Great Complexion for A Great Day Off: La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL Melt-In Cream (SPF 50+++)

Can't be bothered to wear a full-on makeup, but still want something to perk up your complexion over weekends? MAC Skin Enhancer has been my fave (see review HERE), but it can't hide my dull complexion well enough under cool white light that beauty counters and some boutiques like to install. I hate it when the white spotlights reveal my blemishes and dullness like X-ray - what a holiday spoiler!!! La Roche Posay Melt-In Cream rescues me from my embarrassment and allows me to enjoy a foundation-free day off.

The Melt-In Cream is more tinted than it feels. So if you do your makeup in a room lit with warm lightings, you can easily get over-enthusiastic about layering it because of its sheer texture. As you can hopefully see from the picture, it really melts into your skin like you have just rubbed in some lightweight day moisturizer. La Roche Posay has actually launched a BB cream, but I personally find this more comfortable to wear. And for such a lightweight tinted cream, the coverage it offers is impressive. When I use it as a primer, I only have to sweep a bit of powder/compact foundation (at the moment, Christian Dior Diorskin Forever Compact - see review ) on the dull areas to make sure my complexion is brightened throughout the day. And yes, I did say a bit. At least for me, my face looked cakey on the few occasions that I didn't trust the Melt-in Cream enough! And in fact, using it alone can already give you an almost-porcelain complexion if your skin is already pretty good.

Partially rubbed in

Comparing to MAC Skin Enhancer, the Melt-In Cream is more hydrating and more spreadable. My makeup stays longer when I used it as a primer. It provides a broader spectrum of UV protection, good enough for a day of hangout. What's more, it's a godsend product for sensitive skin since it's fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic. And not to forget the great coverage that I mentioned...You can already tell that I'm ranking this higher than MAC Skin Enhancer. Honestly, it's really this great!

Makeup Review: Garnier BB Eye Roll-on

Hearing the name of Garnier BB Eye Roll-on was an excitement. How nice the world will be with a roller-ball serum-packed concealer! You can simply swiftly massage your under eyes, dab dab dab, and leave your place with bright, sparkling eyes!!! The story is however too simple to be true...

Basically, I encounter two major problems:

1. Like most roller-ball applicators, there's hardly any way I could control the amount of BB cream I get on my under eyes. Yes, I can roll it onto the back of my hand first, but that will defeat the entire purpose of having the roller-ball, isn't it...?!

2. It's too dry for my rather dehydrated under eyes. I believe it could be good for young, hydrated skin, but definitely not for me (well well...I'm just 30!!!). It settled into creases and made me look sooooooo ooooooold...

If your under eyes are hydrated enough, the good thing I can say about this product is its sheer texture. Your eyes definitely won't be weighed down...Hmm, I guess it's also meant to be handy for retouches, but unfortunately I only see its cumbersome self...

I do look forward to the day when I can do eye massage and makeup in one go. Meanwhile, I still prefer massaging my eyes with Clinique All About Eyes Serum (HERE).

Dior Diorskin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer vs. Mac Select Moisturecover

I told you about my dehydrated under eye area and my Mac Select Moisturecover in an earlier entry HERE. Although Moisturecover is already pretty sheer and moisturizing, I was still looking out for something better...something as sheer, but more moisturizing (not greasy!) and lasting. I spotted Dior Diorskin Nude Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer, but the lady at Dior Beaute told me that Diorskin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer is their most moisturizing formula. She didn't lie! Don't be fooled by its relatively thicker consistency. It's truly very moisturizing, even better than my Mac Moisturecover! The texture is just as sheer, but I can feel the extra film of moisture while dabbing it over my under eyes. The best part is, I don't even need to use a corrector now! It won't cake up or settle into creases, and it stays put the WHOLE day. Mac Moisturecover can't go that long!

Mac Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer & Highlighter

As mentioned last time, I went for Mac Primed for Perfection makeup consultation. It's fabulous! The Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye Primer is actually a sheer moisturizing eye cream, so sheer that you'll most likely underestimate its hydrating power! The light cream texture disappeared on my eye area in no time, and boom, it kept the layers of concealer looking fresh the whole day! I've been using Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream which really irons out the creases under eye, but this Vibrancy Eye Primer seems to be a lighter and more comfy formula for the humid spring/summer.

Next is the Highlighter. The new line offers three shades: Bright Forecast (mid-tone peachy coral), Light Boost (soft yellow cream), and Radiant Rose (light shell pink). It comes in a slender twist-up pen applicator, supposed to be handy, but it doesn't really excites me since I prefer putting the required amount on the back of my hand before application. Find it more hygienic.

Anywayz, Bright Forecast and Radiant Rose can be worn under concealer to correct the greenish bluish darkness under eye, whereas Light Boost functions more as a highlighter over concealer. The texture is thin and velvety, you know, the summer kinda texture. The only drawback is, it's NOT moisturizing and it's a definite NO to wear it without any moisturizing base for dry skin (around the eyes) like mine! The makeup artist recommended me to stick to using my own eye cream (my Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream since there's still plenty) and Mac Select Moisturecover in NW25 as a corrector, then highlight the outline of my eye bags with Light Boost. YES! I did look more radiant than using Moisturecover NW25 + NC25! What's more, it felt lighter. It was a long day for me and I only reached home at 11pm. The concealing job still stayed put! Will consider getting Vibrancy Eye Primer after finishing my Bobbi Brown. =)