Quickie Review: Battle of the Drugstore BB Creams!

The only drugstore BB cream that I have ever tried is Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream and I wasn't very impressed, the color was off and it was too oily for my liking. 

Today, I am reviewing 3 other drugstore BB creams, CoverGirl cgsmoothers BB cream, REVLON Photready BB cream, and L'OREAL Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB cream (although I am aware that there are many others). 

To quickly define what exactly differentiates a BB cream to a tinted moisturizer and foundation....I'd say if a foundation and tinted moisturizer had a baby it would be named BB! Kidding! BB cream originates from Asia and it is simply a makeup and skincare product in one. It usually has some SPF, anti-aging, waterproof, skin-improving ingredients in it minus the full or medium coverage that a foundation offers. It can be used as a primer before applying foundation, a substitute for moisturizer, or just on it's own. 

Now onto the fun reviews! First off is from one of my favorite Drugstore brands...CoverGirl.

Covergirl cgsmoothers BB cream. The shade I got is in 810 light to medium. The tube is a typical one, nothing extraordinary. There is 1.35 Fl. oz of product and I purchased this at CVS pharmacy for $8.29.

Here is how the back looks. It claims to be a 10-in-1 skin enhancer...

1) Natural Looking Radiance

2) Sheer Color

3) All Day Hydration

4) Improves skin elasticity

5) SPF 15

6) Blends effortlessly

7) Lightweight

8) Helps Skin Feel Smooth

9) Covers to help instantly improve skin's appearance

10) Won't clog pores

This is how the product itself looks...it's pretty thick, reminds me of when you whip eggs to meringue consistency.

It has a pink undertone to it, so I wasn't sure if this would match w/ my warm olive skin tone.

This was the perfect time to test these BBs since I've broken out a bit. I have NO makeup in this picture, so you see my acne healing up and I  have redness around my nose and on my cheeks.

After applying the Covergirl BB cream...you will notice some shine but not too bad. It doesn't do much as far as coverage, but it did help slightly with evening out my redness.

After applying some powder over it. It looks much better. Definitely got rid of the shine on my face and the coverage is much better as well.

Here's a look at the same side of my cheek. It's not bad.

Now let's try L'OREAL Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in 814 Medium. There is 1 Fl Oz of product in the container and this is $11.49 at CVS pharmacy.

Back of packaging. This promises 4-in-1 Beautifying actions (that in my opinion are more realistic). This DOES NOT contain SPF or any sun protection. Non-comedogenic. Does NOT clog pores.

1) Primes

2) Corrects

3) Hydrates

4) Perfects

Although the packaging is also a plastic tube, the end is quite different. The tip is small and pointy, though I'm unsure as to what the purpose of the shape is to be honest. Maybe for more precise application or to control the amount dispensed?

When first dispensed on the back of my hand, the product is interestingly and surprisingly white at first then spreads out to beige color with yellow/warm undertone. The consistency is more liquid/loose. 

This is how it looks on it's own without any powder. The packaging claims that it gives the face a "Flawless bare skin finish." It wasn't as hydrating as I thought it would be (since it was more liquid than the CG BB cream). It has more coverage than the Covergirl BB cream and my face wasn't shiny after application. It did a wonderful job cancelling out my redness.

Now here's how it looks with powder on top. It seems to emphasize my dry areas and it looks blotchy. I'm not too happy about this BB cream. I think this would be better for people with oily skin.

My face looks significantly brighter though, which is the only thing that I like about this BB cream.

The last Drugstore BB Cream I am reviewing today is REVLON Photoready BB Cream in 030 Medium. Retails for $9.99 at CVS Pharmacy for 1 Fl. Oz. This has SPF 30 (smells like sunblock). This doesn't really seem like a BB cream to me. The packaging only says that it is a skin perfector and does not list any skin benefits aside from the broad spectrum sun protection.  Ulta.com list some details about this product's benefits as...

A lightweight, multi-benefit Beauty Balm by Revlon that combines skincare, makeup, and sunscreen into one step.

• HYDRATES like moisturizer
• SMOOTHES like primer
• COVERS like foundation
• BLURS FLAWS like concealer
• PROTECTS with SPF 30 like sunscreen

Here's how the back of the packaging looks.

The end of the tube.

It is quite thick, but easy to blend.

It looks too dark, but I don't mind since I am planning to use this in the Summer for when my skin is darker.

This is how it looks on its own without any powder. It gives my face a lot of shine. Maybe too much but I know that it's due to the SPF 30.

 

 This is with powder on top of the BB Cream. I think I like this one the most! Even with though it was oily because of the SPF 30, I think it gave the best coverage compared to the other two BB creams. 

It does NOT emphasize dry areas on my skin and it blends easily.

This one is a keeper for me! I think I will use this for the summer for when I go to family trips to the beach or parks.

What do you think of these US BB creams??

Quickie Review: Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller with Sheer Tint

Just got home and thought it would be funny to show you guys a picture of my boo-boo! yes that's right even nurses get a boo-boo! I actually cut my finger while trying to cut cheese...not farting but literally cutting cheese! and you will laugh even harder when I tell you what kind of knife gave me this deep cut on my index finger....a butter knife! 

Anyways, I just wanted to do a quickie review on Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller with Sheer Tint (there are two kinds). This is around $10 and has 0.5 FL oz in the container. It contains nutrients like an eye cream. Also included in the formula are caffeine and lemon essence that are key for brightness and circulation.

So this is how it looks in the packaging. Like I mentioned earlier this is the tinted one. There is an original one that's not tinted available as well, however I am unable to compare since I have yet to try the other one. 

There's a metal roller ball that dispenses the product as your roll or dab it on your under eyes areas. 

I like to apply this to my under eye areas making a "V" shape and not too close to my lower lash lines, then I lightly blend it out with my ring finger. 

I like the cooling effect that I feel under my eyes as I apply the product on. Since the product has a sheer salmon beige tint it's perfect for concealing dark under eyes.

Here's a swatch of the product. It's very light and though the consistency is liquid, it goes on very easily.

I also like the fact that it's so easy to blend. Some concealers crease and tend to be too thick, making it difficult to blend. What's great about this product is that it's perfect for sensitive under eye areas where the skin is dryer and thinner than all other areas of the face. The liquid consistency is very hydrating and with the added cooling effect, well this one is simply perfect for under eyes!

Here I am with my dark under eyes. No bueno!

Now here I am with the Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller with Sheer Tint. Do you see the difference? It brightens up my under eyes and conceals away the darkness!

Overall, I think this product is a must-have especially if your up for long hours and get little sleep or just simply have darkness under your eyes.

I hope you found this review helpful! Take care

Quickie Review: Maybelline Color Sensational Gloss and CG Clump Crusher Mascara

Here's another haul and quickie review for you gals/guys! So I went to Rite Aid after brunch with hubby and baby and I walked out with just a few things. I initially just wanted to get my all time fave mascara, Cover Girl Last Blast waterproof very black mascara but I saw that they had the new Clump Crusher available with the oh so fab rocker chic P!nk as the endorsing model, so of course I was sold! 

So first let's talk about Maybelline's limited edition ColorSensational High Shine Lip Gloss here in 230 Punch of Pink $7.49

The color is very vibrant, perfect for spring! I love this shade of pink, but of course you can never be too sure with color pay off. There were many times before when I purchased a product and though it looked amazing in it's packaging, once applied it's not nearly as pigmented if at all! so I was very cautious with this product. 

I tried to take a picture of the actual gloss because it had tiny glitters in it. It was beautiful against natural sunlight!

The packaging is very simple. The clear plastic with the product info must be completely removed as it is perforated, but no worries because the bottom of the gloss's packaging has the name of the lip gloss! Thumbs up Maybelline for that. 

Once you remove the plastic, the packaging is simple and sleek, with see through acrylic and a silver coated plastic top.

The gloss comes with a doe foot applicator for easy application.

 Here's a swatch of the gloss on my arm. It's such a pretty pink, don't you agree?!

It is truly high shine lip gloss. Actually, I think I may have put too much on! It's not sticky at all unlike some lip glosses out there. It's very moisturizing and seems to have some lasting power. It has a citrus-fruity scent to it as well. Reminds me of sweet grapefruit or fruit punch. 

All in all, I really love this lip gloss! I might just grab some more colors. =)

Now, moving on to CoverGirl's new Clump Crusher Mascara $6.94 that promises 200% more volume and no clumps.

 Aside from the cool shocking lime colored packaging, the applicator is a different kind. It's a bit curved with smaller rubber bristles. 

Here's how my eye lashes looked after being curled with an eyelash curler, since it is naturally straight.

 Here it is after a few coats of the CG Clump Crusher mascara. I noticed that there's definitely no clumps and there is quite a bit of volume going on as well. 

Here's my other eye without curling my lashes. See how super straight my lashes are???

Now this is after I put several coats of the CG Clump crusher mascara. It somewhat curled my lashes, but I think it's better to use an eye lash curler.

On a more personal note, I've been running again for the past week, especially since it's starting to get warmer outside.

I'm glad there's a Robeks smoothie place next to my house as well as a Saladworks. I typically go there after work so I can eat my "late" lunch. I love getting Nuevo Nicoise salad (pictured below).

I know that this is just a few small steps towards being healthy, but I admit that every once in a while I still fall of the healthy band wagon. My work hours is pretty much on going and I wake up at 4 am every day. We don't have lunch breaks at work and I'm always on the go and on my feet all day. By the time I get home, I am both starving and exhausted, not good I know.

I recently ordered this Green Superfood powder, which has Kale, grass, spinach and pretty much all these healthy/raw/gluten free ingredients that's suppose to boost my energy and help keep me full through out the day. I know there's a bigger container of this available online but I just wanted to try it out and see if it works out. Today is my second day, but I can already feel the difference. 

I use a scoop of this powder and blend it with banana, small orange, cold water and greek yogurt. It's a little gritty if you drink it with just water, but it's palatable regardless. I will be drinking this at least once per day and see how my body responds. Eating and drinking green vegetables improve your body in many ways, both internally and externally. I've read that this powder also clears up your skin.