Makeup for Shirley

As I was going through the drafts portion of my blog to see which posts I need to finish, I was shocked to find that I never published the makeup I did for Shirley on her wedding day.  Mea Culpa to me for such oversight!  Without further ado then!

By the time I was almost done applying foundation and concealer to her face, I remembered I hadn't yet taken a before picture.

If any bride can rock leopard print on her Big Day in a stylish yet feminine way, it'd be Shirley.  This Cross Fit Merge superstar agreed to marry her sweetheart of 18 years when he popped the question in Italy!  Tres romantique, oui?

Face
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Plus
BareMinerals Mineral Veil

Eyes
MAC paint pot in Painterly
MAC eyeshadow in Woodwinked
Urban Decay eyeshadow in Blackout
MAC eyeshadow in Mylar
MAC fluidline in Blacktrack
MAC eyeshadow in Soft Brown

Eyebrows
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brows in 25

Cheeks
Benefit Hoola
NARS blush in Orgasm
Sleek contour in medium for highlight

Lips
MAC Lipliner in Plum
MAC Lipstick in Creme de la Femme

What's in My Makeup Travel Kit

Let me introduce you to what I use to store my toiletries, hair accessories, and makeup for when I travel.  Henri Bendel, how do I love thee for this ADORABLE Large Hanging Weekender Bag.  This is one of the bestsellers at Henri Bendel.  Compact yet stores a lot of items.  

And this is what it looks like when opened.  This bag can hang inside of a hotel bathroom for convenience.  I use the compartment all the way to the left to store hair accessories (bobby pins, hair ties) and other knick knacks such as safety pins.  I use the middle compartment to store toiletries such as qtips, eye makeup remover pads, lotion, skin products, contact lens solution, contact lens case, deodorant, lotion, tweezer, and razor. 

The right compartment stores all of my makeup.  Here's the break down:

Brushes
Real Techniques Stippling Brush
Real Techniques Powder Brush
Real Techniques Multi Task Brush
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush
Real Techniques Domed Shadow Brush
2 - MAC 217 Brush
MAC 224 Blending Brush
MAC 219 Pencil Brush
MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush
MAC 249 Large Shader Brush
MAC 263 Small Angle Brush
Smashbox #21 Arced Liner Brush

Makeup (left to right) - all in travel friendly sizes (less than 1 ounce)
OCC Lip Tar in Kava Kava
MAC Select Cover Up in NC20
Make Up For Ever Aqua Brows
Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (below the Aqua Brows)
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Powder Foundation (below the gel eyeliner)
Dr. Jart Black Label BB Cream
DUO glue in dark
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC false lashes
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Perversion (below the false lashes)
YSL Touche Eclat in 1.5 (below Perversion)
Lorac Pro Palette
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Dollface (pink compact)
Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (below Lorac)
Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess (right of Naked Basics)

BB Creams - Overview and Review

History
Started in the 1960's by a German dermatologist and later introduced in Japan and Korea in the 1980's, BB cream is one of the latest cosmetic rages.  BB stands for Beauty Balm, Blemish Balm, Beblesh Balm or Blemish Base (the Koreans apparently have a trademark on "blemish balm").  In Germany, it was used on patients post skin surgery to help soothe and regenerate the skin.

Asian v. Western BB Creams
In Asia, BB Cream is first and foremost a skin care product with cosmetic properties.  It is a 5 in one product: moisturizer, primer, serum, foundation, and sunblock.  Asian BB creams are also usually formulated to include skin-whitening properties as flawless glowing porcelain skin is highly prized in Asia.  Most Asian BB creams are limited in the number of shades available to match your skin - the reason being Asian BB creams are formulated to oxidize to match the user's skin.  This is why I don't concern myself with the grayish tint/cast of the cream itself as it later oxidizes to match my skin tone.

Western brands of BB creams tend to function as a cosmetic product with skin care properties (opposite of Asian bb creams).  A few brands I've taken note of due to their healthier ingredients are Smashbox's Camera Ready, Boscia, and Tarte.

Multi Purpose
This all-in-one product can be used alone like a tinted moisturizer or as a base for foundation.  To increase its staying power, apply powder to set the cream.

Verdict

I tested a lot of BB creams, both Western and Asian brands.  I enjoyed using Dr. Jart's Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm the instant I applied it to my skin.  I found this BB cream to have the most coverage out of all the BB Creams I tried.  I stippled extra product onto my problem skin areas to conceal my blemishes.  Unlike the Missha and Skin79 BB creams, Dr Jart's BB cream does not have a grey tint or cast that requires oxidation.  However, because this BB cream comes in only one color, it isn't ideal for darker skin tones.  I am one who always has to set my foundation with powder (the joys of having combination skin!).  However, I would be ok with just applying this BB cream without setting it with a powder.

As for the skin benefits, I noticed a difference in my pores once the BB cream set:  my pores shrank, my skin tone evened out, my skin appeared "brighter", and the formula had a satin finish.  It was hydrating (the only skin product I used prior to applying this cream was toner) without leaving my skin greasy.

This product definitely functions as a BB cream should: provide skin benefits with some cosmetic properties.  I was surprised to learn that Dr. Jart, despite its name, is actually a Korean bb cream.

Coming in second to Dr. Jart's Black Label Detox BB cream is Missha.  I'd wear Missha alone and set with a powder.  Skin79 is another popular line of BB creams.  I may be the odd man out but I was unimpressed with this line's staying power (and I tried the pink, gold, and diamond lines).  However, the Skin79 BB creams functioned fantastically as a primer and kept my foundation beautifully matte and long lasting.

Missha BB Cream in #23

Skin 79 BB Cream line

I was most disappointed with Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream.  While the line boasts of a range of colors to suit all skin tones out there, it really just functioned as a tinted moisturizer with some skin benefits.  This alone wouldn't be a problem BUT the point is to function as a bb cream.  When using that standard, Smashbox falls short.  It also couldn't match the staying power of Dr. Jart and Missha.

With all of that said, I'd like to issue a disclaimer: my reviews are based upon how these products worked for ME.  Obviously, everybody is different.  Plenty of my friends adore and love the Skin79 bb creams.  Smashbox's BB cream is also highly rated and raved by other makeup artists.  It all depends on what you want from a BB cream - do you prefer one with skin benefits over cosmetic benefits or vice versa?  Also, the BB creams themselves may also be inherently limiting for users - some only come in one color, which excludes a number of skin tones.  The point of this post is to just give you a bit of insight and overview of BB creams so that you are armed with information to use to select the best bb cream for you.

Which BB Cream(s) have you tried and which BB Cream is your holy grail?

First Impression - Smashbox's CC Cream

Smashbox's CC Cream found its way to my inbox yesterday so of course I HAD to try it immediately.

Advertised as follows: "The advanced, lightweight formula neutralizes and brightens skin for a more even complexion.  It's also proven to fade dark spots, sun spots and post acne-marks instantly and over time.  Primes, perfects, protects (with SPF 30!), moisturizes and controls oil...prevents discoloration in the future."

My first impression:

• Creamy formula
• Gives more coverage than Smashbox's BB Cream counterpart but I don't consider this medium/heavy coverage
• Disappears into the skin
• Sets to a satin finish, not dewy
• It's been about 6 hours now and my face has not gotten oily (I'm usually oily in my T Zone area)

This formula differs from Smashbox's BB Cream in that CC Cream is advertised to fade dark spots, sun spots, and discoloration over a period of time.  Smashbox's BB Cream does not advertise these benefits.  

I can't speak to the long lasting skin benefits of this product as I haven't used it long enough.  However, upon first impression, this cream seems to function like a tinted moisturizer with added skin benefits that should become noticeable over time.  

Will I purchase this again?  I'm leaning towards no at this point because my current BB Cream (Miisha M Perfect Cover) offers coverage as well as skin benefits that you immediately see once the cream sets.  I will blog more about BB creams in a future post once I'm done testing out a few different brands so stay tuned, dear readers!