Friday, March 30, 2012

Review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream




I want to start off this post by saying how badly I wanted to like this product. Smashbox markets their BB Cream as "a 5-in-1 complexion miracle-worker proven to moisturize, prime, perfect, protect and control oil in a single step."  In theory, this BB cream sounded like everything I was looking for: something that evened out my skin tone but didn't look "made up". And in reality, this product did make my skin look better, but at the expense of making it feel a whole lot worse.


When I initially tried out Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream, I was surprised by how thick and dry the consistency of the product was. Having never tried a BB cream before, I was expecting something more moisturizing & liquid, more like a tinted moisturizer. I wanted to give it a chance though, and as long as I blended it in over some moisturizer, I had little to no problems with streaking or working it into my skin.  The first day I wore this BB cream, I was in love! It really did seem to do everything Smashbox claimed: my skin looked more even yet still natural, and it seemed to control the oil in my T-zone nicely. Also, there was no flash-back in photos that can sometime come about from wearing foundations with SPF.

The first two days I was so happy in thinking I had finally found my HG face product. But then something strange started to happen. I have combination skin and while my t-zone can get quite oily throughout the day, my cheeks & forehead are usually very comfortable.  I rarely have much of a problem with dryness. The second night after I had been using this BB cream, I noticed the skin around my temples & forehead was feeling extra dry, tight, & uncomfortable (strange for me). I thought it might just be the weather drying out my skin & so I added an extra layer of Origins A Perfect World moisturizer over my normal Yon Ka moisturizer before I went to bed. The next morning I applied this BB Cream over my facial moisturizer as normal, but by the afternoon my forehead was so dry and itchy I actually had to put more lotion on OVER my makeup, which I never have to do.

To make a long story short, this product dried my skin out like nothing ever has before. My normally combo skin was flaking, tight and irritated after only 3 days of use. My best guess as to the culprit is that one of the main ingredients listed on the packaging is actually a form of alcohol. After what I experienced, I would say if you have normal to dry skin, steer clear!! This product may work wonders for someone with very oily skin though, as it did control the oil breakthrough in my t-zone nicely. 

As for now, I am still on the hunt for my perfect Springtime face product. I took advantage of Sephora's VIB 15% off sale and ordered the Too Faced Beauty Balm & will see how my skin gets on with that when it arrives in the mail. 

Thank you for reading & I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Lots of Love,

Louise



P.S. I want to apologize if my posts have been a bit more sporadic this week. I'm sorry if this is TMI, but I had to undergo surgery on Tuesday to correct a fracture in my right foot. A few months ago I slipped while grocery shopping (cool, I know) and unfortunately the break never healed. But I'm happy to say that it looks like I am on the mend & rocking my purple cast, if I do say so myself ;)





9 comments:

  1. I got a little sample from ULTA...and thank goodness...I did not like it at all. I suppose after trying and loving the Too Faced BB, this one was totally different and not in a good way. It did not dry my skin out, but I found it was too thick and did not blend easily into my skin. Glad to know, I wasn't the only one that didn't like this one. :|

    ♥♥♥
    - Ashley Elizabeth
    ( http://blog.alElizabeth.com )

    PS. Hope your foot has a speedy recovery!!

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  2. Thanks for the well wishes Ashley!

    Yes, I agree- I'm so surprised by all the rave reviews of this product! I'm really glad to hear you love the Too Faced BB Cream. I'm still waiting for my order to come in the mail, but I hope I like it as much as you do!

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  3. I hope your recovery goes by swift.

    And well now that I've seen your review I wont be purchasing the BB Cream especially because of the alcohol in it. That's a big no no in my face products.

    Thanks for the review and definitely let us know how you like the TooFaced one. I love TooFaced products!

    http://makeup-by-desiree.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Desiree! I will be sure to let you know once I try out the Too Faced BB Cream :)

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  4. Thanks hunn.. How do you like the erase paste? Does it crease or settle at all? I;m starting to unfortunately get some lines under my eyes :( WAHHH i want to cry lol im only 21.

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    1. Aww I'm sure you don't have any wrinkles!! You look beautiful in your pics lady!

      Yep, so far I'm loving Erase Paste- it does crease a tiny bit, but nothing more than any other concealer I've tried. I actually think it wears really naturally on the skin.

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  5. Oh no! I hope your foot heals very soon! Another drying BB cream..what's up with that? :( But I definitely suggest trying Estee Lauder's then. It should probably work for you!

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    1. Thank you for the well wishes Anna! Estee Lauder's BB Cream is next up on my list to try!

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  6. I know my post is yonks late, but just wanted to add. I've had this BB Cream for over a month...wearing it everyday (with a face moisturiser, SPF 50 HelioCare sunscreen and primer underneath), no foundation (just the BB Cream)and just a little bit of blush. I live in South Africa (and it's summer right now so you can imagine how hot and humid it is, it works wonders for my skin. Evens my skin tone, lasts the whole day, no tightness or dryness or oiliness, even in this extreme heat. I think you are right though...it's probably for more oilier skins like mine. I absolutely LOVE it and will definately be purchasing it again!

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