I used the new Clinique Age Defence BB cream as my base. I feel I ought to spend a little time talking about my initial thoughts about this new BB cream. I have avoided many of the BB releases simply because my expectations were that they were tinted moisturiser under a different name. I had high hopes for the Clinique BB cream as Clinique already have a good reputation for their skin care. Now this feels nice on the skin: it's not greasy and has an almost satin finish. The texture of my skin looks great but, like the Erborian that I tried last year, colourwise this isn't a good match for me. It's quite pale and gives my skin the same grey cast that I experienced with the Erborian. I take this to mean that a. the Clinique is fairly true to the original Asian BB creams and b. they just don't suit me! I still wonder if I'm doing something wrong and will continue to use it to investigate the skin care benefits. I consider myself to be fair skinned (not pale) so I do wonder how people with darker skin than mine fare with these creams. I'm not sure which shade I have but I assume it is shade 01. I will have to investigate shade 02 so that I can get a feel for how much darker that is.
Edward Bess Dusk and RBR Gracious Arasari are both unfairly neglected eyeshadows in my stash. Although Gracious Arasari doesn't look it in the pan, it's just a shade or two darker than my skin colour. It doesn't stand out particularly on it's own but it's good for adding a little sheen or making a look more polished. Dusk is quite a complex colour but I spoiled it a bit pairing it with the bronze eyeliner. I think a black with a hint of green or gold flecks would enhance the beauty of Dusk more. You can see how it looks paired with MAC Kohl Power in Mystery further down.
Face
Clinique BB cream (I think it's shade 01)
YSL Touche Eclat
Shu Uemura brow pencil in Seal Brown
Dolce & Gabbana Luminous Cheek Colour in Rose
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| Here's how it looked with MAC Kohl Power in Mystery instead |
Eyes
TFSI
MAC Brule all over the lid
RBR Gracious Arasari on the mobile lid and up into the crease
Edward Bess Dusk in the crease
MAC Teddy eye kohl to line
RBR Seas of Tranquility as a brow highlight
Lips
NARS Sheer lipstick in Falbala
Disclosure: The Clinique BB Cream was a PR samples as were the Touche Eclat and small sample of RBR highlighter. The NARS Falbala and D&G Rose were gifts from very lovely friends.
From the BB creams I've tried, I find I get the grey cast too. I'm not that enamoured to be honest.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you REALLY know how to put colours together Jane. Love this selection of makeup! I need a lesson from you :)
Thank you S! I take that as a huge compliment because I feel like I get it wrong colour wise a lot of the time. This eyeshadow ban is reminding me to give love to some of the very lovely colours I have already :D. I wonder with the BB creams whether it is an undertone thing. Do you think the grey cast is the sunscreens?
DeleteSince I'm pretty neutral, I can make the greay cast work, the light Erborian used to be my BB cream of choice, then I got tired of its overpowering smell and thick texture. I'm curious about the Clinique and Lauder BB creams beacause they're new but I think I'll always be a foundation girl at heart.
ReplyDeleteYou have reminded me that I meant to mention the scent. The Clinique has a very similar fragrance to the Erborian. I don't think it's as strong though. I gave my Erborian away but kept a small sample so I ought to do a side by side comparison.
DeleteI think you look just fine! I'm darker than you and I use Shade 1 - but I have a warm undertone too.
ReplyDeleteI being vain and not showing the pictures where you can see if looks a little strange ;). This is what the full face looks like, it's hard to see that it's lightened my face as my neck is lighter anyway but I think you can see that it makes me look quite 'pink'.
DeleteLovely look:) I haven't tested out the Clinique one yet, if there are only 2 shades I don't think I have much hope!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the BB thing, whether over here it's just another way to market as I feel some of them seem like tinted moisturiser.
I recently bought the Une one which doesn't really seem like a BB at all but I liked the feel of the cream to powder finish. I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter what it's called, as long as it makes my skin look better!
I'm not sure I'm a BB type person either, they really are everywhere at the moment, turn around and GAH there's another one.
ReplyDeleteI love the look you have done, the blusher really works well on you.
Just to ask, are you going to try any of that Anastasia Beverly Hills stuff now that its on Cult beauty? xx
Falbala looks gorgeous and suits you really well, as does EB dusk.
ReplyDeleteI've never really understood the point of BB creams to be honest. I don't mind using a serum and sunscreen underneath my foundation.
I only know of two darker toned bb creams (both by Missha) which are still too pale for anyone above NC 42/ NW 35. I', sorry you were disappointed :(
ReplyDeleteSomeone else reviewed Clinique BB cream recently. Was it Charlotte? Anyway, she wasn't impressed with the grey cast and said it was really thick and hard to blend. No thanks. I've tried few and like the Missha one (#21 I think), but I use a barely-damp Beautyblender sponge to bounce it into my face. If I used my fingers I am sure it would be way too dark (I'm NW15/20).
ReplyDeleteI agree with jen that Falbala looks excellent on you! And I also have a love/hate relationship with Gracious Arasari. So boring to look at but such a nice finish when I finally decide to wear it.
I tried the Garnier one and loved it but then I got a sample of Liz Earle's Sheer Skin Tint and love that more! I am pale though.
ReplyDeletep.s. The Garnier one is very perfumed and it puts me off and its so yellow (even in shade 'Light') compared to Liz Earle (in Bare 01...get what you pay for ;) )
ReplyDeleteI'm totally a BB girl, never got consistant results from liquid foundation espeically at this time of year cuz of having dry skin, powder actually works better for me!? so I use a BB cream and then powder foundation over the top.
I tried Granier BB cream too and it worked perfectly fine for me. I love BB creams. It clears impurities and removes blemishes on the go. Have you tried using Nivea Cream? What I am doing is, I apply a small amount of Nivea cream then put ample amount of BB cream on top of it. Your face will surely look fresh and glowing.
ReplyDelete