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. ^_^