FACE FAVES // MECCA COSMETICA IN A GOOD LIGHT

I thought I'd do a little review on a product I've been using for quite some time now (almost eight months!), Mecca Cosmetica's tinted sunscreen, In a Good Light SPF 30+ (the old version). I first mentioned it some time ago (waaaay back in the beginning), though - believe or not - I've been intending to do a post on this since late 2013, before I even made this blog! (That's why I look a little different in these photos. A bit chubbier.)

It's basically an illuminating SPF, that provides barely any coverage and is quite moisturising. The link above will take you to the 'back story' of why I ended up purchasing this instead of Keihl's BB Cream, along with a brief overview. Simply put, I was after a product that would hydrate and even out my skin, and have SPF. Below are the more "comprehensive" notes.

Pump dispenser

Application and Finish:
It's housed in sturdy plastic packaging, which features a pump dispenser (that can be unscrewed). I find that half a pump is sufficient to cover my whole face, one whole pump is enough to cover face and neck. I usually squirt half a pump on to the back of my hand and apply it to my face with fingers, working in sections. It's of a light, almost-whipped consistency that rubs in easily. I say 'rubs in' rather than 'absorbs', because it remains on the skin, rather than sinking in and disappearing - which, I suppose, is not unusual for a sunscreen. I find it to be very hydrating - not greasy, but perhaps a little 'wet' at first. Even when it has 'dried', it still has a bit of a tacky feel, like moisturiser when it has just sunk in. I'd recommend this for dry-skinned gals, as normal-to-oily skinned chickas may find it too heavy or emollient. Despite its claims to a "matte finish", on the contrary I find it provides a glowy, illuminating finish - which negates the need for a highlighter or illuminator. And it is this illuminating property that makes it sit on top of skin, rather than sinking in, which makes it prone to transferring (most often on to my phone), which is my biggest pet hate! It also has a slight scent which doesn't bother me.

L-R: Before application / After application

Coverage and lasting power:
As you can see from the pictures above, In a Good Light provides barely-there coverage and a whole lotta sheen. Lasting power is around 4-5hours; significantly shorter than a foundation - say, for example, MAC's Face and Body, which lasts a good 9+ hours on me. When I wore In a Good Light to work I found that it practically disappeared about halfway through my shift!

Size and shade range:
It comes in one size - 120g for $50, which is not unreasonable. The new version comes in three shades - Fair, Medium and Dark - but this old version came in only one shade - a neutral fair-to-medium colour with a slightly pink undertone. At first I thought it would be too light, but I found that it adapted to my skintone, and was sheer enough that it was not obvious.

You can see it in action in my most recent FOTD.

Overall I think it's a good pick for weekends and as an everyday kind of product - the SPF was the real clincher for me - though not one that I'd wear to work, unless mixed in with a matte foundation. It's also a great option for Winter, to lift dull, dry skin, though some - particularly oily-skinned gals - may find it too hydrating. Lately I've been considering a tinted moisturiser or BB cream with heavier coverage - perhaps something like NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser...

Have you tried Mecca Cosmetica's range of products?
Do you have any tinted-moisturiser-with-SPF recommendations for me?
If so, I'd be more than happy to hear 'em! (:

I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA //

...Literally. Like, I just pinched them off her dresser. No, I'm not talking about my body (sly nod to B.E.P), but the beauty booty (ha, see what I did there?) my mother introduced me to. Though it seems that I'm the one bombarding her with makeup recommendations these days, as a belated Mother's Day post, I thought I'd take a quick look at three products that I wouldn't know and love if it weren't for Mother Dearest.

L-R: La Roche-Posay BB Cream, La Roche-Posay Sunscreen, Chi Chi Mosaic Blush

  
The 'love at first sight': La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF 50
I did mention this a while back, in a first impressions post based on a sample of this BB Cream. Turns out Mother loved it too, and consequently purchased a full-sized one for herself. I ended up pinching this rather frequently while overseas - it was perfect for the sunny and humid weather. I suppose this prod ought to be revisited (watch this space).

The 'it's-complicated-turned-in-a-relationship': La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen
I also mentioned this one - like, a fleeting two-liner - in the same post. And at first, I didn't love it. The sample I tested was thick, difficult to spread, and overall not so appealing to me. Thanks to Mother, though, that changed. She went and bought a full-sized one shortly after purchasing the BB Cream, and I decided to give it another go. To my amazement it was nothing like the sample: thin in texture, easy to blend and left a nice sheen - think more along the lines of 'glowy' than 'greasy' - though it did also give me a bit of a white cast. It was love. I think this one also deserves a revisit and proper conclusion...

The whirlwind romance: Chi Chi Mosaic Blush in Pink Peach.
This is a newbie (as in, two day old newbie) and Mother's purchase yet again (there seems to be a trend here...). I spotted her wearing it and was instantly intrigued. It was the most perfect blend of peach, rose and russet - and rather flattering on olive skin tones/skin with yellow undertones. It has shimmer throughout, which is quite subtle when applied, yet catches the light for a lovely brightening effect. It also features five shades that can be swirled together or applied separately. I like swiping a bit of the pale peachy shade along the tops of my cheekbones as a highlighter, and I'm thinking the bronzy chocolatey shade might make a pretty eyeshadow. You could say that I've fallen head over heels for this one!

What are your fave products that you can thank your Mama for?

A FABULOUS FIND // REVIEW: LA ROCHE-POSAY BB CREAM

I came across this little gem while strolling past my mother's dresser. A little sample of La Roche-Posay's Uvidea XL Melt-In BB Cream, perched beside a little sample of their Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen. Curiosity swiftly got the better of me - naturally, I had to try them out.

La Roche-Posay Melt-In BB Cream in 02 Natural/Medium

Before (wearing a thin layer of Neways Barrier Cream) and after (with La Roche-Posay BB Cream)

I used my fingers to apply this over clean, moisturised skin. Shade-wise, I found this to be just a tad light - it would probably be perfect for me in Spring, before I get more tanned.  However, I really appreciated that this BB cream has yellow undertones, which made it a better match for my skin (around NC25-NC30, for reference), unlike some other BB creams that I've tried in the past (Garnier, anyone?). It comes in two shades, 01 Light and 02 Medium (the shade I'm using is equivalent to Medium). You can check out swatches of both shades by Yishan of Beauty Swatch here.

According to La Roche-Posay's website, product claims for this BB cream are as follows: "unifies complexion by covering blemishes, fine lines, brown spots and hydrates skin. Helps prevent pigmentation and ageing induced by UV. Moisture replenishing. For sensitive skin. Melts into the natural skin tone for unified complexion and healthy-looking skin." 

What first struck me was it's comparatively thick consistency. I haven't used a "proper" BB cream before, so while it was not unexpected, I found it markedly different from Mecca Cosmetica's In a Good Light and Garnier's BB Cream for Sensitive Skin, which are both thinner in texture.
I would say that it has medium to full coverage - enough to cover redness and imperfections, and even out skin tone, without looking mask-like. It also has an illuminating and brightening effect, though it may not be so obvious in the photo. I found it to have a semi-matte finish once 'set', with a slight sheen, though not quite as dewy as MAC's Face and Body, for instance. Be warned that it also sets relatively quickly, so work fast!

In terms of lasting power, I found that once it 'set', it was difficult to move. For the most part this wore comfortably on my sensitive skin, though I found that my air-conditioned work environment was to blame for exacerbating dry patches. I also liked that it had SPF 50+ and a non-greasy feel. It's moisturising enough for those with dry skin, but its semi-matte finish makes it suitable for oilier-skinned gals, too.
*No concealer was used, to see how well it covered blemishes and lasted throughout the day.

8 hours later...

And this is how it looked after work, eight hours later - I must admit that I'm impressed!

According to the website, the BB cream can be purchased from Priceline and Terry White Chemists, though it was not in stock at my local Priceline (apparently because it was only a newly released product). Looks like I'll have to get myself to a Terry White Chemist, pronto!

I thought I'd also do a quick mention of the Anthelios XL SPF 50+ Sunscreen. My mum raved about it, praising its light feel and skin-perfecting qualities ("It's comfortable, light, and looks very natural..."), but I, on the other hand, found it to be quite thick and heavy in comparison to the watery consistency of Nivea's Light Feel Daily Face Veil SPF 30, which I've been using lately. I found that the Anthelios XL SPF 50+ left a white cast on my face, which I wasn't overly thrilled with.

Have you come across these products whilst browsing your local Priceline or Terry White?
What were your first impressions?