Hey guys! I'm having a pretty okay week. In terms of summer vacations I can't say I've had a single break from my academic passion what with thesis works and everything, but I still try to make as much time as I can for my artistic passions, and that includes my passion for makeup haha.
So how have you guys been doing? LOL
Today I'm reviewing a sample sent to me by the awesome Beauty and Cosmetic Shop - the BRTC Jasmine Water BB Cream. Like I introduced before in my last BRTC review, BRTC specializes in Korean cosmetics which are developed via patented Blue Phyto Complex from the Blue Flowers of Lavender, Cornflower, Borage, Chamomile and other natural plant products.
One of their specialties is also a wide array of BB Creams, one of them being the Jasmine Water BB Cream variant, which is said to be a 'triple function BB Cream with whitening, wrinkle care and water replenishing functions'. Quite similar to Tony Moly's EXPERT Triple BB Cream where claims are concerned.
Consistency, Coverage and Color So I was expecting the consistency to be somewhat similar to that of TheFACEShop's Aqua Tinted BB Cream - taking my first impression from the fact that the base of the BB Cream is created with Jasmine Water/Essence which tends to be quite runny.
To my great surprise however, the consistency of the BB Cream wasn't as runny and felt more like a thin cream on my fingers. The consistency made it quite easy to blend and it melted into my skin quite naturally, giving a nice dewy-velvet finish.
The color available, however, is rather pale on my skin, and even after waiting for it to settle, it still leaves a white cast. Nothing that isn't solvable with a darker shade of setting powder, but I wouldn't recommend this BB Cream to darker-skinned girls out there.
Coverage-wise, it's a pretty light-to-medium coverage that's perfect for evening out skintone - excessive redness, subtle bruising or yellow discoloration. It doesn't do well on heavy duty scarring or blemishes, however.
So how exactly does it fair when worn?
I find that compared to on my hand, the BB Cream adapts better on my face, probably because of a reaction with the natural acidity of the skin on my face. You can see that the finish is quite velvet-y but still offers some highlighting power due to its reflective SPF. It definitely covered up the yellow discoloration of my lids and under eyes and the darker uneven tone around my lips, and because it blends in so well, the result is natural and there's no streaks or splotches of makeup. It's almost like my second skin!
One thing I noticed is the subtle hint of Jasmine in the sent. It's absolutely pleasant because it isn't that overpowering Jasmine scent that you usually get with shampoos or aromatic oils. It's a perfectly subtle hint that you can barely smell but you can tell it's there. It's also somewhat of a stimulant for me although I'm pretty sure Jamine is supposed to relax haha. I think the subtle scent is really good because it's able to neutralize the chemical scent that most odorless BB Creams have without being an irritant to the skin or to the nose. Did I mention the scent is natural?
Another cool thing is that after actually washing the product off, my skin looks brighter, feels more firm and moisturized and I've noticed that the discoloration around my eyes has lessened significantly. That's after just 3 days of consecutive wear! This stuff actually works :o
Oil Control and Moisture When it comes to oil control and moisturizing properties, there's this balance that a lot of BB Creams fail to strike, and though this one comes pretty close, it's still no cigar.
This BB Cream is Mineral Oil Free which is a huge plus because it's the mineral oil that usually aggregates on the skin's surface because it's less permeable to the skin that natural oils. Despite that however, I still encountered some problems with oil after five hours of wear, but that's pretty decent considering how hot and humid it is in the Philippines currently.
Recommendations All in all, the wonderful people at BRTC recommend this BB Cream for those with oily, sensitive skin - definitely one of the more common skin types out here in the Philippines, which makes this product all the more appealing! If you want to learn more about the product, I've provided some infographics which list the specifications and claims of the product below. The integrity of the descriptions is quite legit as well, where consistency and coverage is concerned.
So the Rundown:
Pros: Natural Finish Not too heavy on the skin Evens Skin Tone Moisturizes Anti-wrinkles Brightening/Whitening Subtle Scent Very Blendable Natural ingredients SPF30
Cons: Light Coverage Only one shade available Doesn't control oil as well as it should Not recommended for people with allergies to Jasmine and other flower derivatives No PA Protection
If you guys are interested in this product, it's only available locally through Beauty and Cosmetic Shop, and they're selling it for PHP1200 [~30USD], nine dollars cheaper than the store price of 39 USD for the 35g bottle!
If you would like to order, go check out Beauty and Cosmetic Shop's facebook page for more info!
And if this BB Cream isn't for you [e.g. you have a dry skin type or require heavier coverage or have acne problems] STAY TUNED! Because BRTC has a wide array of BB Creams suitable for all skin types! And I'll be reviewing all of them here!
There's a BB Cream out there for everybody and for some, even a CC Cream as well. Hopefully in the process of reviewing all of these, I'll be able to help you guys find your HG BB Cream soon!
Is BB Cream good for the skin?
BB creams are safe to use on a regular, daily basis, but as one of the most versatile skin care products on the market, they're especially useful when you don't have time to apply, a moisturiser, primer and foundation: Just throw on a bit of BB cream [preferably one with SPF] and you're ready to conquer the day!