Latest Favorite Sunblock: Kanebo Freshel UV Day Protector SPF35 PA++

I have been guilty! I have not been blogging!

I have been busy cleaning up the house, which has not been cleaned for a long long time. You won't even want to know when it was the last time my husband mopped the floor. *HORROR* There's so many things that need to be done that I believe it's going to take me/us another 2 days to complete cleaning and tidying up everything!

After cleaning, I just feel like sinking my nose in a book... Just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Was really bored by the last 50 pages...

So... let me just do a quick skincare review here!

I believe that sunblock is one of the skincare steps I will never skip whenever I am going out (mostly for the face). In fact, I heard that it is necessary to use sunblock even when you are staying at home! However, lazy as I am, I will only use sunblock when I step out of the house =)

Regardless of your skin tone, sunblock is a must to prevent premature aging of your skin. Even if you are a sun lover and prefer a nice tan all year round, I think that it might still be a good idea to protect your skin from harmful UV rays =D

As Singapore is sunny most of the time, I prefer to use SPF50. However, recently I somehow feel like using something lighter. To compensate for that, I will just touch up on my make up with my compact (with SPF15) more often.

My current favorite is from one of Kanebo's drugstore line, Freshel UV Day Protector. It comes with SPF35, PA++.

It has a very runny texture and after about a minute after application, leaves a slightly powdery finish. I usually apply my sunblock and let it fully absorb into my skin for around 10 minutes (meanwhile change into my work clothes etc) before I proceed to makeup. When fully absorbed, I do not see any white residue and the powdery finish makes my foundation application smoother. I use it like sunblock + primer in a way! It also doesn't have any strong smell that bothers me.

I got this from Watson's and it's definitely under SGD30. Can't remember the exact price!

This sun protector is from the whitening range. Watson's also carries the moisture range. Both range has everything you need, from face wash, toner... all the way to BB cream. Each item is about SGD20+, with the exception of BB cream sold at SGD33. I have the BB cream too and I have done a review of it here.

For those who are new in using skincare, you should apply sunblock after your moisturiser =)

Facial wash --> toner --> serum/essence --> moisturiser --> sunblock --> primer --> foundation

For the skincare gurus, please just ignore the section above =]

Cya soon!

*UPDATED* Review: BB Cream Comparison (Skin Food, Maybelline, Skin79, Freshel)

BB Cream stands for 'Blemish Balm Cream'. It is a foundation with skincare properties, like moisturising effect, whitening effect, wrinkle improvement etc... The cool thing about BB cream is that it's like an 'all-in-one' cream - after you put your daily moisturiser, you don't need sunblock, makeup base and foundation to achieve flawless skin. All you need is just one cream, your BB cream. It functions as sunblock, makeup base and foundation! As a BB cream is still a cosmetic and NOT a skincare product, you still need to remove it with makeup remover every night! Never sleep with your BB cream on =D

As compared to a lot of bloggers, my collection of BB cream is small. These are the only 4 I have:

SKIN79, VIP Gold Collection, 40g, SGD39 (approx...)

This is by no means a new product ^^" So many bloggers have blogged about this already hahaha... But anyway, I will still talk briefly about this...

This BB cream claims to:

1. whiten,

2. protect against UV rays (SPF25 PA++),

3. reduce appearance of wrinkles.

Kanebo Freshel White C W Cream UV, 50g, SGD33

This BB cream claims to:

1. moisturise the skin,

2. covers pores and dullness,

3. protect against UV rays (SPF32 PA++) and resists fading (Ok I have no idea what this means?? Resists fading?? Hmmm like the foundation will stay put and last all day?),

4. acts as makeup base and foundation.

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals BB Cream, 18g, SGD16.90 (I think...)

This is what the product claims to do:

1. brightens skin,

2. covers imperfections, reduce appearance of pores, skin redness disappears,

3. moisturises + protects against UV rays (SPF26 PA+++)

Skin Food Agave Cactus Sun BB Cream, 40g, SGD49.90 (ekkks extremely overpriced. Buy it in Korea if you can!! Or try buy from Korea BB)

You can squeeze out the product from the nozzle

Or use the in-built sponge applicator (which I find totally useless... because you can't wash the sponge)

This product claims to:

1. provide long moisture retention

2. give UV protection (SPF36 PA+++)

Left to right: SKIN79, Freshel, Skin Food, Maybelline

AFTER BLENDING:

Left to right: SKIN79, Freshel, Skin Food, Maybelline

The following review is based on my skin condition and color.

I am a M.A.C NC20. I have normal to combination skin, with a slightly oilier T-zone and dryer cheeks. I have a few faint pimple scars, slightly larger pores on skin near to nose area, but general skin condition is good. A few dark spots (sob sob) on my cheeks.

Although all 4 colors are different, all 4 seem to suit my skin color when applied (as you can see from 2nd swatch photo, all blend well).

SKIN79:

Texture: Slightly thick

Coverage: Sheer

Color: Fair, pink base (looks almost grey isn't it?)

*Oil Control: Fair

Freshel:

Texture: Slightly thick

Coverage: Medium to full

Color: Beige (seems to suit my skin color best!!)

Oil Control: To Be Updated. I just bought this today, so I have not tested it out yet. Please come back tomorrow and I will update on this page!!

*UPDATE*:

Oil Control: Good. It's oil control power is the same as the Skin Food BB Cream on my skin.

Skin Food:

Texture: Like typical foundation, just right

Coverage: Medium

Color: Beige Pink

Oil Control: Good, perhaps because it moisturises well?

Maybelline:

Texture: To the thin side, almost like emulsion

Coverage: Sheer to medium

Color: Slightly fair, Pink base

Oil Control: Average

*Oil control meter:

Poor --> Fair --> Average --> Good --> Excellent

For me, when I select foundation, I definitely go for beige shades instead of pink shades. However, surprisingly, all the colors with pink base work for me (Skin79, Skinfood, Mayeblline). I suspect the reason might be the sheer to medium coverage instead of full coverage!

For all 4 BB Creams, I don't smell any strong scent when applied, but that could be just me ^^

Personally, my favorite so far is the Skin Food Agave Cactus Sun BB Cream... but I have a feeling I might switch to Freshel after trying it out tomorrow!! Just a feeling...

*UPDATE*: Right now, I like both Skin Food and Freshel equally. The Freshel BB cream is really easy to apply and I am able to spread the product evenly without effect on my skin. However, I can't say that it is better then Skin Food because the oil control power is not better but only equal. Oh how I wish that I could find a foundation that can really control the oil on my face!!

I hope this post has helped anyone looking for a BB Cream!