Review: Clean Face Oil-Free BB Cream by THE FACE SHOP

Review: Clean Face Oil-Free BB Cream by THE FACE SHOP

This BB Cream is part of a series of products "Clean Face" formulated to help with acne prone oily skin. The range of products on shelf are all in similar coloured beige bottles, tubes, etc, and they're relatively priced. 

It's said to have chamomile extract, and its quick clear complex treats oily or problem skin more quickly and effectively. 

PROS:
-Nice texture-> BB creams are not simply moisturizers, nor provide the pore-clogging coverage that foundations tend to do. To me, it's important a BB cream is able to blend in and absorb well into the skin, without being too "heavy". I find that this one by Face Shop does a pretty good job in terms of its coverage. It's able to cover up minor blemishes and absorbs well without being too sticky. Because it's meant for oily skin, it doesn't give the type of "glow" that is generally popular and something that many Korean BB creams tend to have. I much prefer the matt look though, because you can always go over with highlighter for a brighter look!

Here's a picture of 2 BB Creams for comparison! Left is the one by Face Shop, Right is the one called "Dream Girls BB" by Skin79 (comes in a purple tube, I do NOT recommend this one!)

 You can just see the difference in formula!! The Face Shop one is much thicker compared to the watery skin79 one!

-Inexpensive-> I remember purchasing a tube (35ml/1.18oz) at less that 10 USD in Korea, so it's pretty worth it given that it can last you quite a while!

-Size-> Whilst some may argue that it's a really small size compared to say the luxurious bottle of Skin79 or the Liole BB Cream (this is almost half the size of the large tube!!) I think it's large enough to carry around in your purse without feeling too burdened! Nice travel size!

-Scent-> I can't place what exactly this smells of, but I LOVE IT! It happens to be the same scent as the air purifier they use in Ion, Orchard (shopping mall in Singapore where I live, haha).
[UPDATE: The scent is Modern Notes home fragrance-- Ginger, White Tea and Jasmine!]


CONS/STUFF TO NOTE:
-Packaging-> Ok, not packaging per say, but more of the way it's dispensed. This tube design is an issue with most of the products I use, though. If too much is squeezed out of the tube then when you close it the mouth of the tube will have leftover traces which to me, seems rather unhygenic!! I prefer a pump dispenser, if possible... Then again, you can't have the best of both worlds because a pump dispenser would be for tubes with more product!

The tube! 

-Coverage-> Coverage is good for the first few hours, and it does its "oil control" job pretty well; I like to blot after some time though as it doesn't keep your face matt all day long. 

-Colour-> As you can tell from the comparison shot I took (see above), it has pink undertones and can tend towards being ashy/greyish-looking, as compared to a BB cream with yellow undertones. It will, however, oxidise into your skin; just take note that it's more suitable for fairer skin tones... It's a bit lighter than my original skin tone(MAC Foundation Colour NC 22), but I think it's alright for me. 

Overall, I think this product is not a bad buy, and worth it if you're looking for something inexpensive to just try out. I have seen reviews online that this has broken some users out, and no product is ever perfect, so some people do have issues with this product. So far, it's been working fine for me; I haven't experienced any major breakouts as I do ensure that my face is properly cleansed everytime I apply make up. (I think it is very important to cleanse well especially once you are home, and give time for your skin to rest~) 

Rating: 3.0/5.0

2013 New Year Resolutions!

So, it's the new year, and for the first time I've decided to do up a list of what I plan to keep up in the coming 365 days (and onwards)... Hopefully after 21 days (apparently that's how long it takes for habits to be cultivated), I will be able to keep this up without too much effort!

One of the main things I'd like to do this new year is to maintain a proper facial routine. Good skin is not just about slapping on as many products as you have, it's not about putting everything and anything on and praying that it'll all work out. As much as it is about application, cleansing your skin well is also vital, as I've learnt after using my Clarisonic Mia 2 for the past month! (Will do a review on it soon!)

1. I will use a makeup remover before actual cleansing of my face. I used to skip this step but a beautician recommended doing this even if I used minimal makeup, as makeup remover will help to take away the oils on the surface of the skin and any dirt trapped superficially.

2. I will cleanse my face with my Mia 2. This step is like killing 2 birds with 1 stone, because not only does this clean my face, it kind-of massages it in the process. If you've ever wondered how Korean celebs keep up their flawless bare skin, I think massaging plays a big role! Many Korean makeup brands are now coming up with Clarisonic "dupes" (I say "dupes" because I don't think they are ever as good as the clarisonic itself), which serve to massage and cleanse the face.

3. Rinse off using warm water first, then cold water. Cold water helps to tighten pores and prevent dirt of getting trapped again after cleansing.

4. Instead of using a towel to dry my face, I will pat my face lightly with clean hands. This helps to retain moisture in the skin, and prevents bacteria from towels from transferring on to the face. Before this, I never really gave much thought about drying my face with a towel, but thinking about the amount of bacteria that accumulates on the towel over a few days, patting dry with bare hands seems like a safer option(:

5. Apply serums and creams as instructed by my dermatologist and to not be lazy.

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6. (Unrelated to skin care but a new year's resolution nonetheless) Clean brushes and beauty tools after use. This prevents bacteria buildup and ensures clean tools every time I need them! Powder sponges are also included in this list, because powder puffs are going directly in contact with one's skin, and putting on bacteria infested powder is not going to get me perfect skin anytime soon!! ):

That's all for now! Ta!

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