Shucks, I just realised that I skipped out on last month’s episode of BB Creamlogy. Oooops! Oh well, better late than never. 🙂
Welcome to another installment of BB Creamology! We’re now on the 8th episode and today, I’m featuring 3 high-SPF BB creams that have a minimum of SPF 30. I love BB creams with high SPF. Although I always apply a separate layer of sunscreen prior to BB creams or foundations, it’s good to know that there are BB creams out there that have high sun protection, especially for those who don’t apply sunscreen regularly. I too have days when I accidentally forget to apply sunscreen (yes, sunscreen-religious me falls off the wagon sometimes :P) so these at least offer a better amount of sun protection compared to base makeup with a measly SPF 15.
I’ve got two Western and one popular Korean one to talk about today. I wonder which one performed the best. 😉
Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream*
Shade: Light/Medium has cool undertones. This is also available in another shade, Medium/Deep.
Texture: Thick and creamy
Fragrance: Smells like regular sunscreen.
Wet-To-Dry Time: Takes a while to dry and and leaves a dewy finish on the skin.
Coverage: Medium coverage
Sun Protection Factor: SPF 30 (On the packaging, it states that this BB cream contains SPF protection. However, the amount of SPF isn’t mentioned on the packaging. After checking lots of reviews online, most websites including Paula Begoun’s The Cosmetic Cop states that this contains SPF 30.)
Price: AU$25.95
Availability: Selected Priceline stores nationwide.
Shade: 020 Light Medium has cool undertones. Also available in 2 other shades: Light and Medium
Texture: Thick and creamy
Fragrance: Subtle sunscreen scent
Wet-To-Dry Time: Takes slightly less time than the Physicians Formula Super BB to dry. Leaves a dewy finish on the skin/
Coverage: Medium coverage
Sun Protection Factor: SPF 30
Price: AU$24.95
Availability: Priceline, Target, Big W, MYER and selected pharmacies nationally.
Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion
Shade: #21 Natural Beige with neutral undertones. Also available in 3 other shades: #13 True Beige, #23 Sand Beige and #31 Brown Beige.
Texture: Very light and creamy.
Fragrance: Strong floral fragrance. It’s bearable at the best of times but it can be quite cloying.
Wet-To-Dry Time: Dries quickly on the skin with a semi-dewy finish.
Coverage: Light to medium coverage depending on how much you layer on your skin.
Sun Protection Factor: SPF 50+ PA+++
Price: Price ranges from AU$40 to AU$60
Availability: Asian beauty stores (physical and online) and eBay. This shouldn’t cost you more than $60. I’ve seen online sellers on Amazon selling this for over $90. Highway robbery, I tell ya.
Conclusion:
With a name like Super BB cream from Physicians Formula and 10 all-in-ones, you can either expect it to be really good or just another beauty product that claims to be so much when it’s not. Well, to be fair, the Super BB cream isn’t actually bad at all. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty good. The coverage is decent (slightly more than a tinted moisturiser) and light enough for oily to combination skin. It lasts long on the skin too without any drag marks on fine lines at the end of the day. I won’t call it a miracle 10-in-1 cream like it claims but for a lightweight BB cream, it’s not bad. The Australian version does not have the SPF 30 as stated on the packaging like the one from the US does. It does have active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide but the percentage is unknown. It claims to have SPF protection but doesn’t not have the numbers stamped on the packaging. Other countries selling this state that this Super BB has SPF 30.
I picked up the Laneige BB cream on a Tokyo to Melbourne flight late last year. I’ve never tried any of Laneige’s cosmetics before; heck I had no clue what this BB cream even looked like! The price was pretty good on the in-flight shopping catalogue and I just couldn’t resist as it also came with a complimentary refill. Also, SPF of 50? Sold!
It’s by far the most interesting BB anything I’ve seen in a while. Initially I thought the way to use it was to swipe the top of the sponge (like you do for pressed powder). When so little product came out, I was quite disappointed as it was so minimal. That was when I was using my fingers. I tried it out with the enclosed sponge and this time, I pressed it all the way down. Ah hah! Lots of cream went on the sponge and it felt like a BB cream once more. It’s travel-friendly and while I think it’s an interesting BB anything product to try out, I’m not a fan of the strong fragrance and light coverage. I also have to make sure to keep the compact airtight at all times so that the “cushion” doesn’t dry out.
My favourite BB cream out of the three would be the Revlon PhotoReady. The scent is subtle and I like the coverage. It’s something I like to use even during the week when I’m out and about because it covers my redness around my nose well enough without looking unnatural and cakey. It doesn’t leave an immaculate flawless look on the skin, of course; after all, it’s not foundation. But for something lightweight, oil-free and better yet, with high SPF, I’m happy with this one. This BB cream lasts quite long on the skin without leaving any drag marks. Funny enough, as much as I harp on about silly Revlon foundation packaging, they got it right with this squeezy tube. 🙂
Have you tried any of these BB creams before? What about that cushion thingy by Laneige? Does it work for you? 😛
Note: Products marked with * were provided for editorial consideration.
I’m curious about the Laneige one but the cushion screams bacteria breeding ground (sorry, I’m very sick) but honestly, do you really need any form of bb cream or makeup? each time i see you, your skin is like toing toing condition 😛
LeGeeque recently posted..What’s In My Bag?
Nah, my skin has a lot of red patches, especially around the nose without coverage. Looks quite awful, not toing toing at all 😛
Interesting about the Laneige one. I think it would be a popular brand in Asia.
Likewise I’m wondering if it’s easy to clean the sponge.
Ling recently posted..Splurged Sophie Moran Heart Knit
The sponge to apply the BB cream? Easily cleaned with the Daiso brush detergent 🙂
Wow, the Physicians Formula sounds promising. Most BB creams are a bit too sheer for me so I may have to give this one a try. Cute packaging too!
Monica.
Monica P recently posted..Simply Vera Wang Eye Shadow Duo and American Beauty Lip Gloss from Kohl’s
It’s a very, err, shiny tube, the Physicians Formula 😛
I wasn’t sure about Revlon’s BB but after your review it’s a must see since in Mexico they sold a medium-deep shade.
Efrain recently posted..Mi opinión: Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Cream
They do have a darker shade which is good. I like the Revlon one, best out of the three 🙂
I look forward to trying the Revlon BB cream; so far my favorite is Kiehl’s. Great coverage, radiant finish, and with vitamin C it corrects hyper-pigmentation. I love it!
Barbara recently posted..3 Smudgeproof Mascaras For Summer
I’ve been hearing great things about the Kiehls BB cream. I’ll buy a tube and try it out 😀
I have been thinking about trying the Revlon one but I’m not sure, there are SO many and it’s such a hard job to pick which ones to try next! I also prefer the Asian brands, they just work with my skin and are so feather light but still cover enough. A former colleague bought me a couple from Taiwan last year and I almost cried when I used the last of them! One was Freshel and I can’t remember the other one but it was awesome. Tine, I’m not sure if you have have done a post on this before (As much as I enjoy reading the archives right now I’m being impatient!) but I’d love to know some of your favourite websites to buy Asian cosmetics/ skin care from. As well as brands you like the most. I’m obsessed with Asian cosmetics but don’t know where to start shopping (when I’m not in Asia!)
Ah I’ve tried the Freshel BB cream and that one is GOOD. Great coverage and SPF. For websites to buy Asian cosmetics, I usually get mine from either Sasa.com or eBay. There are also websites like ichibankao, imomoko and adambeauty but they hike up the prices like crazy. Most of the Asian skincare products I buy (when I’m not in Asia) will be from Sasa.com. I get my Asian BB cream fix from eBay. Look for power sellers (they’ve sold thousands of products) and make sure they have great positive rating. For power sellers, I never go for the ones that have less than 99% positive rating (preferably over 99.5%). This way, I’ll know the stuff they’re selling is the real deal.
Asian brands I like the most … wow this one is difficult to answer. Off the top of my head, Biore and Skin Aqua do great sunscreens. Hada Labo does good affordable skincare. I like Kanebo’s skincare too (despite the recent debacle on them recalling products). Needless to say, SKII to great in my books. There are a lot more good ones that I like but sadly, I can’t recall the names.
was in search of a good BB cream and stumbled on the revlon brand when my girlfriend recommended it for my asian skin tone, LOVE it. It’s so light and stays on for ages.. actually makes my skin look pretty flawless!!
Good on you Sammi! It’s actually pretty good for Revlon. Then again, as their foundations are good, I wouldn’t expect anything less for their BB creams 🙂