PREVENTS PREMATURE AGEING AND EXTENDS THE LIFE OF FOUNDATION ALL DAY

Good afternoon everyone. Follow-up on my previous post about my first acquaintance with Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30/PA+++, I have gathered my thoughts about this product which I would love to share them with you especially if the whole BB Cream idea is new to you as it is to me.

The new Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30/PA+++ is a de-aging BB (Blemish Balm) Cream that provides UV and environment protection while concealing imperfections. Like all other products by Clinique, it is Dermatologist Tested, Allergy Tested and 100% Fragrance Free. An interesting fact I learnt from Jane during the one-to-one demonstration – Clinique tests their products on 600 individuals, 12 times each – to ensure no one gets any allergy reaction to a newly formulated product.

There are many BB Creams in the market and Clinique’s version claims to conceal lines, pores and perfect skin tone with its polarized pigments. It contains SPF to protect our skin, anti-oxidants and anti-irritants to prevent premature aging on skin. It also contains humectants and barrier repair properties to repair moisture, hydrate our skin and control oil for long wearing.

It comes in a tube which contains 40ml of product. The texture is denser than most liquid foundations I have. I would say the texture is similar to Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. It only comes in one shade which I can foresee many would have problems wearing it especially those who are slightly more tan. I was worried about the slight pink under tones the BB Cream has and wonder if it’s going to look too light on me.

Below is a series of application method I use to apply the Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30/PA+++. Because of the texture, if dries rather quickly therefore I apply in parts – starting from the cheeks or nose. I spread a thin layer over my skin with fingers and blend with a sponge.

I have combination skin, oily t-zone with dry patches as and when it decides to show. My skin is quite sensitive too and often breaks-out if a product doesn’t suit my skin type or if it’s too rich. I have red patches and the pictures above, I have spots as well. Bad skin days recently.

As you may be able to see, the pores around my nose and cheeks became less visible. The BB Cream also helped even up my skin tone and gave it a healthy glow. I really like the subtle sheen coming through. Although the product claims to deliver medium to full coverage, I feel that it only provides sheer to light coverage. It may be buildable but it would be too thick for my liking. So, instead of layering the BB Cream for more coverage, I use a concealer on areas which needed a little more coverage.

I have been wearing it almost daily since I was given the product to try and it has been a good couple of weeks now. Whenever I remember, I try to capture the wear in different lightings.

Some pictures taken during the day with natural sunlight. I am quite impressed with colour. Although it has a pink undertone and it may swatch a little light on my skin, it blends out fairly well after it sets.

For this set of pictures, I am wearing NARS Pro-Prime Multi-Protect Primer as a base, followed by Clinique BB Cream and set with Clarins Hydra-Luminous Powder Foundation. I think the warmth in the powder foundation helped neutralize the pink undertone in Clinique’s BB Cream. Using a powder foundation to set also provides more coverage.

Two pictures below taken after 8 hours of wear. Shine came through but it’s still manageable.

This second set of pictures were taken on a really hot day at the Post Office. I wore a sun screen under the BB Cream and set by brushing Chantecaille Compact Makeup all over lightly. It’s natural and feels very light on the skin with barely any makeup.

 The last set of pictures were from my friend’s gate crashing ceremony on a lovely Sunday morning. I had to get up at 6am for shower and makeup. Four pictures below were taken before I left home. I have chosen Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector as a base and set with Clarins Hydra-Luminous Powder Foundation.

 After the ceremony and lunch, I reached home at about 2pm. I didn’t have time to touch-up or blot my face throughout the morning because there is quite a lot to help out and I had to drive around. It was kind of hot as well and I was sweating a little. Despite the sweat, I still feel fresh and comfortable with the makeup on my skin. It’s not overly shinning either and I don’t feel greasy. Coverage has worn off a little, probably due to the sweat.

Overall, I see Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30/PA+++ as an alternative to foundation. I like the fact that I am wearing a product filled with treatment properties that help even up my skin tone, conceal my pores and re-hydrate my skin. Not to mention that this product also contains protection against the harmful UV rays. It’s lightweight and wears well for approximately 6 hours on me. Oil control probably needs a little more work because of Singapore’s weather – blotting every 3 hours is necessary to stay matte but that doesn’t bothers me, I am quite used to it and have given up looking matte (applies to all foundations).

Another thing I have noticed is, it has a rather matte finish which I can play with – by using a different primer, it gives a slightly different finish. All in all, I like this product and will continue to explore different ways of using it. It’s my first BB Cream and it was a pleasant one.

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day ahead.