BB Creams, originally an Asian phenomenon have seriously taken over…well everything. Lots of Western brands are now adding SPF to their tinted moisturisers and calling it a BB Cream launching their own versions of BB creams. In my opinion a true BB cream should be able to work as a foundation, concealer, SPF, moisturiser (if your skin isn’t too dry) and have skin healing properties (a lot of Asian brand offer a ‘whitening/brightening’ element too, whether this is your cup of tea or not is another matter). You might think that’s a lot to ask in one product but that’s the point of it…otherwise it’s just another base with some sun protection. I digress.
Boots No. 7 launched a Beautiful Skin BB Cream a while ago and I have been testing it for a while:
They say:
Take off those winter layers and reveal your outer beauty this spring with new BB cream. Its unique 3-in-1 formula evens and enhances skin tone and disguises imperfections, while the nutrient-enriched formula helps to banish blemishes. And with the added protective power of SPF 15 and 5 * UVA technology to help skin stay youthful, BB is the only way to wear this season’s must-have essential – perfectly-pared back, beautiful skin.
Ok so the BB cream…
This comes in 2 shades, light and medium (sorry no dark!). I tried light at first and it was so ashy on me, medium still looks a bit ashy when first applied HOWEVER does warm to my NC30/35 skintone quite quickly unlike some Asian brands that just look grey all the time. However I wouldn’t recommend this for people who are very golden or olive or indeed, dark skinned.
The texture is quite slippy, it does remind me a lot of Mischa’s BB Cream although it lacks opacity; it gives more than a tinted moisturiser but not as much as a liquid foundation. It’s better than the Garnier which offers very little in coverage, this one does tone down redness and cover minor blemishes. It couldn’t double up as a good concealer though.
The product:
SPF 15 is not particularly high – I wouldn’t liked to have seen a stronger SPF included in this product like 25 upwards even if we are in the dreary UK weather.
There are different options for skin types such as Dry/Normal, Oily/Normal etc. which is great so you can tailor it to your skin type or the season. I tried both the Normal/Dry and found it a tad sticky (even though my skin is dry). Oily/Normal I felt had a better texture and a nice even glow without looking sticky.
This is not enough to use as a moisturiser alone, I had to use a cream under it, however, for people with oily skins this could multi task. It also wears surprisingly well (and I don’t powder much) and didn’t cause all allergic reactions which I do sometimes get with BB products.
One layer on my skin – it adds a nice glow:
Verdict:
All in all, I like this BB cream – to me it’s like a really good tinted moisturiser that can cover redness so you can just slap it on and go in the mornings. Its the best BB cream on the western market I have tried so far.
See the BB Creams here it comes in light/medium, Dry/Normal, Dry/Very Dry and Normal/Oily for £12.95.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the review! I like that this comes in Dry/Very dry and looks good against your skin tone.
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looks lovely on you, or your skin is already looking good
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I know, BB creams are such a good idea. I’m always on the lookout for the best ones
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I wish I could have skin like yours! Yeah, I’m very reluctant when it comes western’s BB cream. No way, they could be better than the asians, or even comparable to them
talking about asian pride, lol. Nahh, I might give them a chance some day after a few yrs have passed, maybe their products will be as developed as the asian’s BB creams. But then, the asians probably already come out something even better.
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To date, this is one of the better bb creams that I have come across, especially considering it is a Western brand. It reminds me a bit of the Skin79 pink bb cream in that it does help to tone down redness of blemishes and imperfections, but I agree with you that it does not take over the job of a concealer, although I don’t really expect a bb cream to do that anyways. I like that it’s not fragranced and slides on the skin fairly easily without feeling too siliconey. Also, a little goes a long way for me. I’ve already purchased my second tube since it’s launched, since I had one of those No7 £5 off thingymajigs it was a bargain! And because it’s so much more readily available in the UK, I think I won’t be needing to explore any more new bb creams for a while
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Thanks for the review!!
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