Review: Ellana's new OG/BB Foundie makes my skin look like my skin, but better
Unless it’s an actual job requirement, no one needs to wear makeup every day. I think the world is changing to recognize beauty doesn’t need to equate perfection, and more people are finding the courage to be comfortable in their own skin. That said, it’s nice to be able to spend a few minutes for yourself to get ready for the day ahead and put your best face forward.
Yay, Ellana's pressed powder foundation is back! (Review + swatches)
Do you still remember your first ever foundation? I do! I had read about a local brand called Ellana Minerals right here on PV, when Liz first started raving about them 10 years ago. That was the decade when mineral makeup was all the rage abroad, but Filipinos didn’t yet have the wonders of online shopping, and Ellana allowed us to enjoy the trend without having to spend a fortune on shipping fees! I treasured the tiny pot of loose mineral foundation and mini kabuki brush that I got from them, so much so that I still keep both in my vanity; the case is empty but the brush still works.
The Sachet Makeup Battle: What happened when we tested six bases from P29 to P99
Hi, I’m Stacie and I am obsessed with SM Beauty. I feel the urge to pass by whenever I’m in an SM mall, even when I’m not actually looking for anything! Recently, I’ve noticed that more and more products are becoming available in sachet packaging, including face bases. Ranging from P25 to P99, they’re a tempting option for those on a tight budget or for when you need a quick fix. Sure, they’re quite cheap but are they worth it?
Don't think for a minute that BB creams can take the place of skincare
I was blowdrying my hair at the country club after tennis when I heard two women conversing about their makeup routines. One woman said, "You just really need BB cream. It's already sunscreen, moisturizer, primer, anti-aging, and foundation in one!" Her friend was obviously impressed by this and went on to ask about which BB creams are good to try. I wanted to butt in and give my feedback but I didn't know them and it might be weird, so instead I'm writing this post in the hopes of helping everybody out!
The BB Cream Hack List: How to get your base to do more than cover up
After years of worshipping at the altar of perfectly-matte, shine-free face base, I've learned to embrace my natural shine, thanks to the cult of chok-chok. This dewy, bouncy glow had all of us falling back in love with moisturizing, with some swapping out foundie faves for the ultimate KBeauty staple: the BB cream.
Rave: Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream
One of these days, I'm going to write a post on the x number of things I bought because of Lisa Eldridge. She's probably the most influential beauty guru in my life - I believe everything she says, with all my heart and soul! Seriously though, I love her. I hope I can get to meet her one day or at least see her in person. It would be a dream come true for me if she visits the Philippines!
Anyway, I first heard about Bourjois, a French drugstore beauty brand, from Lisa. She always uses the brand's foundations and blushes in her video tutorials. One of the things she's been featuring in her recent videos is the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream (~P900 or JPY1,800), so when I saw it in Tokyo a couple of weeks back, I had to get one! The reasonable price was the other factor that convinced me to pick it up.
I'm not going to let the tension mount - it was love at first swipe with this CC Cream! It has a beautiful skin-like finish, sheer but decent coverage, and it brightens my face up with only one layer. Staying power is pretty good as well, and I'm saying that while in the midst of a massive heat wave in Manila. SO MUCH LOVE. I wish I got a couple more tubes.
Here's a detailed rundown of the pros and cons of this Bourjois base!
What I love about the product
- It delivers a gorgeous skin-enhancing effect. It reminds me a bit of the Bobbi Brown BB Cream, but at less than half the price tag. It sets into a demi-matte finish.
- Sheer to medium coverage. It's not buildable, but one layer is enough to cover minor imperfections and tone down redness, sallowness, and uneven areas.
- Texture is runny and easy to spread with just fingers. It's hydrating, but feels lightweight in the heat.
Four hypoallergenic BB Creams to try
I've just recently discovered that my skin is sensitive which is why I constantly have minor breakouts. I just want to ask if you have any suggestions for hypoallergenic BB creams? One that is non-comedogenic since I'm on the oily side. Thanks for sharing! - Nina
Hi there Nina! Having sensitive skin can be a nightmare, but as long as you use new products carefully you should be fine. Just remember to do a patch test on the side of your jaw before putting the rest of the stuff on your whole face! If you're allergic to something in the product you'd see a reaction within an hour, but it usually takes a couple of days to know for sure. So, test it on that one area of your skin for a few days before fully committing to it. It's a hassle but this is the easiest way to know how your skin would react to your new find!
As you've requested, here are four hypoallergenic BB creams you can look into. One of them is a tinted moisturizer but it does what a BB cream does so I've included it. ^_^ I've picked them out based on the hypoallergenic reputation of the brands. Of course, you won't know what works best for you until you've tried it out, but at least we have narrowed down the options. Hope this helps!
The Celeteque Dermoscience Multi-Benefit BB cream (P325) has sheer, brightening coverage that should fit light to medium skin. This is great to start with if you're on a budget and is looking for barely there yet enhancing coverage. It's great for oily skin as it sets completely and has a matte finish.
Swatch of the Celeteque BB Cream. It's rather light but it blends on fair-medim skin after a few minutes.
I loved the VMV Hypoallergenics Skintangible SPF30 (P1,050) for quite a while since it makes my skin look amazing! It's hydrating but doesn't make me extra oily. And oh, VMV is really the best brand for sensitive skin. They're so OC about it that they even created a rating system for how hypoallergenic their products are - don't quote me on this, but I think they're the first skincare brand to do so.
BB Cream Week: Revlon Photoready BB Cream
I realized, belatedly, that the BB creams I lined up for you this week are all from Western brands. I wasn't able to acquire Asian BBs for this round, but never fear! I promise to have an Asian BB cream week next time. ;)
Allow me to discuss one last product to wrap up this themed week: the Revlon Photoready BB Cream (P725)!
I like that it has a brightening finish even though the coverage is quite sheer. The SPF30 is a good addition too! I also like that it didn't slide off after four hours of wear, even though others who have tried it say that the staying power is dismal. Remember people: setting it properly is key!
I found a great shade match in Light Medium. The shade is yellow-toned with subtle shimmer for that skin-illuminating effect.
BB Cream Week: How to apply BB Creams correctly
BB creams are some of the most convenient bases in the history of forever to use. They're much like liquid foundations but with added benefits of hydration, sun protection, and skincare properties. This type of makeup is generally fuss-free to apply, but if you want to maximize them, I just have a few suggestions!
Apply sunscreen beforehand to get the right amount of sun protection and to create a smooth base for your BB cream. Just because your BB cream has SPF so-and-so, it doesn't mean that you'll get that exact number. You will need to apply a whole teaspoon of makeup all over your face to get that promised SPF - but who does that? Realistically you would only use a third of a teaspoon lest your face looks like unbaked cake. You'd still get some sun protection, but it's considerably less than what's noted on the bottle.
CC creams are excellent sunscreens because they're so sheer! Or you can use an ultra light sunblock like the one from Kiehl's
If your BB cream has SPF 50 then you can skip the sunscreen. But at SPF30 you won't be getting much, so just apply your usual skincare with SPF.
To maintain your protection from the harmful rays of the sun, either retouch your BB cream with a powder containing SPF every three hours, or re-apply the BB cream. The former is more convenient. :)
Smooth the BB cream equally all over your face using your hands. Personally I like the smear the BB cream in neat lines, to make sure that I am distributing the product evenly.
BB Cream Week: Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream
I saw a quote the other week that went, "If you don't build your dream, someone else will pay you to build theirs." This is true. If you love something you're probably thinking of striking it out on your own, perhaps earning money from it. But there is that ever-constant fear of failing, so instead of chasing after what you really want to do, you just end up getting paid by someone else to do it for them. It's practical, yes. Also sad at the same time.
Moral lesson: if you're gonna slave away anyway, do it to build your own empire.
So. Let's continue BB Cream Week! On the chopping block today is the Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream (P2,200+). This is a sheer, moisturizing base with SPF 50 and broad spectrum protection. It contains Vitamin C to help rejuvenate and clear skin, as well as soften fine lines over time.
