Review: Skinfood Aloe Sun BB Cream

My dear lovelies!

As promised, an update & review on my new favorite Summer going-out staple!

For some reason, I feel like I'm always the last person to jump on the bandwagon...Double Rainbow, Keyboard cat, NYX cosmetics...and now, BB cream!

BB creams are quite popular in Korea and are meant to be the all-in-one makeup miracle product, many promising to be a base/primer, cover-up, foundation all-in-one with added benefits like anti-aging, hydration, UV protection etc. My last foray into BBcreams (Missha Perfect Cover) left me with cystic acne so I was a bit hesitant to jump back into things...

That being said, after carefully researching a few more varieties, I decided that I would give Skin Food a try. Skin Food is a skincare line available on sites such as Sasa.com - they don't carry this particular bb cream anymore, but Amazon.com currently sells it for around $19.95.

REVIEW

Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream (SPF 20 PA+)

On Packaging: Food Therapy - Special food for the skin to eat. Contains lots of nutritive and energetic ingredients such as fresh plants, fruits etc. to maintain our bodies healthy and lively.

Rich with aloe, which possesses excellent hydrating properties and soothing effect, this multi-functional skin care product (UV protecter and blemish correcter) provides moisture and nutrition to your skin while providing protection from UV rays.

The tube is a nice decent size - the size of a medium-sized tube of sunscreen (50g)

The dispensing nozzle allows for hygenic application

As true for most BB Creams, the color selection is extremely limited. This BB Cream comes in either #1 (fair) or #2 (medium). In the Summer time, I tend to get a bit darker but really, I would be a #2 regardless.

I used a foundation brush to sweep the BB cream over my face. The product applies smoothly but requires a little blending. It smells FANTASTIC though - very fresh and clean. If you like Bath & Bodyworks Cucumber melon, you will like the smell of this BB cream. Although this BB Cream has built in sunscreen (SPF 20), I still use my regular sunscreen (Olay SPF 25) all over beforehand. The results with and without flash - I love the overall slightly dewy finish!

Wearing: NYC brow pencil on brows, MAC Blacktrack fluidliner, Darkness KMA 7 false lashes, Maybelline Eye Quad in Taupe Temptress in corners of eyes, Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Peach Colada on lips, Skin Food Aloe Sun BB Cream on face

I did not see any of the greyish undertone of #2 that some reviews had mentioned.

Look of the day (LOTD) from this past weekend! Abercrombie stretchy tube dress & Jessica Simpson heart chain necklace. :)

Overall

Pros

♥ Pleasant fresh & clean smell which fades over time

♥ Beautfiul, dewy finish

♥ SPF 20

♥ Not drying

♥ Moderate oil control (my face was just slightly oily by the end of a day being exposed to 90 degree plus Texas heat!)

♥ Coverage is medium - hid most of the redness in my cheeks

♥ Long lasting

♥ Smooth, even, application

♥ Does not feel heavy on the skin

♥ Did NOT break me out...so far. (Will update if anything changes)

Cons

♥ Extremely limited colors

♥ May be hard to find (Sasa.com no longer stocks), online availability

♥ May need to use spot coverage for larger blemishes

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5/5)

My beautiful friend, fellow blogger, co-worker, and Pharmgirl extraordinaire Liz suggested that I include whether or not products are tested on animals for future reviews. This is a great idea! I am happy to report that my previous review and one of my favorite new cosmetics lines, NYX, does NOT test on animals. I am not quite sure about this current BB cream since it was produced in a foreign country (Korea) but if I do find out, I will surely update!

Here's a little sneak peek into what is coming up next!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Review: Missha Perfect Cover BB cream +

Hello beauties!

It has been such a busy past few weeks. I feel oddly guilty that I haven't been able to keep up with a lot of my favorite blogs let alone maintain my own! :(

It's about time for a review! (first one in May!)

Missha Perfect Cover BB cream in no. 23! (the darker shade)

One of my co-workers was kind enough to supply me with a sample of what is apparently one of Korea's top BB creams!

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This is what it claims to do (from amazon.com website)

Wrinkle care + UV PRoof(SPF 42 PA+++) + Moisturing + Make up base + Foundation

It provides excellently concealing any types of pigmentation or discoloration area on face including acne, couperose, vitiligo, age spots, sun spots and dark circles.

· For all skin type even for acne skin type
· It can be used as a makeup base or foundation.
· Containing substances for Soothing the skin (Na-complex)

MISSHA M BB Cream Contains natural ingredients that do not damage or irritate the skin. With Continuous use, your sensitive skin will be calm, protected from redness and keep its health.

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My Sample

Here is a closer pic of the product itself

This bb cream comes in 2 shades: no. 21 (light beige) and no. 23 (natural beige). No. 21 is for the lighter skin gals and apparently has yellow undertones. No. 23 is for darker skinned gals (and by dark, I mean a slight tan!) and has pinker undertones. Unfortunately, none of these truly 'fits' me as I have darker skin and yellow undertones.

Here is me sans bb cream (bare skin!!!) - don't be afraid! You can see there is some rudiness/redness in my cheeks. For reference, my skin is combination -- dry in the winter and oily in the Summer! :( I am also acne-prone though after taking much better care of my skin, breakouts are much less frequent.

BEFORE

*~*~*~*~*~*

AFTER (bathroom lighting)

AFTER (with flash)
**wearing my brand spankin' new sexy GSP snowflake necklace ;)**


As you can see, my face looks okay in regular lighting...but with flash? Waaaaaay too light! *sigh* Since a lot of these BB creams are formulated for girls with fair, moon-kissed complexions, I have to really search to find my perfect bb cream if such a thing exists!

It covers decently, has a pleasant, non-irritating smell, and lasts ALL DAY without budging...but it felt kind of 'heavy' on the skin in my opinion. I dislike wearing liquid foundation so it might be more comfortable on girls that are used to wearing cream or liquid based makeup. (I prefer powder if possible) I don't mind wearing a sunscreen so maybe my perfect match would be something that wears more like a sunscreen than a foundation if that is even possible?

The worst part about this bb cream - a few days after wearing it (despite washing thoroughly aftewards) I broke out!!! Not just little tiny bumps - 2 horrible huge cystic pimples after a few months of being virtually pimple free!!! T_T

Overall

Pros
♥ Affordable (sells for $11 for 30ml on Amazon.com)
♥ Plenty of SPF 42+
♥ Covers relatively well
♥ Faint but pleasant smell
♥ Claims to have anti-aging properties
♥ Not drying and oil control
♥ Lasts all day

Cons
♥ Extremely limited colors
♥ Feels heavy on the skin
♥ Caused a break out after ONE use!


Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (2/5)

I would have given 3 hearts if it didn't break me out afterwards...kind of a deal breaker for me. :( This might work for fairer skinned ladies or people who are not acne-prone!

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On a happier, non-pimply note, I was able to feed my innards something happy this weekend (and I like to think, healthy too) at my favorite local Yogurtland!

Pinkberry wannabes have spread all over the US, thank goodness! Only 30 cents an ounce at this location!



The best type of places are self-serve and weight based so you can DIY your perfect froyo!



I'm apparently not very good at squeezing out the yogurt into the bowls...My bf laughed at me :(



It didn't matter though, every bite was so delicious!!!
In this bowl: Yogurt - Taro/green tea mix, fresh strawberry, tart Lychee, peach & mango.
Toppings -I ♥MOCHI, so tons of it plus pineapple & gummi bears



Plus they care about the environment! ^_^



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Hello to new lovelies Hardcore makeup junkie, Colourful world, StarryXuan, Dana, Lovesweetcrystal, Suzie, Xagnes, Kaitlyn, & natalka! ♥

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Next up: Review of Coastal Scents 88 makeup palette, lashes, & Glam Sparkle Pop!!!

♥ Good night, hope you all had a fantastic weekend
& Happy Mother's Day to all the sexy mamas out there ;)! ♥

Review of Somang makeup, Borders Haul, Grammys

**SUPER LONG picture heavy post!**

Product Description: BC lovely Q10 Makeup base moist - lavender
This silky smooth makeup base brightens your complexion leaving your skin revitalized and clear. Coenzyme Q10 of this high moisture makeup base keeps the skin firm and volumized all day long as well as more hydrated and gorgeous.
My favorite quote on the bottle: " Be careful, product contents are slippery." Lol.

Also, I know I like my hair volumized, but not so sure about the skin :)

It takes about 2-3 pumps to cover my entire face. The product smells very nice --faintly of lavender-- applied after cleansing my face in the morning.

The product feels similar to my Olay Regenerist SPF "DNA restructuring" moisturizer -- but it smells prettier! It is SPF 18, so I expected it to have this sunscreen-like quality to it.

After applying, it definitely makes my face look & feel more 'matte'. It helps fill in the pores nicely and does an excellent job as a base with the added bonus of Coenzyme Q10 (antioxidant quality) & SPF. I didn't experience any noticeable moisturizing effect, but my skin didn't feel dry after using it and it is winter after all. I'm not sure if it is the SPF quality of the base or something about the purple color, but I have a feeling this is better suited for fairer skinned beauties. I have more yellow-y undertones and don't have that lovely porcelain-doll asian skin and this makeup base made my face too light after applying my Shiseido powder foundation. Boo. I'll try to use it up but I don't think I'll repurchase b/c it doesn't suit my skin color!

Apologies for the cruddy bathroom lighting...my skin hasn't been retouched so yeah, I think some of the products I'm using are working!!! :D Also, I'm working the DSK necklace -- I ♥ it but I think I might get a 16" chain next time since it might work better with lots of my outfits :)

After all my makeup & clothes - I love False lashes, the Ardell 109s (Christmas present from the little sis) are so light & natural. Also, Rimmel + Chanel brow pencil on my sparse brows and NARS blush duo in Sin/Casino (perfect for winter!)

I think the SPF in the base is uber-reflective as indicative with flash:

*UPDATE* (2/19/2010) - I retract my previous thoughts on the Somang Makeup base/primer. It might seem a little light going on, but it really does help smooth out my foundation applicaton (Shiseido powder foundation) -- when I wore it on Valentine's Day, my bf mentioned that my skin looked so "flawless"! It might not work in the Summer, but it has worked out wonderfully in the Winter so far :)

I'm lucky I haven't broken out/had a major skin freakout/had an allergic reaction to any product yet - at the rate I've been going at adding/trying out new products, it is a bit of a gamble. Still, the DHC Deep Cleansing oil has already been doing amazing things for me so far and I am seeing results combined with the Cellnique Skin Action Sebum Gel. My boyfriend -- who admittedly has little faith in skin care products for women -- told me that my skin looked brigther today. Woohoo! :D

So I have a Border's Reward card and they sent me this nice little 33% off any item so I not only found a STEAL on the organizer/calender/planner (ALL Calenders/planners are only $4!!!) but I also picked up "Chinese Cinderella" by Adeline Yen Mah. Apparently it's required reading for some schools, but I think it'll be an easy read that will probably result in me in tears. Also, I am still quite angry about "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan being required reading in high school -- read the book and we never even discussed it in class. I liked the book okay, though it made me angry a lot for some reason. I do love Ming-Na though :)

So cute! The pineapples are in heart-shapes and it reminds me of Hawaii! I absolutely ♥ Hawaii. I seriously have to move there one day.

Finally, I caught a large part of the Grammys today. As much as I love Taylor Swift (she's adorable!) -- I'm not sure if she should of received 4 total Grammys. (aaaah, I feel a Kanye Moment coming on!) There was a lot of talent she was competing with...and her live performance with Stevie Nicks was woefully off key. *sigh* Plus I was kind of rooting for Gaga too, just to see her acceptance speech!

The showstopper of the night surprisingly wasn't Gaga though - it was PINK! She was amazing! I just couldn't beleive how talented she was spinning and singing "Glitter" (albeit half naked) She's so hot! And her voice is beautiful...and wow, it was like watching a Cirque du Soleil show. :)




Sweet dreams -_- -- So sleepy tonight...