Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Correcting Claims

Of course I wasn't planning on buying a new foundation, but Lisa Eldridge's terrible influence and Priceline's 40% off sale proved to be a persuasive combination. Along with the good reputation Bourjois enjoys when it comes to their base products, I figured $15 wasn't too steep a price to pay to hopefully be blown away. As usual, the hardest part was selecting the right shade. Annoyingly, there wasn't a tester for 32 Light Beige, so I settled for 33 Rose Beige after trying some on and not noticing any major issues.





Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream SPF 15 has a lightweight texture and is decently hydrating, though I'm not sure about the "24 hour hydration" claims. It reminds me of a slightly more fluid, sheerer version of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, but instead of the juicy apricot smell, the fragrance is cloying and powdery. It also isn't anywhere near as glowy, with more of a subdued, skin-like finish. I definitely feel it's less coverage than Healthy Mix Serum, though around the same wear time. With its sheerer coverage, runnier consistency, and thin, long nozzle, I also find it reminiscent of Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin). The Bourjois is easier to work into the skin than the Garnier, but it's not as dewy and illuminating.

Rose Beige is far from the perfect colour match for me which is a major downside. It's darker and more pinkish tan than my skin tone, which leans more yellow/beige. At the same time, I doubt the shade lighter would have matched me exactly either. This seems to be a recurrent issue I have with Bourjois foundations, since I also fall in between 52 Vanille and 53 Beige clair in Healthy Mix Serum. It's unfortunate that Bourjois can't be more subtle with their shade gradations, but I suppose the lack of variety and colour specificity is to be expected of more affordable brands. If I sheer it out, it's not so much an issue, but it's obvious when I focus on the difference between my face and noticeably paler, yellower neck.

Despite being touted as "anti-fatigue", "anti-redness" and "anti-dark spots" (with counteracting apricot, green and white pigments respectively), I didn't notice any colour correcting properties. For me, the coverage simply isn't there for it to camouflage any redness. I could still see all my patches of irritation and blemishes after applying one layer. As far as being brightening, both Healthy Mix Serum and the Garnier BB Cream give far more luminosity to the complexion. This CC Cream isn't exactly matte, but it's not distinctly radiance-boosting either.

On top of all that, my main issue is that it doesn't seem to set very well, especially when paired with a thicker moisturiser like my Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream. It's almost still wet after it's applied and I need to powder all over to mattify my skin. Even then, an hour later if I press a tissue over my face to minimise unwanted transfer and blot away any shine, a significant amount of foundation comes off on it — much more than what I'd consider normal. It's almost like the foundation hasn't absorbed or worked into the skin properly and is primarily just sitting on the surface, easily rubbed off.

For now, I'm still using it daily as it's a solid pick for an easygoing daytime base that looks quite natural, but it's certainly no love affair. It's probably most suited to those with already good skin slightly on the drier side. Otherwise, pass on this if you're looking for more coverage, a more budge-proof, transfer-resistant formulation and a glowy finish.

41 comments:

  1. We only get two types of Bourjois foundations here: Healthy Mix Serum and 24 Hour sleep effect (or something like that). I'm between shades as well, which is why I never picked up their base makeup yet. CCs are just another series of foundations that vary in coverage and formula as much as original foundations do, except that they come with ludicrously broad claims. I've picked up a few CCs recently and find some are good, some are barely noticeable.

    I wonder if this would work better with a lighter moisturizer underneath or even in place of a moisturizer? The wet texture sounds very strange.

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    1. I think for a "CC Cream" (i.e. meant to colour correct) this was a total fail for me. As a lightweight foundation, it might work better with some more experimentation. I swapped my base for NARS Sheer Glow and MUFE HD with the same moisturiser I used with this Bourjois and both had significantly less transfer when I blotted, so it makes me think it's just the product. But maybe I should try it with other moisturisers, or no moisturiser. I don't know, my skin's a bit weird right now. I still can't overlook the poor colour match either. Guess it's back to mixing with a lighter shade :p

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  2. This is one of the first negative reviews I have seen of this - it worries me that it is similar to Healthy Mix as this is something that broke me out really badly! x

    http://ninegrandstudent.co.uk

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    1. Oh no, that sucks! I really like Healthy Mix Serum but I think the bottles I have are getting a bit old, so I'm paranoid to use them now in case I break out :p

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  3. So surprised to hear your comments! I've personally been using this for about a month and I've totally fallen in love without. I don't necessarily agree with the 'correcting' claims, but it's a beautiful lightweight product that adds a nice, healthy glow to my skin. I have the 32 Light Biege and it works well to counteract the redness in my skin as that shade is more yellow toned. Particularly surprised to read about it not setting well on your skin.. Have you tried a more layered application? I don't enjoy using this product with brushes and find it works best applied lightly, in layers, with my fingers. Perhaps that might help? Good luck finding a better match!

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    1. Thank you for the advice, I might try applying this with fingers rather than a brush and see if it makes any difference. Glad to hear you've really been enjoying yours though and you found a great colour match :)

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  4. I haven't tried this particular CC cream but every CC or BB cream I've tried I haven't got on with, they never seem to make a difference to how my skin looks and usually seem to make me break out.

    Rosie x

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    1. Haha, yeah BB and CC creams can be quite gimmicky. Breaking out is always a risk with anything that covers your face, it's something I'm quite paranoid about with foundations in particular since they're usually sitting on your face for the whole day.

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  5. Thank you for the honest review! I've heard on the most part that it isn't the 'cover all' solution for most ladies and many either use bases, concealers and or powders to top this off! I'm just regretting not buying the flower perfection foundation from them and its now no longer sold!

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    1. I heard the Flower Perfection one is super good coverage! My skin is crap at the moment so I definitely need all the help I can get with concealer :p

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  6. Oh wow, this is the first bad thing I've heard about this CC Cream!! Granted it really makes no difference to me since Bourjois is so expensive/difficult to get my hands on in the states anyways (both a blessing and a curse I suppose) haha but I really have only heard fantastic things about this product! Shame that it didn't work out for you… hopefully you can find a way to love it more in the future? I can't imagine falling in love with something that transfers/wipes off so easily though, blech :/

    ♥Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. I guess if there's one thing we can get here in Australia pretty easily compared with the States it's Bourjois! :) I was expecting to definitely love this more but the reality just didn't meet the expectations. I did give it a good go though...maybe I'll try applying it with fingers next time, possibly with a different moisturiser and see if it helps :)

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  7. Doesn't sound too good! I won't be trying this anytime soon, thanks for the review! Xx

    Lucy Cole | A UK Fashion, Style and Beauty Blog

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    1. It may work better for you (my review seems to be one of very few negative ones about this product!), but I guess if you're happy with your existing foundations then you don't necessarily need to rush out and buy this one :)

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  8. I tried L'Oreal CC cream before and wasn't too impressed. Maybe it's just about the cc cream itself not about the brand - I enjoy many of both L'Oreal and Bourjois cosmetics but not cc creams.

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    1. I've never tried any other "CC Creams" than this one, but for something that's meant to colour correct, I found it much inferior to regular, higher coverage foundations like NARS Sheer Glow and Make Up For Ever HD Foundation.

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  9. Pretty much my thoughts exactly, although I didn't find it remotely hydrating. I do have very dry skin though! It's alright, not great

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    1. I'm glad you had similar views! Makes me feel less alone in my thoughts, especially since this product seems generally well-liked, haha :)

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  10. I haven't tried this one yet, specially because the fact that this has colour indicated to me that this wasn't a real cc cream at all (the ones I know are usually white .__. . And I know your pain!! Their foundations are too yellow for me as well.
    I guess I stick with wanting to try their eye brighter...
    Thank you for the review! take care*

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    1. Oh wow, I didn't know CC Creams are actually white. This product definitely seems to be more of a light coverage foundation to me than anything that specifically colour corrects the skin.

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  11. I've been waiting for your review on this one! ^^
    as I am still holding on buying this one because I am afraid that it will be 'just another tinted moisturizer labelled as BB or CC Cream'.. too bad the color match is very poor.. annoying, isn't it?
    I think I might skip this one though!

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    1. You may like this more than I do ... but I honestly don't feel the coverage is there at all. Maybe my skin's just not in great condition at the moment (yours is probably much better :p), but it was far worse than some of my most used/loved foundations in terms of colour correction. I guess stick with Healthy Mix Serum if you're happy with it :)

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  12. I only tried Etude House Silky CC Cream, in fact I never tried Bourjouis products. I think you have a very nice skin :)

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    1. Aww, thanks :) I've never tried Etude House products but I guess Asian CC/BB creams are known to be much higher coverage!

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  13. I've heard great things about this but decided to pass in favor of repurchasing the Healthy Mix Serum. The shade selection is rather awful - I can get a match for my very, very pale skin, but they don't really do "in-between" or dark shades, which is just complete rubbish!

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    1. Yeah, it can be super difficult to find a good colour match. I think the lightest Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum shade is 51? Not sure if that is light enough for very pale skin tones. I guess the only option is mixing with an even lighter base!

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  14. Thanks for the honest review, will probably give this a miss! I just know Bourjois face products will break me out because of the fragrances. And I have yellow-toned skin so I think I would struggle to find a good match.

    Sheri
    Behind The Frames

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    1. This one I found to be super fragranced and not in a good way. If you're around NC20 I think the shade lighter might be a decent match ... it looks to be a lot yellower!

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  15. I actually haven't even heard of this bb cream, but I'm not sure if Im interested after this mediocre review. Im still using up my dior hydra life, and it's taken me a couple years!

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    1. Woah, that's a long time :) To be honest some of my foundations are probably around the 2 year mark as well...though I tend not to use them since I'm paranoid they'll break me out because they're "old" now, lol.

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  16. Well I buy it only because of a good reviews going on in a blog world, but it didn't convince me. I try to like it, but I just can't, to sheer for me, and the 3 pigments don't to the job properly. And it gives my dry skin, grows oily finish. Blaaah.

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    1. I'm glad you feel similarly to me! I don't think the "pigments" did anything whatsoever and the oily finish is probably the 'wet' feeling and excessive transfer I experienced :(

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  17. I also bought it because of Lisa Eldridge and I didn't like it at all. It looked orange on my fair skin and as I say "it made me look like a sick salmon" :))
    Also, it didn't last well on my oily T zone and the finish was far from exceptional. I could still see my dry patches, pores and redness when I applied this. I gave it to a friend.

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    1. That sucks, I can completely see how you'd have that experience as it's fairly similar to mine. Wrong colour match, inadequate lasting power, poor coverage. Hopefully your friend is enjoying it much more than you :p

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  18. You posted this at the perfect time for me. I went to the store yesterday and Bourjois was (is) having a buy one get another one for free (how tempting is that?!). I almost purchased two shades of the CC Cream but decided to hold back since there is no shade that matches me perfectly or even can be worked into my shade. I'm not the kind of person that willing to purchase the same foundation in two different shade just to make them match my face even though the other one is free. It's just a waste. After reading this, I think I'm going to pass on the cc cream. But the new Chanel velvet foundation is on my list (and it's currently 25% discount!).

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    1. Oh wow, buy one get one free is definitely VERY tempting! If I were you, I'd probably stick with Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum - have you tried that? I much prefer that to this CC Cream. The new Chanel foundation sounds really nice, but it's a bit to pricey for me. 25% discount certainly makes it more palatable though ;)

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  19. I've never really been very intrigued by this, despite all the claims x

    A Little Treat | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

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    1. I wasn't really planning on buying it either but repeated exposure, Lisa Eldridge's tick of approval and the 40% discount tipped me over! :p

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  20. I tried this in the store and wasn't impressed, in fact contradictory to what you said I found it quite a stiff formula. I think ill pass, its no where as good as Happy Light!

    Check my latest post on the skincare rut we all are in!
    http://theconsciencefund.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/a-conscience-experiment/

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    1. I haven't tried Happy Light but it looks more up my alley, I think it's higher coverage and a more radiant/dewy finish :)

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  21. I'm quite glad that I held off buying this to be honest as we all know what the hype can be like surrounding new products that are released. It sounds quite nice but it doesn't sound fantastic, I think I will hold off a little while longer until curiosity beats me to it.
    Amy x | A Little Boat Sailing

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