clarisonic mia VS racinne lady 1 massager

Hey guys!

Today, I have a little something different for you. How many of us have been duped into buying an expensive tool or product just because of favourite beauty gurus rave about them, only to find it doesn't seem to have the same effect on you as it does on them? I know I have. Sometimes, to justify that I just spent a ridiculous amount of money on something that really isn't working for me, I somehow trick my mind into thinking its working. I can't be the only one - I really hope I'm not the only one..

One of these items that I have been left disappointed by was my Clarisonic Mia. At first, I really believed that it was doing fantastic things for my skin - but after using it for a month, I realised that while it wasn't making my skin worse, it wasn't exactly improving it either. But, due to the fact that I parted with a fair amount of money to buy it, I kept using it in vain hopes that I might see the magic all my favourites speil on about.

I recently got the chance to try a product that is a similar concept to the Clarisonic - the Racinne Lady 1 Massaging Rejuvenation System (which is a cleansing system, despite the fact that the name seems to suggest that it is a vibrator), which is a super affordable yet luxurious alternative to the Clarisonic. I've been trialled this for two weeks, and then switched back to my Clarisonic to really see which one was better for my skin. And even I was surprised with the results. I'll be going through each system briefly before telling you about what happened during my trial, so you can best decide which would work better for you.

Aaahhhh.. So my Clarisonic Mia.

I remember being so sceptical about buying this at first. It's $139AU from Myer, not including the fact that you have to pay about $30 every 2-3 months to replace the brush head. But, after Lauren Curtis put a photo up on Instagram of how well it removes makeup leftover on your skin, I was sold. Luckily, I was also armed with a Myer gift voucher, so I didn't have to pay the full price out of my own pocket.

At first, I was so impressed. My skins texture did slightly improve, I didn't experience intense breakouts like others who have tried it, and it did remove any remnants of makeup left on my skin after using makeup remover. So far, so good!

However, after a while, I noticed that while my skin wasn't getting worse, it wasn't getting any better either! I was still getting the odd pimple, with scarring, and the Clarisonic wasn't helping it any. I continued to use it hoping that it would perform this godsent miracle that I'd heard it do, but it just never happened. But each to their own. While I don't dislike the Clarisonic, I wasn't exactly impressed overall either.

Now enter this competitor - the Racinne Lady I Massaging Rejuvenation System!

I was given the opportunity to try this about three weeks ago, and I was sceptical of this also. I mean, my Clarisonic didn't exactly work, so how could this, especially when it was less than half the price of the Clarisonic? Well, ladies and gents, this product is proof to me that sometimes the quality of the product oversteps its price.

Firstly, unlike the Clarisonic system, this has four different brush heads. The first, which is similar to the brush head on the Clarisonic (except smaller), and is meant to be used the same manner. The second is a sponge, which is meant to make it easier for products, such as your moisturiser, to soak into your skin. The other two are actually meant to used for your body - one is a larger version of the first brush head, to exfoliate and cleanse your body of impurities and the other is a pumice stone, which can be used to smooth down any rough skin.

Secondly, this bad boy is amazing. It does everything the Clarisonic does and more. I have had a blemish scar on my chin for months, and after using this four about four days it was significantly reduced. That was really the part that convinced me that this is a fantastic product. The sponge is also amazing, it really smooths down my face and allows my rosehip oil to completely sink into my skin and make it all plump and happy.

In terms of the trial I did, it all centers around my 'blemish' scar. I've had pimples pop up in exactly the same spot every couple of weeks for a while now. My Clarisonic didn't really change that schedule, but the Racinne brush honestly did. It didn't make it completely go away, but after two weeks it was significantly less noticeable and I didn't have to pile on the concealer either!

Out of curiosity, and of course for the sake of this blog post, I decided to go back to the Clarisonic for a week to see if it changed anything now that one of my biggest skin insecurities was almost gone. Within a couple of days, I had another pimple in the exact same spot. Some people may argue that that is the Clarisonics job - and that your skin goes through a period of transition where you do breakout. But, when I was using the Clarisonic for six months, my skin still broke out a pimple in the exact same spot! But with Racinne, it was almost gone from my life.

Its clear which cleansing system I prefer - in terms of both quality and affordability, the Racinne system wins a million times over. Plus, with all of its little add ons, you really do get more bang for your buck. I will continue to use it, and lets hope that my scar is gone in time for my holiday in September!

You can find the Racinne System here for $49AU!

You can find the Clarisonic Mia here for $139AU!

Hope you enjoyed the review and found a cheaper and better quality alternative to the Clarisonice - definitely give it a try!

Until next time...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

*These products were kindly sent to COAMA HQ for consideration of review. All reviews are 100% honest!

DUPE ALERT: too faced better than sex mascara VS covergirl flamed out masacara

Hey guys!

Today's post will just be a quick little comparison post between two mascaras - one that is one of my all time favourites and the other which is relatively new in my beauty regime, but that I have been loving nonetheless.

I want to take the both of us back to when I first laid my hands on the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara - not only was the packaging destined to be one of my favourites of all time (#pinklife) but the product inside was incredible. This mascara volumises, seperates and lengthens almost as good as my holiest of holy grail mascaras (Dior Diorshow, holla!), plus its pretty decently priced, even in Australia, for a higher end mascara.

Enter the Covergirl Flamed Out mascara.. When I first got my hands on this, I had heard basically nothing about it. I've only ever tried the Lash Blast mascara before, and let's just say it didn't work out well, so I wasn't sure if I would have a great experience with this. However, upon opening the mascara, I noticed the brush was extremely similar to the Too Faced mascara. After using it for about a week, I was convinced that I had possibly found a very close dupe for the ever coveted Better Than Sex mascara.

But you can judge for yourself..

This is a close up of the brushes. Too Faced Better Than Sex is on the left and Covergirl Flamed Out on the right. You can see just how similar the two wands are - both in an hourglass shape, being thicker at the sides and dipping in at the middle, and both are also bristle brush wands, which I personally prefer.

In terms of formula, at first they were a little different. In saying that though, generally most mascaras I have tried are wet at first and change as they dry out. These mascaras followed the same pattern, and as they dried out they became alot more similar. In the photos below, you can see how similar they both apply:

Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex (left) and Covergirl Flamed Out (right)

You can see with both the mascaras that they add a ton of volume to your lashes and seperate pretty well with minimal clumping. Honestly, if I didn't know myself that there was a different mascara used on each eye, I would just assume that the product used was exactly the same. I will say though, that after wearing them on my eyes like for this for 5+ hours, the ONLY difference I noticed was that the Too Faced mascara smudged under my eyes, whereas Covergirl stayed put. Something to think about..

You can find the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara here at Kit Cosmetics for $31.95AU

You can find the Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara here at Priceline for $14.95AU

Hope you enjoyed the comparison, and maybe found a good alternative mascara to use instead of spending double on another ! ;)

What do you think? Are they similar enough for the Covergirl mascara to be a 'dupe'?

Until next time....

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

comparison: beauty blender VS real techniques miracle complexion sponge

Hey guys!

Todays post will be a quick comparison between the ever so coveted Beauty Blender and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I have owned the Beauty Blender for a while now, and it is my most favourite tool to apply my foundation with. It just gives this beautiful, airbrushed, flawless finish to your makeup and I can't imagine my beauty routine without it now.

Enter the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. I was intrigued to try this after seeing so many other Youtube girls and bloggers try it and love it - and mention that it was a cheaper version of the Beauty Blender! I knew I had to try it out and try it against my beloved Beauty Blender, because lets face it - if you can find something that is the same for cheaper... well I'm all up on that.

I got the Real Techniques sponge about a month ago in my Ulta Haul, and have been alternating between the two since to really get the feel for the sponge and form my opinion on it. I wanted to do this post because my opinion is a little different, and since this hasn't been released in Australia yet, maybe this will help you decide whether it will be worth the money once it is released.

THE BEAUTY BLENDER

What is it? A magical sponge that miraculously blends your foundation into your skin, leaving the finish looking airbrushed and flawless.

How does it apply? You basically hold this under lukewarm water until it is completely saturated and doubled in size. After squeezing out the excess water (I also like to squeeze it once with a towel so that it isn't too wet), you get your foundation all over it and basically bounce it on your skin to achieve your desired coverage and finish. It is really lightweight and bouncy, not dense at all and really doesn't soak up any of your product once wet.

What's the price? $19.95US (eeeek!). I know what you're thinking: I basically paid $20 for a sponge. A sponge. But this is no ordinary sponge. 

Seriously, there is a reason that everyone pays the price it demands. It is just a magic tool for your foundation, and it really works with my skin and my base. I have tried other cheaper 'dupes' before taking the plunge and actually purchasing one, but I have never regreted it once I actually tried it. No other cheaper 'dupe' that I have tried has measured up to this sponge.

THE REAL TECHNIQUES MIRACLE COMPLEXION SPONGE

What is it? Similar idea to the Beauty Blender. It has a slightly different design with a rounded side, and a flatter side to really press the product into your skin.

How does it apply? Again, same as the Beauty Blender - you hold it under lukewarm water until it grows in size, and squeeze the excess out. Once doing that, you get your foundation on whichever side you prefer to use and press it into your skin, blending as you go.

What is the price? $6.99US. Yes, a lot more reasonable than the Beauty Blender

Differences to the Beauty Blender:


Despite being the same concept and design as the Beauty Blender, there is quite a big difference in the way these two tools apply the product.  The Beauty Blender is really quite light and bouncy, whereas the Real Techniques version is quite dense and heavy when compared to each other. As such, you can easily bounce the Beauty Blender all over your face in order to achieve that flawless blended complexion - the Real Techniques sponge does take a little more time and effort as it isn't quite the same design. The best way to use this, I have found, is to press it into your skin rather than bouncing it. This achieves the best finish, but as I said, it does take a little more work than the Beauty Blender.

OVERALL VERDICT

These are both great tools in their own right - they both work and do the job of applying and blending your makeup to making it look beautifully blended and more natural on your skin. But if I had to choose - I would choose the Beauty Blender.

Yes it is more expensive, but it applies the product so flawlessly and with such little effort that it is 100% worth every dollar for me. I wouldn't say that the Real Techniques version is a 'dupe' for the Beauty Blender itself, but it is a great cheaper alternative if you can't afford to try the Beauty Blender or justify the price. I will still use the Real Techniques sponge, I really do like it and I love that it a different design to the Beauty Blender! 

Thats all for todays post! What do you think of the Beauty Blender? Are there any other alternatives that you have tried?

Until next time lovelies...

xxxx

in between blogging, you can find me here!

instagram: http://instagram.com/beautybybek

twitter: https://twitter.com/bekaaturner

comparison: my bourjois foundations!

Hey guys!

I am a serial foundation junkie. If makeup was ever a crime, this would be my run in with the law. I can never decide on what foundations are my favourite! I'm always on the lookout for something better, and I'll honestly try anything that comes on the market. I always ask myself 'Bek, do you really need this? I'm sure you have a million others just sitting in your drawer waiting for you to give them some love.' Spoiler alert: my sensible mind never wins. I am now the proud owner of 31 foundations, all claiming to do different things for my appearance.

I have had a love affair with Bourjois products this month - but in particular with their foundations. I had always heard the rave reviews on their face products, but had never got around to actually purchasing any. Last month, I was searching through the ASOS website and saw that their Bourjois range was on sale. Because the price of Bourjois products in Australia is quite high, I jumped at the chance to buy two foundations and also a second bottle of their Happy Light Luminous Primer (I swear by this). They didn't have one foundation in particular though - and this happened to be the one I was really after. So, I bit the bullet and brought it in Priceline, thinking that I could do this post after I had trialled them.

Before I really get started on the post, I'll give a quick background on my skin and what I typically look for in a foundation. I have normal skin that leans a little dry, and I usually prefer medium to full coverage foundations due to the fact that I have redness that I like to cover up. I love dewy foundations, as I like my skin to look radiant, healthy and glowing. All three foundations that I picked up promised to do this, and having been switching between these three for about a month now, I thought it was time to tell you my views on them! These are all quite pricey in Australia, with the prices between $29-32AU. Hopefully, this post will shed some light on which you would like to try first!

Products pictured (l-r): Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serm Foundation, Bourjois Happy Light Foundation

Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation

I really like this foundation! I find it has a more medium-full coverage, which is great for when my skin is looking a little worse for wear. I love that this doesn't look cakey anywhere on my face, yet still covers all my imperfections well. I tend to wear this on the days where my skin really isn't looking great, because it really just gives me an overall radiant and healthy complexion (just like its name). I do have one small complaint however. This foundation claims to last for up to 16 hours. I mean, I haven't worn it for 16 hours (does anyone?), but I do find that this does wear off quite easily. My foundation does tend to wear off in my t-zone over time - which is why I always set that area with a powder. But on my chin, around my mouth and nose.. This just doesn't hold as well as other foundations. But, I still really the finish and the coverage despite that! It just means more touch ups. This retails for $32AU in Priceline stores, or online for us Aussies.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation

You guys are probably sick of seeing this on my blog, but I have to mention it. I have been singing the praises of this foundation since I brought it. This was the one that I couldn't find on ASOS and, as such, resorted to paying the full price in Priceline. And I do not regret it one bit. I'm guessing this is the reformulated version of the original Healthy Mix, but I'm not 100% sure on that. Speaking as a foundation junkie, this is seriously my most reached for foundation - ever. It exceeded all my expectations, and the only time I don't wear it is when I need a fuller coverage. It just has the most beautiful finish, is super lightweight and does not cake whatsoever. AND, it lasts all day! Unlike the original Healthy Mix, I definitely believe that this would last the full 16 hours it claims to. I would say it a has light to medium coverage, but it is buildable. It just looks like my skin, but better.  Another thing is it smells amaaaaazing. Like really refreshing and fruity! On a serious note, I cannot live without this foundation in my life and I recommend the heck out of it. I will be repurchasing the second I run out! This retails for $32AU in Priceline stores

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation

I expected to love this foundation. The primer that goes along with it is quite possibly my most favourite primer ever. But, I guess the love affair had to hit a speed bump at some point. I really don't like this foundation. When researching online, all reviews said to buy a shade lighter than you usually buy (for reference, in the above foundations I am 32 Light Beige), as the shades for this foundation run quite dark. That was my first mistake.. This foundation has pink undertones. Because of that, I cannot wear it as it doesn't match the rest of my body. Other than that, I find it to be really cakey on my face, especially between my eyebrows and nose. I have to say, this surprised me, because the formula is quite liquidy and feels lightweight. Also, I do not see the luminous finish that this promises. Just overall, I am disappointed. I would put it down to the mismatch of colour, and try it again, but the other parts of my experience show that it just doesn't deliver what it promises (in my opinion). This retails for $29AU in Priceline stores.

Swatches (l-r): Bourjois Healthy Mix Radiance Reveal Foundation, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation, Bourjois Happy Light Foundation

Swatches blended out

So, the love affair continues for at least two of these foundations. I'm also trying the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream at the moment, and am loving it so far! I really think that Bourjois is a fantastic brand, and although I didn't love the Happy Light foundation as much as I thought I would, that doesn't mean that it won't work for you. But, as my favourite, I have to recommend everyone and their dog picks up the Healthy Mix Serum - seriously, I really doubt you'll regret it.

Do you love these foundations as well? What other products have you loved from Bourjois? Is there anything I desperately need to add to my collection?

Until next time...

xxxx

too faced better than false lashes mascara VS model co fibre lash brush on lashes mascara

Hey guys!

 

Let me start of by telling you guys a little story. A long time ago, when I was in dance school, we would have these little concerts at the end of the year for the parents to see our progress. For this, our mothers would cake on our makeup so that we would look semi-better-than-normal for our five seconds on stage. And this one time, a girl put false lashes on, and had an allergic reaction to the glue. Which made her lashes fall out.

 

I have never worn false lashes because of this. What if I have the same reaction and all my lashes fall out? I can't deal with that kind of pressure! I love my eyelashes too much! So, as a result of being someone who avoids false lashes like the plague, I had to find an alternative. And I found it in fibre lash extension mascara.

 

I think there are so many high end and drugstore versions of fibre lashes mascara. Really, there is an option for every budget. I have tried ones mainly from the drugstore; think Maybelline and L'Oreal. While I like them, I don't really think that they are what a fibre extension mascara should be, not in my mind anyway. When I think of a fibre lash mascara, I envision a black mascara with a separate wand with the fibre lash extensions, and you combine the two to give you that false lash effect. After much searching for the one that would match my expectations, I was lucky enough to discover two mascaras that shared my vision.

 

Todays post will be a little comparison between these two: one is a high end option, and the other is a drugstore option. I have to say that I love that both drugstore and high end brands have these options - they really almost mirror each other in the final result and quality. But, I will review each one individually and then against each other so that you can see which one may better for you.

 

So without further ado, let me introduce the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Mascara and the Model Co Fibre Lash Brush on Lashes Mascara!

 

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes



 

This was one of the first things I brought when I went to the US. It had been on my wishlist for so long, despite it having mixed reviews on other blogs and Youtube. From what I read, you either absolutely loved it, or absolutely hated it. As it is so expensive here in Australia, retailing at $52.95AU, I wanted to wait until I got to the US where I brought it in Sephora for $35USD.

 

This is advertised as a "... three step lash extension system that includes an activating mascara base and top coat and Flexistretch nylon lash fibers." It basically comes in a cute little box that houses two mascara tubes: one that has the activating mascara and one that holds the fibres. You are meant to first coat your lashes with the black mascara, so that the fibres have something to cling to. Once you have completed that, you go in with the fibre mascara, coat your lashes with that and then go back in with the activating mascara. Although it advertises itself as a three step system, you can keep repeating the steps until you are happy with the result.

 The box that holds the two mascaras. On the inside of the cover, there are instructions on how to use it.

A close up of the mascara tubes and their wands

What it looks like on my lashes using the three step system

 

Model Co Fibre Lash Brush on Lashes Mascara

 

When I told myself that I would be waiting for my US trip to buy the Too Faced version, I went in search of a cheaper alternative. In my local Woolworths, I discovered that they had recently started stocking Model Co Cosmetics, and I found this little gem as I was looking at the display. It was on sale at the time for $17AU as an introductory price, so I immediately brought one and took it home to try.

 

I tried to look up reviews of this mascara, but as far as I could tell, it was virtually unknown. This may be because not many actual stores stock the Model Co Cosmetic line (Priceline don't even stock them), and it is hard to judge something you've never used. It has a very similar application to the Too Faced mascara, except it is dual ended, one side holding the mascara and the other holding the lashes. Again, you brush your lashes with the mascara first, and then the fibre lashes. To lock it in, you the coat them again with the mascara. Unlike the Too Faced option, it doesn't promise a false lash effect in three steps, and when I use it, I do repeat the steps until I am happy with my lashes.

 

This retails in Woolworths for $21.45AU, but I do find that they regularly go on sale. On the Model Co website, it is priced at $19.95AU, and their website does ship to most countries. I am not sure if this is actually available in any US stores though. It's also really good for on the go, as it fits in my make up bag without taking up too much space.

 Close up of the mascara brush and the fibre extensions brush

What my lashes look like only using three steps.

 

So... What do I think?

 

These mascaras are both fantastic in their own right. I love both and I use both on a regular basis. But I have to say, I am a smidge more loyal to the Model Co Mascara than the Too Faced. Let me tell you why.

 

The Too Faced mascara I find is little harder to work with than the Model Co. I think this is because it is quite a wet formula, and I tend to go for the mascaras that have a drier formula as it just works better on my lashes. Wet mascaras tend to clump them, make it difficult for me to separate them and then make them more voluminous. They also make a bit of a mess around my eye area. I just find that the Model Co makes my lashes look great, really voluminous, but also makes them look natural while still giving me the appearance of fuller lashes. But if you are someone who prefers the wet formulas over the dry, the Too Faced is a great option for you.

 

The other reason I prefer Model Co, is that the fibre lashes in the Too Faced tube tend to fly around and get in my eye really easily. Which isn't fun. It hurts and itches, and it is really hard to get those little suckers out! The Model Co seems to dispense less fibres per application than the Too Faced, which fixes the issue, and also makes it more easier to build. Also, lets be real, its $30AU cheaper, which is always great in my opinion.

 

But, I digress. Both mascaras are great, they both work wonders and live up to their expectations. It is really up to you which one you would prefer to spend the money on.

 

Do you own either of these mascaras? What's your view on them?

 

Until next time...

 

xxxx

battle of the bb creams

Hi lovelies!

 

I have yet another confession to make: I am a total face junkie. Out of all the beauty products in the world, my favourite would have to be foundations. This is mainly because I have naturally very rosy cheeks, and its something I am super self-conscious about. No one wants to look like they have been sitting in the sun for too long and roasting to the point of no return, or Rudolphs long lost sister. Therefore, when I discovered foundation it was a real lightbulb moment, because I could hide them from the world and keep them my secret.

 

Once I had discovered the wonder of foundation, and what it could do for my face, I noticed that dry patches began to appear on my skin. Just to point out, I have normal skin, and it is really rare for me to get any dry skin or oil. Because I am loyal to about 5 different foundations at any one time, I couldn't pinpoint if it was one of them that was having this affect on my skin. It could have been the moisturiser I was using as well, but I'm really not sure. It was then that I discovered BB creams.

 

Traditionally, a BB cream (which stands for blemish balm) is an 'all in one' product, priming your skin, being able to cover your imperfections, while moisturising and providing SPF. I was drawn in with the moisturising option, as well as it covering my skin. But the fact that they are have other added benefits was definitely not a bad thing. During my trial of BB creams, I have noticed a big difference between those that are glorified 'tinted moisturisers', and those that are all they claim to be and more.

 

For this post, I am going to be giving you a mini review of each of the BB creams pictured below. I actually do own more, but I haven't used all of them to the extent that I believe I can fairly review them. The ones that I am reviewing are BB creams that I have used on regular basis at one time (or still use today), and can definitely give you an idea of which are actual BB creams and which are those you can steer clear of.

 

I should mention, that even though some of these BB creams did not receive rave reviews, it is not a review of the brand. I do love all of the brands, but the experience I have had with the product may be different.

 

Pictured above:

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector: Sensitive Skin

Rimmel London BB Cream 9-IN-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup

Chi Chi Super BB Cream

L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

Lioele Dollish BB Veil Vita BB Cream (Natural Green)

Skin 79 Super+ BB Cream (Pink)

 

 

 Swatches of the above BB creams in same order they are pictured :)

I also have self-tanner on my skin at the moment, and am not at my palest.

 

1. Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector: Sensitive Skin



I wanted to like this.. I really did. This is talked up SO MUCH within the blogsphere, and after reading and watching so many favourable reviews on this product, I went straight out and brought this as my first ever BB cream. There is an option for oily skin, normal skin and sensitive skin. I do have normal skin, but there was none available to buy, so in my haste I decided to pick up the sensitive skin option in the light shade. First of all, there is nothing light about this. I am naturally super pale, and lighter than the lightest options in most foundations. This goes on a little dark, but then oxidises to make me look like an oompa loompa. The second thing is that it balls up! I applied it to my face, and it started shredding off. I tried applying it with my fingers, a brush, sponge, you name it, the result was the same. I honestly didn't feel that this really moisturised my skin any more than a subpar moisturiser. This was a huge let down, especially given that it has such favourable reviews, and I'm going to go ahead and put this in the 'tinted moisturiser', and the 'not worth your money' categories. This retails for $13.99AU.

 

2. Rimmel London BB Cream 9-IN-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup





A really long name for a tinted moisturiser.. This was the second BB cream I tried, and ugh. This review would pretty much be the same as the Garnier BB Cream, so I'll keep it short and sweet. Again, I brought this in the 'Light' option, and excuse my language, but light my ass. It is super dark, and then oxidises. But this doesn't ball up on my face, and it actually is quite moisturising.. And that's it. Seeing as it claims to 'prime, moisturise, minimise pores, conceal, cover, smooth, mattify, brighten and help protect', it really only matches two of its claims. To me, this is definitely a tinted moisturiser under a super fancy and long winded name. Retails for $12.95AU.

 

3. Chi Chi Super BB Cream


Let me begin by saying that I adore this BB cream. It is honestly the best 'westernised' BB cream I have ever tried, and the only one that I truly believe is worth the money. Available in 3 shades, I picked up the Medium shade, which is a little light with yellow undertones. It contains caviar extract and collguard, and claims to be anti aging and ultra moisturising with SPF 30. This cream goes on like a dream (ha, rhymes), and is seriously as moisturising as they claim it to be. The colour match isn't exactly dead on, but that's ok with me because I can warm up my face with bronzer. It gives me sheer coverage, but covers where I want it to, and leaves me healthy, radiant looking skin. I would recommend this above all the other BB creams you can find in the drugstore. Retailing for $22.95AU it is a bit more expensive than the others. But I would rather save up my money and spend a little extra than buy others and be completely disappointed. The only other downside is that is only available in Australia, but I'm sure other countries would be able to find it somewhere. Chi Chi products are available at Target and Myer in Australia (with regular sales, might I add), or online at www.chichicosmetics.com.au .



 

4. L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

 

This BB cream claims to prime, correct, hydrate and perfect. It also goes on white with little particles, but once you rub it in it does adapt to your skin. I have this in the fair shade, and again, it isn't fair. However, it doesn't oxidise too bad, but once it does it is still a little orange and dark when I am at my whitest. This isn't a bad BB cream.. But then again, I don't believe it to be a true BB cream. It doesn't moisturise, it doesn't have SPF and it doesn't really cover much either.  But that also means it  also doesn't fit into the tinted moisturiser category. However, I do like using this as a base for my foundation when I am self-tanned, as it does provide just a little coverage and is nice as a primer. This retails for $26.95AU, which I don't believe it is worth, but if you are willing to give it a try, I would recommend going through eBay. I brought this through the seller special_spice, for about $14AU (I think).

 

5. Lioele Dollish Veil Vita BB Cream (Natural Green)

 

After growing tired of not being able to find a BB cream, or one that fit its description, in the drugstore, I started researching more into them. I found that the best BB creams supposedly come out of Korea, and Lioele BB Creams were highly favoured and reviewed. After looking at my options, I went with this because it has two options: one for colour correcting (green) and one for dull-looking skin (purple). The green one got me, because of my cheeks and I wanted to see if this would have an affect. This BB cream is similar to L'Oreal one, as it goes on white with a green tinge and then oxidises to match your skin. This matches my skin well, is pale enough for me to wear when I am white, and covers my redness. The only downside to this is I don't think its very moisturising.. But again, it makes a great base if I was to wear this underneath my foundation. I believe this is only available online if you are outside Korea, and retails for $21.98US on prettyandcute.com . However, I did again go through eBay and brought this from the seller cosmeticmarket2012 for about $15AU. If you are going to go through eBay, be careful and only buy from reputable sellers that have good feedback. Lioele is a brand that is faked quite often, and a lot of those fakes are sold on eBay. If you want to be sure that you are getting the real deal, buy from a site like prettyandcute.

 

6. Skin79 Super+ BB Cream

 

My favourite of all BB creams I have tried. Again, this is another Korean BB cream, and is another brand that is reviewed often, and quite favourably. This is supposedly for oily skin, but to be honest I do own the counterpart that is for dry skin (Skin79 Super+ Gold BB Cream), and I prefer this. This is a very pale bb cream that is quite ashy when first applied, but this does go away once it is set. I apply it with my fingers and then pat around my skin with my hands to help it set (this is recommended on the back of the bottle). It moisturises my skin really well, and covers really well as well, as it has whitening properties. I wear this every day underneath my foundation, and when it runs out I will be repurchasing straight away. Again, I brought this on eBay through the seller cosmeticmarket2012 for $13.22AU, but if you are going to go through eBay, I warn you to be careful as this is a another product that is faked often. There are blog posts available to compare yours to a fake Skin79 BB cream, so I would recommend reading them and checking your bottle once it is received. This retails for $30 on prettyandcute.com .

 

I hope this post was helpful! It is quite long, but I really wanted to point out the differences in the western BB creams when compared to those of the Korean BB creams which are definitely more traditional. Apart from the Chi Chi BB cream, I can't really recommend any of the drugstore BB creams, unless you are in the market for a tinted moisturiser.

 

But, just because they didn't work for me does not mean they won't work for you!

 

What BB creams do you guys love? Let me know in the comments below :)

 

*all products were purchased by me, and all opinions and photos are my own*