When I first saw the L’Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream in store, I was doubtful yet intrigued. This has got to be the strangest BB cream I’ve come acrossed and used. It’s unlike any BB creams I’ve seen. First of all, it comes out of the tube pearlescent white, and it’s grainy. In fact, it resembles more of a facial scrub than makeup!
If you think I was skeptical using this, well, you can say that again. Still, curiosity got the better of me, and I just had to try it out on my skin. Thankfully, I was given a tube of the BB cream in a goodie bag from a L’Oreal blogger event I attended in June. Time to get my guinea pig skin on!
And you know what? It’s surprisingly not bad.
Description:
Micro-pigment capsules self adjust upon contact, transforming your skin. Flawless, ultra light coverage for the perfect nude skin look. 24HR hydration.Ingredients:
Aqua/Water, Isododecane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Isoeicosane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Boron Nitride, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Hexyl Laurate, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethyl Citrate, Methylparaben, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphates/C9-15 Fluoroalcohol. Phosphate. Tocopherol. Panthenol. [+/- MAY CONTAIN: CI 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / Iron Oxides]. (F.I.L. B49725/1).
When it’s rubbed on the skin, it changes from the grainy white substance to skin colour. The one I’m using is Fair Skin Tone, and strangely enough, it suited my skin tone to a T.
I don’t know if I can even say this is more like a tinted moisturiser than a BB cream, because it has very sheer coverage, even less coverage than a lot of tinted moisturisers have. However, I can say that it does what it’s told, and that is to create the glow of nude-looking skin. It evens out my skin tone well. It’s my skin, but better.
If you’re looking for a BB cream that can give you at least some coverage on the skin, I’d say forget this one. It barely gave me any coverage nor did it mask much of the blemishes and redness on my skin. However, I do find it quite a good base for makeup. When worn alone, it gives my skin a very subtle glow. I like using this with a very light sweeping of loose powder on my face. It looks like I’m not wearing makeup but still enough for the skin to not look sallow.
I’ve read reviews about this BB cream oxidising on the skin after a few hours of wear. Fortunately, I did not encounter this problem.
Am I convinced that this is a BB cream? To be honest, not really. I’ve tried many BB creams and this just does not have that consistency, colour and coverage that I look for in BB creams. But for something quick and easy to use, something that evens the skin tone, something that gives the skin just that tiny hint of glow, then I’d recommend you give this a try. At least, swatch it in store and see the transformation of the white substance to your skin tone. I found it oddly fascinating 
L’Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream retails at AU$26.95 for 30ml and is available at Priceline, Target, Kmart, Big W and selected pharmacies nationwide. It comes in two shades – Fair Skin Tone and Medium Skin Tone.
What I like about it: Evens my skin tone, gives a very subtle glow to the skin, interesting formula
What I do not like about it: Coverage too sheer for my liking, doesn’t really follow the definition of BB creams
Thirty-something. Gemini. Happily married. Loves shopping. Has an unhealthy adoration for bags, shoes and chocolate. Believes that sunscreen should be a religion. Hates baked beans with a vengeance. Thinks that the weekdays should be a weekend long, vice versa. Optimistic. Narcissistic. Not the average Jane.
If you have any questions or wish to contact me about anything, please feel free to email me at tine [at] beautyholicsanonymous [dot] com or click on 
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah I agree with you totally. It gave a really sheer cover, in fact I thought the coverage was less than that of the Garnier one. I don’t think it works well as a “bb cream” nor as a tinted moisturiser – I think like you said, best as a base. It’s got that pearlescent type of finish (or is it just me?). If I were to choose between this one and the Garnier one, I think I would go with the Garnier one where I mix the two shades together.
Norlin recently posted..The Idea of Glamour
Norlin: Yep it does have a pearlescent glowy finish to the cream. In comparison to other proper BB creams, I’m afraid this doesn’t measure up. On its own, I’d say it’s more of a makeup base.
I had a lot of fun with this
Like you, I got it out of curiosity too.
LeGeeque recently posted..It’s My Cake Day!
LeGeeque: I love getting makeup just for curiosity sake. Unfortunately my dresser is full of “curiosity” products and is overflowing!
I personally hate this. It’s “fair skin tone” is far too dark for me. I’m typically a “nude ivory” type shade, and it was WAY too dark for my skin. Disappointing to say the least.
Chelsea recently posted..DIY Coconut Oil Hair Mask
Chelsea: Drats, even the fair skin tone one? That’s too bad. I’m sorry this didn’t work for you. Money wasted
Oh! Loreal new product. I don’t think Malaysia has this yet. Anyway will try it on when it’s out in Malaysia’s market
Michelle: It will be interesting to know your thoughts about this when it comes to Malaysia. It’s definitely not the usual BB creams you’re used to. It’s a strange but rather fascinating product to check out
haha, it sure looks like a moisturiser scrub.
I always find it funny that different companies have so many strange renditions of what is a BB cream. Still stick to my Korean brands seem like the best bet.
Jyoan recently posted..NOTD: China Glaze in 625 For Audrey
Jyoan: I find that a lot of Western brands make their BB creams to either be foundations or tinted moisturisers, not so much in between like the Asian versions. Glad to see that they’re improving with better formulations. I just find this one strangely fascinating because it looks and feels so different from the BB creams I’m used to. I still find it better as a base though, than to be used on its own.
I don’t have a lot of experience with BB creams but I’ve tried this and I really like it
S. Drama&Makeup! recently posted..REVIEW: NYC Duet Eyeshadow in Upper East Side
Good on you that you like this one! Which shade suited you? Did you like the coverage?
I’ve used the darker shade and it was just perfect!
It probably will be too dark in the winter
S. Drama&Makeup! recently posted..Review: L’Oreal Rouge Caresse in Dating Coral
Mix it up with some moisturiser or lighter foundation and you’ll be back on track for winter!
LOL, cute last photo! And yeah, I like this L’Oreal “BB” cream for a quickie
Ling recently posted..WIN : The Best Beauty Blog 2nd Birthday Giveaway
Ling: Hahaha thanks! Being funny
Yeah, for a quickie, I reach for this too. I do like that it’s my skin, but better, for when I’m home most of the time. But when I’m out, I reach for something with more coverage 
Oh wow, it does look a little scary doesn’t it?
I have similar thoughts on ‘BB’ creams hitting the shelves. They are nice don’t get me wrong, but they are just like a tinted moisturizer, nothing more. I do love the look of this one on your skin though, it seems like the perfect shade!
Kaye recently posted..Best Online Photo Editor Series: Part 2 – Pixlr-O-Matic, Pixlr, Pixlr Express, Photobucket
Kaye: It’s more fascinating than scary, to be honest. It’s very strange for a BB cream: it’s grainy like a scrub, it’s white on the skin, but when you rub it on, it changes to skin colour.
I know what you mean. I find BB creams by Western brands are more like tinted moisturisers in comparison to their Asian counterparts. Still, I’m glad to see that they’re slowly improving
I’ve been wanting to try this BB Cream for something different but think I will give it a miss as I have very fair skin so this may not suit my skin tone to well :\ not to sure about the little granular’s either!
Makeup Tips Beauty Blog recently posted..Makeup For Photographs.
Apparently the grainy bits are the ones that give the colour when rubbed onto the skin. It’s just a wild guess though. Do swatch it in store if you can and see how it goes. But yeah, chances are it may not suit you since you have very fair skin, and I find the Fair Skin Tone one just nice for me. For very fair skin tones, probably not.
I am just wondering… Do you see this product in Lucent Magique BB???
I haven’t seen L’oreal’s BB in Singapore yet. But I do have a sachet sample of Lucent Magique BB by L’oreal that I got from a magazine. I do suppose I will spot these in my drugstores very, very soon.
But I am not sure if we will get the Nude Magique one… …
Hmmm, you know, I think I may need to take back my words about Western BB. I do like the Lucent Magique as far as my 1.5ml of sample goes! hahahaha.
And you’re right, the consistency of this Lucent Magique version is exactly like what you say about the Nude one. LOL, literally scrubbing my face with it.
Jyoan recently posted..More Revlon Lip Butters Just Because… …
Jyoan: Hmmm Lucent … sounds familiar … ah yes! I received some sample sachets of the BB cream a few months ago. Haven’t had the chance to use them yet though. Very similar to the Nude Magique, you say? Haha what a coincidence! I’ve only used the L’Oreal one though, so it’ll be interesting to see what the Lucent one is like. Time to tear open those sachets!