[Makeup] Love at First Application- Review: La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL Melt-in BB cream

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Disclaimer: The product featured in this post is sponsored by samplestore.com. All opinions are honest and of my own.

Well, makeup is to enhance, not conceal after all.

Does the term" BB cream" already sound ancient to you with the birth of funky new terms like "CC cream" and even "DD cream"? No, its not about the trend that matter, needs and wants are more important. Offering both skincare and makeup benefits, BB creams are akin to a tinted sunscreen and moisturizer. The main difference that sets BB creams apart is that they offer higher coverage than their later counterparts. If you're looking for something to replace your foundations, turn to BB creams.

Many companies already offer BB creams since years ago and new additions to the market doesn't seem to be slowing down. While BB Creams are a great multi-tasker, people with skin sensitivities such as acne and rosacea may be unable to tolerate them. The story plot has a twist when the "sensitive skin specialist", La Roche Posay launched their UVIDEA XL Melt-in BB cream.

Highest UVA Protection in a unique melt-in BB Cream. Feather light daily moisturising and correcting BB texture. The BB Cream testure intensely hydrates skin while covering blemishes, ﬁne lines and brown spots.
Developed for Asian Skin, its shade instantly melts in skin natural tones for uniﬁed complexion and healthy looking skin, without oily ﬁnish. Long lasting wear. Excellent Make Up base. Fragrance free and paraben free.

Most of my day creams and even sunscreens don't offer SPF protection up to 50. This new BB cream offered by La Roche Posay has a wide-spectrum UV protection of PA+++, absolving the need to apply any separate sunscreen.

While I stay under the shade as much as possible, its still psychological comforting when I see high sun protection. While I started applying sunscreen during PE lessons since my JC days, my efforts seem to be inadequate to compensate for the scorching South East Asia sun. Till date, I've developed 4 sun spots, 2 on my right cheek and 2 more on my chin; they have since camouflaged themselves well as "facial moles" and are hard to rid off.

This was first launched in shade #01, a darker shade that will suit most olive skin tones. A new, lighter shade #02 is then added on to this product line. I appreciate that loads, because skintone is not a universal shade. As much as the fad for lighter skintones is still roaring, I urge you against using a different foundation or BB cream shade as it will probably look very awkward. Admit it, we're all seen it on people.

Product

#01 (medium) is the darker shade with a yellowish tone.

The BB cream is very watery and spreads out like a light serum, allowing natural, sheer coverage. Of course, you can definitely build it up if you require more coverage especially on areas such as your under-eyes and acne marks. I like how the combination of different pigments orchestrate together, to suit the asian skin. #01, the darker shade has a yellowish base to suit my chinese skin.
If you're fairer or do not have any yellow-undertone, you can opt for #02, their new shade which I believe has a pink undertone instead.

Close-up shot

The La Roche Posay UVIDEA XL BB cream was love at first application. It glided on so smoothly and lightly. Despite being sheer, it deflects light away to minimize skin imperfections (acne marks, enlarged pores and my depressed ice-pick scars), improving my complexion noticeably. Yes, my skin doesn't look perfectly airbrushed, but I kind of like it that way, leaving me out of the obvious "makeup look". I did mentioned something along the line of looking natural in my previous entries, right? Heh

Before and After

I've tried my best to capture the shot in the same lighting,
but *sigh*
But the main observations, are highlighted :)

Also containing the famous La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, it provides smoothing and anti-oxidant properties. With this skin is hydrated up to 24 hours and also protected from photo-damage.

La Roche Posay places more emphasis on sun protection, furthermore because it is catered for sensitive skin, it is a physical sunscreen. With PA+++, it reflects a lot of light. I don't quite like the shine-like appearance it leaves behind. So, you might want to set it with some powder to rough up the skin surface so that reflection is diffused.

Don't have powder? Nevermind! I'm sure you would at least have some Johnson's baby powder? HAHA It works pretty much as well, plus not to mention that it is hell-a cheaper than those "professional" setting powders.

I was also hoping for longer staying power, but alas, this is not waterproof. This started to wear after my third hour, but if you're indoors; erhem, office ladies, you might have a different story to tell. Regardless, setting this with a powder definitely will prolong its life.

This product is now available at Guardian, Watsons, National Skin Center & Hospital Pharmacies!

More Good News!

La Roche Posay is currently giving out free samples of this BB cream!

Not as if getting a freebie is insufficient of a reason to take action, a $5 Watsons voucher is also given with each redemption.Because this maybe a little pricey for some, I would encourage you to obtain a sample to try out before deciding on purchase. In fact, I will encourage anyone to get a sample anyway! HAHA