Face-off : BB cream vs CC cream

This is a comparison post between BB and CC cream. I have chosen to compare Bourjois CC cream which has been my go to for the CC creams and the Maybelline watergel BB cream.The Maybelline has a SPF 35 vs the Bourjois SPF 15 so it’s definitely worth layering additional SPF under the CC cream.

The first thing to notice is that the Bourjois cream has a very fluid texture. It spreads very well and packs a lot of pigmentation into the formula. The maybelline sinks into the skin and gives a nice flush over the fine lines on my skin. As the cream starts to settle more the tones come into play, and the more watery texture of the maybelline shows as a lighter/cooler finish.

The finish after 5 mintes shows a much more natural finish with the CC cream (B) vs the BB cream (M). One of the main reasons this has been my goto shade recently is that it is quite impressive in toning down the redness I often get in winter (not surprisingly as CC cream stands for color correcting cream). The bourjois claims it has a 3 pigment mizx with green to calm down redness, peach for dark circles/tiredness and white for brightening skin spots/freckles.

I though therefore it was probably worth showing how the cream dealt with lighter skin and visible veins. Again the CC cream gives a much smooth more consistent tone.

Overall I think the CC cream does a great job of color correcting, whereas the BB cream is more of any all rounder (better SPF, better illumination, more moisturising). CC cream is my go to at the moment as color is my biggest concern but when I wear the CC cream I do find I have to add illuminator and would also have to layer a sunscreen in summer so effectively only save the step of primer and some degree of concealer when considered next to a full foundation.

Bourjois CC cream is available from ASOS (for about $19) and there is currently a 20% off coupon to bring it down to $15ish. The Maybelline BB cream is available from most drugstores.

What’s your favorite BB cream?

Face Off – L’oreal Nude Magnifique BB Cream SPF 12 vs Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream SPF

I found myself with a 45 minute break with nothing to do today, so I did a comparison on L’oreal Nude Magnifique Light BB Cream, L’oreal Nude Magnifique Medium  BB Cream,  L’oreal Nude Magnifique Colour Correcting (CC) Cream and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB cream in a Light (left to right below). The nude magnifique range has this funny texture with pigment beads that break open as you rub it – they claim it’s colour matching but I don’t think it is!

Anyway, the first thing I noticed is how fluid the formulations are… really, really wet and runny compared to what I am used to particularly on the Maybelline Dream Fresh.

This is directly after blending. I was somewhat surprised how different the textures are on the L’oreal creams. The CC cream is much thicker and damper, but the medium BB cream is also quite a bit thicker than the light BB cream. The tones are relatively dark as well, even the lighter tone is still a touch dark for my NW/NC20ish skin tone.

This is blended and left for 5 mins in the store. The difference in textures is still noticeable with the L’oreal cream in the light still the lightest at most matte, then Maybelline cream which has a pearlescent sheen.

Finally this is after 10 minutes and in the sun.

I think the L’oreal Nude Magnifique BB Cream in Light was the best option for a light coverage BB cream and the Maybelline has a more glowing tone. Both come in a good range of colours (although a touch darker than suits me) and have a similar price point around $15 but overall I prefer the Singapore ones due to a higher SPF and lighter colour range… I mean SPF 12… not really high enough for Australian consumers.

The faceshop CC cream – temptation to buy averted!

In my travels I walked into a faceshop shop and thought I’d have a look at their new cc cream. It’s retailing for $49.90 SG. It comes in a compact style with a single hole in the centre and a poof that you pat it on with which you can see quite well in the link I just put in above. The packaging is a bit chunky and meh to be honest, and it seems like it only holds 20grams which is quite low for the price.

Now on to the product, it’s a little unusual. It’s not at all like the very light Tony Moly/Etude formulas I knew and expected. The texture is initially quite rich and heavy and seemed alarmingly pale at first. But after a few minutes as it really started coming into it’s own and the colour adjusted into my skin tone well. The texture is really nice, it plumps the skin and gives nice hydration but with good oil control. It has an SPF30/PA++ which is pretty reasonable as well.

Now onto the downside. It has an ingredient which was quite irritating just on the back of my hand which was a worry. But the biggest issues of all… it is really REALLY glittery. I quite like an illuminating effect but in Australia once I go out in the sun I’ll light up like a Christmas ornanament (or twilight vampire, haha). Seriously, my camera could not even capture it in full light to show you it just blurred up into a weird shiny space so this is in super low light and you’ll note the visible glitter pieces… and redness in lower right corner.

Anyway, I walked away with my wallet in tact and temptation to buy averted! But it’s probably a good option for anyone who is inside most of the time or lives somewhere with low light. Or a twilight vampire.