the black tube.

I've decided that unflattering before and after photos are not necessary, so I hope that this video demonstration will suffice for all you people who prefer visuals over my lengthy rambling.

VIDEO (Watch the magic unfold before your very eyes):




OUR THOUGHTS:
I have to admit that Super Magic was a bit of a disappointment. It's a lot more wet than the other BB Creams that we've tried. Cyndi thinks the soppy texture is due to its moisturizing factor. The cream made Cyndi take on a noticeably grayish hue that did not really compliment her skin tone. The cream does create a dewy look, but it does not last very long. Cyndi also noted that the cream made her break out a little, so I don't think she'll be using Super Magic in the future. The cream was not awful, but we recommend trying a sample before purchasing the cream. The Hanskin creams generally start at around 20,000 won, so it's best to try them out before purchasing. I regret buying my sister a tube simply based on the saleswoman's recommendation. I hope that my sister has more magical results with Super Magic Cream...

BB Cream Week: Let Me Finish by Banila Co.

Both Cyndi and are regular users of today's featured B.B. Cream "Let Me Finish" by Banila Co.

BEFORE
My pimples tends to hang around my cheek and lip area. You may not be able to see them in this photo, but trust me, they're there.














AFTER
I know that the difference appears faint in this after shot, but if you look closely, the dark spots on my cheeks have diminished a tad. I know that my head is a shade lighter than my body, but that's acceptable in Korea :)














VIDEO (Watch the magic unfold before your very eyes):
I'd like to note that jumpcut seems to soften the video, so our complexions seem much cleaner in the video. You should see the footage in HD...





OUR THOUGHTS:
Despite it's odd name "Let Me Finish," has become a favorite because it goes on smoothly, does an adequate job of covering blemishes, and doesn't whiten your complexion as severely as other BB Creams that we've tried. One of the noticeable flaws is that "Let Me Finish" smells a little like a baby's bottom (only without the baby powder), but the scent quickly fades once you've applied the cream. The cream doesn't last, so you'll need to reapply if you want all-day coverage.

BB Cream Week: Missha M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream

A number of people seem to have stumbled across my blog looking for information on B.B. Cream, the magical Blemish Balm Cream that claims to conceal, as well as heal, moisturize, and protect your skin. For this reason, plus the fact that Cyndi and I are becoming increasingly vain :), I hereby proclaim this week BB Cream Week. Throughout this week, I will post videos, pics, and comments for the various BB Creams we have lying about.

First up to bat is Cyndi's pick "M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream" by Missha. According to the tube, "MISSHA M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream offers a novel skincare concept with B.B. cream, which lightens skin tone by healing visible wrinkles and blemishes, with excellent skin-cover ability, and prevents skin aging through effective whitening and anti-wrinkle properties." The cream also offer SPF 42 PA+++. Thats a lot of promises for one little cream...

BEFORE (BB CREAM):
It's hard see from this picture, but Cyndi has a few red marks on her forehead.














AFTER:
The red marks are not visible at all once they are covered by the cream. Essentially, the cream evens out your skin tone (in addition to fighting wrinkles, allegedly).















VIDEO (Watch the magic unfold before your very eyes):
I'm starting to feel like I work for the home shopping network. Someone needs to send us a check right quick!




OUR THOUGHTS:
Missha's M Perfect Cover B.B. Cream may whiten your skin a tad too much, but it offers smooth matte coverage without leaving your skin feeling oily. The M cream seems to tighten your skin, and perhaps dry it out a bit, so it may be a good pick for oily or combination skin. The cream also had a faint powdery scent that smells a bit like a fresh baby's bottom. The cream will wear out as the day goes by, so you'll probably want to reapply or powder your nose later in the day.

Summer Beauty Buys: Annalog's Picks

Other than my trusty BB cream, I still don't wear very much makeup. This fact, however, doesn't stop me from regularly perusing Seoul's plethora of cosmetic shops and drug stores. Cyndi, J.IM, and I have recently spent a lot of time and money (eeps!) picking up some great new products, so I thought it'd be a good idea to share our top Asian beauty buys for the summer.

The following items are my picks. I will post Cyndi and J.IM's list within the next few days, if not sooner.

Okay, let's proceed with the budget beauty extravaganza!


LET ME FINISH BB CREAM SPF 37 PA++ (Banila Co.)
I recently switched from my Missha "M' BB Cream to Banila Co.'s "Let Me Finish" BB Cream. Banila Co.'s BB cream is slightly more pricey (over $20), but in my inexpert opinion, it seems to do a better job of covering up my blemishes. It also gives me a "dewy" look (as opposed to a matte finish) that makes me feel more polished. I just smear the cream all over my face; dab a little extra cream on the bigger blemishes; then cover it all with a slight dusting of powder.















AQUAIR "Deep Moist" Hair Treatment Lotion (purchased at Watsons)
My over-processed hair is in dire need of some extra TLC, so I picked up a bottle of this Aquair hair lotion at a Watsons in Taipei. This hair lotion, made by the Shiseido Co. comes in a handy spray bottle and has a nice light scent. It may be all wishful thinking of my part, but my pama-induced curls seem to look a tad more healthy.














DR FORMULA ESSENTIAL LIP BALM SPF 10 (It's Skin)
Since I'm down to my last tube of Labello (which I could only find in Hong Kong!), I'm always on the lookout for another replacement lip balm. Despite the similar packaging, Nivea lip balm just doesn't cut it. It's like smearing a candle across your lips. My current substitute is a tube of "Essential Lip Balm" from It's Skin. The lip balm feels smooth going on, without leaving any sort of sticky residue. Plus, it has SPF 10. That can't hurt, right?














PROCURE 365 HAIR MIST (Missha)
Even though I had just picked up a bottle of Aquair Hair Lotion in Taipei, when Cyndi told me that Missha's "Hair Mist" comes with sun protection, I decided that Procure 365 would make a prudent purchase. The hair mist comes in three scents: floral, fruity, and something blue. I picked "Fresh Flower." I can't single out any noticeable effects on my hair, but I do feel better knowing that my hair's got a little SPF. I spray this one on in the morning, and Aquair in the evening.














I love drugstores in Asia. They're always filled with interesting regional items. In Taipei, we made many stops at the various drugstore. I noticed a line of Garnier products that featured a Chinese fruit, longan, aka "dragon eye." I picked up a bottle of the "Gentle Clarifying Foam," and was very pleased with its soft texture and fresh scent, so I wet back to the drugstore to pick up a tube of the eye cream. Both bottles were described as "light." I had thought this meant "gentle," but I soon realized that it referred to the fact that the products are meant to help whiten the appearance of your skin. I'm already pretty fair (bordering on glow-in-the-dark), so I could do without the whitening agents. Oh well. The products also claim to be "tested on Asian skin." Better Asians than lab animals, I guess.

Eye Contour Whitening Cream with SPF 15 (Garnier Skin Naturals)














Gentle Clarifying Foam with Pure Lemon Essence + long dan (Garnier Skin Naturals)














I also picked up a jar of moisturizing cream another product in the Garnier Skin Naturals line. It's nothing special in terms of the moisturizing, but I keep using it because it smells so darn good. The scent reminds me of a gardenia lei.

Fresh 24h Moisturizing Cream (Garnier Skin Naturals)














Speaking of smelling good, I picked up Anna Sui's "Flight of Fancy" Eau de toilette at the Duty-free. It's my official scent for the summer; meaning, I use it liberally in order to mask the damp odor of a shirt that has not dried properly thanks to the humidity. It smells colorful, like a fruity cocktail.

B.B. Cream

Although I don't wear a lot of makeup, I do like to browse around the various cosmetics stores in Seoul. Korea is a great place to purchase inexpensive, cutely packaged makeup. Korean women tend to favor more high-end department store cosmetics, but dozen of tourists often swarm to Myeongdong to get a small carry-on's worth of cosmetics. The most popular stores seem to be The Face Shop, Etude House, Missha, It's Skin, and Skin Food. Come to think of it, it's easier to find a cosmetics store than a public trash can or phone booth in Seoul.

With my eyelash extensions, my makeup consists of three products. In addition to my moisturizer (don't forget the SPF!), I simply put on some B.B. cream, powder, and blush.

Cyndi and I have introduced a few people to B.B. Cream, and they all seem to love it.

So, what is B.B. Cream?

"B.B Cream" is short for "Blemish Balm Cream. Unlike concealer, it both hides and soothes blemished skin. You can read more about B.B. Cream at this link. I'm not certain if it's helping to "regenerate" my skin, but it certainly does a solid job of covering my blemishes.

Most B.B. Creams come with SPF, so it offers added sun protection for your skin. The creams range in price, but usually start at about 7,000 won. Unfortunately, since it's an Asian product, the creams usually come in just two shades: Light-skinned and Light-skinned person with a slight tan.

Based on Bo Unnie's recommendation, I'm currently using the Missha B.B. Cream pictured below. My sister likes the It's Skin B.B. Cream, but I find that it makes my face feel a little more oily. The various cosmetics shops are very good about letting you test the products, so I suggest that you try out the product in the store (if you don't mind some sales clerks hovering around you).

You can also read this handy review of various Korean B.B. Creams.















Here's a brief demonstration of how to apply B.B. Cream. Basically, just gently dab the cream across your entire face.