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!

UV Fighters IV: Lancome Blanc Expert Melanolyser Whiteness Activating Spot Eraser

Asian girls, including myself, are known for their obsession over fair complexion. I wasn't lucky enough to be born with snowy fair skin, but my experience says proper skincare regime and treatments plus UV protection can essentially make up for what nature's brought me. I don't want to use the word 'whitening' here since only products that contain bleach or alike can really whiten your skin. I'm madly indulged in brighhtening products and I actually think everybody needs it. Even if you're a beach babe who prefers bronze complexion, you won't wanna end up with freckles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Choosing a good serum is utterly important here because that's what plays the magic in your daily skincare routine.

I tested out Lancome Blanc Expert Melanolyser Whiteness Activating Spot Eraser for a month. The product says that it will dissolve pigmentations and discoloration, minimize melanin production, and speed up the exfoliation of surface dead cells which are packed with melanin to reveal finer, fairer, and more even skin texture. To a considerable extent, it does.

Unlike some of the online reviews which joyfully reported that their spots faded out the next morning, I haven't observed such a dramatic effect and I believe I never will. Looking into the mirror, my overall skin tone is indeed significantly brightened and evened out. I know I'm repeating, but I have to stress that the product has really done quite a good job in evening out my skin tone. I THINK my blemishes and spots are slightly lightened as well...for this, frankly, I'm not sure if it's just a "placebo effect"...anyway, on the whole, I'll give this product an A-. 

Why an A-? 

I always expect serums to be super lightweight, and I think they have to be lightweight. Look, it's only the first layer of product that I'll apply on my face after cleansing and toning. At the very least, there'll be a moisturizer or emulsion layering on top of it...that's provided I'm not wearing makeup...This Melanolyser is however a bit too rich for a serum. It's perfect for those who prefer a more moisturizing formula. It leaves a moisture layer on my skin, and even before applying my emulsion, it already feels like I have! You may find that a good news if it means your moisturizer or emulsion can last a bit longer. Yes, I'm really using a smaller drop of emulsion these days. But no, I'll still hunt for another brightening serum for summer and adore Blanc Expert Melanolyser in our dry fall and winter. Anyway, don't get me wrong - it's a good product! *wink* 

New alternative to foundation: Dr. Jart+ Blemish Base vs. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

I've been a big fan of the tinted moisturizers by Laura Mercier (See HERE and HERE). The buildable coverage and perfect moisture balance never fails to even out my skin tone and give my face a barely-there finish. But since Sephora temptingly recommends this Water Fuse Blemish Base (a.k.a. BB cream) by Dr. Jart+ (Hot Now Vol 3 video HERE - I couldn't upload it as it's only sent to subscribers and is not searchable), I decide to test it out.

Dr. Jart+ is a medical skincare/cosmetics brand founded by a group of Korean dermatologists, which I suppose implies that it's safeR for sensitive skin. The brand is steadily gaining popularity in Asia these few years (no official retail in HK though), and yes, it's now available at Sephora HERE!

BB cream has taken Asia by storm because of its light texture and the myriad of functions it serves, including the basics like hydration, oil-control, UV protection, and skin correction. Many of them also provide vitamin boost, as well as whitening and anti-aging effects...practically everything under the sun! Dior has just launched a BB cream this season, but its sold out shortly after so I haven't managed to get my hands on it. It can be worn alone or under foundation as a primer.

The many things that I like:

This Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Blemish Base contains natural water-binding agents, such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice; and citric acid, a natural collagen building and skin whitening agent which nourishes my skin at the same time. It also comes with SPF 27 (PA++). And unlike wearing a sunscreen, this BB Cream is not greasy or sticky AT ALL! In fact, it's noticeably more lightweight and it offers a better coverage than Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. Literally feels like my skin! Although some people really wear it alone, and I mean ALONE, I do set it with my Mac Blotting Powder. I detest any amount of stickiness and I also believe that the blotting powder can 'preserve' the look for longer hours. And at least for me, it does really last longer than Laura Mercier TM. It manages to stay put for 10 hours (the longest I've tried) without visibly cracking, sliding, melting, and going dull-looking! I MAY need to touch up with my blotting powder once. But it's good enough even without any retouches. AND what makes it phenomenal is that it's sweat-proof! My elevator happened to be under service today and I had to climb 20 stories to finally get home! And guess what?! The BB cream was still in place after gently dabbing dry my sweaty face!!!

In short, the Water Fuse Blemish Base is sheer and super duper comfortable for long wear...and a little goes a long way!

The only thing I kinda dislike:

It only comes in ONE shade...the product description says that it will only give a slightly fairer complexion, which will blend into my skin to give a natural brightened look after a short while. But I seriously doubt if it works for medium or darker skin tones. Laura Mercier TM in Nude is perfect for me, but I guess my skin tone is the 'darkest' that can 'naturally' carry this BB cream.