BB Cream Review: Tonymoly Intense Care Snail BB Cream

Our last post was titled "What is BB Cream" and I heard from many people who were intrigued, completely not knowing or hearing about BB cream before.? My sister even rushed out that day to get some after learning about it! I have a feeling you're all going to know what BB cream is soon because you're all going to go? try it yourself.

My sister couldn't wait for the international shipping of a Korean BB cream, so she picked up Clinique's BB Cream. (compare prices)? For me, I'm all about the Korean BB Creams right now.? While in Seoul last month, I asked the sales associate what one was the best and she immediately pointed to Tonymoly's Intense Care Snail BB Cream.? My 7-year-old was standing next to me, my husband and 10-year old waiting outside, feeling rushed I just grabbed it and paid, never noticing the word "snail" or the big picture of a snail on the bottle.? But I did notice snails all over the BB cream posters from then on out.

Snail "goo", for a lack of a better word, is well used in Korea for its anti-aging benefits.? Who knew? It kind of weirded me out a bit, I won't lie, but I'm all over that now because I love my Tonymoly BB cream.? I have a list of Korean BB creams to try after this one.? Next up is Skin79's BB Cream, which you can get for around $15.? (compare prices)? But make sure to do your research on making sure you are getting an original and not a fake.

Going to try a BB Cream?? Check out my review of Tonymoly's Intense Care Snail BB Cream and see if this one is right for you. (Also available on Amazon!)

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What is BB Cream?

“BB” stands for Blemish Balm, but you don’t have to have a single blemish on your skin to use and love BB Cream. BB cream is great for anyone with any skin color or any skin type. Here is more on where it came from, how you use it, who it’s best for and where you can buy it.

Where did BB Cream originate: BB Cream was created more than 50 years ago by German Doctor, Dr. Christine Schrammek. It was initially created to be used to help heal skin after skin peels as well as hide any scars and redness post peel treatment. It was later introduced in Asia, specifically South Korea where K-pop stars and K-drama stars made note of its ability to transform skin. With several big-name stars endorsing it in South Korea, consumers went wild for it.

BB Cream is known by everyone in South Korea. We found it everywhere, from outdoor markets to malls. It will be that way in the United States soon. It’s thee hot product right now.

What does it do: Blemish Balm or BB Cream is a multi-tasking skin product that truly can be the one product your skin needs. It’s said to be able to moisturize, protect against the sun, soothe skin, prime skin and give full coverage, depending on the brand. (Though, in our experience, our skin needed a real moisturizer applied under. In doing so, the BB cream went on easier and looked more natural.)

Isn’t this Just a Foundation? Well, yes and no. It’s more like a tinted moisturizer, but with more coverage and many times an amazing SPF level. Each brand is different in its ability to cover blemishes and skin imperfections. While in South Korea, we purchased Tony Moly Intense Repair Snail Therapy BB Cream and it gives full coverage and literally erases any skin issues, but not all of them have such full coverage.

All BB creams vary in coverage, color, matte vs. dewy, SPF level, etc… It’s definitely a product you should experiment until you find the one best suited for you. If you don’t like a heavy foundation but still want coverage, BB cream is for you. It can also be used as a concealer or highlighter, too!

Who is it Best Suited For: Most people with medium to light skin tone; women and men, actually. But note that the BB cream might have to be mixed with foundation if you have dark skin tone. Unlike foundations, there is typically just one shade (or sometimes a couple shades) of BB cream. This is why it is considered a unisex product. (However, there were BB Creams in South Korea marketed just for men, so we’re waiting on that in the US, too.)

If you have darker skin, you can mix a bit of your foundation to make it match your skin better, but the US lines are doing a better job at offering better options for darker skin tones. When I purchased mine in South Korea, I specifically asked the woman if it would be OK for my skin and she said, “Yes, any skin!” She was right for my skin! I love my BB cream!

Where Can You Buy it: Skin care and makeup lines in the US are a hopping on the BB Cream train as we speak. Companies like Garnier, Clinique, Smashbox and Too Faced are some of the first to offer a BB Cream in the US. (We saw Garnier’s advertised all over in Seoul, too!) More lines are being developed as you read this and we’re certain that the US is going to have a BB cream explosion.

As for us, we’re going to try some of these, but if we can’t find what we want, we’re going to try to buy our beloved Tony Moly online. Thank you Amazon!

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What is BB Cream?

I spent 10 days in South Korea last month and even though I wasn't there on business, I couldn't help but be drawn in to the BB cream craze. BB creams are everywhere in Seoul! From the high-end shopping malls to the open-air markets, you'll find BB cream without having to look.

My good friend Grace, whose family is from Korea and who visits Korea regularly told me all about BB cream last year, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on a bottle or two while in Seoul.

BB creams are just starting to make a name for themselves in the USA, but I find that many people just don't know what BB creams actually are.? I'm doing a multi-piece series on BB cream and what I learned while in Seoul.

The first: What is BB Cream?? Soon after I'll share a review of what BB cream came highly recommend to me while in Seoul and we'll talk about application tips and the brands you can find currently in the US. You'll definitely want to try a BB cream soon!

Image courtesy Pricegrabber

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New Review - Sephora: Eye Defy Eye Cream

Our latest review is of Sephora's Eye Defy Eye Cream.? Mary-Ellen Kramer wrote this review and she messaged me before she sent it saying, "This review is really, really bad. Should I still write it?"? Ummm....yes!? Because we share our real reviews here, not the wishy-washy press releases that the company sends us.

So, that said, Mary-Ellen didn't like this product, but it was the interaction between herself and Sephora that irked her more than the bad product did.

Curious? Come read her review of Eye Defy Eye Cream.

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

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Vaniqa Hair Removal Cream

Vaniqa is a prescription facial hair removal cream for women. This product isn't an instant remedy like the hair removal cream you might be thinking of, like Nair, where you apply, let it do its job for a couple minutes and then wipe off the hair. Vaniqa is actually supposed to prevent women's facial hair from growing.

Jen Adkins, the Skincare Guide has been using the cream for the past couple weeks and will be reporting on her results (I'll keep you posted). In the meantime, check out her Vaniqa info sheet to get the low-down on this product. And if you have tried it, she's also asking for your review.

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The BB Cream Craze

I'm packing my bags and headed to South Korea in a few days and one of the first things I want to check out is BB cream.? BB cream is one of the hottest beauty products in South Korea and we're starting to see a few popping up in the USA (Like Clinique's), but most people still don't really know what BB cream is.

BB stands for blemish balm, and it is a multitasking beauty tool that apparently moisturizes, covers up like a foundation and protects against the sun.? It is said to be an? anti-wrinkle, anti-acne, skin whitening, scar lightener. WOW!

I am told that K-drama stars and the K-pop singers share their love of BB cream, so you can bet that I'm going to be checking it out when I go.? I've also been told that the official Korean BB cream that they sell on Amazon and other online sites are counterfeit, so I'm going to get the real deal.

Here are two fun blog posts about BB Cream

• Eat Your Kimchi - BB Cream Review
• The Korea Blog - Different BB Creams highlighted

When I get home, I will share how BB Cream worked for my skin.? If you've tried it, share in the comments.

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

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GreenShave – Natural Shaving Cream

While window shopping at Etsy I stumbled upon GreenShave, a shaving cream that impressed me with its creamy appearance and natural ingredients. The owner generously offered to send me one to try out.

When I twisted it open, I immediately fell in love with the aroma of sweet almonds. But the real test is how it does the job. Applying a thin layer of the thick cream, it was a little bit different than most other shaving creams because it doesn't lather or spread as easily having the consistency more like a thick body butter.

The owner and creator of GreenShave, Moira, tells me some people use a shaving brush, but I don't have one. Even so it works great giving a very close shave, and it helps replenish some of the moisture lost from using the razor because of the many hydrating ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and coconut and almond oil.

But the rest test for any shaving cream is having it easily remove thick, dense hair. My husband's facial hair fits this profile and he was the perfect guinea pig. He was very reluctant to try it because he said, "It looks like it's not going to work."

He admitted not getting any lather was hard to get used to as well as the consistency, wishing it was more "velvety." After also getting an ultra-close shave of two days worth of growth, he is now a believer in GreenShave.

Find more about GreenShave at Etsy.com and green-shave.com.

Image Courtesy GreenShave

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The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream

The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream is a lightweight facial moisturizer that smell amazing - like a fresh-squeezed lemon. It is to be used once or twice a day, on clean skin.

The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream - Description and Directions

The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream is a daily facial moisturizer recommended for all skin types. It is packaged in a see-through jar, which contains 1.65 ounces and currently retails for $73.

The moisturizer smells like a dream. It smells like a juicy lemon, which is a treat each morning. (Have I told you how much I love lemons?)

The directions on the container tell you to apply with Antioxidant Serum Gel every morning, and the website's directions specifically say to mix 2 drops of the Antioxidant Serum Gel with the moisturizer. We did not have the Antioxidant Serum Gel to add, so our review is of the moisturizer only.

The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream - Our Review

Things We Love:

• The Scent: We noted it above, but just to hit the message home, this moisturizer's scent of fresh lemons and grapefruit is over-the-top amazing. And knowing that it is natural, and not synthetic makes it even better.
• The Ingredient List: There are some great ingredients in this face cream. The first three ingredients listed are: Propolis Cera, which is a sticky resin collected by bees which is natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, cell regenerator and collagen booster, Polygonium which is widely used in Chinese medicine as a tonic and treatment for premature aging and oats which are anti-oxidants, and known for skin soothing and brightening properties. (Ingredients are always listed in order of percentages in the product.)
• The Amount: We love the big glass bottle of 3.3 ounces because you don't need a whole lot of oil to hydrate your entire body. It will last a long time.

Something We Weren't Crazy About

• Absorption: Lightweight really is a good description for Antioxidant Face Cream. It's so lightweight we felt we were just sliding it around our skin until we realized that we were putting too much on. It does take some time to soak in, but not excessive. A little goes a long way.
• No SPF: This is a day cream, and we like to see our day creams with SPF.
• The Price: $73.00 is a splurge price for most, especially for a facial moisturizer. But looking at the ingredients and knowing that you're not paying for a watered-down bottle of chemicals might make you look past the price, if you can afford to do so.

The Organic Pharmacy: Antioxidant Face Cream

Final Thoughts

Yes, it's expensive, but despite that, we couldn't help but love this product. Especially once we figured out we were using too much. One thing we've realized about The Organic Pharmacy is that you don't need to take the same amount of product as you would with your typical products. They're highly concentrated, thus, last longer. Plus, you're letting your skin drink in pure, potent ingredients.

But note that if you have dry skin, you'll probably think this is too lightweight for your face. This, in our opinion, is best for normal, combo and oily skin types.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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Looking for Dermology Hair Removal Cream Reviews

Once again I'm asking my readers to help me with some reviews. This time it's for Dermology Hair Removal Cream. I know there are a lot of hair removal creams on the market. But when I got an email asking me about the product, it made me very curious because this one doesn't offer the same kind of precautions I normally see.

First of all it says it can safely be used on any part of the body. Since hair removal creams are strong products because they actually break down the hair so that it can be wiped off, most can't be used on the genitals. Secondly, it also gives the okay for the eyebrows. I have never heard of a hair removal cream suggesting to be used near the eyes, it's understandably always a big no-no.

Beyond being a hair removal cream, it calls itself "an advance hair inhibitor system." It has claims on the page such as, "Our product has proven to eliminate regular shaving, waxing and the use of tweezers." And rivals itself against other hair removal methods saying it's "the most effective alternative to expensive laser treatments and electrolysis."

Have you tried it? Please tell us where you used it and how it worked in the hair removal forum.

More:

• Depilatory Hair Removal Creams 101
• Nair Shower Power Reviews
• Sally Hansen Pure ScentSatation Hair Removal Cr?me for Body

Image Courtesy PriceGrabber

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Do You Need an Under Eye Cream

We’re all looking for a skin care regime that’s quick and easy, yet yields great results. Sometimes seeing and hearing about additional skin care products and steps make you feel that you’re not doing enough for your skin. You shouldn’t always fall for the marketing hype.

One step you can skip: an under eye cream.

Skin care companies tell you it’s vital to use an eye cream because the skin around your eye is thin and more sensitive than your face, but according to author and self described “Cosmetics Cop", Paula Begoun, most of the time there isn’t anything special about your eye cream. It’s just another moisturizer that you’re putting on your face. In fact, according to Begoun, if you peek at the ingredients, they’re almost exactly the same. And worse yet, Begoun points out, there usually is not any sun protection in eye cream, unlike many daily facial moisturizers. If you avoid applying your daily moisturizer around your eyes because you’re planning on an eye cream, your thin sensitive skin will have no sun protection at all. We all know that the biggest cause of premature aging is the sun, so that just doesn’t seem like a good idea, does it?

You may want to keep using eye cream if the skin around your eyes is a different skin type than the rest of your skin. For example, you have combination skin, but the skin around your eyes is dry. You can then use a hydrating eye cream to give that area more moisture. Also, if you have fine lines, an eye cream can help plump them up, but remember most eye creams don't have protection, so don’t forget the added sunscreen.

Feel free to skip the eye cream, apply your regular daily SPF moisturizer and you’ve just taken one step out of your skin care process.

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Looking for Crotex Cream Reviews

I get a lot of emails asking me about how a certain product or treatment works. The latest one was for Crotex Cream which emerged in 2008 with headquarters in Cyprus. It's a two part system that has you remove hair with a special Hair Removal Cream (100 ml) and then apply their After Hair Removal Cream (150 ml). However these aren't your run of the mill creams you can pick up at the drugstore, the combo has a very hefty price tag of $575.

Why so much? It boasts permanent hair removal. In fact on their F.A.Q. page one question is "Does hair stop growing after the Crotex Cream has been applied on skin for real?" The answer, "Yes, after you applied the cream on a certain skin area, hair will never grow back there."

Now if it really does work without adverse side effects, I can understand why it's so expensive. But I've never heard of a cream that can make hair disappear forever. It says it can be used on the face, hands, legs, underarms and even bikini area. So why have I never heard of this product before?

It doesn't go into huge detail about how the product works. I didn't find a complete ingredients list on their website, but some mentioned are black caviar, and vitamins like A, C, E, including iron, copper and magnesium.

Another really interesting tidbit about this product is that they only make batches twice per year. So even if you decide on shelling out the $575, you may have to wait for the next release date for it to be shipped out.

Have your tried Crotex Cream? Tell us in the hair removal forum about your experience.

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CeraVe: Moisturizing Cream

Unless you've found yourself in a dermatologist's office or received a review from a friend, you may not have heard of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. If you're still searching for a moisturizer that works because you have sensitive skin, psoriasis, or very dry skin, don't give up until you try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

What Type of Skin Should Use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of those golden treasures in skin care that are not known by enough people. I personally had never heard of the product until an appointment with my dermatologist a few years ago. I was on medication for adult acne, and my skin was so very dry. He sent me home with a few samples, and after my first use of CeraVe, I was hooked. I figured that it was a special "dermatologist recommended" moisturizer that I was going to have to shell out lots of money for, but surprisingly enough it was under $15.

But this moisturizer isn't only perfect for dry skin like I had, it's perfect for sensitive skin, psoriasis and many other skin conditions. And if you don't have any special skin concerns, it's perfect for you too. CeraVe is so gentle that pediatritions often recommend it for eczema in babies and children.

CeraVe Benefits to Your Skin

CeraVe was developed by dermatologists and uses a patented formulation that provides a protective barrier on the skin's surface. This special formulation, called Multivesicular Emulsion, ensures the moisturizer will be time released throughout the day for complete day hydration. CeraVe also uses Ceramides which help retain water in the skin. This is especially good for those with extremely dry skin or skin that dries out half way through the day. One application will last the entire day long. CevaVe Moisturizing Cream is fragrance free, so those sensitive to fragrance in their skin care products can try with ease.

This product is an all over body moisturizer; you can use it on your face as well as the rest of your body. I know that many of you may shutter at the idea of putting the same cream on your face and your body, but you'll have to trust me and try it; you won't be disappointed. I'm not alone on my love for CeraVe; 29 out of 32 customer reviews on Drugstore.com gave this product 5 stars.

With such a low cost for such a high quality product, it's time to pass the the word on. Just remember, there is no SPF sun protection, so don't forget to protect your face.

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Grassroots: Vitamin C Brightening Cream SPF 25

Available exclusively at Kohls, Grassroots Research Labs skin care products are an absolute treat. The Vitamin C power Brightening Cream with SPF 25 is feels like a lux moisturizer priced at a mid-range price.

Grassroots Research Labs: Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25 - Description

Grassroots Research Labs: Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25 is a 1.7 ounce tub of moisturizer that retails for $32.50. The cream has a slight orange tint with an intoxicating citrus scent to it.

The texture could be described as a medium thickness, and it very quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving no residue or shiny feeling behind.

Who Needs Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is know for its abilities to even out the skin, reducing the appearance of skin discoloration and giving your skin an all around brighter complexion. It also helps fight off future damage to the skin by repelling free radicals.

You might be interested in this product if you are looking to brighten your skin tone and reduce the appearance of skin discolorations or freckles. You might also love this product if you are looking for citrus-scented skin care products. It smells great!

Our Experience Using Grassroots Research Labs: Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream

Lots of moisturizers come our way, and many times we can't finish the bottle before the next finds its way to our bathroom, but with Grassroots Research Labs Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream, we couldn't let it go without draining the entire tub!

First, the citrus scent always is a plus in our book, but this has so many skin benefits besides its lovely scent. First, the SPF in this product is a level 25. With many of today's moisturizers providing SPF 15 protection, it's almost double. That's a good way to start your day.

The anti-oxidant and skin brightening qualities of topical Vitamin C are well known and documented. We used this product all summer long, and definitely noticed a big difference when it came to the amount of freckles visible on our face.

While $32.50 is by far not cheap, you can spend much more on vitamin C products, and because it's sold exclusively at Kohls, you're bound to find a good price with all of the sales the Kohls has on a very regular basis.

Do We Recommend It?

Absolutely. We thoroughly enjoyed this product, and we look forward to trying out more of the Grassroots Research Labs products.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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Do I Need a Night Face Cream?

Cosmetic's companies lead us all to believe that we need a closet full of products to turn back the clock. Reality tells us however that the clock is ticking, and you can do your best to take care of your skin, but don't waste your money on products that aren't necessary. A night face cream are a good example.

We've all heard commercials tell us that night face creams are formulated to penetrate your skin while it's regenerating itself during sleep. Night cream are usually more hydrating and a bit thicker in consistency than day facial moisturizers, and they do not contain SPF like many day creams do. But as long as you are applying a moisturizer at night, it doesn't matter if it's a day or a night cream.

If you wake up feeling a bit dry or you don't mind spending extra money, feel free to splurge on a night cream, but it is not necessary. If you're happy with your day cream, go ahead and use it at night.

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The Art of Shaving Cream- Men

The Bottom Line

Look no further for the perfect men’s shaving cream. The Art of Shaving Cream for men gives a close, smooth shave that leaves skin soft, moisturized while fighting ingrown hairs.

Pros

• Different shaving cream formulas for your skin type
• Gives an ultra-close shave
• Thick formula to even cut through thick beards
• A little shaving cream goes a long way

Cons

• Expensive for a shaving cream

Description

• Manufacturer – The Art of Shaving
• Usage – Shaving Cream for men
• Options – Lavender essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil, Lemon essential oil and Unscented
• Average Cost - $22.00

Guide Review - The Art of Shaving Cream for Men

I had my husband try the The Art of Shaving Cream Sandalwood essential oil for men, made for normal to dry skin. He usually uses something from the drugstore, so there was a huge, dramatic difference in his shaving experience.

He has very thick facial hair that can be hard to cut through. You’re suggested but not required to use the cream with a shaving brush, but we don’t have one. Not using a fresh razor, and shaving without a brush he still got a very close shave. My husband didn't shave at all the day after first using the cream despite being a work day, because it wasn't really necessary. That gives you an idea of the close shave you get.

Most of the time his face is really dry after shaving, but not this time. The skin was so soft where he shaved, and looked like he had a facial.

His skin was left smelling of sandalwood, like he put on cologne. I don’t know how familiar you are with sandalwood, but it’s often used in men’s cologne because of it’s masculine earthy scent. The Art of Shaving only uses essential oils, and that’s huge bonus points for me because I don’t like artificial fragrances.

Essential oils do more than just make products smell wonderful, they have therapeutic properties. That is why there’s more than just one choice of essential oil in shaving creams for your skin type: lemon for normal to oil, lavender for sensitive, sandalwood for normal to dry and unscented for hypoallergenic.

Another problem a lot of men face is ingrown hairs from shaving, especially in the neck area. Moisturizing ingredients in the shaving cream help soften the hair and protect skin to help avoid ingrown hairs. It worked, and helped lessen the amount of ingrown hairs for my husband.

Beware, after trying The Art of Shaving Cream for men, you might not ever want to use anything else. It’s truly amazing!

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