My Favourite BB Creams

As a swimming coach I don't tend to wear foundation every day as I look a little bit too "done up". I was so happy when BB creams came out as I found them to be perfect for me-they look natural, give decent coverage and most are well priced!

 

I've tried a number of BB creams over the past few months but I have four favourite ones.

 From left to right: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Fair, MAC Prep + Prime Beauty Balm, Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector for Sensitive Skin in Light &Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm

 

 

GARNIER BB CREAM MIRACLE SKIN PERFECTOR FOR SENSITIVE SKIN IN LIGHT

 

I quite like this Garnier BB cream. I have tried the normal one too but this cream made for sensitive skin doesn't break me out and lasts the whole day. The bottle is an easy to use squeeze bottle with a flip top lid. The cream itself is quite thick, but spreads well using a foundation brush. A little goes a long way with this one as you don't need to layer it on to get a good coverage. The Garnier BB cream is a bit darker than my skin tone but it gives me a lovely glow. This is my go to BB cream when I want a bit more coverage to cover blemishes and to brighten up dull skin. With added SPF15 this gives a bit of sun coverage, but I would love companies to come out with one with SPF30 for Australia.

 



 

Available in two shades and retails for $13.99. Available at pharmacies and supermarkets.

MAC PREP+PRIME BEAUTY BALM

 



 

I picked up this beauty in America at an Estee Lauder company store. I recall paying about $18 for this (bargain for me!), and it is the of my BB creams to use as a primer and illuminator. The cream is quite thick and I find using my fingers is best for application. If used on its own I use it when I'm having a good skin day. I love that it has an SPF35 included so it is perfect for Australia!

 

(I only applied it to the left of my hand and you can see how it brightens up the skin)

 

Available in nine shades retailing at $42. Purchase at MAC stores or online at www.maccosmetics.com.au

 

 

 

 MAYBELLINE NEW YORK DREAM FRESH BB CREAM IN FAIR

This is the original BB Cream from Maybelline and the first one I purchased. The original reason I bought it was because of the packaging-I love the pink and white! It is the runniest of the pack so you do need to use a bit more to cover your face and it doesn't have the best coverage. I do love the dewy look it gives my skin and I seem to get the most compliments wearing this BB cream. This has no SPF which is disappointing so make sure you pop some sunscreen underneath!

 



 

Available in three shades, retailing at $15.99. Available at pharmacies and supermarkets.

 

 

 

URBAN DECAY NAKED SKIN BEAUTY BALM

 

 

This is another BB cream that I purchased in America as I was intrigued by the fact that there is only one shade and it self adjusts to different skin tones. It comes in a gorgeous bronze tube with a silver twist off lid. It is very dark when squeezed out but it blends in really well. I find using my fingers or a foundation brush work equally well with this. It has a medium consistency so not too much product is required. I find this to give a light to medium coverage so spot on for day to day use.

 

 

You can buy this BB cream at www.tarrazz.com.au for $45 for a 35ml tube. (I purchased a 15ml tube from Sephora while overseas)

 

 

As you can see there is a wide range of varieties when it comes to BB creams, especially in Western countries. Some are more like tinted moisturisers, some give good sun coverage and others claim to do a multitude of things. If you are after a light to medium coverage then I would definitely suggest BB creams as for me they feel lighter then foudations.

 

Do you use BB creams often? Have a favourite different from mine?

The Hand Book: A Guide To Nail Art

Recently I have been getting a bit more adventurous with my nail art and it is all because of this cute book I received for Christmas from my sister.

 

The Hand Book is a fantastic nail art book full of pictures, showing you how to achieve some of the cutest nails ever. It is a collaboration from Anna Ross (Kester Black nail polish) and Chelsea Bagan (Trophy Wife Nail Art). Chelsea is the brains behind the designs and uses Kester Black's Vegan, Cruelty Free, Carcinogen Free nail polishes to achieve them (Kester Black is also an Australian brand!).

Below is a preview of two of the designs they feature in the book. I love the simple step-by-step instructions and how bright the whole book is.

 



Watermelons! Too cute!

 

I've had a go at a few of their designs and they actually aren't too tricky!

 

 

 

You can purchase The Hand Book for $25 from Kester Black and Trophy Wife Nail Art. You can also purchase polishes from the Kester Black website and see more amazing designs at TWNA. I'm thinking this might become a birthday present for a few of my friends!

 

If you would like to read about my experience at Trophy Wife Nail Art click here.

 

 

Philosophy Hands of Hope Review

Although I'm only 24 I go through hand creams so much due to working in a pool and doing a lot of baking. I suffer from dry hands that can be quite uncomfortable so I love a good hand cream. In the future (in addition to this post), I'll be reviewing all the hand creams I use as I know there are many others out there that need a thoroughly moisturising cream.

 

Anyway... on to the first review!

 

philosophy hands of hope

 

I was lucky enough to win a philosophy pack from BeautyHeaven and this cute hand and cuticle cream was inside. I find it is a mixture between a cream and a gel so it is a pretty interesting texture.

 

 

While it is a bit thicker in consistency to regular creams this doesn't translate to it being a thoroughly hydrating hand cream. It seems to hydrate the top layer but it doesn't really penetrate any further, which means my hands are feeling dry again in an hour. It has a very subtle scent so it is great for people you don't want to add yet another scent to themselves after possibly using body wash, moisturiser and perfume. I would give this hand cream a 7/10 as it has a nice consistency and scent but not hydrating enough for my hands. I would recommend this to someone with regular to medium dry hands.

 

philosophy hands of hope retails at $12 for a 30ml tube.



La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Review

After hearing bits and pieces about this French skincare brand, I was thrilled to see it was on sale at Priceline's 40% off skincare sale. Before I went on the pill I had terrible acne, and although it has mainly cleared up I still get hormonal breakouts-especially on my chin. I'm one of those bad people who can't help but pick at pimples (I know-so so bad!), so I've been after something that will stop them forming in the first place. After a few different product trials I think I've found my saviour!

 

Effaclar Duo is a white gel that you use on your face morning and night after cleansing. It claims to "Reduce the appearance of Imperfections" and "Unclogs sebum-blocked pores". I haven't seen a big improvement on the appearance of imperfections mainly because this beautiful product doesn't allow my pimples to form! I've been using it on my chin day and night and on the occasional bump that looks like it might become a pimple and I'm happy to say that I haven't had one breakout in two weeks. For me that is amazing as my chin was just a constant of pimples that wouldn't clear. I use Effaclar Duo after cleansing and toning, and before moisturising (I have read this can cause dry skin, so best to apply a moisturiser on top just in case).

 

I'm going to be continuing my use of this product as I am so thrilled to have found something that works with my skin. I am hoping that when I eventually come off the pill that this will help on bigger breakouts, but until then I will be using this to prevent anything further from popping up.

 

La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo is available in a 40ml tube and retails for $25.99 at Priceline.

 

Have you used any La Roche-Posay products before? Is there anything else in the range that you think I might like? 

Review - Marc Jacobs Honey Eau De Parfum

Today I have a review for the new Marc Jacobs perfume 'Honey'. I picked this up in America last week as I fell in love with it as soon as I tried it. Marc Jacobs has a number of popular fragrances now and I think this one will be no different when it hits the shops in Australia.

I purchased the 30ml bottle, however the larger versions have a slightly different bottle, with an extra butterfly on the label.

Description from Marc Jacobs:
Honey by Marc Jacobs is a sunny delicious floral - energetic and alluring, with a sparkling, golden touch. The perfect mix of brightness and warmth.
The fragrance energizes with the freshness of green pear brightened with a splash of fruity punch and juicy mandarin. At the heart of the fragrance is orange blossom, a note of sparkling femininity that mingles with nectars of honeysuckle and peach. Honey, vanilla and smooth woods dry down to a warm, golden base.
Top Note – Pear, Juicy Mandarin
Mid Note – Orange Blossom, Peach Nectar, Apricot, Honeysuckle
Base Note – Honey, Golden Vanilla, Smooth Woods


The bottle is very similar to 'Dot' and I think that is what made me want to try it. The yellow is so Summery and cute. I love how fruity yet light this fragrance is and it makes me wish it was Spring already! If you enjoy Vanilla in your perfumes but are after something with a bit of a twist you should definitely try 'Honey'. The Orange Blossom is gorgeous in this and makes it something different from the rest of the floral fragrances on the market. Two of my favourite fragrances are Vera Wang 'Princess' and Versace 'Bright Crystal' and I think 'Honey' is going to join them as my top trio as it is fruitier than 'Bright Crystal' yet more subtle than 'Princess'.

Where to buy:
Myer http://www.myer.com.au/shop/mystore/honey-marc-jacobs-honey-edp
Marc Jacobs http://www.marcjacobs.com/product/detail/honey1.7edp/honey-eau-de-parfum-1-7-oz
Sephora http://www.sephora.com/honey-P380041