Product Review : Garnier BB Cream

Ok, so I had never heard of BB Cream until… last Thursday. (I think it was Thursday, maybe it was Wednesday). Anyway , I hadn’t heard of the stuff. I was wandering around Wal Mart with my very own co-blagger Andrea and stumbled upon the Marcelle brand version of the product. The girl at the counter behind me (who I think I took some English classes with) mentioned that the Garnier version was “On ROLLBACK”, she seemed very excited about this, so I went over and had a look.

Needless to say I got sucked into another beauty product. But this time… I am not disappointed.

Lets back it up a sec, BB Cream is, as per Wikipedia, *ahem*…

“BB creams come in a variety of different formulations and qualities mainly perceived as being anti-inflammatory, regenerative and having a soothing effect. Some are said to have skin whitening or brightening properties. Others are said to be anti-acne or anti-wrinkle, some are intended to even out skin tone, and yet others to lighten blemish scars. BB creams are sometimes used like a primer under foundation, and if tinted may supposedly replace foundation and some newer ones are advertised as having functions of primer, foundation, moisturizer, sun block, pore minimization and skin refining together, making them an economic skin care solution.” (Source)

So basically it’s magic in a tube. Well yes, yes it is.

This little buddy right here will change your life.

Since I was a little bitty teenager I have been obsessed with having clear skin. I never had major acne on my face or any real serious discolouration but I still wore super opaque foundation to try and get a perfect canvas. I had read in every magazine article that in your teens and 20’s it’s the perfect time to go without heavy make up and wear a tinted moisturizer to let your natural beauty shine through. This, I thought, to be a load of horse. So I never tried it. Not seriously anyway.

Until BB Cream.

I wore this to work today. Put it on at 7am, over my Cetaphil moisturizer, set with some powder, a little cream blush and some bronzer and off I went. I got so. many. compliments. Right up until I washed it off just now at almost 9. I didn’t expect that much staying power with minimal touching up.

This stuff makes you glow. It’s a somewhat sheer coverage but not so sheer that you look at yourself and “ok, seriously, why did I even bother??”. I found it fairly buildable on my cheeks where I do get some redness, but overall very sheer and light. It was very moisturizing but not in a way that I found oily. Having somewhat combination skin this is important. I don’t want to look like there was a BP incident on my forehead by my mid morning coffee/gossip break. The finish is light and dewy and with a little powder gives you just the right amount of youthful shimmer that you should have. My powder, blush and bronzer all set beautifully on top of the product and I didn’t feel the need to touch anything up until I got home from work and noticed a little too much shine and a little redness around my nose which isn’t uncommon for me.

I would definitely look for something more serious for a night out or an event but for my daily routine I think BB Cream is it. My new love. Until I find something else to obsess over…

Kate

Can’t Live Without: Andrea

These are the products/articles/shoes/accessories that we can’t live without along with some of our favorite things.

Favorite Trend: I’m loving the abundance of coral and lace popping up recently. It seems everywhere I go there is something coral. Or something lace. I squeal a little bit. I’ve always, always, ALWAYS loved lace. I think it’s so timeless and classy. I’ve never, ever been a fan of pink (especially wearing it) but coral is a different story. It’s not too far from pink, but it’s far enough that I absolutely love it. (and one of the few reddish-orange-pinkish tones I can actually pull off.) LOVE.

Least Favorite Trend: Hair feathers. Sure, they look great on some people. But for the most part, you look like Pocahontas or a Flamingo (I’ve seen hot pink ones) I love feathers, but not tied into your hair.

Favorite Article of Clothing: I’m not sure if this counts, but I’m going to make it: my glasses. I have two pair, and I absolutely love them. I think they show off my personality really way, in that they’re funky but classy at the same time. And if you argue that glasses don’t count, I have a camel leather bomber jacket that I looked for forever and finally found and love to death… if you’re getting ‘technical’ as to what an article of clothing is.

Favorite Beauty Product: I’d have to go with mascara in general. I’ve tried many different brands, and have a few favorites, of course, but it is something I feel naked without. People always comment on my eyes, so I feel the need to show them off a bit more with a giant set of lashes. Not kidding ladies, sometimes they reach the brows. Love ’em. Right now, I use Lash Blast my CoverGirl. I find if put on in coats, it doesn’t flake and I get use lashes.  

Item You Can’t Live Without: My MacBook. I have a 15” Pro, and at this point in my life it’s my baby. I’ve been an Apple ‘Fan Girl’ for a while now, and being a graphic designer, having a good computer is essential. I love it. Too much.

Favorite Place to Shop: I don’t really have a ‘favorite’. I try to just scout out what I love and what’s a good bargain (I am so good at finding deals) My first choices are usually Forever21, Old Navy, and recently Asos. I do most of my shopping online, for convenience purposes.

Go To Accessory: It really depends on my outfit/weather. Sometimes it’s a big scarf, or an oversized purse, or big clunky earrings. I also have an owl necklace that I really love and it matches with a lot of my clothes. (I love owl accessories)

Favorite Shoes: I love the classiness of a plain, matte, black, pointed-toe flat. I had a pair that I absolutely loved, and wore them until they fell apart. Now, if I could only find another pair…

Inspiration: People, really. Anything I see people wearing (on the internet, on the street, anywhere really) and I like, I try to think of ways I could incorporate it into my style. My style is also heavily influenced by my grandmother, who is a very classy lady that loves her sparkles and her big, vintage, chunky jewelery. 

Can’t Live Without: Kate

These are the products/articles/shoes/accessories that we can’t live without along with some of our favorite things.
Favorite Trend: NAUTICAL – I am obsessed. Ask any one of my friends or anyone in my office. I wear something nautical in some way shape or form every day. The day this trend becomes passé is the day I think I stop caring if I’m even remotely fashion forward or not. NAUTICAL FOR LIFE.

Least Favorite Trend: Oxford shoes. I just don’t get it. They look uncomfortable and I have no idea how to pair them with anything in my wardrobe. I think I’ll pass.

Favorite Article of Clothing: Hand-Me-Down black blazer. It was a pass on from an older cousin when I was like 17, it sat in my closet until last year and now I wear it a few times a week. Rolled up the cuffs to update it a touch and it goes with everything

Favorite Beauty Product: I’m going to have to classify this as “of the moment”, because I honestly can’t commit to one fav beauty product of life… I just can’t. Right now I’m totally loving “Lustre Drops” from MAC. They’re these pinky golden little drops of beauty; Gorgeous highlighter product and great to brighten up your skin. I’m loving a little bit mixed in with primer or moisturizer under my foundation to look a little more alive.

Item You Can’t Live Without: iPhone. iPhone iPhone iPhone. It’s like an organ outside my body. Yes, I am that girl.

Favorite Place to Shop: I’m a little addicted to the Gap. I do Winners a lot too… Or boutiques downtown. Again, I’m too indecisive to pick just one place. Depends on what I’m looking for, I have a store in mind for most items in particular.

Go To Accessory Michael Kors’ Oversized Runway Watch in golden. Got this for Christmas just passed and honestly haven’t gone a day without since. It’s just trendy enough and just classic enough for my style. I wear it with two bangles my cousin got for me when he was living in South Africa for a daily look, or add some other bangles or bracelets.

Favorite Shoes: I’m a HUGE fan of Sperry Top Siders. (See: Nautical obsession). I have one pair of patent red Franco Sarto heels with a cork look heel that I wear obsessively too.

Inspiration: Typically the weather. I know, I know, how boring. But I usually match what I wear to how I want to coordinate with the weather (warm snuggly sweater and leggings and boots on a cold, wintery day) or clash with the weather (super bright floral scarf on a rainy, dreary day)