Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass: BB Cream

*Yesterday Blogger decided it won't let me upload pics so that is the reason I am publishing this post today*

After an absence of a number of weeks, the Mid-Week Beauty Masterclass returns! I know I have gone through the basic make-up products already but I just couldn't skip on BB Cream which seems to be the latest hyped about product on beauty blogs and the beauty community on YouTube.  After I have recently won one myself, I can totally understand what the hype is about but I will tell you more on that in a separate post where I review the actual product.

BB Cream stands for Blemish Balm Cream and it is widely popular in Asian countries such as Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong to name a few.  In fact, it was first used by laser surgery patients as an after care product to cover up the redness and scars this type of surgery tends to leave behind; but it soon gained popularity and Asian actresses starting using it to create that particular flawless look synonymous with East Asian girls.  

The BB Cream formula has since been reformulated to suit this new demand for it and nowadays, there is quite a vast number of Asian cosmetics brands that offer BB Cream.  However, unlike foundation, it doesn't come in a lot of shades, often presenting 1 or 2 shades so it is not particularly suited for darker skin tones.  You may also find that BB Cream has a greyish undertone to it but it adapts to your skin tone as it gradually oxidizes.  BB Creams usually come in tubes and are either supplied with a pump or you just squeeze the product out. Personally, I prefer the pump as it makes for less waste of product and is more hygienic.

So what does this BB Cream do that is so special you might ask? Basically, it is a foundation with healing properties as it offers a better coverage than a tinted moisturizer and at the same time help heal blemishes and also aids in the skin's regeneration process.  Thereby, BB Cream can be seen as a product to replace your make-up primer, foundation and concealer.  I can actually confirm this from my own personal experience and it therefore makes up for days when I'm in a hurry and do not have time to apply a lot of make-up.  BB Cream also offers protection against UV rays as it contains SPF and it also helps control oiliness.  However, due to its skin whitening properties, I do not recommend its use in the summer.

Common ingredients in BB Creams include Ginkgo extract (anti-oxidant), Licorice (helps even out skin tone),  Vitamin C (whitening & anti-oxidant) as well as Green Tea (oil control).

With regards application, I find that the best way to apply it is with your fingers and remember that a little goes a long way! Avoid the use of brushes as they will make it look cakey and also, pat it onto your skin for better coverage and maximum absorbance.  Most of these BB Creams dry to a dewy finish but there are others that dry matte.  For dewy ones, I prefer to set them with a little powder so as not to make them look shiny.

Another way to apply BB Cream

I hope you found this post useful and that you now have a clearer idea on BB Creams and their uses. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to leave them as a comment or drop me an email :)

Top Ten Award

Yesterday, the lovely Zarina from Marshee awarded me the Top Ten Award :) Thank you so much sweety :)

Rules:

1. Thank the person who tagged you and link to their blog.

2. Put the Top 10 Award logo on your blog.

3. List your top 10 cosmetics.

4. Choose 10 bloggers to tag, link to their blogs, and let them know.

Here are my current Top 10 Cosmetics in no particular order:

1. e.l.f. Studio Complexion Perfection

2. NYX HD Foundation in HDF02 Soft Beige

3. Maybelline Water Shine Lipstick in 02 Beige Glace

4. e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in Rosy Tan

5. e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine in Goddess

6. Napoleon Perdis Protege Lipgloss

7. e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

8. e.l.f. Lengthening & Defining Mascara

9. Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose

10. e.l.f. Everyday Brights 32 Piece Eyeshadow Palette

I'm gonna cheat a little and award this award to you all my lovely followers :)

OOTE: Ahoy Sailor

Hello my lovelies :) Today I went shopping :D I have a wedding coming up next week and so I bought a dress (which you'll have to wait till the wedding photos to see :P) and some accessories to go with it and other random accessories. I will share everything in a collective haul post soon though :) In the mean time, here's what I wore yesterday evening:

Top & Necklace, Tally Weijl

Shorts & Bag, Mango

Shoes, Zara

Belt, Bershka

With regards make-up, I didn't use that much so as to keep the look natural and give my skin time to breathe. Here's what I used for anyone who wants to know:

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose

e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Coffee

e.l.f. Mineral Lipstick in Ripe Rose (just dabbed)

e.l.f. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 in Malt Shake

OOTN: Laced Up!

Hello my lovelies :) How was your weekend? Mine was much more relaxed than the past two even though I have some small amendments to do with my thesis but I plan to finish those this morning and get over and done with them... then I can enjoy a few days of rest and prepare for my final thesis presentation :) Anyways, here's what I wore yesterday night:

Pink lace top, Tally Weijl

Pink spaghetti straps top (under lace one) & Belt (came with a jacket), Zara

Skirt, Stradivarius

Shoes, Marks & Spencer

Cluth, Accessorize

Bracelets and earrings, Peacocks

And this is the make-up:

I felt really girly in this outfit and what better way to complete the look than shimmery eyeshadow? I only used the e.l.f. Blending Eye Brush to create this look as it is perfect to build up the colours and blend them together. Here's a list of all products used:

Face

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

Rimmel Powder Blush in 004 Pink Rose

Eyes

e.l.f. Eyelid Primer

e.l.f. Duo Eyeshadow Cream in Black Licorice (grey shade)

Miners Megadust in 14 Ethereal Glow (pink) & 4 Gentle Radiance

Ultra Glow Shimmer Pot in Icicle

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Rimmel Extra Super Lash Mascara in Black Black
Technic Kohl Eye Pencil in Black

Lips
Maybelline Water Shine Lipstick in 02 Beige Glace
H&M Lipgloss in Queen of Peach (nude shade)
Primark beauty pink lipgloss

Don't forget to like my facebook page for more beauty codes and stuff :)

NOTW: Flowery Sea Spray

Good morning my lovelies :) I hope you all had a great weekend :) Here's the manicure I have been wearing this week:

I actually created this manicure with my bf in mind as it was his birthday last Thursday.  I used China Glaze Sea Spray polish which he bought me himself as well as turquoise, dark blue and orange which are his favourite colours. I did flowers as they are his favourite nail design. It is a very easy design to re-create so let's get started :)

1. Prep nails with a clear base coat and when dry, apply two coats of our choice of polish on the ring fingers and do a French tip on the other fingernails. I used China Glaze Sea Spray.

2. On the nails with the French tip, dot turquoise medium-sized dots with a dotting tool all along the border where the tip colour meets the rest of the nail. I used Inglot Nail Enamel no.309 When dry, apply top coat.

3. For the ring finger design, dot four dots in the shape of a flower with a large dotting tool and follow with orange nail polish dots in the centre of each one with a medium sized dotting tool. While still wet, drag the dots towards the centre starting at the centre of the same dots.  For the middle of the flower, place four golden-orange steel beads while the nail polish is still wet. I used e.l.f. Dark Navy and a La Femme orange nail polish for the flower. The steel beads, I bought them from ebay.

4. Using the same turquoise colour and a small dotting tool, draw a small 5-petalled flower at the opposing corner of the nail and place a golden-orange steel bead in the middle.

5. When dry, top coat and you're done!