BB Creams: Worth the Hype?

       We've all heard the promises of perfect skin that come with the Beauty Balms or BB Creams. So ever since they first came out, I hated them. To me, they were just products that have features that regular tinted moisturizers should have had in the first place. To justify my theory, I analyzed every single ingredient in a few brands of BB's, tinted moisturizers, and regular moisturizers. This is what I came up with:

Beauty Balms

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream-$12.99
Ingredients:
Active: Octinoxate 4%. Inactive: Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isohexadecane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Nylon-12, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Stearyl Alcohol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Fragrance, Caprylyl Glycol, Lithum Magnesium Sodium Silicate, Disodium EDTA, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Caffeine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Polyphosphorylcholine Glycol Acrylate, Citral, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate. [May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides].
In other words:
emollients, fillers, silicones, salts, trace amounts of caffiene and vitamin c, sunscreen, tints
Good for:
No Skin Types
Worth it?:
No

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++ - $38 for 1.75 oz
Ingredients:
 Titanium Dioxide 6.4%. Inactive Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Glycereth-26, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Arbutin, Beta-Glucan, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Panthenol, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Dimethicone Coploymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Mica, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Anisate, Iron Oxide (C.I. 77499), Iron Oxide (C.I. 77491), Iron Oxide (C.I. 77492)
In other words:
silicones, emollients, melanin inhibitor, anti-inflammatory, form of vitamin b, wound healing, thickeners, salts, sunscreen, tints
Good for:
Acneic/sensitive skin
Worth it?:
Yes, if you use in place of daily moisturizer

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-In-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector 8.99
Ingredients:
Titanium Dioxide 1.15%. Inactive: Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Pentylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Xyloside, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 80, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol, Methylisothiazolinone, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

In other words:

emollients, preservatives, thickeners/fillers, vitamin c, anti-irritants, sunscreen, tints
Good for:
No skin types
Worth it?:
No

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm, $32-1.5 oz
Ingredients:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Lysine, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba
In other words:
Emollients, silicones, salts, protein, 2 antioxidant sources, increases blood flow
Good for:
Sensitive skin types

Worth it?
No

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35, 1 oz-$39

Ingredients:

Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Peg-40 Stearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract (Extrait D'Orge), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Oryzanol, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Urea, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Propylene Glycol Laurate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Lacylate, Caffeine, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Lecithin, Squalane, Sodium PCA, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Stearic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Aluminum Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)] .

In other words:

Emollients, silicones, and other fillers, 3 antioxidant sources, water binders, anti-inflammatory, vitamin e, caffiene, preservatives, sunscreens

Good for:

Dry skin types

Worth it?:

When used after a serum, maybe, but I believe there are cheaper options.

Tinted Moisturizers

Juice Beauty SPF 20 Tinted Mineral Moisturizer - $29.00

Ingredients:

Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 6.6%.
Inactive Ingredients: Juices Of Pyrus Malus (Apple) Juice,* Vitis Vinifera (White Grape) Juice,* Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice* & Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice,* Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract,* Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract,* Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid, Phospholipids, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Allantoin, Cera Alba (Beeswax),* Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Mica & Iron Oxides (Mineral Tints), Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium (Petitgrain), Cinnamomum Camphora (Ho Wood) & Citrus Reticulata (Mandarin) Pure Essential Oils. *Certified Organic By A USDA Approved Agency.

In other words:

Numerous fruit juices, 4 antioxidant sources, reduces UV damage, emollients, vitamin e, water binders, vitamin b, anti-inflamatory/anti-irritant, thickeners, preservatives, essential oils

Good for:

All skin types

Worth it?

Yes, I believe this is a good substitute for a daily moisturizer.

Organic wear® 100% Natural Origin Tinted Moisturizer 11.89
Ingredients:
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 5.0% Inactive Ingredients: Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Water*, Water, Alcohol Sd (Denatured With Certified Organic Lavender Oil)*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Lecithin (Soybean)*, Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil*, Talc, Titanium Dioxide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Olea Eurpoaea (Olive) Fruit Unsaponifiables, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter*, Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Wheat Bran Glucosides, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Hydrated Silica, Iron Oxide, Xanthan Gum. *Produced From Organic Farming

In other words:

Numerous fruit oils/juices, emollients, 4 antioxidant sources, thickeners

Good For:

Normal to dry skin types

Worth it?:

Yes, nice ingredients and great price

Regular Moisturizers

Garnier Skin Renew Anti Sun-Damage Daily Moisture Lotion-$12.99

Ingredients:

Avobenzone (3.0%), Octisalate (5.0%), Octocrylene (7.0%) Inactive Ingredients: Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Poly C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate, Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Dimethicone, Nylon 66, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Extract (Lycopene), Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate, Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Water, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Caprylyl Glycol, Magnesium PCA (Magnesium), Manganese PCA (Magnesium), Mica, Sodium PCA (Magnesium), Zinc PCA (Magnesium), Titanium Dioxide, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, PEG 8 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Octyldodecanol, Polycaprolactone, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Dicocoylethylenediamine PEG-15 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Fragrance, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, Geraniol, Citral
In other words:
Emollients, thickeners, silicones, 3 antioxidant sources, vitamin c, vitamin e, skin tissue growth enablers, preservatives
Good for:
All skin types
Worth it?:
Better than Garnier's BB Cream, but still has alot of fillers. Not the best, but not terrible for the price.



Boscia Vital Daily Moisture SPF 15 1.4 0z $36
Ingredients:
Octinoxate 5%, Avobenzone 3%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Leaf Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Algae Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Stearate, Silica, Aluminum Hydroxide, Potassium Phosphate, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol

In other words:

Emollients, 2 antioxidant sources, silicones, antimicrobial/anti-irritant, numerous natural extracts and oils, vitamin e
Good for:
All skin types
Worth it?
Yes

BOTTOM LINE:

"BB Cream" is just a glorified name for a tinted moisturizer. Some do have beneficial benefits, but tinted moisturizers have the same benefits. TO GET THE BEST RESULTS: Use a moisturizer suited for the goals for your skin. Below I made my own Beauty Balm by adding concealer to my daily moisture. The look is the same as a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer, but more beneficial for my skin.

Leave requests for more product reviews below!

Duh! Caviar Manicure Dupe

Sweeping Sephoras and blogs across the nation is the Ciate Caviar Manicure. At $25.00 for .47 oz, it's hardly a good buy. Micheal's has every single color of microbeads you could ask for, for a fraction of the price. I bought Recollections 6 piece set in metallic colors for $6.99. They also have bright rainbow colors, and single larger sizes for $3.99. To use just paint your nail where you want the beads, and shake the beads over a surface easy to pour back into the bottle.

Thanks for visiting,

-Britt!





YogaWorks Body Slim Review!



I've always loved this workout DVD, and waking up sore this morning rekindled the fire! This yoga exercise is 40 minutes of cardio/slow burn rotations. This workout is great for beginners (as it features a modifier), and intermediate participants alike. The moves are easy to get the correct form, yet insanely effective. The instructor talks you through the moves so there are no excuses to "take a break to watch what she's doing." There are 3 cardio sequences and 3 slow burn sequences in rotation in about 5-7 minutes long each. The full workout builds strength, and about half is cardio. The cardio will raise your heartrate and shorten your breath, but I do not personally feel that this DVD can replace regular cardio. Overall great workout and I plan on doing it once a week or whenever I can't get my daily run in. I purchased this for less than $15 at Barnes and Noble.

Obsession: NYX Xtreme Lip Cream

I love my opaque lip products, but I hate how drying they are to my lips. Perfect solution: NYX Xtreme Lip Creams. These are super opaque, creamy, and dreamy lip glosses. The texture is perfect, and hydrates lips as well. They are similar to OCC Lip Tar but cheaper and more hydrating. However they don't last near as long. Most opaque pigments gather on my dry, flaky lips, but these do not. I bought these months ago during a Buy 2 Get 2 sale at Ulta. The swatches below are a little brighter in the pictures than they are in person.

Skin Tone

Buttery Nude (this is almost identical to OCC Trick)

Pinky Nude

Bonfire

Great colors and at $5.99, I can't wait to get more. Hope this was helpful, thanks for visiting!

Recognizing MSG in products



We've all heard the buzz about the harmfulness of MSG. MSG is a toxin also known as Monosodium Glutamate. Symptoms from exposure occur similar to an allergic reaction, and can effect every system in the body. Its important to cut this dangerous toxin out of our diet, but where to start?
Here is a list of ingredients where MSG is hiding:

• Monosodium Glutamate
• Hydrolyzed Proteins
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Yeast Extract
• Caseinate
• "Natural Flavors" (If an ingredient can't be listed, they're hiding something!)

source: www.holisticmed.com

Products that commonly contain MSG are processed and not part of a clean diet. For a list of products and restaurant items that have MSG visit http://www.3fatchicks.com/4-foods-commonly-containing-msg/. If one of your favorite products contains MSG, limit yourself. (I personally hate completely depriving our body of a craving/certain food).


Hope this helps jumpstart a healthy diet! Thanks for visiting!

Fourth of Jul-Eye Makeup!

This super easy All-American Look can be accomplished with a sticker! Just place the sticker on after primer and before applying shadow. Do not blend too vigorously to avoid bending the corners of the star. Here I used a frosty white Ben Nye shade and a bright blue, both part of the lumiere palettes. Pair with a sexy red lip! Im wearing MAC Russian Red. Thanks for visiting! Leave questions/comments/requests below!

Wearable Ombre Lips

Its the hottest trend this year: Ombre. Ive always loved this look for lips and so glad it's now socially acceptable =). In this tutorial I will be using OCC Lip Tar, but any opaque, creamy lip color will work. (In love with NYX Xtreme Lip Creams as well)

Step 1: Apply darker color as a liner. I used OCC Vintage

 Step 2: Blend using back and forth motions with lip brush.

 Step 3: Apply lighter product to center of lips. I used OCC Hush

 Step 4: Blend by stippling with your finger.

 Step 5 (optional): Apply clear lipgloss carefully. Be sure not to blend darker color anymore. I used MAC Lipglass.

Hope you found this helpful! Feel free to leave questions or comments below.