Makeup Wars ~ My Favorite BB Cream


BB Creams are where it’s at in terms of face product.  There isn’t any other product out there that is more talked about this year.  But with SO MANY out there, how do you know which one is right for you?

For this installment of Makeup Wars, my fellow enablers and I are going to share with you our Favorite BB Cream!

I have two BB Creams that I adore, and they both serve different purposes for me.

On the left is the 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ in #02.  This is a full coverage BB Cream that I like to use for an evening out or for any type of event where I need my face to look flawless.  A little goes a long way, and you have to watch not to over-apply so that it doesn’t come off looking cakey.

On the right is the Bobbi Brown BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Fair.  This BB Cream still provides a bit of coverage while still keeping the skin looking dewy and natural.  This product smooths on effortlessly and provides an excellent base for your daily makeup.

My favorite out of the two is definitely the 3LAB just because of it’s coverage and benefits, but the price point has me using it sparingly and I tend to reach for the Bobbi Brown more frequently.  You can click the links to see full reviews and swatches of the products talked about in this post.

See what the other participants in this installment of Makeup Wars came up with!  What WILL we think of next?!

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Makeup Wars – My Most Expensive Face

All of these Makeup Wars Battles have been fun.  But this one… this one is my baby.  My Most Expensive Face.  I’m not sure if I even want to go there.  It’s likely I’m not the highest here, as budget restrictions prevent me from getting the skin care that I really want, but I think it’s a lot higher than my DH or mother could ever imagine.We’re going to start off with my current skin care.  Skincare is something that changes quite a bit for me.  Right now I’m testing the new stuff from NARS.

I don’t use a ton of skin care, and there is probably more I could and should incorporate into my daily routine.  For right now, every day, I’m using NARSskin Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer ($58) and Total Replenishing Eye Cream ($55) as well as DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Medicated Acne Control Serum ($45) on my chin and jaw areas.  I also use Murad Clarifying Cleanser ($26), the Clarisonic Mia2 ($149), Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil ($42) and MAC Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover ($20).  This brings my skincare total to $395.00.

As for face makeup I currently start off (and finish) with Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish ($19).  Next I apply concealer where I need it.  For this I use Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer in Medium ($95).  For foundation 9 times out of 10 I reach for 3LAB Perfect BB Cream in shade #02 ($95) because it has excellent coverage.  As for my powder I have a tried and true HG that I’ve used since I was a teenager!  Lancome Dual Finish Powder ($36.50 ) shade varies based on the time of year.  For my cheeks I love to use Le Metier de Beaute Blush Kaleidoscope ($95) and Chanel Lucky Stripes ($95) to highlight.  This brings my face total to $435.50.

Moving on to eye makeup I have been starting off with Make Up For Ever Eye Prime ($22).  For eye makeup, on this particular look (because obviously it varies every day), I started off using Giorgio Armani 20 Obsidian Black Seaweed Eyes to Kill Eye Shadow ($32) in conjunction with the Le Metier de Beaute Penelope Eye Kaleidoscope ($95) and the LMdB True Colour Eye Shadow in Naked to highlight ($30).  For a liner, the one I always use with Penelope is Chanel Black Jade Le Crayon Kohl ($28).  The mascara I’ve been reaching for non-stop lately is the Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill ($30).  For the eyebrows I start off with the Dior DiorShow Brow Styler ($36) and then go over that with the Anastasia Beauty Express for Brows and Eyes in Brunette ($39.50) and top it off with Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel ($21).  This brings my eye total to $333.50.

For the lips I like to line with MAC Subculture Lip Pencil ($15).  For lipstick, for this look, I will use Tom Ford Sable Smoke ($48) and for lip gloss Le Metier de Beaute Two Lips Lip Creme ($36).  This brings my lip total to $99.00.

For tools, I use Tweezerman Tweezers ($22), Le Metier de Beaute Eye Lash Curler ($18), and for brushes the MAC 168 ($35), MAC 239 ($25), MAC 219 ($25), MAC 226 ($24.50), and MAC 272 ($21.50).  The tools total is $171.00.

This brings my grand total to $1434.00 (with tax it’s $1534.38), and here is the end result:

It’s important that I note that a lot of these items were received as press samples (all are marked as such on their individual links).  And, obviously, you come to learn over time what works for you and what doesn’t.  The 3LAB BB Cream, for example, IS expensive and was a press sample, but I will be buying it when I run out because it’s AMAZE.  Nothing works as well as that stuff does (for me).

Was mine the highest?  NO.  But you’ll have to scroll through the other submissions to see which one was ;)

Okay.  Take a deep breath.  To stave off panic attacks quickly go here and see my $20 face.  It’ll help.

Check out the links below to see the beautiful bloggers that participated in this installment of Makeup Wars!  What will we think of next?! ;)

3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ Swatches and Review

It’s possible that I’ve just woken up from a coma.  There is no other excuse as to why I haven’t tried out 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream.

What the Nordstrom website has to say about 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++:

What it is: Exceptional blemish balm that illuminates while fighting aging, soothing irritation and protecting against harmful external aggressors.

What it does:
- Treats fine lines/wrinkles.
- Minimizes discoloration.
- Brightens.
- Encourages skin-cell renewal.
- Protects against oxidative stress.
- Provides clarity.

Key ingredients:
- Biotechnologically extracted apple stem cells protect longevity of skin stem cells; help in wound healing and collagen production; delay senescence; preserve a youthful look.
- Nano Clair GY: Patented Human Growth Hormone (hGH) treats fine lines and wrinkles.
- ß-White: Biomimetic peptide encapsulated in a liposome vehicle that whitens skin by inhibiting melanin synthesis.
- E-Mortal: Hydrolized pea protein activates stem/skin cells and promotes collagen production; clinically proven to reduce wrinkles.
- Ascorbyl glucoside stimulates collagen synthesis and acts as a potent whitening agent by inhibiting the synthesis of melanin.
- Sedaplant Richter: Herbal extract soothes skin and reduces irritation.
- Adenosine increases DNA/protein synthesis.
Licorice root extract improves the appearance of dry/damaged skin with anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Allantoin: Antibacterial; soothing.
- Sodium PCA moisturizes and promotes elasticity.
- Sodium hyaluronate: Moisturizing agent.
- Panthenol: Moisturizing and tissue-repairing agent that protects against sunburn, provides relief for existing sunburn and enhances the natural tanning process.
- Vitamin E acetate: A natural antioxidant to help prevent free-radical damage.

  • 1.5 oz.

3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream is available in three shades – Light, Medium, and Dark.  For  the purposes of this blog post (and which is swatched above thickly then as it moves right it’s more blended in) I’ll be using Medium. For reference I wear NC25 in MAC, so that might help you determine what color you’re looking for.

This BB Cream provides excellent coverage while still illuminating the face, hiding blemishes and discoloration, and fighting the evil sun.  The formula feels amazing on – not watery and not heavy.  Thankfully, there is also no scent.

While wearing this product on your face you’re not only hiding imperfections and renewing your skin, but it’s also acting as a barrier to the sun – which can cause wrinkles and the big “C”.  My other makeup also seems to apply and wear better when used on top of this.

While this BB Cream is on the pricier end of the spectrum at $95.00 a pop, you really don’t need to apply a ton to get the coverage you desire.  It’s also acting as your foundation, sunscreen, and anti-aging products all in one.

Out of all of the BB Creams I’ve tried, this is my favorite.  Of course I like to save money, but when something works, you can’t put a price tag on it.

If you’d like to check out 3LAB ‘Perfect’ BB Cream SPF 40 PA+++ for yourself, you can pick it up at Nordstrom and 3lab.com.

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