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Beauty Balms

Confession: I could never understand
the hype surrounding BB Creams. They absolutely burst onto the UK scene
last year, with most of the big players funding huge advertising
campaigns urging us all to buy these ‘miracle’ creams. 

I
also thought that it was just me that wasn’t a fan, working my way
through several variations trying to convince myself they were good.
Glowing review after glowing review on the blogosphere persuaded me to
keep going. 

I tried Garnier, Sleek and even L’Oreal. All
of which made my skin look like it wasn’t mine. It could have been the
lack of shade range, but regardless, BB cream did nothing for me but
make my skin dull and strangely unnatural.

So imagine
how I felt upon hearing of the next big thing: CC Creams! The cynic in
me half expects to see DD Creams, the miraculous breast cream launched
just a few months down the line! As yet, my prediction is yet to come
true. But anyway, the arrival of the CC Creams initially had me
thinking: ‘Oh, here we go again!’ *roll-eye*

So what exactly is a CC cream?

Well, it stands for Colour Correcting and is more of an evolution of the BB cream. 

I
spotted L’Oreal had released 3 types of CC creams: Anti-Dullness,
Anti-Redness and Anti-Fatigue. I picked up the latter after swatching it
in my local Boots.

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Tone, Consistency & Application:

Upon swatching, I realised it was a lovely apricot colour with
microscopic beads or, as L’Oreal describe it, capsules. Once blended
into the skin it transforms into foundation which adapts to my skin
tone. Infact, I don’t think I could describe this as a foundation, but
perhaps a notch down on the thickness scale.

I found
this works best for me when applying tiny dots in various areas
around the face before using a buffer to work it into the skin. The
brush I’m using at the moment is my trusty Illamasqua Highlighter Brush,
which is perfect for applying foundation, and gives flawless,
air-brushed looking skin. Back to the CC Cream though, and I love how
this provides light coverage that adapts to my skin-tone. As many of us
Desi girls know, finding the right shade can be troublesome.

After
buffing the cream in, the face looking back at me in the mirror appears
so much brighter and more awake. And that’s before my morning coffee!
This is in no small part due to the apricot colour of the cream, which
works beautifully with olive skin tones. A word of warning though,
ladies with dry skin might want to try before you buy, as this dries to a
semi-matte finish . Just for reference, I am a MAC NC37 – NC40 and NARS
Sheer Glow – Barcelona.

Formulation, Finish & Longevity:

Although
the cream doesn’t leave you with an instant glow, it leaves your skin
looking more awake and radiant. As the day progresses on, I notice that
my skin would gradually begin to glow. Now, my skin type is
Oily/Combination so this isn’t a great surprise, however I tend to find
that with other foundations I need to powder once or twice a day to
prevent the oiliness coming to the fore. With this cream I found that I
was able to skip the powdering altogether, due to the glow factor.

If
you’re looking for this to conceal blemishes or under-eye circles,
you’ll find the light coverage isn’t condusive to concealing. Luckily
for me, I don’t really suffer with dark under-eyes but of course the odd
blemish pops up from time to time. For these little nasties, I
conceal with my MUFE Full Cover Concealer.

So all in
all, this provides you with light coverage, evens your skin tone and
leaves a natural looking finish. My skin is relatively clear, so this
has worked perfectly for me in achieving that ‘Nude’ look. I can see this
quickly becoming a part of my morning routine for a long time to come
(Until EE Cream comes out anyway!), particularly in the summer when I
need super light coverage and don’t fancy applying anything heavy. 

*cue selfies*



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FACE:
L’Oreal Nude Magique Anti-Fatigue CC Cream

CHEEKS:
Topshop Cream Blush in Flush

EYES:
MAC Pressed Pigment in Warming Heart (lid colour and inner corner highlight)
Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in True Black
L’Oreal Lash Architect 4d Mascara

LIPS:
MUA Lipstick in 13 mixed with Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss Lipstick in 107

Final conclusion? 

L’Oreal, I am impressed!


L’Oreal Paris Nude Magique CC Creams are priced at £9.99. Currently stocked in Boots and Superdrug. 

Are you Team BB or Team CC, or none? Ha!



What do you think?

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32 Comments
  • R.ChamberofBeauty
    March 27, 2013

    Sounds great! Love its finish on your face, you look stunning honey! Love you <3

  • Miss Aggie Kwong
    March 27, 2013

    stunning look!!!

    I absolutely adore your blog. Your style is great with wonderful pieces.

    Following u now via Goggle +/ bloglovin/ facebook. Follow me back if you like! ♥
    Say meow to me on:
    Miss Aggie Kwong
    Facebook: Miss Aggie Kwong

  • Classy
    March 27, 2013

    I am following you , and I truly like your blog 🙂
    http://classyfashon.blogspot.com/

  • Kristina
    March 27, 2013

    great post & I loooooove your look 🙂
    follow you toooo :****

    http://www.simplebutreal.com

  • JL
    March 27, 2013

    This looks lovely! Thanks for sharing

  • TAYLOR
    March 27, 2013

    Your makeup looks incredible! Great review also :)xxx

    taylorpluslife.blogspot.co.uk

  • MILEX
    March 27, 2013

    love, love and love!

  • Isquisofrenia
    March 27, 2013

    your makeup looks awesome, and i think the crown would suit you!

  • Anonymous
    March 27, 2013

    Oh wow, that cream looks amazing on you! Need to buy me some in the very very very near future. Gorgeous make-up as per ususal 🙂 xoxox

  • Robyn Munro
    March 27, 2013

    That looks great on you. You have lovely eyes also.

  • Unknown
    March 27, 2013

    Your skin looks absolutely amazing!! Once I've finished my large stock of BB creams, I may have to jump to the CC ship! 😀

  • RockPaperBeauty
    March 28, 2013

    I haven't seen the CC Creams here in Canada just yet. At first, I thought they were like those green lipbalms that turn pink or coral on you, depending on who wears it. I'm looking out for it!

  • Crystal Chizoba
    March 28, 2013

    OMG your makeup is FLAWLESS!! That's so cool that L'Oreal came out with a CC cream and I'm definitely going to be on the hunt for it the next time I hit up the drugstore!

    Hope you had a Wonderful Wednesday and thanks so much for stopping by my blog 🙂
    xoxo
    Crystal

    My Blog, Crystal Chizoba
    Twitter
    Bloglovin
    Instagram

  • Trudy Danso
    March 28, 2013

    Omg your face is just gorgeous! Love the way you put makeup on. It looks very natural!

  • Harpreet
    March 28, 2013

    i love your hair colour!! looks lovely.

  • cardiac
    March 28, 2013

    Great style! Super unique<3

  • Accrochable
    March 28, 2013

    You look beautiful!

    XO The Daily Fashion Drug

  • Jenny
    March 28, 2013

    You are stunning! love your hair and eyes super pretty D: I love BB creams too but I have only tried Korean brands like Skin 79 need to try some UK ones. In fact I did try the Bodyshops BB version but it was very orange on my pale skin but will need to try other brands, great review xx

    http://www.krystelcouture.co.uk

  • HighlandFling
    March 28, 2013

    Your make up is flawless! Your eyes! God, so pretty! Great job.

    E x

  • Viv
    March 29, 2013

    Your makeup is fantastic, you are gorgeous! Thank you for the review!

    myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

  • Unknown
    March 29, 2013

    Definitely be trying this out! Perfect for school x
    justsayjess.blogspot.co.uk

  • Unknown
    March 30, 2013

    omg how you rock
    wish youll like my space as i love your one <3

    hope youll follow back 🙂
    http://www.malesclutch.blogspot.com

  • Josie
    March 30, 2013

    I love BB Creams (I think I'm like the only person haha) but have been wanted to try out these CC Creams. Your skin looks great and your make up is gorgeous too! xxx

  • Charlotte
    March 30, 2013

    oh sounds so good! I must buy this, I wonder what they'll think up next ha

    ordaining serendipity

  • Unknown
    March 31, 2013

    Like you didn't really go for BB creams, so might give this a go!! p.s. let me know when "DD" creams come out…..we read it on here first!! xx

  • Chantele Cross-Jones
    March 31, 2013

    Wow your hair is amazing! How do you keep the colour so bright?

    Daisy Dayz

  • Jane
    April 1, 2013

    I've been using BB cream but I've not heard of CC cream before, I don't think it's a thing here yet… I'm curious about it though!

  • Yuli Conversations
    April 2, 2013

    OK girl! I am so in love with your pretty face! I love how you do your make up (beautiful lenses too ;))
    YuliConversations.blogspot.com

  • LaaLaa
    April 2, 2013

    Flawless skin, the combination of lip colours, beautiful and I'm loving the contacts too.

    Well I find with BB creams I have to get more than one to get my correct colour, pointless and can get expensive. With BB creams I think it's better left to the eastern market, the western market hasn't targeted it well imo. CC creams since hearing about them last year I am intrigued by them and will definitely try them xo

  • *~mad munky~*
    April 28, 2013

    I'm so tempted to give this a go! 🙂

  • Anonymous
    May 4, 2013

    I'm not a fan, it looks orange on my skin for some reason! Looks great on you though x