REVIEW: Hera CC Cream

~AG~

This is MG's most raved about product. Now it is my turn to give my take on this award-winning CC Cream from Hera. Bought this CC Cream during my trip to South Korea last month. This was one of the top items on my must-buy shopping list.

According to the packaging, "Multicream, with an evolved and innovative skincare texture, merges skin-friendly cell biotechnology for complete coverage of blemishes and create a firmer and younger skin." Their clinical trial test claims that the use of Hera CC Cream will improve moisture content by 13.3% and skin tone brightening by 17.3%. It also claims to that the makeup will lasts for 8 hours. 

Pump packaging with a protective cap

Bought this CC Cream from Lotte Duty Free for KRW 31,000 (S$38,000). It is expensive for a CC Cream compared to other brands such as The Face Shop, Nature Republic or Innisfree ! Hera is considered an high-end Korean cosmetics brand so you pay more for their products.

The CC Cream has a light coverage. It feels like a tinted moisturizer rather than a foundation. For those with blemishes and redness, Hera CC Cream provides little coverage. You will need a concealer to cover up more problematic areas such as dark circles or pimples. The CC Cream does not feel heavy on my skin. The light texture still allows my skin to breathe. It also does not feel sticky or leave an oily residue. The best thing is that the shade matches my skin tone. It does not cause my face to have a grey or white effect. It evens the skin tone with masking the face. The shade I chose was True Beige (23), and it looks natural on my skin. Hera CC Cream is available in three shades: Pink Beige (17), Natural Beige (21) and True Beige (23). 

 It brightens and evens out my skin tone but still looks natural

There is no unflattering white or grey cast

 You can still see my blemishes

The only bad thing about this CC Cream is that it will melt if you are perspiring. During one of my experiences with Hera CC Cream, the makeup smudged badly around my eyes area when I was wearing sunglasses. It was embarrassing! I even used Giorgio Armani powder to set the makeup after the application of the CC Cream. So Hera claims that the makeup will lasts for 8 hours is not valid to me. 

However, I have resolved that issue. Hera CC Cream staying power is extended when you pair it with a face primer. I had no issues with the makeup melting or smudging off when I used Benefit POREfessional with Hera CC Cream. Bottom line is, if you live in a humid climate or during the summer, you have to use a primer before applying Hera CC Cream.

After several uses, Hera CC Cream did not have any adverse effects on my combination sensitive skin. It did not cause my skin to breakout nor did it cause any bumps on my cheeks area.

Korean Beauty Products Haul - Face Products

~AG~

Korean stars are famous for their flawless and luminous skin. Korea is a country where BB Creams, CC Creams and CC Cushions are must-haves. So, without any question, I had to buy some base makeup to bring back to sunny Singapore. My makeup collection is lacking of base makeup. There are only a few products that I use consistently - Bourjois Healthy Mix Skin Foundation, Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact and Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer. 

At the top on my shopping list was to find a CC Cushion that will perfectly match my skin tone. Additionally, I also wanted a CC Cream that did not leave my skin looking white or grey. Sounds simple enough? From my past experience, it is tough to find a CC Cushion or CC Cream that match my medium skin tone, since Koreans tend to have fairer skin tone. For shade reference, I am Bourjois Shade 52 (Vanille), MAC NC 30-35, Bobbi Brown Beige (3) and Chanel Beige (10).

Below are the base makeup that I purchased on this trip:

>>> Hera CC Cream (KRW 31,000 = S$38)
This is MG's most raved about CC Cream. Click link for MG's review of Hera CC Cream. She loves it so much because it gives her radiant, flawless skin. It has a heavy pricetag, but it is worth it! People always compliment MG's skin whenever she wears this CC Cream. It is also Allure Korea's 2013 Award Winner for CC Cream.

>>> VDL Metal Foundation (KRW 27,800 = S$34)
This product was not on my shopping list. While at the VDL store, this metal foundation was placed at the very front. It is their newest product! Being the makeup junkie that I am, I had to try it. When I tried the foundation on my hand, the texture was Grrreeeaaatt! It felt very light and natural. However, I hesitated buying it at first, because I really wanted to buy the Hera CC Cream. On the last day at the airport, I looked high and low for this VDL Metal Foundation. I finally saw the VDL section when I was almost at the gate. This was the very last-minute buy before boarding the plane. I felt so HAPPY afterwards. :)

>>> The Face Shop Velvet Skin Primer (KRW 14,900 = S$18)
This primer accidentally sneaked into my shopping basket. I only realized that I had bought this product when I was unpacking my stuff. This product has a Get It Beauty sticker at The Face Shop store. So, I guess it should not be too bad. I hope it works for my sensitive skin and does not clog my pores *fingers crossed*

>>> The Face Shop Concealer (KRW 10,900 = S$13)
This was my must-buy from The Face Shop because it won Get It Beauty blind test in 2013. Concealer is an essential makeup product for me. I wear it almost everyday to disguise my dark circles, and conceal my blemishes. I hope this affordable concealer works well to hide my imperfections.

 

 

I will do a separate review of each product some time in the near future. Stay tuned :)

REVIEW: banila co. It Radiant CC Cream

~AG~

After a year after its purchase, I am finally trying out Banila Co. It Radiant CC Cream. In South Korea, this CC Cream retails for about US$25. Previously, I have tried the Banila Co. CC Cushion and shade (BE15) was not a good match to my medium skin tone. However, this CC Cream only comes in one shade. It is a pinkish shade that blends into the skin. Its has a pump packaging with a protective cap to prevent spillage.

The CC Cream does not blend well into the skin. My sister commented on how there were white patches on my skin. I used my fingers to apply the CC Cream as I would a sunscreen. Plus, this does feel slightly greasy halfway through the day. 

I would not recommend this CC Cream unless you have very fair complexion. 

http://www.banilaco.com/product/productDetail.do?seq=100958&cateVo.category1=1001

TO BUY: Bourjois Foundation 123 Perfect CC Cream

~AG~

While on my lunch break, I stumbled upon the Bourjois section at Watsons. Since this particular Bourjois showcase had many testers on display, it was the perfect opportunity for me to explore the products. I have been a BIG fan of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation. Its light-to-medium coverage feel comfortable on my skin. Click link for my review of it. http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2014/04/review-bourjois-healthy-mix-serum.html

One of the products that I tried was the Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream. It is available in four shades: Ivory, Light Beige, Rose Beige and Bronze. The shade that I tried was Light Beige, which is the second lightest colour. A tip for testing foundation shade: apply the foundation on your jawline/cheek area instead of testing it on your hand to get a better colour match. It retails for S$25.90, which is comparable to that of Korean CC Creams. I was VERY VERY tempted to buy Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream, because the texture was so smooth and the colour matched my skin tone perfectly.

 

THE COLOUR CORRECTION OF A FOUNDATION:

Thanks to its 3 colour correcting pigments that smooth away imperfections

. APRICOT pigments > anti-fatigue

. GREEN pigments > anti-redness

. WHITE pigments > anti-dark spots

Result: luminous complexion & flawless skin in one step.

 

According to Bourjois UK official website:

Bourjois UK official website - 123 Perfect CC Cream

91% of women agreed that:
Their complexion is perfectly evened out
Their dark spots are concealer
Their skin is left flawless

 

However, in the light that I will be going to Korea at the end of the month, I decided to hold off on this purchase. Since Korea is a land filled with abundant choices of CC Creams and CC Cushions. If I cannot find a Korean brand CC Cream or CC Cushion that matches my skin tone and is suitable for my sensitive skin, I will definitely buy Bourjois CC Cream.

Q&A: Hera CC Cream

Comes with a hygienic pump packaging

The actual amount MG uses on her face

~MG~

When did you start using Hera CC Cream?

MG: August 2014

Why did you buy it?

MG: Because BB Cream is too thick for me, and I wanted something lighter for my skin. I wanted a product that will brighten up my dull skin. I heard of Hera CC Cream from Youtube guru, meejmuse. She mentioned that it was the best CC Cream that she tried, and she always said that Hera is a brand that is worth buying.

How much did you buy it for?

MG: Around US$30. It is slightly more expensive than Etude House but trust me, it's really worth the money because you only need a small amount for the whole face. For me, I only need half a pea size and it's enough to cover my (big round) face.

What can you say about the product?

MG: It is THE CC Cream to try! Usually, I do not get compliment on my skin. But after using it, I enjoy receiving some [compliments]. It really makes your skin looks glowing and dewy (just like the Korean celebrities!). So for those with oily skin, or have the fear of having oil pan on the face, this will not be the product for you. Also, please take note that this product has low coverage so you will need to use your concealer to cover up any imperfections after applying this CC Cream. For those seeking for more coverage, BB Cream may be the better choice for you.

The shade that I use is 01 (Pink Beige), which is the lightest shade. I have a relatively fair skin with pink undertones. This CC Cream only comes in two shades. The other shade is for darker skin tones.

How do you apply it?

MG: After applying my primer, I will squeeze out half a pea size of the CC cream and apply bits of it on my forehead, cheeks, under-eyes, nose and chin areas. After that, I will slowly tap on the product and blend it out.

What do you dislike about it?
MG: Hmmm, that's a tough question! I have nothing but love for it. But if I need to point out 1 dislike, I would say that I don't really fancy the product size. It's abit too big, I don't think I can ever used it up! Perhaps, Hera should size it down so that it will be more affordable.

Do you experience any allergic reaction or breakout after using it?
MG: None! (Yeah!)

Would you recommend it?
MG: Definitely! In fact, I already recommend it to my friend and she too loves it now!

REVIEW: banila co. it Radiant CC Cushion

The sponge part of the CC Cushion

The puff provided to apply the CC Cushion

~AG~

What an interesting concept of CC Cushion. It makes applying CC Cream so much more convenient. It is like a cream foundation but with less coverage.

Clink link to see my previous post about this product. http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2014/06/banila-co-it-radiant-cc-cushion-spf-35.html

So what can I say about banilla co. CC Cushion?

It has a light coverage. If you have a huge zits or severe redness, this CC Cushion does not full cover those blemishes. It also does not help conceal dark circles. Texture wise, it does not feel heavy on my skin. It blends easily onto the skin, and leaves behind a nice finish. 

I noticed that the shade on this CC Cushion (BP #15) does not match well for my skin. The banila co. it Radiant CC Cushion only comes in one shade. 
EDITOR'S EDIT (May 2, 2015): Just found out on the banila co official website that there are 3 shades available for CC Cushion. The shades available are: BE10, BP15 and BE20. http://www.banilaco.com/product/productDetail.do?seq=101466
The salesperson gave me the wrong information that there was only one shade. I feel so CHEATED! I think BE20 would have worked better for my skin tone.

The shade, BP#15, is too white for my yellow/beige skin tone. For reference, I am NC 30-35, Chanel Beige 30, Bourjois 52 Vanille and Bobbi Brown Beige. I used this CC Cushion twice, and was so turned off by the shade mismatch that I discontinued use. Even though the shade somehow blend in with the skin tone, it has a white effect that is unflattering. You can see the obvious shade mismatch around my undereye area (See pics above). I think this product will work better for people that have a lighter skin tone.

CC Cushion on application is very light colored

 

It has a white effect

 

This CC Cushion is for those that have fairer skin tone and have relatively good skin without much blemishes and discolouration  With that being said, there are better skin base/foundation/BB cream/CC cream with the same price point that do a much better job compared to banila co. it Radiant CC Cushion such as Hera CC Cream  & Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation. 

Banila Co it Radiant CC Cushion

~AG~

I cannot wait to try this Banila Co. CC Cushion. I bought this while I was in Korea a few months ago. I forgot how much it retails for exactly. It was around USD$35. It is rather expensive purchase but I figured the cushion technology is what makes it pricey. Anyway, I will let you all know whether it is worth the price tag. Stay tuned!

banila co. it RADIANT CC Cushion SPF 35 PA ++

~AG~

The only reason I know this brand is because of their spokesperson, Jessica from SNSD (Girls’Generation). I have seen her pictorials for the advertisements, and also have seen a Youtube video of her demonstrating on how to use their products.

I am a big fan of SNSD makeup looks, especially Jessica’s. Her makeup look is usually more of a natural one with radiant skin and soft colors to compliment her skin tone.

Unfortunately, banila co. do not have a store in Singapore. So when I was in Korea last month, I decided to check out their store and scouter their products.

Beforehand, I did research about banila co. products. Their most popular products were their makeup remover that comes in a tub and was a balm formula, their makeup primer and also their CC Creams.

This is one of banila co. best sellers, their CC Cushion.  In addition to the it RADIANT CC Cream, I bought this CC Cushion because from what the saleslady explained to me it has more coverage. While the CC Cream has more of a primer function, the CC Cushion works as a foundation. I’ve always heard of CC Cushion and am quite intrigued by how it works. Basically, it looks like a powder compact. However, the packaging is thicker compared to other compact powders. CC Cushion in its simplest form is a CC Cream in a compact packaging. However, the cushion form of the compact supposedly allows the CC Cream to be applied more evenly. The CC Cushion has been in the Korean market for a while now but it has only recently been promoted overseas.

I cannot recall exactly how much it costs. But I remembered it being pricier than my other Korean beauty products purchase. It costs around USD$25-30. I was taken aback when the saleslady informed me about the price but I figured since it uses the newest technology, it could demand a higher price.

I have yet to try it out. Will let you all know when I do get to try it. I am trying to minimize the use of skin makeup for now because I am in the midst of changing my skin care regimen, and do not want more products to throw it off balance. But I will try it sooner or later. Till then, stay tuned!

Nature Republic Super Origin Complete Control Cream Tinted

~AG~

Whitening, Wrinkle-Improvement & UV Protection

This tinted cream provides a seamless complexion through prevention of dehydration. 

How to use: As the last step of skincare, apply an appropriate amount to the entire face. As this product has a UV protection function (SPF 30 PA++), you do not need to apply sun protection cream separately. For increased coverage, you apply BB cream or foundation together. 

It retails for less than USD $15. I was roaming around the Nature Republic Store and wasn't sure what else to buy. Since my mother had mentioned that she wanted a CC Cream to try out, I asked the saleslady about their CC Creams. She recommended this Super Origin Complete Control Cream and another CC Cream which has brightening properties. I decided to get this one because I think it will have more coverage. When you squeeze the pump applicator, the product that comes out as a white gel consistency. Then when you apply it to your skin it changes and blends into your skin tone, like a foundation or tinted moisturiser. A pretty neat product isn't it? 

I will let you know when I borrow this CC Cream from my mother and try it out. Hehe ;p

banila co. it Radiant CC Cream

 ~AG~

banila co. it Radiant CC Cream. I had to get my hands on this while I was in Korea. I think it retailed for USD$25. It supposedly whitening, moistening and colour control base. CC Cream is the improved version of the BB Cream. What I am intrigued about CC Cream is that it has a better color match compared to BB Cream. I will update you all when I do try it out :)

Stay tuned!