Essence All-in-one BB Cream

Lets do a quick head count on the brand-passengers on my BB cream train. So far I have reviewed Garnier's miracle skin perfector BB Cream, Essence's my skin tinted moisturisers (I consider them to be the same as a BB cream) and Ponds' newly released flawless radience BB cream. 

One guest that I have been wanting on the train ever since I heard about it, is Essence's All-in-one BB cream and I am finally here to welcome it on board with open arms!

Finally, a BB cream that matches my skin tone almost 100%! I don't have to blend out any lines near my jaw line to avoid the dreaded "mask" look. This really made my girl problems better and that's all I really need.

The moisturising properties were really enjoyable. My skin did not feel dry or tight, in fact it gave my skin a slight glow. This is fantastic to liven up dull winter skin but might be a problem on hot summer days. Luckily I don't need to worry about that now and it works just fine!

I am also loving the SPF 30 in each tube of Essence All-in-one BB bream. Don't forget that even though it's cold, the sun can damage your skin and give you horrible dark sun spots. I honestly don't think I would buy a BB cream if it didn't have an SPF. *High-five to Essence*

More awesome news? This is the cheapest BB cream you'll find on the shelves right now. Retail price is only R54.95 for a 30ml tube. Yes please!

One major downer is that it smells terrible. The Essence All-in-one BB cream is oil and perfume free which is fantastic for your skin but can be rather grotesque once it's applied and it's stuck to your nostril area. This scent (or lack thereof) does fade within like 30min but might be too much for some ladies to initially overcome.

This is a great BB cream because the quality you get for the amount that you pay, is totally worth it. 

Thanks so much to Essence for sending this BB cream my way. I am so glad that I get to use it on a daily basis. Follow Essence on Twitter and like their Facebook page to keep up with their fab products and new releases!

Fresh Face with PONDS BB Cream

Here is a quick snap of me rocking my PONDS BB Cream in "Beige". Curious as to what I am talking about? Read more about the launch event here and the actual BB Cream review here!

PONDS BB Cream Review

As you saw last week, I recently attended the launch of PONDS' BB cream and "Best of both worlds" campaign. If you missed it then check it out by clicking here.

Here I am to give a review of the actual BB cream!

The BB cream only comes in two shades, Beige and Chocolate, but these colours are quite generalised. If you have fair skin like me then you only apply a small amount and blend the shade out. If your skin is more tanned then you can layer the cream on until you get the desired shade!

Finally, a BB cream for darker ladies specifically designed for African skin by South Africans in South Africa. The chocolate shade can be blended out just like the beige, so it can cater for all darker skin shades. Of you are a little bit in between, you can mix the two shades together to get to a desired colour. 

Both shades separately and mixed together

This BB cream has an extreme amount of durability. It sticks to the skin so beautifully without making your skin feel like its wrapped in cling wrap, it lasts the whole day without sweating off or going cakey and it provides endless moisture! Definitely a change from other BB reams I have tried.

There is a reasonable SPF of 30 in each tube which will protect you from harmful UV rays. However, this does not give you permission to doll yourself up and attend a pool party where you lie in the sun all day. You still need to be sun-smart!

The PONDS BB cream retails for about 80 something rand (totally drew a blank right now) for a 25ml tube. I though this was quite affordable seeing at most other BB creams on the shelves retail for about the same price. I dug a bit further and saw that the other BB brands have 50ml tubes meaning PONDS charges the same price but gives you 50% less. Very sneaky. 

Due to the higher quality, you apply alot less product for the same effect so this price per ml thing is just being really picky. Definitely something to consider when browsing for your BB cream.

This BB cream worked way better with my skin than others I have tried (namely Garnier's BB cream) and I would love to repurchase it in the future.

Thanks again to PONDS and their fantastic PR team for inviting me to the event!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

PONDS #BestOfBothWorlds Event

This past Saturday PONDS hosted a very lavish high tea to launch their new BB cream. It was held at the infamous Westcliff Hotel in Joburg, although it was my first time there, I was highly impressed at their service. I was dropped off at the hotel in a beaten up old Toyota Tazz (poor girl right here) yet the doorman still opened the door for me and lead me inside as if I had just popped out of a limo in a Taylor-Swift-like ballgown. *Look mom, I'm a Princess!*

Fresh pink and white decor

I was a little bugged by the fact that I was invited only 4 days before the event and I was not included in the "media launch" which was the day before. It was almost as if I was an afterthought or I had just been banished to the riff raff room. We could invite a girlfriend to join us but none of mine were available on such short notice which dampened my mood even more. Never the less I was delighted to get an invite and was truly excited to be a part of this exciting new venture for such a great brand as I have always wanted to contribute to their online presence. I must admit, a lot of pressure was taken off my shoulders knowing that I wouldn't have to sit with a pen and notepad throughout the whole shindig.

The event was inspired by the notion "The Best of Both Worlds", simply meaning that they have a BB cream for us lighter ladies as well as a darker BB cream for African Ladies (and gents). The 'Chocolate' shade of BB cream was inspired by South Africans, specifically designed by South Africans for South Africans and that is the best of both worlds!

Top: Research Lady, Bottom Left: Michel Ingoglia, Bottom Right: Michelle Ponds Brand Manager

We were given presentations by Michelle, the Brand Manager of Ponds, the lady who was the head of research and development (completely forgot her name) who gave such an educational demo into skin behaviors and damage processes, and we also got a make up demo by the Oh-So-Fab, Michel Ingoglia who said quirky things like "Black don't crack" and who gave away some secret trends coming in from the US and the UK later in the year. He made us feel as if we were all at a pajama party, sharing stories and eating koekies from the Tuisnywerheid.

The food was delish and we got spoiled with white and dark Lindt chocolate (my fave!!) to give our tummies the best of both worlds as well.

Best-of-both-worlds party in my tummy!

Here are some more pikkies. I will be uploading my actual BB cream review soon!

High Tea Snacks

Image from Ponds on Facebook

My Nails and Outfit

Image from Ponds on Facebook

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo