Kanebo Freshel Mineral BB Cream UV

IOPE was my first foray into Asian BB creams (see previous review here), and since then I have definitely been more on the lookout. Without any request from me though, one of my best friends brought this back for me from her trip to Taiwan (isn't it awesome when friends do that...).  I was super excited to try another BB cream from Asia, this time from Japan.

I had actually never heard of Kanebo before, and a quick google search showed Kanebo has 4 different BB creams. This one is supposed to be the higher UV coverage and matte finish. Refer to Kanebo website for the others.

My friend bought me "MB", which is the darker shade. The lighter is called "NB", and Kanebo's BB creams come in these two shades.

 

As you can see, this is quite a thicker/stiffer cream compared to more liquid-ey ones on the North American market. The shade suits my face quite well, and doesn't make me look grey or pale. I do find it a bit too yellow, but it's not noticeable once I put bronzer/blusher on. From other reviews it seems the NB is a lighter and less yellow shade, so if you're paler than I am or more neutral/pink undertoned I would go for that shade instead. 

Coverage is sheer and buildable to medium with a second layer, but definitely evens out the skintone nicely on the first go.

In terms of blending, this has to be the best amongst all BB creams I've tried. I really see NOTHING on my face other than great skin. Most other BB creams will blend better and look more skin-like than foundations, but I always see "something" on my face. With this, it really makes me look twice and recall that I actually did put something on. Yes it is that amazing...

Have you tried this brand or any other Japanese BB products before? And I thought my BB/alphabet thing was over...still hanging on!

I have no idea where you can buy this in Canada in store, but you can definitely get it on eBay or have a wonderful friend lug it back from Asia for you :) 

IOPE Air Cushion XP SPF50+ N21 Ice Vanilla

I first heard of this brand from Shopping Obsession Blog. I don't think I have actually bought a "real" Korean product before (ie. one that's not been specifically made for the North American market, so I'm not counting Dr. Jart+) and after this, I am impressed!

Mix of chemical and physical sunscreens

This was a bit of a random find, as I was browsing around Pacific Mall with my mom and passed by Amore, which is a Korean store that sells products by AmorePacific (though mainly I saw a lot of IOPE and Sulwhasoo).  The IOPE cushion was on their main display, and I remembered it being reviewed positively by Shopping Obsession Blog (see her review here), so on that memory and the help of the lovely saleslady I my first dip into Korean beauty! $45 CDN dip....

Refill cushion comes in the package, awesome!

There are actually 2 "lines" of this BB/CC cream-type product. One is "N", which is more natural sheer coverage and comes in 3 shades. The other is "C" which is more moderate coverage and was much more dewy-almost-shimmery when I swatched it in store. "C' comes in 2 shades. I chose "N" since I didn't want that much dewiness and didn't think I needed that high coverage. "C" also looked like it could cake up if I put too much on.

The packaging is like any plastic compact with a push-button-open mechanism, however it's super pretty as the white is infused with microglitter. It also feels nice and luxe when being held (yup I'm superficial like that...). 

Nice big mirror that's great for touch-ups on the go

It comes with a soft sponge for application, which the saleslady recommended to apply in dabbing/stippling motions rather than wiping. This takes longer but gives a nice smooth non-streaky finish. 

Product is sealed until you're ready to dive in...

Ooh plushy cushion...

 To get the product on the sponge, I just lightly dab it into the cushion part (the cushion is soaked in the product). Then I stipple it onto my face, starting in the centre areas where most of my redness/blotchiness resides.

Cushion product on the application sponge

The product is actually quite buildable and I can get medium coverage out of it before it starts to look cakey. It also blends beautiful with the stippling and really doesn't look like makeup on. Surprisingly, the finish on my face is demi-matte, similar to that of MUFE HD. Just enough subtle glow for a healthy look, but matte enough to not require powder!

Swatch with a couple of dabs of the sponge. Subtle but beautiful on the face!

 Without powder, this lasts well throughout the workday, but does start to look a bit blotchy by the very end of the night. If you have somewhere fancy to go after school/work I suggest bringing along the compact for touching up, or set it with powder before you head out.

Overall, I love love love this product! I think I am more keen on trying Korean products now... (thank you Shopping Obsession Blog ^_^). I also highly recommend the Amore store in Pac Mall, the ladies are really nice there and not snobby like some other sales people can be in Pac Mall...  They also gave me this IOPE skincare deluxe sample set below along with a few foil samples of Sulwhasoo skincare (not shown). All added to a great shopping experience as who doesn't like some GWP, especially when it came unexpected!

What are your favorite Korean products? Let me know also where you get them so I can go try!

Julep DD Creme Review

I'm a fan of BB creams, so when Julep announced their "DD" cream (really just another BB ceam, or tinted moisturizer with some skincare benefits) in their June Maven box, I was really looking forward to trying it.  Unfortunately, all my excitement just got me all the more disappointed when I actually received the product, and the disappointment began when I took the tube out of the box... Click the jump to read why...

Dr. Jart+ BB Creams Part II: Renewalist vs. Premium

Now that the warm sunshine is out, I've started to pull out higher SPF products, and thus it's time for part 2 of my Dr. Jart+ BB cream review!  I reviewed and compared the Water Fuse and Black Label Detox BB cream in an older post.  I've really been loving the Renewalist and Premium BB creams, so click the jump to find out why!

Dr. Jart BB Creams: Water Fuse vs. Black Label Detox

I recently purchased Dr. Jart's BB cream set from Sephora ($34). It comes with 4 deluxe-sample sized versions of their original 4 BB creams. I highly recommend this as it will allow you to try each out before you splurge on the full size tube!  Click the jump below to read more of my thoughts on the two I tried so far: Water Fuse and Black Label Detox.

Update: My review of the Renewalist and Premium BB cream is now up!

BB Cream: Dior vs Smashbox

You've probably heard of BB creams by now and with tons of way more informative articles out there I won't bother with an overly long explanation of what these are or what they do. In very brief, currently they're used as an alternative to traditional foundations and provide coverage somewhat skin to tinted moisturizers along with great skincare benefits.  The first BB products came out of Korea, but are now been made by many brands available in North America. In general, they are meant to moisturize/prime/protect/treat your skin while also providing light coverage, so that you can use it DAILY and not be causing damage to your skin (and without really looking like you have makeup on!). Of course, the light coverage won't be enough for special events if you aren't blessed with awesome skin at baseline, but it's good enough for day-to-day work/school.  Some are fancier and also contain anti-wrinkle ingredients or are anti-acne, but most contain SPF so that it also protects you from damaging effects of the sun.  The primer in some also make them a good base for putting foundation over top if you so desire, but it seems that most people use either or.