Review: Tony Moly Ferment Snail BB Cream

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Do you have any makeup products you love during a certain time of the year, but not so much the rest of the year?  For me, it would definitely be the Tony Moly Timeless Ferment Snail BB Cream. The first time I used this BB Cream, I was so disappointed with the results, I didn’t pick it up again for a couple of months.  However, recently, I have grown to love it so much that I almost wear it daily.

This product is part of Tony Moly’s Timeless Ferment Snail line, which is part of their anti-aging line. My sisters knew that I loved the emulsion in the line, so they decided to get me the BB Cream as a birthday present this year.  To anyone interested in the emulsion, it is one my skincare favourites this year, especially if you are looking for a non-sticky snail skincare product.

Going back to the BB Cream, here are some of the claims on the brand’s website:

  • whitening, anti-wrinkling effects, and UV Protection
  • hydrating and nourishing
  • leaves amazing coverage and smooth skin texture
  • prevents skin damage with its 45% gold tea and fermented snail secretion filtrate

Packaging

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One thing I love about this product is that is looks like a squeeze tube, but when you uncap it, it actually has a pump dispenser.  This makes it much easier to dispense the specific amount of product you want.  It also has a flat-top lid which makes it easy to stand-up on your vanity table for easy access.

Application

Probably due to the infusion of snail secretion filtrate, it is a thicker base product.  It is by no means difficult to blend, but it takes a little bit more time compared to some more liquidly foundations.  I have tried applying it with my fingers and a Beauty Blender.  On a daily basis, I tend to just apply it with my fingers and the results are very good.  The Beauty Blender just evens out the texture a bit more.  During application, there also isn’t too much of a noticeable scent, just maybe a little bit of the typical florally Korean BB Cream scent.  Lastly, like many BB Creams, upon initial application, it seems to have a bit of white cast, but will eventually adjust to your skin tone.

Finish

D5E70EE6-F2DD-467D-A7A4-BE803E0FFC16.jpgThis is definitely one of those base products that look the best upon initial application.  I’m always wowed by how good my skins looks right after applying it!  For the most part, I agree with their claims, but maybe not to the extreme way they are selling the product.  This does provide good coverage for a BB Cream, but maybe not “amazing” per se.  I would say it provides light to medium coverage and is buildable.  It definitely does create a “smooth skin texture” on the skin.  It reduces the appearance of your fine lines and pores and evens out your skin texture.

Longevity

This is the one critique I have for this product.  I feel there are two types of bases.  Ones that look better as the day goes on and ones that look best right at the beginning of application.  This BB Cream sits in the later category.  This is especially true if you use it during the summer when you are prone to more oiliness due to the heat or just if you have oily skin.  After only a few hours, the product will start to break up and destroy that beautiful “smooth skin texture.”  However, in the winter, I love it!  I have more dry to normal skin now and it keeps my skin moisturized and looks good for at least most of the work day.  I think the fermented snail filtrate does an excellent job of keeping the skin moisturized.

Skincare Benefits

It is always difficult to assess skincare benefits from a base product because it is already layered over many layers of skincare.  However, it does have SPF 45 PA+++ and since using pretty consistency the last of couple of months, my skin has been looking pretty good.  I figure it certainly doesn’t hurt.

VERDICT:  I love this base during the winter time as it is keeps my skin moisturized.  It creates a flawless base for your other makeup and the skincare benefits are bonus.  The only critiques I have are the lack of colour selection and longevity.

Trying Out Cult Favourites

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When you haven’t experimented with a brand before, I find it is best to try out their bestseller or “cult favourite” first to get a feel for the brand.  Moreover, as a beauty blogger, I feel it is always important to know how the “classics” preform, so that you can provide a baseline for your readers in your reviews.  In the last few months, I bought three of these cult favourites to try.  So did they live up to their cult status?

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder

Believe it or not, as a makeup lover, this is the first bronzing powder I have ever owned.  Since I had no experience with bronzers, I figured it was best to go with the most renowned one.  Guerlain even calls themselves an “authority” in the bronzing department on their website, so I figured I had to get it.  The Guerlain Bronzing Powder is supposed to be mistake-proof because it blends in seamlessly to give you a natural glow.  It also has special moisturizing ingredients that don’t dry out your skin.

VERDICT:  Mistake-proof?  I would say yes unless you apply a lot.  Blends seamlessly?  For a powder, I am surprised at how easily it blends into your skin.  The colours are also very natural, not orangey at all.  Plus, the little bit of shimmer really adds a glow to your skin.  All these aspects make this bronzer a must-buy, but my favourite thing is actually the scent!

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

This seems to be a staple in many professional makeup artists’ kits.  So when I came down with shingles a few months ago and was left with red patches on my skin, I decided that this would be the perfect solution to cover them up.  This concealer comes in 8 shades.  Each palette has two shades which allows you to mix your custom shade.  It says on their website that is is a long-wearing formula which covers “blemishes, shadows, scars, capillaries, discolourations, redness, age spots, the nose area.”

VERDICT: The texture of this concealer is so different from anything I have used before.  It is so thick and waxy.  To be honest, it took me a while to get used correctly applying.  To start off with, I have no idea how to mix the shades together to get my shade.  I tended just to use the shade on the right.

When you apply it on the skin, it really doesn’t blend out at all.  So for the must part, I tend to dab it in with my finger or a small brush and use a brush to blend out the edges.  That is perhaps why is it is best for “pinpoint concealing” (I just took this term from Lisa Eldridge) because it really is quite dry for the entire undereye.  I will sometimes use it sparingly on the really dark areas on my undereye circles.  However, it really does wonders covering blemishes, scars, and redness and lasts almost all day even without powder.

Milani Rose Powder Blush in Coral Cove

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Coral Cove

As an avid Youtube watcher, I often hear this blush being raved about over and over again and how it was amazing for the price.  Finally, on my trip to Los Angeles a few months ago, I was able to pick one up.  I think the Milani baked blushes are even more raved about, but I had to get this one because of the beautiful rose pattern.  The Milani website states that these blushes give a natural glow that “shapes, contours, and highlights” the cheeks.  This blush comes in 8 shades and is able to complement every skin tone.

VERDICT: Other than the beautiful rose pattern that prevented me from using it for a week, this blush has so many things going for it.  The price is amazing, the blush is really pigmented, and it lasts all day.  I mean, the only thing I can fault it a little for, is that it doesn’t blend out as easily and evenly as some other higher-end blushes.  However, I think it almost as good or better than some blushes with a higher price tag.

All in all, these 3 cult products did not disappoint.  I would wholeheartedly recommend all three of them to anyone who is looking to spend money on reliable products to add to their collection.

My Current Favourite Youtubers

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My obsession with Youtube continues to persist.  In the last year, I have discovered some new Youtube channels that I have loving.  I thought I would share them in case you are having a Youtuber drought and need some new channels to watch especially during those nights during the winter holidays.

Song of Style

I remember the surprise I felt the first time I used Instragram Stories.  Suddenly, I could hear and see people that I had only known through static images all these years.  Some were just as “cool” and down-to-earth as I had expected.  Song of Style, a well-known fashion blogger, is one of those people.  She has been posting more regularly on her Youtube channel and it has been fun watching her vlog behind the scenes during fashion week and share beauty and fashion tips.  My favourite videos though are where we learn more about her personal life and background.  I especially enjoyed the video where she took her equally fashionable dad on a shopping spree.  It was nice to gain some insight as to where she got her good taste from.

I Dress Myself

I know, yet another fashion blogger because I am always in need of fashion inspiration.  I am one of those people who loves fashion, but doesn’t have the talent to put together amazing outfits.  I don’t even inspire to look like these fashion bloggers, but if I am even able to take a small nugget of inspiration from them, I am already quite happy.  Yanin, who is behind the blog I Dress Myself, not only has an amazing blog, but I also love her Youtube channel.  I think I would describe her style as mainly black, minimalist, but with an edge.  My favourite videos of hers are when she does her style lookbooks in her bedroom.  Laidback, but so chic.

Caroline Hirons

If you are really into skincare, you probably know Caroline Hirons.  She is also a blogger and experienced aesthetican.  I especially love hearing her talk through all the technical aspects of skincare.  However, even though the skincare knowledge she imparts is very helpful, it is her vlogs which I love watching the most.  She is the mother of four kids, and I love the dry humour she brings as she navigates her life as a busy mom.  Plus, she hangs out with other British beauty bloggers I avidly watch, like Lily Pebbles and Ruth from a Model Recommends, which is always so fun to watch!

Jennifer Wan

I feel like many of the beauty gurus with bigger audiences tend to talk about certain brands over and over again.  With Jennifer Wan, I feel like I really get a more comprehensive review of many different types of beauty brands.  She is one beauty junkie though!  She often talks about brands that I have not even heard of.  In the last year she has started vlogging as well, and her openness about her dating life is frank, relatable, and hilarious.  One of the channels I have probably followed for over 5 years (I had to sneak this one in even though I have watched her for a while).

Rachel Nguyen

I know, another fashion blogger who has gotten in Youtubing (is that a word?).  She is the face behind the blog That’s Chic.  I’ve always loved her style, but her vlogs are what started my obsession with her channel (you probably notice a trend by now!).  I love watching her as she navigates her laidback Californian life with her friends and family.  She always seem to be having the best time!  Plus, I love her ending segment where she answers her viewer questions.  If you love Song of Style, I have feeling you will love her as well!  Plus, she is friends with Claire Marshall which is my favourite Youtuber, so she has become a must-watch as well.

If you have any other Youtube channel recommendations you think I would love, please comment below.