Regular size is 1.7 oz and goes for CAD$65, according to Sephora. Holy smokes. That's a lot for a BB creme, which can be found all over Asian drugstores for pennies in comparison. Good thing I scored this sample for free.
The Claim: (with my notes in red)
What it is: A single-step cream to immediately balance the skin (?), correct the complexion (slightly - very light coverage), and protect its youthful appearance (??).
What it is formulated to do: Inspired by cutting-edge Asian beauty rituals and developed in collaboration with Dior Makeup Artists, HydraLife BB Crème combines the moisturizing and protective powers of a skincare product with the immediate complexion-enhancing and even-toning properties of a foundation (mehhhh). The complexion is left moisturized (yes), smooth (sure), and velvety soft (FALSE).
What else you need to know: This product provides active defense against environmental stress (suuuure...) and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection (whatever).
Um, so get this. It only comes in ONE SHADE. And it doesn't have a shade name.
I was taken aback by how dark the BB creme appeared. Once blended into the face, it did even out the tone slightly, as a very light coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer would do. It did manage to turn my face one or two shades darker than normal. Think NC35-40ish? I didn't apply moisturizer or primer underneath as I wanted to test the merits of the "BB" factor, which is supposed to be an all-in-one miracle product without the need for multiple steps.
I tested this on a mild Saturday in early October and took a 10 minute walk to a neighbourhood plaza. By then I was already shiny and oily. It was as if the creme never set or dried and remained rather wet. Very disconcerting to the oily skin types. Even the Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer doesn't make me look so shiny so soon. I think Dior wasn't thinking about us oily gals at all and basically created the equivalent of a tinted moisturizer with some extra SPF pumped into it. If you have dry skin and require almost no coverage at all and are in the NC35 zone and love looking dewy, this is for you. Otherwise, I'm calling this a big, fat, expensive #FAIL.
Warning: Contains Oxybenzone
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) 3.75%, titanium dioxide 3.55%, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) 1.00%
Other Ingredients: Aqua (Water), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Methyl Trimethiccone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Nylon 6/12, Alcohol, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ajuga Turkestanica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), BHT, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citronellol, Limonene
Made in France.
Sample from Sephora e-mail promotion.
The Claim: (with my notes in red)
What it is: A single-step cream to immediately balance the skin (?), correct the complexion (slightly - very light coverage), and protect its youthful appearance (??).
What it is formulated to do: Inspired by cutting-edge Asian beauty rituals and developed in collaboration with Dior Makeup Artists, HydraLife BB Crème combines the moisturizing and protective powers of a skincare product with the immediate complexion-enhancing and even-toning properties of a foundation (mehhhh). The complexion is left moisturized (yes), smooth (sure), and velvety soft (FALSE).
What else you need to know: This product provides active defense against environmental stress (suuuure...) and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection (whatever).
Um, so get this. It only comes in ONE SHADE. And it doesn't have a shade name.
I was taken aback by how dark the BB creme appeared. Once blended into the face, it did even out the tone slightly, as a very light coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer would do. It did manage to turn my face one or two shades darker than normal. Think NC35-40ish? I didn't apply moisturizer or primer underneath as I wanted to test the merits of the "BB" factor, which is supposed to be an all-in-one miracle product without the need for multiple steps.
I tested this on a mild Saturday in early October and took a 10 minute walk to a neighbourhood plaza. By then I was already shiny and oily. It was as if the creme never set or dried and remained rather wet. Very disconcerting to the oily skin types. Even the Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer doesn't make me look so shiny so soon. I think Dior wasn't thinking about us oily gals at all and basically created the equivalent of a tinted moisturizer with some extra SPF pumped into it. If you have dry skin and require almost no coverage at all and are in the NC35 zone and love looking dewy, this is for you. Otherwise, I'm calling this a big, fat, expensive #FAIL.
Warning: Contains Oxybenzone
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate) 3.75%, titanium dioxide 3.55%, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) 1.00%
Other Ingredients: Aqua (Water), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Methyl Trimethiccone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Nylon 6/12, Alcohol, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), Betaine, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Stearate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Rosa Hybrid Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ajuga Turkestanica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Alumina, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Propylene Carbonate, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), BHT, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citronellol, Limonene
Made in France.
Sample from Sephora e-mail promotion.
I tried this, but it was way too dark for me, so I couldn't even wear it out of the house. I wish they had more shades!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it really doesn't make any sense to put out a product like this for only a tiny fraction of the population. o_O
DeleteIt makes absolutely no sense why Dior would only make a single color!!
ReplyDeleteRight? It's like a weird test drive to see if they can trick people into buying it to fund more colours.
DeleteHahahaha. This is kind of like their HydraLife tinted moisturizer, except that comes in three shades, I think. It's really dewy, though, and I can't imagine wearing it if I had oily skin. O_O
ReplyDeleteI remember you saying that about their TM. I wonder how different these two actually are, if at all. I don't think I can finish using this sample.
DeleteI would be really disappointed too, I mean, this is a lot money for a glorified tinted moisturizer. Eh, Dior... :(
ReplyDeleteYeah. I used to love high-end foundations but just can't go there lately. This one really doesn't seem to be worth it.
DeleteI liked this one. I have dry skin. I am NW 30 and the shade suits me. I don't need much coverage. The sample was a life saver for me when I went to Uluru, amidst the dry desert heat! In spite is all these positive things, I wouldn't really buy a full size just because of the price factor.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, you're one of the very few that this is for! I'd give you my sample if I could. But it's so very tiny and I don't think you'd want a used sample, lol.
DeleteI REFUSE to try anymore of these expensive supposed BB creams. They are not BB creams. And sheesh-for that money you could get an Armani foundation already! That has coverage!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Liz!
LOL!!!! ARMANIIIIIIIIIIIII. I had a fail with the Armani Luminous Silk but that's not for my skin type anyway. I'd trade this for two ETKs in a heart beat though!
DeleteI love how you've done the review! What a waste of money :(
ReplyDeleteThanks! Well, it works for people like Su above, but it's not viable for most due to the single shade factor.
Delete+1 Dior, for making Western BB cream with a darker shade rather than light!
ReplyDelete-500 though for setting it at such a ridiculous price.
Hahahahahaha! That should have been the entirety of my review. :D
DeleteI misplaced my sample of this awhile ago, but I am no longer at all sad about that. Simply disgraceful! Also, awesome review.
ReplyDeleteIt would be way too dark for you! My face and neck were completely different shades. I only wore it out because it was a bum day and I didn't care about the neighbours!
DeleteAm I the only one that is completely not interested in trying BB cream?
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of multiple steps in my skincare and make-up. Also, considering how companies want to make MORE money, you'd think they'd stop trying to minimize routines...
I'm not really either (it's not what my skin needs) but it's good to know for sure that this doesn't work. And I'd rather skip the multi-steps for sure so I'll always be on the hunt for the minimizing product!
DeleteDior didn't want to miss out on the BB game but their minimal effort is really strange.
The price is way too much for a BB cream, especially one that has barely any coverage. I know that some people like light coverage, but for that price it can't really be justified, can it?
ReplyDeleteI think it can if the product proves to have benefits to the skin after continual usage... but it's no good for me. And given how it only suits such a small percentage of women out there, mehhhhhhh. Clearly Dior pushed something out to stay in the BB game, but to me it doesn't even seem worth the effort.
DeleteHad a great laugh at "...protect its youthful appearance. (??)" I have the same reaction to rhetoric like this when it comes to advertising. This seems like it could've been such a good product if they put some thought in it and put out more than one shade, and maybe something that covers well!
ReplyDeleteThat's ASSUMING that the customer has "youthful appearance" to begin with, which is a horrible presumption to make. lol
Deletei tried this at a sephora store once, and it was just too heavy for me. the color was close though. ick. i just need an asian bb cream! and some marcelle lol
ReplyDeleteHahaha! The Marcelle was all right but I'm not a huge BB cream fan. I really wish they'd all get with the colour thing and MAKE MORE SHADES. Sheesh.
DeleteOh dear, sounds very oily indeed. Perhaps a setting powder and worn on very dry winter days could help?
ReplyDeleteThe colour is so much darker that I don't even want to bother on top of the overly wet finish! It was a free sample so no loss on my part. :)
DeleteThis one's not for me - I have a mortal fear of too much shine!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not for you then! Also the colour doesn't match!
Delete