BB Creams and Foundations That Were Not For Me

For me my base, whether it be a Tinted Moisturiser, BB Cream, CC Cream or Foundation is the most important part of my makeup look. If my base is right, everything else follows. Of course skincare is key, but some things cannot be helped and I like to enhance the great bits and hide the less so great things...

So what do I look for in a base -

Personally I tend to look for bases that hide pores, smooths lines, masks the redness of rosacea on the cheeks and a product that lasts a good 6+ hours without the need for a retouch. Naturally I want something that is not mask like and looks as natural as possible..

For various reasons which I am going to outline below, the BB Creams and Foundations pictured above were not right for me ...

From L-R

Kiko Sunproof BB Cream SPF 30 in Light £9.90 for 30ml

Kiko say 

Radiant finish foundation-treatment with light coverage and SPF 30.

A perfect combination of make-up and skin protection. A veritable multibenefit treatment that guarantees even colour and protection from the sun. The light coverage colour takes on a natural second skin effect to perfectly match the tones of your complexion. Imperfections are covered and signs of fatigue are minimized.

The light, smoothing formula ensures an even, long lasting finish.

My thoughts 

I love most products from Kiko so I had high hopes for this BB Cream. It has a high SPF which is a huge bonus in the Summer months. Unfortunately the shade (Light) is just too dark for me (it comes in 4 shades, with the lightest being called Very Light). I love the thin tube that dispenses the BB Cream as it is easy to control the amount that comes out. It does provide a lovely glow but for me the coverage is far too light which means all my flaws are visible and not all are able to be hidden with a concealer!

Simple Kind To Skin+ Perfecting BB Beauty Balm Universal Shade SPF15 £8.99 for 50ml

Simple say 

For natural flawless looking skin...

You are craving picture-perfect, flawless skin in a instant. Discover our Perfecting Beauty Balm: it moisturises, evens out skin tone, blurs imperfections & fine lines, and even protects your skin from UVA and UVB (SPF-15), all in one go!

Our unique blend of multi-vitamins, skin-loving ingredients with naturally derived minerals and illuminating particles instantly give you natural flawless looking skin. Perfect even for sensitive skin.
Simple goodness...
3 vitamins Pro-vitamins B3, Vitamin E, Vitamin A Palmitate,4 skin loving ingredients -

Bisabolol, Ginger Root Extract, Sweet Almond Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, no artificial perfume or colour and no harsh chemicals so it won't upset your skin.

My thoughts 

Unfortunately I could barely give this a review as the Universal shade is just so dark and I am not that pale! It really did make me look far too orange and Oompa Loompa like which is a great shame as I really liked its texture. It is soft and creamy and easy to blend.

SEVENTEEN On The Spot Foundation SPF15 in Natural £6.99 for 30ml

SEVENTEEN say

Flawless full coverage AND clearer skin in 4 weeks!

All day flawless foundation which covers and helps treat for healthier looking skin. Containing our unique Skin Clear Complex with blemish fighting salicylic acid , the foundation gives your clearer skin in 4 weeks.

My thoughts 

First of all I should mention that I love the pump dispenser and packaging of this foundation, especially at the price level that it is at. Natural is also a good match for my skin but unfortunately that is where it ends. I confess that I don't particularly suffer from spots so I am reviewing this from the end of it being a foundation to provide flawless coverage... 

Now I don't know what happened with this foundation but I just could not make it work for me. No matter which moisturiser or primer variation I used, the product would not apply smooth at all, it was really patchy and to this end I could not wear it out. Texture wise as would be expected from a full coverage foundation this was reasonably thick.

Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Flawless Finish Foundation SPF20 010 Ivory £8.99 for 30ml 

Maybelline say

Energising vitamin formula flawless finish foundation. Evens skin tone instantly. Better looking skin in 3 weeks. All day wear. Non transfer.

My thoughts 

*I was sent this sample for a magazine trial

In the same vein as the SEVENTEEN version but it promises better skin a week faster.. One of the newer generation of makeup/skincare fusion lines.

Ivory was a shade or so too dark for me but for the purposes of the trial I persisted with wearing this foundation.

Once again I should stress that my skin is not really prone to spots so I was looking at it from the angle of the coverage and appearance of my skin. 

I quite liked the coverage of this foundation,( particularly on my pores) and if it had been the right shade I would have probably liked it more.. however the major downside to it is that it clung to and highlighted dry patches I never even knew I had. At the same time that I was trialling this product I was suffering from psoriasis on my face and it really showed it up when other foundations I wore hid it perfectly. For that reason the foundation was not for me.

Have you tried these foundations/BB Creams? Would love to know what you thought of them.

*All products were PR Samples unless otherwise stated.