The Drugstore Wonder - Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream SPF 15

The Asian continent used to be the primary producer of high quality and high performance skin-perfecting BB Creams. The main characteristic of these "real deals"  is the unique combination of skin-loving ingredients, replenishing minerals and skin-perfecting sheer tint, which when combined not only even out your skin-tone but also work to heal any skin imperfections. Essentially the BB Cream can be classified as sheer makeup that covers, polishes and ultimately cares for your skin - all at the same time! Most BB Creams are suitable for all skin types but acne-prone will especially benefit from the blemish treatment found in almost every formula. 

The Western world definitively had to be schooled in the formulation of these makeup-skincare hybrid wonders which of course led to a whole slew of brands tripping over themselves to release their own signature BB Creams formulas. 

Having used some of the popular Korean BB Creams with wonderful results I was curious to see how the Western formulas compared to their original predecessors, counting availability as one of the obvious perks for someone who prefers instant access to beauty  products as opposed to tracking things on Ebay

The Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream ($12.99) came highly recommended by a lot of beauty bloggers and after testing it for a few weeks now I can definitively join the Garnier Rave Choir. This particular dermatologist tested Garnier BB Cream comes in three shades - Fair, Medium/Deep and Dark. 

Official Description;

Save time with just one multi-benefit product that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage. This hybrid formula renews radiance, brightens complexion, evens skin tone, hydrates and protects with SPF15 UVA/UVB sunscreen. Get results you can see and feel instantly.

Ingredients;

Active: Octinoxate 4%. Inactive: Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Lithum Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Citral, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate. [May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides].

Garnier claims that their BB Cream will renew, brighten, hydrate, even and protect your complexion from the damaging sun rays, preventing hyper-pigmentation and contributing some basic anti-aging abilities.

I am not entirely convinced that this formula actually renews anything but I can certainly vouch for the brightening, hydrating, protecting and skin-tone evening promises. 

I would place this makeup hybrid between a light coverage foundation and a tinted moisturizer leaning more towards the latter. The finish it gives off is very reminiscent of a tinted moisturizer as it's more of a dewy glow. The formula is very hydrating and so much so that I would only recommend using this if you have combination, normal or dry skin. 

Its creamy consistency and texture is very easy to blend though not buildable. After testing it for a few days (and paying attention!) I've come to the conclusion that the dewy glow lasts about six hours without any fading, melting or blotchiness, however the longevity increases to about eight to ten hours with just a light dusting of setting powder.

I should mention that the liquid has a subtle floral scent that dissipates within about 5 minutes of application, which means that even those sensitive to fragrance scents can use it comfortably with no irritation. 

Overall, it's a winner in my book. It's ideal for lightweight weekend wear, falling into the category of "my skin but better" radiance boosting type of product. 

In my opinion the Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfecter BB Cream SPF 15 ($12.99) is comparable to a lot of other higher-priced Asian BB Cream and the fact that its sold in almost every drugstore chain makes it even more appealing!

Have you tried the Garnier BB Creams? Do you have a favorite BB Cream? Please share! 

Thank you for reading and stopping by!

XOXO

ANJA

Review - Diorskin Nude BB Creme

The ingenious combination of makeup-like features combined with beneficial skincare ingredients along with SPF protection is the essence of the miraculous BB Cream formula. Despite my obvious appreciation of all beauty products, skincare has always been my first love so the unique nature of the BB Cream, skin-loving makeup hybrid, was very appealing for someone like me.

I have discussed in the past that Asian beauty brands have a rich history when it comes to focusing on skin first and makeup a close second, so it's no wonder that the BB Cream concept was hugely successful in the Far East before gaining any kind of attention from the more traditionally western brand. North America has a lot of catching up to do but I am happy to say that there are now several excellent BB Cream choices available and the formulations are only getting better.

The original concept of the BB Cream (BB stands for blemish balm) was developed by a German Dermatologist, Christine Schrammek, in the 1960's and then further refined and perfected by the Korean cosmetic industry in the 1980's. Today's BB Cream formula and branding is a result of years or research, various re-formulation experiments and most importantly a consumer demand for a product that will treat, heal and enhance the complexion all-in-one. 

My favorite pick as of late has been a BB cream that has finally allowed me to completely disregard any reliance on primer and that is the Diorskin Nude BB Creme. 

Official Description; 

A dream combination of skin care and make-up, Diorskin Nude BB Creme is the new generation complexion enhancer. Its light, melting texture enriched with natural origin skin care ingredients conceals only the undesirable and adjusts perfectly to all skin tones. In a single step, Diorskin Nude BB Creme combines 5 indispensable actions in order to accentuate a fresh complexion with an astoundingly natural finish: - corrects transparently - lights the skin up with a fresh glow - gently hydrates - instantly smoothes - protects, day after day For skin as fresh and radiant as a Rose, by Dior

The first thing I am going to say about this BB cream is that the shades can be sketchy so first-hand swatching or even being color-matched by a qualified brand-specialist (I can't stress qualified enough!). I am the Fair 002 but based on online swatches I was positive the Medium 003 was my match. 

Aside from that the formula works like a dream - it feels very airy and fresh on the skin surface, delivering kind of a glowy sheen finish that makes me look and almost feel healthy! It has that illuminating effect without making it look like makeup which is what the appeal of the BB cream really is and Dior delivers that beautifully. 

The addition of mineralized flower water (hence all the rose tones and theme!) is meant to effectively moisturize and antioxidants with SPF add further protection to this already multiple skin-perfecting and literally skin-loving formulation. 

This is a BB Cream so the coverage is a little bit heavier than a tinted moisturizer but with particular Dior formula it will the texture will feel even lighter. I  believe it might be due to the lower SPF 10 but I didn't notice any oxidation on the skin throughout the day even when I didn't use any of my usual, light dusting of translucent powder. It lasted all day, didnt break down or look caky during the humidity and looked lovely after eight hours of wear. I pretty much fell in love with it! 

I know it's a pricy pick ($48.00 for 1 oz) but I have to say its a worthy investment if you are looking for a great BB Cream! 

Diorskin Nude BB Cream didn't let me down and it's been almost a daily choice now so that's as big of an endorsement as the Princeza can give! Plus I have a weakness for anything with any kind of rose associations - maybe it should be a blog theme? :-)

You can get all Christian Dior products on their site, various Dior beauty counters or as usual our trusty Sephora. 

Have you tried the Diorskin Nude BB Cream? What's your favorite BB Cream?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Review - Antipodes Divine Face Oil (Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip)

As a skin care enthusiast there is nothing I love more than discovering a new brand whose philosophy, origins, products and ingredients I can genuinely connect with. The beauty market is saturated by great brands that are thriving to be "clean" and closer to nature with every aspect of the products they put out. Chemical-based skincare might be completely on its way out, especially if brands like Antipodes continue creating potent natural formulas that provide the results we are all looking for but in a "safer" way. It feels good using holistic-natural skincare products whose ingredient list doesnt require an Organic Chemistry degree to decipher. 

Antipodes is definitively a front-runner when it comes to natural skincare and I for one am smitten with more than a few of their formulas. The Divine Face Oil is definitively my favorite and I cant rave about it enough! 

Official Description;

Give a lift to tired, stressed and sun-damaged skin with this nutrient-rich face oil that helps to deliver antioxidants and essential nourishment for fresh, healthy skin. Superior collagen-boosting action of avocado oil helps reduce the appearance of lines, age spots and scars. Perfect as an essential daily nutrient treatment for skin. 

Directions for Use;
Apply in gentle upward strokes to your face and neck. Pay loving attention to blemishes, lines, sun damage and scars. Use prior to your moisturizer and makeup.

Ingredients;

Persea gratissima (avocado oil)*, Macadamia ternifolia (macadamia oil)*, Buxus chinensis (jojoba oil)*, Rosa canina (rosehip oil)*, Canaga odorata (ylang ylang oil), Amyris balsamifera (torchwood), Santalum album (sandalwood oil), Jasminum officinale (jasmine oil), Citrus sinensis (orange oil), Tocopherol acetate (vitamin e), Benzyl benzoate+, Benzyl salicylate+, Citronellol+, D-limonene+, Farnesol+, Geraniol+, Isoeugenol+, Linalool+.

*100% of total ingredients from natural origin.
*95% of total ingredients from organic cultivation.

The Antipodes Divine Face Oil (Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip) is basically a unique blend of oils like avocado, macadamia and rose-hips, meant to re-hydrate, boost, brighten, nourish and regenerate your complexion almost overnight. On top of that the avocado oil is known for its superior collagen-boosting properties (by 51%) so it packs a strong anti-aging streak as well. This oil combination renews the natural fatty acids found in everyone's skin so in theory regular use should lead to a re-balancing phenomenon, allowing your skin to go back to its full potential. 

The Divine Oil texture is light and silky so I can see this working for all skin types but those fighting pesky dry patches will benefit the most. With only a few drops I can literally feel the re-hydration of my skin each time I use it and unlike other facial oils I abandoned, this "potion" does not leave me greasy or shiny one bit. The scent is more herbal than flowery and dissipates quickly so those sensitive to fragrances would still be able to use this with ease. 

I am using the Divine Face Oil primarily in the evenings on its own or mixed in with my night cream when my skin feels particularly dehydrated or parched. Its absorbed into the skin fairly quickly but it does give you enough time to enjoy a facial massage as well. The healing signs are visible the very next morning and I cant argue with results like that. 

My final conclusion is extremely positive and I am on a mission to tell everyone about it! Some people are not very "keen" on using oils on their face but the benefits are so magnificent that if you don't try it - you are really are missing out. Give Antipodes oils a try - I am sure you wont regret it!

The price ($33.00 for 30 ml) is more than fair for such a luxe, natural product and since you are literally using a few drops at a time, this little green bottle will last a very long time :-)

All Antipodes products can be purchased directly from their website here or Feelunique here

Have you tried Antipodes yet? What is your favorite facial oil?

XOXO 

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-) 

Just in Time For Summer - REN BB Cream

Despite being a very adventures beauty blogger with a zest for new discoveries, every once in a while i come across a brand that just has that something extra that makes my heart skip a little bit with each new product release. I am very picky so it doesn't happen very often - however it will be pretty easy for you guys to notice a pattern.

REN captured my heart (face and body) very early on. I have been their fan almost from the beginning and my bathroom vanity is proof of my undeniable loyalty. Their skincare is of excellent quality, the prices are reasonable, the formulations are quite unique, the ingredients can be considered pretty CLEAN (not 100% but they are pretty close) and their customer service is the best i have ever seen (more on that later on).

So as an avid REN fan I was very excited to hear that they were going to release a new silicone-free BB cream that promised a healthy, luminous, satin-like but also matte finish. That's a high order even for REN so naturally i wanted to see if they delivered.
REN's Satin Perfection BB Cream Sunscreen is presented as a multi-functional tinted cream that covers and corrects minor imperfections, provides anti-oxidant protection, increases skin radiance and still mimics oil-free flawless finish. The formula also promises toning, firming and anti-aging benefits however speculating on those statements is almost impossible since it would take a lot longer to test and record those results.


The first thing i noticed about the REN BB was the whipped-like texture of the cream itself, how easy it was to blend and the luscious citrus scent (which was a nice surprise). The shade (light-medium) seemed to be a bit too dark for my fair complexion but it blended so seamlessly that i couldn't detect any disparity with my coloring in a minute flat. Coverage can only be described as light at best however the look you end up with resembles light airbrushing, which is surely done by light reflection manipulated in such a way to blurr out any imperfections you might thing you have.

I love a true satin-finish, dewy base for my skin which is something so many products promise but ultimately fail at, especially during the humid summers. REN promises a satin matte finish and I am inclined to agree with them. My skin is mostly of the combination type although i can have significant dry patches on my cheeks and around my nose, something this BB cream handled very well, leaving my skin dewy and radiant. The dewiness continued and held its own without setting powder for about 5 hours, which in my opinion is more than reasonable, especially if you consider that once i added a light layer of translucent powder the next day wear-time was extended to almost 8 hours.

I know that many consumers automatically compare any "western" BB creams with their more advanced "eastern" cousins, which is justifiable however I would like to gently point out that the formulas are steadily improving and pretty soon the competition between the two wont be as clear cut. Asia has specialized in BB creams for a long time and their skin-loving approach has served them well but brands like REN certainly are catching up. Need for improvement is always there, regardless of the brand but the only thing I can think of that needs some work is shade selection. The shade i have was light-medium and it matched me almost perfectly but i know that those with lighter or darker complexion would have a hard time making this work.
Bottom line - I would definitely recommend REN's BB cream to anyone as long as the shade matches their coloring!

REN Satin Perfection BB Cream Sunscreen ($38.00) is available for purchase directly here or at Sephora here

Which brings me to the good news - If you are placing an online Sephora order use the code BBMINI to receive a deluxe travel sized BB cream of one of the 3 available sample brands (REN, Smashbox and Dr.Jart)

Ingredients;
Aqua (water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Zinc Oxide, Oleyl Alcohol, Camelia Oleifera Seed Oil, Titanium Oxide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Silica, Yeast Amino Acids, Sorbitan Olivate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Sucrose Palmitate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Oryzanol Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (cranberry) Seed Oil, Mannitol, Lactic Acid, Yeast Extract, Mica, Sodium Hydroxymethylglucinate, Tocopheryl, Carbomer, Isostearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Limonene, Morinda Citrofolia Extract, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Glycogen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Propylene Carbonate, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Linalool, Laminaria, Ochroleuca Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, CI 77492/CI 77491/CI 77499 (Iron Oxides)

I hope that was useful to some of you :-) What is your all-time favorite BB cream brand?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)