CC Cream: The next BB Cream? Olay CC Cream Review

Everyone knows BB Cream was such a big phenomenon in Korea and other parts of Asia and has now made it's way to the US and now everyone and their mamas are making one (I don't think any of the non-Korean BB creams are what they claim to be, IMHO).  Pretty much all the makeup brands, even drugstores brands have one of their own (Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Maybelline, Garnier, Revlon, etc...).

So what is next? CC Cream?  CC stands for Color Control, or Color Correct.  Honestly, I haven't heard a peep from the motherland (Korea) about CC Cream, but I have been seeing a slight buzz about the "NEXT BEST THING AFTER BB CREAM" is CC Cream in the magazines and the web.  I think the Westerners got pissed off about not creating BB Cream first... so now they are trying to beat anyone else to it! haha

I heard Oil of Olay had released their CC Cream, Total Effects 7 in 1 Tone Correcting Moisturizer with SPF 15 in three different shades and also Olay CC Cream- Total Effects Daily Moisturizer + Touch of Foundation.

 Picture from PG Estore

I found them at CVS for about $22.00 which isn't cheap.  But this was the CC Cream in the US, so I got it while CVS was giving back $10 for spending $30 on P&G Products, and I had loads of coupons. :)  Since I have been trying this out, thought I do a quick review for you guys.

Oil of Olay's Description:

This CC Cream provides instant coverage plus correction to fight 7 signs of aging, including uneven tone, age spots and dull skin.

• This all-in-one triple stream formula combines a daily anti-aging moisturizer, SPF 15 sunscreen and sheer tint for younger-looking skin.
• Instant skin perfecting coverage + correction to fight 7 signs of aging + UV protection
• Total Effects fights 7 signs of aging: Fine lines and wrinkles: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Uneven Tone: Balances and helps even out tone. Age Spots: Reduces appearance of age spots. Gentle Exfoliation: Improves surface cell turnover. Dryness: Provides nourishing moisturization. Moisture Barrier: Strengthens skin s natural defense against moisture loss. Luminosity: Recaptures youthful luminosity

*FYI- Some of the older bottles don't have the "CC" on it, but it's still the same product.

 

Here's a little squeezed on my hand

And working onto my hand

And after

MY THOUGHTS:

The consistency of this product was very liquidy even though it dispenses as a cream.  I guess it's because this product has skincare gel formula mixed in with the slight color cream.  Right off the bat I was able to tell this was going to be a sheer coverage and it was.  But I still thought let's not underestimate this "NEW CC Cream".  But as you can tell in the picture above, it has NO COVERAGE.  I have come to a conclusion that perhaps, this particular CC Cream was not meant to be heavy coverage like the BB Cream.  Which could be why Olay created the version with foundation added in.

This may help you in slightly masking the redness, but that is about it.  After using this for over a week, I have concluded that this is a skincare product, not cosmetic.  Unlike the BB Cream, which kind of is both.  Also, Olay's CC Cream was meant to be color correcting with length of time.  So you are not going to notice any difference instantly.  They claim, "instant skin perfecting coverage", but I did not notice any "perfecting" in my skin whatsoever.

I have debated whether to return this back to CVS, but I have noticed that it works well under my foundation, keeping my skin hydrated, and it does have added skincare benefits, so I decided to keep it and use it as a primer.

I have heard TheRaeviewer mention that she got her hands on Chanel CC Cream from Asia, and from the looks of it Chanel's version has much better coverage.

I cannot tell if CC Cream is going to be the next "BB Cream". Because I only have one brand to base this off of.  And I get the feeling each brand is going to do their own thing and call it a CC Cream.  But based off of Olay's version, I'm going to have to say no.  If I see a difference on my skin in the next couple of months, I will do an updated review, but I like my instant skin fixes that BB Cream can provide, and this Olay's CC Cream is not going to cut it.

I wouldn't recommend Olay's CC Cream, especially if you are looking for coverage. I wouldn't bother.  This was a total miss for me.

Review: BB Creams (Dior, Smashbox, Lioele)

I was going to do separate reviews for each of the bb creams, but decided to do them all together so you can see the comparison.  Also check out my reviews on BB Creams I've used in the past.

I'll start off with the non-Korean brands since these were quite new to me.  BB Creams must be seriously the greatest invention ever.  Now all the American and High End Brands are making them!

Dior Hydra Life BB Creme SPF 30 ($56) (Sephora Exclusive)

I saw that this one was available at Sephora and thought I try it.  I believe this bb cream is exclusive to Sephora (at least in the US).  I saw the hefty $56 price tag, and I opted for a sample first.  Sephora gave me a good amount of the sample. 

It comes in a pump style tube.  It has SPF 30 PA+++, and it claims to combine moisturizing and protective powers of a skincare product with the immediate complexion-enhancing and even toning properties of a foundation.  The complexion is left moisturized, smooth, and velvety soft. 

This unfortunately comes in one color and when I tried the sample for the first time, I knew I would not be able to use this.  (You'll see the color below.)  It was quite orangey.  Besides the color, it was not moisturizing for me.  It dries pretty matte, which I'm not so used to in a BB Cream.  It does look like it has light to medium coverage.  But due to the quite dryness of this BB Cream, it accentuated my fine lines in my face.  Even if this comes out in other colors, I don't think I'd purchase this.  The coverage and the function of this BB Cream is not worth the $56 price tag.  I've seen better BB Creams for less than this.  Unlike other BB Creams, this does not colormatch or blend to your skin tone well. So if you have oily skin, and your skintone matches this, you might give it a go.  But personally I think you might be better off trying the Diorsnow UV Shield BB Cream SPF 50 PA+++ ($50). This also comes in one shade, a bit dark for my skin.

Definitely too orange for my skin....

Not sure you can tell, but where the I point, you can see that it did not blend in well and see the splotchy color difference.  It looks quite dry....

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream ($39)

Smashbox comes with 5 different shades ranging from Fair to Dark in a squeeze tube.



It has SPF 35, it claims to moisturize, primes, perfects, controls oil, and protects for flawless skin on set and beyond.  And if worn under foundation, it enhances the wear of makeup for up to eight hours.

I got the second lightest shade- light.  I'm kind of on the fence on this one.  As for the product itself, I think it's good.  But if I compare this BB Cream to other BB Creams I have used, it's just alright... I've used better ones.  The formula is very light, moisturizing, however it lacks in coverage.  It's pretty sheer like a tinted moisturizer.  If you don't have to cover up any flaws, than this would be okay.  But for me I have hyperpigmentation that I'd like to cover up well.  The formula is also not oily which is good and kept good oil control throughout the day.  But since I've seen better, I probably won't re-purchase.

Finish is natural, but you can see that it's quite sheer.

Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream  ($13-$20 depending on where you buy & shipping)

This is a Korean brand BB Cream.  It comes with a pump style tube.  It comes in one color.  It claims to have natural cover to help the suppressing skin.  It creates clear and natural skin tone by being effectively absorbed to skin.  It's bisabolol, licorice acid derivatives, and allantoin compenent soothe your skin and jojoba oil, macademia nut oil, hyauronic acid derivatives and marin collagen make your skin moist and smooth.

From all the BB Creams I have ever used in my life (Faceshop, Skin79, BRTC, Etude, Skinfood, Missha, Somang, etc...), Lioele Beyond the Solution BB Cream is the best I have used and is now my absolute favorite!!!  This one does not incorporate SPF, but they do have the SPF version- Triple the Solution which runs about $25- $35).  This one goes on soooo smooth on your face and has medium full coverage.  It is moisturizing.  At the end of the day, my nose is a bit oily, but it's like that with any products I use. I can get away with not wearing concealer using this BB Cream.  It goes on thick at first but quickly absorbs into your skin while still giving you the full coverage.  This hides my hyperpigmentation! And leaves that Korean Celebrity like glowy but natural skin finish that I love!  You can always set it or reduce the glow with powder.  However, this comes in one color, so if you have really dark skin tone skin, this won't work for you.  Although the big claim and big sell for Korean BB Cream was that it works to match and blend in with your skintones (which I'm guessing ranges of Asian skintones).  My friend who is darker toned, she has used same BB Cream as I have and found that they still match her skin tone. 

I would absolutely repurchase this and I highly recommend it.  I bought mine for $13 + $7 shipping on Amazon (ships from Korea).

 Goes on thick at first...

 

Absorbs nicely...

Color comparison between Lioele and Smashbox.  Smashbox actually is lighter but more neutral yellow tone, while Lioele is a little bit darker with neutral pink tone.

And for comparison of all three plus Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in shade no. 21.

Hope this was helpful to those who were waiting to try out non-Korean BB Creams.  Since I found my favorite BB Cream- Lioele, I don't think I'll be venturing off to other brands... unless I hear something is fabulous. ^_^

My Latest Obsessions- Glowy Foundations... Past & Current Obsessions- BB Creams

On a daily basis, I use BB Cream instead of foundation.  But lately, I've been seeing Youtube videos of this amazing Foundation/ Makeup Line in Korea.  Unfortunately, I haven't found any in the U.S.  I'm holding off on calling in a favor to my friends in Korea, but I'm really obsessing over it.  I showed the videos to my co-worker and she wants it too!!!  But before I get into that, let me do a quick review of the BB Creams I've used.  If you don't know what a BB Cream is, it's short for Blemish Balm Cream.  It was used by plastic surgeons for their post-laser treated patients.  It helps the healing of scars and also give UV protection to the face while it's healing and regenerate the skin.  I don't know about then, but now it's everywhere (mostly Korea, Japan, and Taiwan) and everyone wears it like make up.  And I'm not lying when I say, every woman in korea and perhaps half of the men have BB Creams!!!!

I discovered it when my friend brought me one from Korea.  I was a little confused because it came in one color.  But she told me it'd all blend into my skin.  So I gave it a try and fell in L♥VE!!!! I really liked how I don't have to worry about picking out the right color, and it's not really make up!!! It's more like tinted moisturizer but better with different functions! It's has functions as make-up base, foundation, anti-wrinkle, blemish treatment, sunscreen, lotion, etc... Of course it all varies depending on what kind of BB Cream you get.  You may not know the effects of the BB Cream long term, but I think it's good for your skin.  You don't have to wear thick makeup, so it's gotta be good for your pores.  And in the long run, I think my skin tone has evened out (minus the reocurring blemishes).

WARNING: I must warn you, depending on which BB cream you buy, you may feel like you are wearing white sunscreen and it may feel like you have this film over your face.  But once you pat it all into your skin, it'll all blend in, so give it couple minutes and pat the cream...

FACE SHOP
My first BB Cream ever was the Face Shop's Clean Face Oil Free BB Cream.  I really liked this one.  It was light, oil free and blended into my skin really well.  This one is about $16.  After I completely finished the product, I wanted to try other BB Creams. 

Good:  Very light yet covers your flaws. 

Bad:  Eventho it says Oil-Free, you may not think so, cuz it tends to be on the shiny side.  Face Shop is not available everywhere.  If you live in California, there's one in Los Angeles (K-Town) and one in Santa Clara/ Sunnyvale area.  A bit harder to find on-line.

BRTC
After doing some research, I found that one of the original makers of BB Cream was a company called BRTC.  So I found it on E-Bay and tried the BRTC Perfect Recover Balm.  They run about $25. There are couple different kinds, but this particular one has sunscreen protectant (not sure what the SPF is), and help you with your blemishes.

Good:  The coverage is great, it really has whitening effect.  It lasts a long time on your face without getting cakey.

Bad:  The formula is a bit thicker than the other BB Creams I'm used to, and the whitening effect can freak you out cuz you look like a ghost when you just put it on.

ETUDE
I told my mom to pick up some Cheap BB Creams from Korea and she came back with this and one other one (that was a bit pricey... Somang- see below).  And I actually have to say this is my favorite.  I've used almost all of it.  And I think it lasted me over a year now.  This one really brightens your face! And it's light with medium coverage. 

Check out the link --->here<--- for the before and after pictures on someone's hand.  You can really see the difference.  I'm not sure if this version is still available.  But I think the new packaging is purple.

Good: I love how it brightens my skin, and that it's not too oily.  It also has this awesome pump and it's so easy to use.  It has built in collagen to plump your skin!

Bad:  Doesn't have built in sunscreen. 

SOMANG

This was one of the more expensive ones my mother bought me from Korea.  It has whitening and wrinkle repair.  So the more functions the BB Cream has, the more expensive it is.  I think she bought this one for about $40 in Korea so probably a little more here.

Good:  It whitens and has wrinkle repair.  Good coverage.

Bad:  Not easily accessible in U.S.  I haven't found any to buy on ebay.  And it's a bit on the thicker side.

Here are the three in order on my hand....  notice how etude (in the middle) is a bit brighter than the other two....

GLOWY FOUNDATIONS

A Famous Celebrity Makeup Artist in Korea made her own line of makeup called chosungah Luna.  Her name is Cho Sung Ah.  You'll see her in some of the videos on youtube.  I know a lot of these promotional videos really make you wanna buy their stuff, but this line of makeup seems really promising.  Very innovative and a lot of the tools you need to put on these makeup come with it. 

TREND: The happening makeup trend in Korea right now is having natural glowy/dewy skin.  I'm totally obsessed with it!!!  I even found a Korean Article today.  But of course, what's in style/ trending in Korea isn't going to follow till next year or the one after... So finding non-korean make up at this moment would be hard....

 

            

So I went to Sephora to consult one of the ladies there.  (I'm sure you all love sephora too, but really I looooooove Sephora!!!!)   And got few samples of some glowy makeup they recommended, but it's still pretty matte and doesn't give the healthy glow within.  So I'm sticking to BB Creams and my Bare Escentual Foundations for now.  They both have the glowy look.

Anyhow, here are some of the chosungah luna videos.... you are going to obsess over all the makeups!!! I know it! Just see for yourself in these videos...  The Before and After videos are for Fall so it's missing the dewy/glowy look, but it's pretty crazy the transformation of the skin!!!   I'll let you guys know once I find out a way to get these makeup in the U.S!!!!   Have a good weekend!!!