Makeup Review: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-in-One BB Cream

Although I'm still very happy with my Dr. Jart Water Fuse BB Cream (HERE), I have serious problems refraining myself from buying and testing out other BB creams when a tube actually seems to last forever! This time round, I feel so grateful to the genius who first came up with the revolutionary idea of displaying testers and offering makeup trials...

Honestly, I didn't purchase this Garnier BB cream after testing it out at Mannings. What really turned me off was the consistency which is way thicker than expected. It feels like a foundation, and it's not a lightweight one like NARS Sheer Glow or Chanel Aqualumiere. I'm a sucker for sheer and lightweight texture for anything I put on my face. I can't convince myself to wear a foundation-like BB cream simply by repeating to myself that it contains other skincare benefits that a foundation doesn't. What's more, the rather thick consistency seemed to make it less easy to blend into a natural finish. Looking on the bright side, it provides a pretty good coverage for a BB cream. Like I said, the finish looks more like what a foundation gives you. So it really depends on how makeup you want to look. But if you are like me, who prefer barely-there and lightweight makeup, I guess this Garnier BB cream is not for you.

Makeup Review: Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15

Dermalogica has definitely got the right name for their tinted moisturizer. Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 is as sheer as it's named. It feels very different from Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (HERE and HERE). Comparing to Laura Mercier's creamy texture, this one is more like a tinted emulsion which easily melts and disappears on my skin. The Medium shade gives a healthy and subtle summer bronze, with a tinge of golden shimmer, yet the finish is so super sheer that you can't tell if anything's ever applied! It feels absolutely weightless while locking the natural layer of moisture in your skin. Texture-wise, it's superb!

BUT Sheer Tint Moisture doesn't go into my summer fav list for two reasons. Firstly, it doesn't provide any coverage, at least not that I can detect. But the golden shimmer does brighten my skin, especially under the sun. Although I don't have much blemishes on my face, I'm still more tempted by other lightweight products that offers a light coverage, however natural I prefer to look that day.

Secondly, it doesn't offer a broad spectrum of UV protection. With only an SPF 15, my face will only be protected for less than four hours, which means I either have to wear another layer of sunscreen underneath or I should make sure I won't stay under the sun the entire day. I do have other handier and more multifunctional items in my makeup bag...

Sheer Tint Moisture in Medium - Before rubbing

After rubbing

The verdict? Rather than using it as a tinted moisturizer, I personally think it's perfect for contouring. The subtlety, the sheerness, and the golden sheeny finish are simply alluring.