BB Cream Review: BRTC, Missha, Maybelline, Hyalin
A lot of my colleagues have been asking me to write BB cream reviews for about…well two years now. I have been a fan of this innovation even before it became a craze in the Philippines, mostly because I’m a lazy gal. I’d be happy if I can slap on moisturizer, sunblock and foundation in one swipe.
That’s why when I found out about this super beefed up tinted moisturizer, I immediately ordered from my friend Anna’s Multiply store.
BRTC Gold Caviar BB Cream
This was the very first BB cream I have ever owned. It’s anti-wrinkle, has SPF 20 PA++, provides good coverage. It also came with a freebie: SPF 46 PA++ Perfect Protect Balm, which, I found out later on (after I gave it to my aunt’s secretary), served as a pretty good skin conditioner.
The Gold Caviar provided a decent coverage. My only problem was that my skin was too young for it. My face would turn into an oil slick after a few hours so people thought I was hitting puberty for the second time. In all fairness, my skin did not break out.
BRTC Blemish Recover Balm
A few months later, I decided to give BB creams another chance. This time around, I ordered BRTC’s answer to oily skin: Blemish Recover Balm. I found out that this is an improved version of their Perfect Recover Balm. It has SPF 28 PA++ and is very light.
It actually is the best BB cream I’ve ever used. Though I thought I would look like a geisha — what with the white film that initially manifests itself upon first application — it can even out your skin tone. A little goes a very long way and my photos reflected my radiance all throughout the entire day. The only downside is my difficulty in applying it as its consistency is pretty thick.
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream
I bought this (from Missha’s SM North Edsa store) out of curiosity because I have seen rave reviews from YouTube make-up gurus, who regaled their visitors with tales of wonderful coverage. Plus the SPF 42 PA+++ positively made me drool. When I bought this, there were only 2 shades: #21 for people with pink undertones and #23 for those with yellow undertones. Of course, I instantly knew I should pick #23.
But I forgot that the YouTube make-up gurus do not live in an unforgivably humid country like the Philippines. As you can guess, my face became like a slightly buttered Teflon pan, which is why I now use it only for my neck.
Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals
At P250, this baby is not so bad. It’s easy to spread and blend, plus it has SPF 26 PA+++. I’m not so sure about its “instant skin perfecting” qualities because its weakness, like most BB creams, is its oil-control feature. You still need to dust your face with loose powder to set it. (And I’m too lazy to want to do that.)
This happens to be the only non-Korean brand among the BB creams I’ve enumerated here. It also happens to be the cheapest. None of the other brands here are worth less than P1,000 so I believe you still get value for your money with this one. Available at Watsons.
Hyalin Beauty Insurance
Said to be organic, I bought this from Lizz Buenaventura’s online shop. When I checked its ingredients, however, I realized that it’s not totally organic but has organic ingredients. (There still are parabens in it.) Even with that little nitpick, I believe this is the second best BB cream that I have ever used. It instantly brightens up your face. When I looked closely, I realized why: that “shining pearl plus” literally makes you sparkle. You know, like Edward
The only reason this very good BB cream landed second is that it isn’t as camera-ready as BRTC Blemish Recover Balm. While people compliment me when I’m wearing this, the look doesn’t quite translate well in photos (and being in the multimedia industry means we’re always doing photo shoots). This has stronger SPF, at 35 PA++, though, so I wear it on non-working days.
19 Comments
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*MrsMartinez*
October 6, 2010 at 12:00 amHi Bea
I am a BB cream virgin haha
I don't know what it is until I encountereed Liz's post about it hehe
I can't believe that you had several BB creams while I had NONE hehe
But with BB craze going on right now, I might try it one of these days , I especially like the BB cream with EDWARD effect ; p
xoxo
MrsM
skysenshi
October 6, 2010 at 12:26 amI use BB creams for everyday use. I'm still looking for one that is really organic, although I have doubts when it comes to efficacy. Tamad talaga ako eh, haha! So it's pretty much like a 3-in-1 product: moisturizer, sunscreen, tint. 😀
I also tend to rotate them. When I'm in BF, I use Maybelline. When I'm in the condo, I alternate Hyalin and Missha.
AnnaMarie
October 6, 2010 at 9:02 amHow much is the missha bb cream in sm north?
skysenshi
October 6, 2010 at 1:11 pm@AnnaMarie
There are two sizes. The bigger one is around P1.2K and the smaller one…I don't quite remember, but it's around P800, I think.
Minel
January 27, 2011 at 2:03 amHi!! Where can I buy BTRC? Do they have a store here in Philippines?
skysenshi
January 27, 2011 at 2:40 am@Minel
I bought mine from my friend Anna's multiply site: http://ninjaneko.multiply.com/
Miho
February 27, 2011 at 2:59 amhi skyneshi! thanks for the wonderful reviews about bb creams. It really helped me a lot and answered all questions i have in mind about the differences of bb creams. Would like to ask if you know where to buy brtc here in philippines? i have checked the link to multiply store but i think she's not selling brtc anymore? Thanks so much!
skysenshi
February 27, 2011 at 4:07 amAnna still does sprees though. You just have to inform her of your intent to buy BB creams. What I understand of sprees is that people usually buy in bulk.
Lourice Marquez
March 25, 2011 at 12:21 pmate san ka po nkabili ng blemish recover balm cream dito sa philippines???please comment back or beep me back at my phone #09109062748
Thankx.
skysenshi
March 25, 2011 at 12:31 pmHi, Lourice! Nilagay ko sa taas ng post yung name ng store. Anna ang pangalan ng may-ari: http://ninjaneko.multiply.com/
Hongdenice
April 10, 2011 at 3:56 pmCan you upload pictures of you wearing BRTC Blemish Recover Balm BB Cream.. 😀
Thanks!
DeniceHong
skysenshi
April 10, 2011 at 4:08 pmHm. I have one in my FB profile somewhere. Lemme check.
skysenshi
April 17, 2011 at 1:24 pmHere, I grabbed this from FB. It's an old photo. I'd normally look really haggard, but I like my skin here.
Whoops, the image appeared on top of this comments thread.
madjewel
August 21, 2011 at 7:39 amHyalin Beauty Insurance = is it good for morena skin??
skysenshi
August 21, 2011 at 1:02 pmI think so. But you'd have to blend well. I am morena. 🙂
Anna Maria Tan
April 11, 2012 at 2:43 pmHello – Skysenshi bought from me before and I'm happy to announce that my shop is now open for orders. I have a long list of Asian Skincare goodies & of course, BB Creams. Do visit my site @ https://www.facebook.com/Beauty.theBest – Thank you 🙂 – Thanks Bea 🙂
ANNA
Jessica Bulaong
June 30, 2012 at 5:49 amwhere can i buy brtc overnight pore tightener here in the phils? pls answer.tnx
skysenshi
July 2, 2012 at 2:08 amHi Jessica,
The seller is the commenter just above you. 🙂
Mara
June 19, 2013 at 2:17 pmthere are BRTC items already available here in the Philippines. Check out https://www.facebook.com/TheBeautyAndCosmeticShop 🙂