Astalift BB Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Here's another overdue review: I had this mini 5g tube of Astalift BB Cream SPF50+ PA++++ in Natural Beige since the fall of 2018 when I bought the Flarosso Intenso Eyeshadows.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Elisha Coy Premium Gold Mineral BB SPF45 PA+++

I've had this 15mL tube of Elisha Coy Premium Gold Mineral BB SPF45 PA+++ for a few months now and and am liking it very much! It's another Korean brand known with several different bb creams I may have to start exploring ^.^

Elisha Coy Premium Gold Mineral BB and Skin79 The Oriental Line Cover BB Cream Plus 10g, will review next. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

HanSkin Super Snail B.B. Cream SPF30 PA++

Here's another HanSkin hit that's thankfully still available, the Super Snail B.B. Cream SPF30 PA++. I like that these bb creams come in various sizes, some in 5mL, others 10mL, 15mL, with full sizes range from 30-50mL. The full size for this Super Snail cc cream comes in 30mL in a pump bottle, I think. But I'm pretty happy with this 10mL for now.

HanSkin Blemish Cover Natural and this Super Snail B.B. Cream. All pictures taken in natural light without flash. 

HanSkin Smooth Reflex Moisture BB SPF27 PA++

Last of the recent HanSkin bb cream batch is this 15mL tube of Smooth Reflex Moisture BB SPF27 PA++. Like the Gold Pearl B.B., this tube came sealed and was made in Japan.

From left to right: Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++, UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++, Gold Pearl B.B., and this Smooth Reflex Moisture B.B. SPF27 PA++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

HanSkin Gold Pearl B.B.

Well, playing with bb creams I figured sooner or later I would stumble upon the goods and the bads. Actually, it's not that black and white and there's a spectrum of goods and bads. And by bad I mean they don't work for me, either the color being too dark or the formula too drying for my already dry skin.

For example, there are spectacular hits like Dr.Jart+ Renewalist (I bought a loose powder version of this too, will review later), HanSkin Super Light Touch, Mineral Magic, and UV Screen, and Dr.G Gowoonsesang Total Active (I even bought backups!). Then there are good ones like Dr.Jart+ Black Label Detox, and Dr.G Gowoonsesang Perfect Pore Cover and Primer BB Protector. And the ho-hum decent but not great like Skin79 Oriental Gold Plus, Lioele Beyond the Solution, Dr.G Gowoonsesang Actifirm Recovery, and Skin79 Snail Nutrition. Of course, there are misses too, like Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse, Lioele Water Drop, Dr.G Gowoonsesang Hydra Intensive, and Skin79 The Oriental Perfect Cover.

Which means there is one last category that I'm loathed to mention, the absolutely disastrous. Unfortunately, this 15mL tube of HanSkin Gold Pearl B.B. fits squarely in that category. In short, it's a disaster :(

From left to right: Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++, UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++, this Gold Pearl B.B., and Smooth Reflex Moisture B.B. SPF27 PA++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

HanSkin UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++

Here's another good bb cream that got chopped from the Hanskin lineup, the UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++. This is among the various 10mL tubes I bought to try, and I like it enough to lament this part of the Hanskin downsizing.

From left to right: Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++, this UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++, Gold Pearl B.B., and Smooth Reflex Moisture B.B. SPF27 PA++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

HanSkin Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++

Since trying Hanskin Super Light Touch BB SPF30 PA++, I was so impressed I bought several other 10mL tubes of Hanskin bb creams to try. This Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++ is among those, although unfortunately it looks like this bb cream has been discontinued. Hanskin is downsizing their bb creams lineup, which is a good thing because, well, have you seen their lineup? It's ginormous!!! At the same time, some great stuff is getting axed, and that includes this one :(

From left to right: this Mineral Magic Moisture B.B. SPF30 PA++, UV Screen B.B. SPF50+ PA+++, Gold Pearl B.B., and Smooth Reflex Moisture B.B. SPF27 PA++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Skin79 The Oriental Perfect Cover BB Cream

Been looking forward to this 10g tube of Skin79 The Oriental Perfect Cover BB Cream, as I've read it's one of the more popular ones in Korea!

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Skin79 Snail Nutrition BB Cream

So, having tried - and liked - Nature's Republic Snail Therapy skincare, I spotted this Skin79 Snail Nutrition BB Cream and was super curious. The 15g pump bottle I purchased came with a 5g tube as GWP, although it's unlikely that I'll ever finish that 15g to begin with!

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Dr.G Gowoonsesang BB Gift Kit

So, uhh, I realized I changed my blog's title again. That's because I've moved home yet again (I think I mentioned I was moving once or twice, but I don't remember :X). Seems to happen quite often, doesn't it? And just when I thought this would be our last move, hubby's boss asked if we would be willing to move to Tokyo again in a couple of years, so hubby can head up the company's new branch office there. Sigh. I love Japan and I would go in a heartbeat, but the thought of it right now is just... depressing, especially when we've finally begun to settle down a couple of months after moving for the umpteenth time. May be it's best I don't think about it, at least not now. There's no point in worrying about something that may not even happen.

Anyway, enough whining. I do realize too that my posting has been really spotty this whole year. Lots of change have happened, the most important of which is a realization of what I truly want to do with my life. I won't bore you with the details, and I won't make excuses for the lackluster posts as of late either. I thought about quitting this blog, because what got me into cosmetics in the first place - Japanese makeup - has been really slumping in the past few years, which saddens me greatly. I guess that has more to do with the state of the Japanese economy than anything. Still, it takes too much effort and time to take pictures and write about products, and for a hobby that's quite costly, not just in terms of energy and time, but also financially - I purchased everything I've reviewed on this blog (the freebies are GWPs), I've never allowed ads on my blogs, and I don't do promotional reviews for PRs either. Then again, it's not as if my curiosity and fascination for cosmetics are going away anytime soon LOL!

Alrighty, time to pick up where I left off with the bb cream bandwagon. I bought this mini set of Dr.G Gowoonsesang BB Gift Kit earlier in the summer via Sasa dot com, a Hong Kong-base retailer that's very much like the Sephora of Asia. In fact, I just spotted yet another slightly different kit on Sasa, and it's on its way to me as I type ^.^

Dr.G Gowoonsesang BB Gift Kit includes 5g each of (from left to right) Hydra Intensive Blemish Balm SPF30 PA++, Perfect Pore Cover BB Cream SPF30 PA++, Total Active Dual BB Cream SPF50+ PA+++, Actifirm Recovery Super Blemish Base SPF30 PA++, and Primer BB Protector SPF38 PA+++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Lioele Miniature Special Set

After Dr.Jart+ The Original BB Set, I tried this Lioele Miniature Special Set, which includes 5mL each of Fresh Sunscreen SPF45 PA++, Blooming Shimmer Pearl Base Pink, Beyond the Solution BB Cream, and Water Drop BB SPF27 PA++. 

The good is that all the tubes in this set are sealed in manufacturer's shrink wrap, which is quite rare for a trial set. The not so good is that all the items are scented. The fragrance doesn't bother me, but I do wish they take it down a notch.

From left to right: Fresh Sunscreen SPF45 PA++, Blooming Shimmer Pearl Base Pink, Beyond the Solution BB Cream, and Water Drop BB SPF27 PA++. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

HanSkin Super Light Touch B.B. SPF30 PA++

I have confessed I bought this HanSkin Travel Set just for this 10mL tube of Super Light Touch B.B. SPF30 PA++. Plus having the travel sized items to sample, the Hyaluron Skin Lotion didn't work for me but the World Foam Cleanser was more than decent, and I'm looking forward to trying the Olive Essential Cleansing Oil and the Super Collagen Gel.

Dr.Jart+ The Original BB Set

In addition to wading into makeup brush territory and going nuts with eye liners, this year has also been year of the bb creams for me. No, I still very much dislike bb creams, and foundations, and face primers/bases, even concealers, because they're all so thick and heavy they feel like a freakin' Kabuki mask on my face. So I use bb creams as concealer instead, lightly dabbing them on around the nose and mouth areas, and under the eyes ^.^ So even though I claim to pay better attention to base makeup, in truth I actually only added one extra step of bb-cream-as-concealer to the current one-step "foundation" of translucent powder dusting. HA.

If you're like me and you hate anything other than a light dusting of translucent powder, you'll find that bb creams make excellent concealers! They're not completely opaque like most foundations or concealers, and they have an added skincare component, like a new and improved version of the tinted moisturizer. The plus is that they give a very natural looking finish, and of course the minus is that they don't cover up everything and give you that flawless finish. But hey, my makeup is never to look "made up" anyway. I have come across many women with airbrushed faces, and while I'm always in awe and impressed they could achieve that level of perfection, it also, 1-creeps the hell out of me, is that a walking mannequin I just came across?!?, 2-makes me think, why cover up such beautiful skin?

Dr.Jart+ The Original BB Set. All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Skin79 The Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream SPF30 PA++

Since bb creams became all the rage first in Japan and now here in the US of A, I've been buying a tube here and there as presents for my friends. ...And got loads of samples in the process, including two of these 5g tubes of Skin79 The Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream SPF30 PA++. Each actually comes with a cellphone strap, but I think that's kind of...weird. If I were to tote these around, I'd carry them in my makeup bag, not keep them dangling on my cell phone. I can understand if it were a mini gloss or lip balm, but a bb cream?

Anyway, I've been using this on my stay-at-home days. The sun protection in this product, no, all other skincare and cosmetic products that are not actual sunscreens, is useless and shouldn't even be a part of the consideration. Again, to get that labeled SPF and PA protection, I would have to goop a 1/4 teaspoon of the stuff onto my face. For skincare products like moisturizers, I might as well go fry an egg with the oil slick. For cosmetics like foundation or bb cream, forget it. I doubt they use that much for the stage or even HDTV. And don't think you'll get half the protection using half the amount required. It just doesn't work that way.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift and Super Moisture Sample Sets

While surfing around on Dr.Ci:Labo's official website, an ad for a Gold Lift Sample Set popped up onto my screen. In addition to the gel and the bb cream I already have from the Gold Lift Trial Set, this sample set had 2 other products in the Enrich-Lift range, all free with free shipping. Ooohh...interesting. So I followed the link and what do you know, there was not one but two different sample sets they were giving away, the second being the Super Moisture Sample Set with samples of 5 different products in the Super Moisture range. You bet I'd try them!!!

This ad popped up at me. The huge green button says, "Try it now, free of charge!" OKAY!!! They don't need to tell me twice :P


Since I was already registered with the website, all I had to do was click one button and that was that. I just checked the website again and these 2 free sample sets, and the Gold Lift Trial Set too, both with free shipping are still available, one each per household. So if you have a current Japanese address, quick, go get yours before they run out!!! ^.^

Gold Lift Sample Set


Super Moisture Sample Set

***Pictures from Dr.Ci:Labo JP.

Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift Set

Have you ever clicked on one of those pesky ads that appears on your emails, the blogs you read, the websites you surf, the online shop you browse, etc.? I never pay attention to any of them, until one caught my eyes, this free Dr.Ci:Labo Gold Lift Set with free shipping. 

My first reaction was that it was a scam. After all, they are giving away trial sized jar and tube of the new Aqua-Collagen-Gel Enrich-Lift-EX and BB Perfect Cream Enrich-Lift SPF35 PA++, in addition to a nice gold makeup pouch. They even listed the retail value of the set, 1,575yen (~US$20), and yet they're giving, and shipping, it to me for free? Why would they do that? I mean, sure, Fuji Film sold me the Astalift Moisture Trial Kit for only 500yen (~US$6) with free shipping, but at least I'm still paying something. Dr.Ci:Labo is going to just give this to me for nothing? 

B.B. Day

You know the BB Cream invasion has hit home when you see this Sephora Insider issue in your email! I'm not surprised, since the BB Creams are reaching their saturation point in the Japanese market. Where else would they go but jumping over the big pond?

Roll out your red carpets folks, the BB Creams are coming!

Skin79 BB Cream Miniature Set

So all of a sudden I got the urge to try bb creams again. After my first venture with Missha M BB Cream Watery SPF27 PA++, I was, well, indifferent at best. I guess for those who wear some form of foundation regularly, bb creams are really a multi-purpose, one size fits all, *#*-in-1 step that really cuts out several layers of products (moisturizer, whatever else, sunscreen, foundation, etc.). But I don't even wear foundation to begin with, and though the moisturizing factor is nice, when I need a moisturizer the last thing I think about is bb cream. As for sunscreen, I already explained why skincare/makeup products with sunscreens are completely useless, so I have no interest whatsoever in the "sun protection" in bb creams. I guess I don't really have an explanation for why I want to try bb creams again after all ^.^

Skin79 BB Cream Miniature Set Black

Missha M BB Cream Watery SPF 27 PA++

So I jumped on the BB Cream bandwagon. Wah. Wah. Wah.

BB Cream (stands for Blemish Balm or Beblesh Balm Cream) is all the rage in Asia nowadays, particularly in Korea and Japan. It started out as a German invention - a medicated cream with some coverage, healing and nourishing functions, meant for patients of cosmetic surgery to cover up and heal scars. Then Korean celebrities started using it out of convenience. After all, it is a multi-purpose all-in-one product that, depends on the brand and type of BB Cream, you'll get a base, primer, foundation, moisturizer, blemish care, anti-aging, and sunscreen!

See why BB Cream caught on like wild fire? It's supposed to eliminate all unnecessary steps in your daily priming routine, with the exception of the sunscreen, of course. Read my Sun Protection! post for more information, but to put it simply - you'll probably won't want to put a whole 1/4 teaspoon of BB Cream on your face just to get the ho-hum protection. For sun protection, it's best to stick with a separate and waterproof, budgeproof sunscreen!

The majority of BB Creams are Korean-made and the vast majority of Korean brands, big or small, carries a BB Cream of some sort. Many has a whole selection of them, each with its specific functions! And while BB Creams sound super duper and all, for me to take the bate is just completely silly since I don't use foundations, base, primer, or even tinted moisturizers to begin with! Doesn't that show just how curious I am with all the hype surrounding this product? I don't even use the stuff and they still got me to buy it somehow!

Anyway, I started out with Missha Korea (see their Missha USA site) because their 2 newest BB Creams caught my eyes: Missha M Watery BB Cream and Missha M Shiny BB Cream, both with SPF 27 PA++. The "Watery" BB Cream is supposed to provide a moisturizing but matte finish and comes in a darker shade, while the "Shiny" BB Cream has a pearly finish meant for a dewy glow and comes in a much lighter shade.

Missha M Watery BB Cream SPF 27 PA++

The box is a bit beat up, thanks to the courier treatment...

And here is possibly the biggest problem with BB Creams - they come in VERY limited shades. In fact, most comes in only 1 shades, although some brands do make a "bright" and a "natural" one. I think the rationale is that it's NOT supposed to be a full-blown foundation and is supposed to blend in with your natural skin tone with a sheer-medium coverage. However, coverage does indeed differ from brand to brand, and some BB Creams do provide more coverage than others. Either way, do some research before you buy one to make sure it will match your skin tone. I didn't, and I had to learn the hard way with Missha M Watery BB Cream.





Yes, unfortunately, Missha M Watery BB Cream is too dark for me - it's 1-2 shades darker than my facial skin tone! You can see how significantly darker it is in comparison to the SkinFood Aloe Sun BB Cream SPF 20 PA+ in #21-Bright (will review soon) on the back of my hand, and the back of my hand is already darker than my face...

SkinFood Aloe Sun (left) versus Missha M Watery BB Cream (right)


But with that said, all is not lost with Missha M Watery BB Cream and I have a trick or two up my sleeve to wear it still :D
1. I wear it only at night haha! :P During the day it would be too obvious and I've got no guts at all to go for the "ganguro" look.
2. I use very little of it on my forehead (upper part only, near the hair line), temples, nose ridge, cheekbones, and chin, faking a weak tan. For those who are fond of bronzing powders, I'd recommend trying this BB Cream along with an effective highlighter. Their combination will give you a beautiful glowing "tan"!
3. I use a shimmery finishing powder, such as DHC Q10 Face Powder in Transparent 01, as a brightening effect on my forehead (middle to lower part), around the eye area, and on the ball of my cheeks to soften the "tan lines."
4. I use an effective night highlighter as my last step, most often my secret weapon that is Victoria's Secret Mosaic Highlighter for a contouring effect, resulting in the "glow."

Overall, I actually don't dislike Missha M Watery BB Cream even though it's tricky to wear, being darker than my skintone. In fact, it got me curious about the Missha M Shiny BB Cream now too! Texture wise, it is easy to blend, dries to a very matte finish and actually stays matte all night! It contains a slight but not unpleasant fragrance.

And holycrap - is this really supposed to be sheer-medium coverage? Because it gave me air-brushed skin and I couldn't see my pores until I was less than 1 inch from the mirror! Woh! That took me sometimes to get used to, because I don't ever wear foundation to begin with (only transparent powders on the t-zones), so looking like I have perfect skin is just too much for me to come to term with. I kept staring at my face all night! haha :D

Another complaint, other than the darker shade, is that Missha M Watery BB Cream can be drying, yes, even though it is "watery" and is supposed to "contain a generous amount of moisture," according to the box. I wore my beloved Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which moisturizes my skin perfectly otherwise, underneath it and it still dried my face out by the end of the night! I know, where did all the water go, right? :D If you have normal skin though, I would suggest using moisturizer only where you need it most, and if you have oily skin, I would suggest you skipping moisturizer altogether and see how the BB Cream performs then.