Battle of the BB Creams: Garnier

Hi Lovelies! Time for another rousing adventure of the Battle of the BB Creams!!! [insert ominous or gladiator type music here.] I've gotta tell you that I had really been putting off trying the Garnier one. While normally, I'm a *huge* fan or Garnier products (honestly, I have so much hair stuff by them it's a little overwhelming!) but I had heard a lot of negative reviews on this specific BB Cream. It's too greasy; it smells funny; it doesn't work... on and on. But, for you, my loyal friends and readers, I marched on and bought it anyway. (Though for nearly $14 at Walgreens, I definitely  had to really push myself to do it!)

I've been using it for a little more than two weeks now, so I've figured out how it works with my skin and all that jazz and I'm ready to review! To start with, Garnier claims that their product offers "instant perfection" and an "all-in-one-miracle, that's a pretty big claim! They go on to say that
"1 Application Provides 5 Instant Results:

• evens tone
• hydrates
• renews
• protects
• brightens

So, before I work through all of these claims, let me share some pix and first impressions with you!

 Here it is first just dabbed onto my inner arm. (I know it's not a perfect comparison to my face, but it's a helpful way to show my natural skin tone and how products interact with it)

From there, I took a picture of just after I started rubbing it in. You can see that even though I got the "Light/Medium" shade (the lightest one they have) it still is dark and looks kinda yellow on my delicately fair skin (that's a  nicer way than saying "my pathetically pale skin" lol;)

The final picture shows it completely blended in. As you can see in the corners where my natural skin shows, it's still a bit darker than I'd like.

I was so upset after buying it! I thought, great, I'm not even going to be able to review it since it'll just make my skin look totally jaundiced! Au contraire, my lovelies! Not true at all!

As I stated previously, my arm is not a perfect match to my face. When I put it on my face and blended it was nearly a perfect match! It honestly made my skin look "flawless!" It definitely evened out my tone--not completely my under eye circles, but definitely my rosy cheeks. It's super moistuizing and hydrated my face completely. I know this is the issue a lot of girls have because it "hydrates" too much leaving them with a greasy feeling. For my combination skin, it was just the right amount! No greasiness at all during the day. I'm not sure I can totally say it renews... my skin feels softer, but I'm not sure it's actually "renewed." It protects definitely! It has a 15 SPF which while not the highest for you, it's definitely a good protection to start! I love that it has the sunscreen already included! Lastly, does it brighten? As opposed to does it dull? lol yes, it does brighten! I'm not saying my face glows or anything with it, but it definitely gives me a fresh, dewy face which I actually really enjoy!

Final verdict? While a little more expensive than the previous contenders in the Battle (L'oreal and Maybelline), it also offers more product so I think the unit price is actually less. The smell does bother me a bit, but it wears off shortly application so that's not a huge downside to me anymore. At this point, I'd honestly say it's in the lead! But! I have another BB Cream I'm going to start testing shortly so we'll have to see if Garnier can hold the top spot!!

I still haven't tried any of the Asian BB Creams, which I *know* everyone says is better. What's your favorite BB Cream??

Battle of the BB Creams: Maybelline

Hi Lovelies! So as promised, here is the 2nd post in my Battle of the BB Creams series! (you can read my first one here!) For the past three or so weeks, I have now been using Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Protector.

First, what does it promise?

BB creams combine skincare + makeup in 1 simple step
8-in-1 Skin Perfector:
• Blurs imperfections
• Brightens
• Evens skin tone
• Smoothes
• Hydrates
• Enhances
• Protects with SPF 30
• 0% oils and heavy ingredients

blobbed on

Blended in (can't even see it!)

 And how did it work for me?
I really do think it did much of what it said! It blurred imperfections (light ones; like the dark circles were still under my eyes, but not nearly as obvious). My skin did look brighter (but that could be the "pregnancy glow"?? lol). Like the L'oreal one, it did even my skin tone to begin with but as the day went on, my rosy (sometimes blotchy) cheeks did start to come through. It definitely smoothed and hydrated! My skin felt fresh even without a moisturizer on prior to it! I can't say that it really enhanced anything? But I do love that it has SPF in it!

So what I liked the most was just how light it felt--it moisturized without being heavy. Since it's still a million (or 90) degrees here, it was good to have light coverage without the fear of it all melting off every time I walked outside. I used the light shade of it and feel like it totally matched my skin and blended in perfectly!

However, having said all that, I still just can't understand all the hype of these things. Like, the convenience is awesome, I just put it on and do some eye makeup and lips and I'm good for the day (so it's perfect for mornings where I choose sleep over doing a lot of makeup;) But it doesn't seem like some miracle product to me! I guess I just felt kind of let down.

It's $7.44 (at Target) so cheaper (and in my mind, all around better) than the BB Cream by L'oreal. But I still don't think it's worth that price. You get 1.0 fluid ounce. ONE! Like honestly, how long is that supposed to last you? I've been using mine for three weeks now, and I think it's starting to get low.

Will I buy it again? Possibly. I do think it's a fab product to have in the summer when you just want light, protective coverage and not a lot of fuss to do your makeup; but don't buy it just because it's a "BB Cream." As I'm learning (and have heard from others) American BB Creams are kind of a bust compared to the Asian ones.

So! What do you think? Have you used this BB Cream?? What's your favorite??

Battle of the BB Creams: L'oreal Paris

Hi Lovelies! Wow, it feels weird (but good) to finally be blogging again! So without further ado, let us jump right back in! I've decided to do a quick mini-series I'm titling, "Battle of the BB Creams." I know, I know, BB Creams have been here in America forever now, but let's be honest, I have like three months of blogging to catch up on, so bear with me;)

The first one I tried was L'oreal Magic Skin Beautifier which promises: "This multi-tasking beautifying cream delivers multiple beautifying actions: hydrates, corrects, evens, and protects. It's ultra-lightweight and blends in seamlessly for a perfect natural finish. Available in 4 skin-transforming shades."

So a few notes on that description before I share my review, some people have complained that it's only in four shades (fair, light, medium, deep). I'm not sure why L'oreal chose to do only four, but I'm definitely fair skinned so it wasn't an issue to me. This is also one of the few (only?) BB Creams that goes on white and blends in to your skin. Supposedly the little beads in it help make it match your skin color! It did feel kinda weird going on with the tiny beads--almost like how St. Ives Apricot Scrub feels lol. But not AS rough.

first squeezed onto skin

starting to rub in

fully blended!

Now, let's go step by step in what they promise.
1.) Hydrates--sadly, my face actually felt a little dry when I was using it. Not sooo dry that my skin was peeling or anything, but it just wasn't as creamy as my face usually is when I use my normal moisturizer. Kind of a bust:(
2.) Corrects--this is true, to a point. My skin is mostly clear (thought pregnancy hormones have caused a breakout here and there), but I do have a  little red blotchiness on my cheeks. This BB cream did cover up those areas with little trouble. However, it only lasted 'til about mid-day and then my skin was looking like it did before. Eh, not a huge deal, this is just a BB cream and not an actual foundation:)
3.) Evens--I'd say the same comments as I did for correct. It did even out my skintone, but I just didn't feel like it lasted as long as I would've liked.
4.) Protects--I'm not sure exactly what they're saying this protects from or against because  this is one of the few BB creams that does not have any sunscreen in it...

Bottom line? The more I used it, the more I started to like it (I've been using it for about a month); but for nearly $10, I really do not plan on buying it again.

Have you tried L'oreal's Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream yet?? What did you think??