TINTED MOISTURIZER | Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector SPF 20

As you can see, if you don't use it everyday, it'll solidify inside the pump

I bought this on a whim when my skin was super dry and flaky looking at work one day

It's a bit expensive for drugstore ($16) but it went on really well on un-moisturized skin. As you can tell, the coverage is almost nonexistent, but if you have drier skin and a bit of redness, this is a good very sheerly tinted moisturizer that smoothes over your pores. I definitely need concealer on top

At Target it's sometimes $11, but mostly it's $14+ for 1 oz 

FOUNDATION | Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Tint

Pros

Natural looking

Moisturizing

Doesn't make my combo skin oily

Neutral

Light coverage

Cons

10 skin tone colors

Not cheap

Price

$15+ for 1 oz

Verdict

This feels very much like a moisturizer, but it covers more than tinted moisturizers I've tried. The sponge tip is huge, so it's somewhat sanitary if you wipe the product on the back of your hand. It's not super long wearing but it doesn't make my combination skin greasy looking either. I really like this to cover the redness on my skin, if I follow up with a powder foundation it looks very natural and not too dry like if I only use powder foundation.

As you may or may not be able to tell, when my skin is acting up from something I get the urge to try new foundations. I am plenty satisfied with the MUFE Mat Velvet (review here), but it is a bit matte looking for the type of finish I like these days.

Repurchase?

No. Just bc I've never used up a foundation

Would I recommend it?

Yes.

REVIEW | L'egere Aqua Soothing Essence CC Cream SPF 20

Pros

Lightweight

Moisturizing

Cons

Minimal coverage

Doesn't really help with pores

Price

~$23 for 1.18 oz / 35ml on Ebay

Verdict

For how lightweight this feels, the coverage is pretty decent if you just have redness and faded acne scars. This CC cream comes out slightly darker than my skin but blends in once you apply it. It has a really watery consistency, when I blend it out it's almost like it's not going to cover anything. If I set it with a power it lasts, but otherwise my skin gets shiny pretty quickly.

Obviously I need concealer for all my blemishes, but I would consider using this more when my acne scars starts fading. 

I got this in Taiwan since I loved the old L'egere White Multi BB cream (review here) that had better coverage and minimized pores, unfortunately it was discontinued. I hope they bring it back the next time I visit Taiwan.

Repurchase?

No.

Would I recommend it?

Not in particular. If you have dry skin and need light coverage then this feels really nice on your skin.

REVIEW | Benefit Bigger Than BB Big Easy SPF35

Thick ish texture, I dot it all over my face to get an even application

Left: Before | Right: After

Pros

Natural looking

Semi-matte finish

Smoothes over pores

SPF 35

Not drying

Cons

Kind of pricey

Price

$38 for 1.18 oz / 35 ml

Verdict

For a product with high SPF, I actually enjoyed this, but the color match is a bit off for me. 01 is too white and 02 (the one shown) is a little too yellow. The finish is nice and lasts pretty well throughout the day, I think it will look a lot better when my scars fade, because right now everything still shows through. I noticed that since my skin has been breaking out it doesn't look that great on spots (looks flakey) compared to ACTUAL BB creams that are moisturizing.

Repurchase?

No, too many things to try these days.

Would I recommend it?

Yes

REVIEW | Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector SPF43

Pros

High SPF

Not drying

Water resistant (40 mins)

Sheer coverage

Cons

Kind of thick

Limited color selection (3)

Doesn't help with oil control like the liquid sunscreens you have to shake

Price

$32 for 1 oz / 30 ml

Verdict

I purchased this when I still had a discount on Shiseido. I think this works well if your skin is well moisturized from the night before, but as you can see from the photos it doesn't cover that well, it's more of a sheer cover that you can use as a base for concealer. I personally really like the high SPF especially for summer; when I purchased it the lady told me to just use a powder foundation on top and call it a day. It doesn't feel particularly light or heavy on a hot day, and I don't think it's AMAZING as a product, but it's worth checking out if you're looking for a decent tinted sunscreen.

FYI: The color #1 is a bit darker than my actual facial skin, but it's still natural

Repurchase?

Maybe. With the rate that brands are pumping out new products these days there are so many things to try by the time I run out of this.

Would I recommend it?

Not in particular, it's kind of thick for my skin type but if you have drier skin this might work for you.

SAMPLE REVIEW | Smashbox BB cream SPF 35

Pros

Decent coverage

Nice glow to the skin

SPF 35

Cons

Rubs off on clothes

Not long lasting

Price

$39 for 1 oz / 30 ml

Verdict

I've been on a tinted moisturizer kick lately because I wanted glowing natural skin and just spot conceal the really dark spots. I basically tried all the tinted moisturizers with SPF 20+ at Sephora. The salesperson who helped me strongly suggested this one, but good thing I sampled it first. Unfortunately it makes my skin oily throughout the day and rubs off on clothing, even if I set it with powder.

Do you like American BB creams and tinted moisturizers? Let me know.

I always thought tinted moisturizers didn't give much coverage but I really like the natural glowy look it gives.

Purchase?

No.

Would I recommend it?

If you have drier skin, yes.

Review: Origins Vitazing SPF 15 moisturizer

Unfortunately, my skin hasn't improved due to lack of sleep... There are so many scars from pimples -_-

But the moisturizer does give just the slightest tint of color

Pros

- Slight tint

- SPF 15

- Squeeze tube packaging

- Moisturizing but not heavy

Cons

- Expensive

Price

$35 for 1.7 oz

Verdict

Mine is a sample size that I got with a purchase (pretty generous of them actually, 1 oz is over half of the actual product size). I've been using it whenever I am going to be out and about.

I am pleasantly surprised that my t-zone doesn't seem to get as oily when I use this, as opposed to the Merlot Grapeseed moisturizer I was using. Also, when I tried this in the store, the tint seemed way too orange for my skin tone. Yet when I actually applied it, the tint gave me a nice slightly darker color, not orange at all.

If you don't have much flaws on your face, this could even double as a tinted moisturizer.

As far as the energy boosting part goes, the moisturizer doesn't really feel like anything on my skin, but this has a very faint fragrance. Not sure if it really wakes me up but it's not too strong or anything.

Repurchase?

Maybe. If I don't find a better SPF moisturizer

Would I recommend it?

Not in particular

Review & Application: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream

Shown in No. 21 Light Beige

Pros

- Semi-matte finish

- Light coverage

- Natural looking

- Pump packaging

- SPF 42 (if you use an ample amount)
- 5 shades (most BB creams have one, at most two)

Cons

- Gray undertone

- Contains mineral oil

- Not sold in stores

Value

$20.99 for 50 ml / ~1.7 oz (on Missha U.S. website)

I actually got this for "free" and $8.99 shipping upon the Missha US website launch, which is what encouraged me to try it; I tweeted it about it on Twitter, so follow me there if you're interested in deals and steals for beauty products.

Verdict

Overall: B

Like its name, the BB cream is much more a cream consistency than a liquid (thought I'd throw it out there since people compare BB creams to tinted moisturizers). As you can tell in the picture, it gives some coverage but not a lot, especially with all my post-acne scars. During the day, I haven't noticed any wear problems on my cheeks, where it's drier but still gets a little oily by the end of the day. I am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't look greasy upon application, since my impression from reading and watching several reviews is that it's oily-looking and doesn't last. While it is not the most long lasting face makeup out there, it's really not too bad if you set it with a translucent powder.

As far as the skin lightening and "healing wrinkles and blemishes," I am skeptical that a makeup product could actually do that, but will update if I see any significant changes.

Red alert: 
this contains mineral oil, and I suspect it might've clogged some of my pores, since the day after using this I noticed some little bumps where my pores are the largest.

Side note:

Oddly enough, you can't really twist the cap off, which defeats the purpose of a squeeze tube.

Repurchase?

Probably not, I still prefer my L'egere White Multi BB cream, review here.

Holy Grail BB Cream Review: L'egere White Multi BB cream

Bare skin --- Swatched on face --- Blended in

Copied straight from the box but forgot to take a picture of it:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Claims:

All in one functions: sun protect + makeup base + skin cover + foundations for 24hrs

Whitening & Skin Care Formula: White Multi BB cream acts effectively on irritated skin, concealer dermal blemish and helps skin rejuvenation with innovative active ingredients. Blocking the penetration of UV rays and other harmful factors. This silicon-based formula defines a natural, long-lasting complexion, with gentle calming effects of natural, plant-derived soothing particles not only on oil and sensitive skin, but also on irritated skin following peel care.

Good for: Skin that needs protection, irritated skin by peeling and laser procedures, sensitive and troubled skin.

Ingredients:

Arbutin, Cyclomethicone, Jojoba oil, Polyglyceyl-4-Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Beeswax, Tocopheryl acetate, Propylparaben, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Petrolatum, Titanium Dioxide/Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) / Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Magnesium sulfate, Methylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Marine Collagen, Rose water, Centella asiaticacosides, water, fragrance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I typed the ingredient list myself... And I think maybe in Asia they don't list the ingredients by the amount present in the product, since water is the 2nd to last ingredient.

Pros

- Light to medium coverage

- Very natural looking when blended in correctly

- Minimizes pores

- Satin finish

- SPF (number not stated for some reason)

- Squeeze tube packaging

- Looks good even on slightly flaky skin

- Moisturizing

Cons

- Limited color selection (just one color, to be exact)

- Not easily accessible

- Silicon-based (as stated on the box)

- Contain paraben ingredients (for ppl who are iffy about that)

Price

$20+ for 1.69 fl oz / 50 g

Verdict

This is one of the most popular BB creams in Taiwan, according to fuzkittie on Youtube (whom I heard this from). I purchased this for $20 on Ebay (including shipping) and I really like it. It gives pretty good coverage considering BB creams are supposed to be just a slight step up from tinted moisturizers. This definitely covers better than the Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream but only works if the color matches you. As you can see in the swatch the color comes out tan, esp compared to my NC20 ish skin. It does blend in nicely, and I find the best way to blend it in is patting with your fingers. In the picture it looks slightly brown-toned, but I've been using it a lot more recently and it actually blends in perfectly if I pat instead of trying to spread it.

If I wanted complete, full coverage I'd need to follow with concealer, but if I'm not taking pictures just wearing this is nice.

FYI - if you see this for less than $20 on Ebay, it is probably a fake, since retail in Taiwan is no less than 600 TWD which is about $20 USD

Would I recommend it?

For those between NC20 and NC35 (ish) and are willing to shell out $20+, I would say yes.

Repurchase?

Yes, if I ever use this up.

Review: Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream

No makeup on, just moisturizer

Swatched                              Blended in

Pros

- Blends in well

- Feels light on the skin

- SPF 25

- Better for skin than typical foundations (or so it claims)

Cons

- Limited color selection

- Light coverage (pro for some)

- Slightly gray cast at first

Verdict

This has become increasingly popular on Youtube. I first heard about it from frmheadtotoe then missglamorazzi. On the official Skin79 US website this costs $28 for the cylinder packaging, so I went on Ebay. Be very careful because there are actually fake BB creams out there. The first one I got was a fake, so I got the one I'm reviewing from rubyruby76 (a seller bubzbeauty recommended in a video a long while back). Anything less than $10 is probably a fake, but that's not saying people won't sell fake ones at a steep price too.

If you want to know specifically how I found out mine was fake, search "fake Skin79 bb cream" and the first blog post that pops up is probably the one I read.

Also, keep in mind that you only get the full SPF of a foundation / tinted moisturizer when you use a teaspoon amount of it, which would be very cakey. If you're going to be in the sun quite a bit then just use a sunblock.

Who would I recommend this to?

As you can tell, I have quite a few acne scars from previous breakouts, which is why I think that people with acne scars and whatnot on their skin aren't going to love this. It gives light coverage, but still a bit more than a tinted moisturizer. I need to follow with concealer with this, but this is a great alternative to typical foundations that don't provide full coverage anyway.

Price

$29 for 40 g (about 1.4 oz)

(not sure of the official price for the one I got, but I got mine for $14.99 for 25 g)

Repurchase?

Maybe. I'm loving the L'egere one more (see review here).