Category Archives: BB Cream

DiorSnow UV Shield BB Cream SPF 50/PA+++

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My latest obsession is definitely this DiorSnow UV Shield BB Cream SPF 50/PA +++. (My last one, I must say, is the YSL Glossy Stain, reviewed here.) I received a travel size of this product a while ago, and have been using it almost every single day. On the days I don’t use this, I use the 3Lab Perfect BB Cream (reviewed here), just so I could compare the two. They both are amazing, so it took me a while to decide before writing this review.

There are two shades to choose from for this BB Cream, and the one I have is the darker shade. As you can see from the swatch, it’s not at all dark, it’s just more natural-looking. It has a thin and liquid texture, almost exactly like how a liquid foundation feels like. It has amazing coverage, evens out my skin tone well, and I only need the concealer for my dark circles and some darker spots on my face.

It dries to a powdery finish, and is very long-wearing. I am very very happy about this. I get at least 8 hours of wear with this, and I just need to blot away my usual shine with a blotting paper once during the day. I usually dab dots of products on my face, and then blend with my fingers, and the only ‘problem’ that I have with this product is that it tends to dry fast (to the powdery finish).

Not only does it have SPF 50/PA +++, it also smells very very nice. It smells like skincare products which I find very nice. (I’m not sure if it’s exactly the scent from Dior’s skincare products, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it really is.)

So do I prefer the 3Lab Perfect BB Cream or the DiorSnow BB Cream?

Sun Protection: 3Lab has SPF 40/PA +++, and DiorSnow has SPF 50/PA +++. Although it seems like DiorSnow is better, SPF 40 and 50 really don’t make much of a difference. SPF 50 would only be slightly slightly more effective, as in they give you probably like 0.5% more protection from the sun. So… Dior wins?

Texture: There is a significantly difference between the two. 3Lab is definitely thicker than DiorSnow, but I find them just the same when applied since DiorSnow dries quickly, making it not as easy to blend than it appears. I don’t find it a problem though. Draw.

Finish: 3Lab has a slightly dewy finish, and the DiorSnow has a powdery finish. Dior wins, definitely.

Coverage: I find the 3Lab one gives you more coverage. I need to conceal some dark circles and dark spots after using the DiorSnow one, whereas 3Lab gives me enough coverage to only use the concealer for my dark circles. 3Lab wins.

Long-wearing: DiorSnow gives me at least 8 hours of wear, and 3Lab gives me at least 6-7 hours. DiorSnow wins, hands down.

Scent: They both smell amazing, but quite different. Personally I prefer the skincare-like scent from DiorSnow. Draw.

Price: 3Lab BB Cream is over 800 HKD (95 USD) for 45ml of product. DiorSnow is 415 HKD (~53 USD) for 30ml of product. 30ml of 3Lab BB Cream would be around 63 USD. So 3Lab BB Cream is definitely more expensive, but as mentioned in the review, it comes with top-notch 3Lab skincare product. The DiorSnow BB Cream has Icelandic Glacier Water, which is one of the purest waters from ice and snow. It helps with balancing the acidity level of your skin and improves the luminosity of your complexion. Draw.

So my verdict: DiorSnow BB Cream is the better BB Cream!!! (for me. LOL)

This DiorSnow BB Cream is available in Asia at Dior counters (415 HKD). They should be available worldwide soon though! Keep an eye out for them!

6 things I’m loving right now…

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1. DiorSnow UV Shield BB Creme SPF 50/PA +++ – I got a sample version, and it’s so good! Good coverage, natural powder finish! Debating if it’s better than the 3Lab Perfect BB Cream (review here)…

2. Dior Vernis 659 Lucky – my favourite from the collection! Review here.

3. Laura Mercier Creme Cheek Colour in Innocent Pink – From their Tres Chic Collection, this is the first non-powder blush that I love!

4. YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Creme liner in Cherry Black – This creme liner is so long wearing, and I love the color, black with a hint of purple.

5. Deborah Lippmann Rejuvenating Base Coat in Turn Back Time – this is anti-yellow rejuvenating base coat with diamond core spheres. And I do see an improvement on my nails!

6. Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Riviera – Love the color, love the texture. My first dior lipstick in a very very long time. : )

3Lab Perfect BB Cream SPF 40/PA+++

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I have had this 3Lab Perfect BB Cream for quite a few months now. I haven’t been using it a lot though, not because I don’t like the product, but because I was experiencing some allergies on my face for about 3 months (Dec 2011-Feb 2012). But after trying the Luminessence Bright Revelator Universal Greige BB Fluid, I revisited this BB cream, and this BB Cream is so much better for me.

On a side note, I’ve received a sample for the new DiorSnow BB Cream (only available in Asia at the moment), and I must say, I really do like it. In fact, I can’t decide which is a better BB Cream. I am considering getting a full-sized DiorSnow BB Cream, and if I do, I’ll do a review and comparison! ***Update: DiorSnow BB Cream reviewed here!

Same as the Armani BB Fluid (and DiorSnow BB Cream), this comes with a pump as well, making it very convenient and also keeps the unused product clean.

Unlike most BB Creams from major makeup brands, this comes in 3 shades. I own Shade #2, and it is only slightly lighter than my skin tone. But this oxidizes and will match my skin pretty well. Above is one full pump of product, and I highly recommend to only use half a pump. This product has amazing coverage, so you really just need a little product for your whole face. I usually dab the product on my face, then blend with my fingers. Then I would proceed with a concealer for only my dark circles, my blemishes are already taken care of, and skin tone is evened out by this product!

The finish of this BB Cream is actually a bit dewy, not dewy enough to bother me though (as mentioned so many times in this blog, I really don’t need extra glow on my skin since I have combination skin). This BB Cream comes with a rolling ‘brush’ that helps you get an even more natural finish, the dewiness can also be toned down once the brush is used. It’s very easy to handle, the only problem is you probably will have a hard time cleaning this, which is why I try not to use it. (originally it is white, now it’s dirty because of the product.)

This BB Cream also has an amazing smell, and with the SPF 40/PA +++, what more can you ask for from a BB Cream?

But, it comes with a heavy price tag… at 95 USD, I was shocked when I was told how much this costs! There’s a reason why it comes with this price though…

According to their official website:

Described as a sheer tinted moisturizer, this BB Cream is infused with 3Lab’s signature bio-engineered growth hormone and apple stem cell technology. It is designed to firm and lift the skin, regenerated new skin cells, brighten, moisturize, and protect. You can treat fine lines and wrinkles with this product, using anti-oxidants, vitamins and botanicals including Phytocell Tec, Nano Clair GY™ and β-white to improve and even skin tone, brightens the skin, alleviate irritation and protect the skin from harmful UV rays and oxidative stress.

Here’s a list of key ingredients:

Phytocell Tec - protects longevity of skin stem cells and preserves youthful look of the skin

Nano Claire GY – The first patented liposomal encapsulated Human Growth Hormone that treats fine lines and wrinkles.

β-White – biomimetic peptide that whitens skin by decreasing proteins , inhibiting melanin synthesis

E-Mortal – Hydrolyzed Pea Protein- activates skin cells and promotes collagen production

Ascorbyl Glucoside – stimulates collagen synthesis and acts like a skin whitening agent

Titanium Dioxide – Sunscreen

So even though this is expensive, you are also getting top-notch 3Lab skincare products, which aren’t cheap to begin with. Comparing with the Armani Luminessence BB Fluid (450 HKD ~ 58 USD) , which has only 30 ml of product, this comes with 45ml of product (95 USD). If you calculate the price based on the amount of product, a 30ml 3Lab Perfect BB Cream would be about 63 USD. So the price difference really isn’t that much.

If you have read my review of the Armani BB Fluid, you’ll know that I’m not a fan of the product. The Armani BB Fluid doesn’t give me much coverage at all, leaves my skin simply too white, and it’s too dewy. So this 3Lab Perfect BB Cream is definitely a much better choice for me.

You can get this at 3Lab’s official website, or Nordstrom etc. If you’re in Hong Kong, find this at Joyce Beauty!

Giorgio Armani Luminessence Bright Revelator Universal Greige BB Fluid SPF50/PA +++

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I was not a big fan of BB creams. I’ve only tried a few brands, and was not impressed by them, with the exception of the Perfect BB Cream from 3Lab (non-Asian brand). I like the 3Lab BB cream because it provides enough coverage for me to actually use it in place of a foundation. It also has SPF 40/PA +++, which is a major plus. So when one of my favorite brands, Giorgio Armani released the Luminessence Bright Revelator Universal Greige BB Fluid, I knew I should give it a try.

Just like other Armani products, this BB Fluid comes in a clean sleek package. It’s very easy to handle, with a pump that does not give you too much product so it’s easy to control the amount you need.

But what about the product itself?

I just have to say Giorgio Armani has done a brilliant job naming this product.

Bright – Instantly brightens up your face with just one pump of product. Which I find a bit too much, I find the need to tone down the brightness by mattifying with a powder foundation. (also for extra coverage)

Universal – only comes with one shade. Greige.

One pump.

Greige – The color of the product is indeed between beige and gray. Not only did it instantly brightens up the face, it also instantly whitens the face. But personally I don’t think this matches my skin tone (I’m asian and I have fair skin). I imagine it just looks too white on my yellow-toned skin. I tried waiting a good amount of time for the product to oxidize to match my skin tone, but I don’t find it helpful. I simply had to put on my powder foundation to tone down the whiteness.

Fluid – The consistency and texture of the product is definitely more like a fluid than a cream, making it so easy to apply on your face. Just one pump of product is enough for the whole face. And it is very moisturizing.

But because of its texture, the coverage is not high. I tried layering on more product, but I don’t see much difference besides the initial evening of skin tone. If you have redness on you skin, you’d probably find some coverage in this, but if you have blemishes, you will need a good-coverage concealer to help with concealing. (You can also use the concealer to tone down the whiteness.)

The product feels very lightweight though, so if you’re someone who already has close-to-perfect skin and want to go for the no-makeup makeup look, this is definitely a great product for you. This is also great for people with dry and dull skin who wants something moisturizing to brighten up their skin.

I don’t have close-to-perfect skin, skin dryness has never been a problem for me. So my verdict is: I don’t need this as a BB fluid. This could work as a primer for me though, since it has SPF 50/PA+++ and it’s moisturizing. I will have to blot away some of the shine with a tissue paper before applying foundation or concealer.

So I guess this product is just not for me…

The Luminessence line is already available in Asia (HKD 450). It will be available online in US in April.