I’ve said often enough that I’m not that into BB Creams and the wonderful claims they proclaim to live up to. However, what with this brand and that brand available out there, I’m curious. I have since picked out one or two I rather like, but in the main, I’m still a little iffy about the whole BB Cream hype.
Today we have the Mentholatum Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream that is quite readily available at our local pharmacies at a reasonably affordable price. This one comes in one shade as most BB Creams do, but in two different formula – Normal-Oily skin (Silky BB Cream) and Normal Dry skin (Moisture BB Cream). I broke into the Normal-Oily skin one, because from experience I’d realized that BB Creams tend to go on a little oily on my skin. Mentholatum is a Japanese brand, but this particular product was produced in collaboration with a Korean BB Cream company (unnamed).
In terms of texture, I must say that this one agrees with me quite well. It feels light on my skin and spreads quite easily leaving quite a nice finish. Its not very thick nor does it turn oily on my skin. I have to give it that. It actually feels lovely on and does not slide off throughout the day.
However, the colour is too grey for my skin tone. I don’t quite get this grey tint in many BB creams. I have not found a grey colour that flatters my skintone and I’m Asian. I wore it a few times. The first time I applied it too thickly so it felt a little heavy. The trick I’ve learned with BB Creams is to use a tiny little amount, and then layer over the parts that need more coverage.
Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream swatch Left: Unblended Right Blended
The swatch appears a little less grey and on the right, appears to have blended into my skin. I, in fact thought that I’d managed to get this BB cream to work for my colouring (since I did like the texture and finish). However, my friend told me, right in my face, that this made my skin colour look dull. Not texture, it seems to have a nice finish. But the colour was a little off for me. And here I was thinking that I’d managed to balance out the grey tones on my skin. Sigh…
Here is a side by side comparison swatch of the Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream alongside some other BB Creams I have (some reviewed, some in the works):-
1. Bobbi Brown BB Cream Extra Light 2. Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream 3. MAC Prep + Prime BB Blemish Balm 4. Diorsnow BB Creme 5. Hada Labo BB Moist Cream Natural Beige
As you can see, the tone is clearly more grey. I read somewhere that the grey tone helps brighten skintone for those who have, perhaps a more sallow/yellow skintone. In my case, I prefer BB Creams with a beige/pink tone which are also colours I use in foundation, and match my skin better. If I use this, I sometimes apply a yellow based powder to set and balance out the grey tones which helps my skin look brighter too.
The coverage in this Silky BB Cream is quite good. Not too thick yet you can layer it on problem areas for more coverage so you don’t need concealer. So, what I’d suggest is for you to test this out if possible, to see if it will suit your skintone. Texture wise, I have absolutely no complaints!
Pros: Light texture, Not oily, Does not slide off my skin, Decent coverage, Affordable
Cons: Tone is a bit too grey for my skin
Here is the ingredient list for the Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream (Normal-Oily):-
I have normal-dry skin but for this particular one, I might venture a suggestion for similar skin types to try the Normal-Oily formula. I’m not sure how the Normal-Dry formula fares, but in our weather, it might turn out a little heavier than we like. I will suggest you apply this one with the piano method – I find it applies better and gives a better finish.
Have you taken a go at this BB Cream? Like it? Do you find it a little grey on your skin too or does it work well on your skin tone?
Paris B
Mentholatum Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream comes in 2 formula Normal-Oily and Normal-Dry and retails at RM59.90/40g at all major pharmacies. Pick it up when it goes on sale.
Sue Lynn says
June 20, 2011 at 8:59 amThis is a huge fail for me…=_=
Not only in terms of the gray cast, but the colour depth as well…
Let’s just say my head looks like it’s hovering above my neck ^_^
And the scent bothers me too…Hmmmm…
Oh well, thank goodness it didn’t cost a bomb 😛
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 10:07 amGoodness! Lucky for me it was alright in most regards (and I thought I looked ok until everything settled) except for the colour which was awfully wrong. Its what made me stop trying BB Creams.
Sue Lynn says
June 20, 2011 at 9:01 amHada Labo BB Moist Cream & Emulsion rules! 😀
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 10:08 amAGREE! 😀
Sue Lynn says
June 21, 2011 at 12:29 pmOh! I can’t wait for your review on the Neogence Essence.
I’m already 1/2 way through the tiny vial within 2 weeks T_T,
but I absolutely adore it…
Sighs…
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 2:44 pmI’m practically done with it – it goes very fast. I’m happy with it, but not in love. My skin felt a little dry after that 🙁
Sue Lynn says
June 22, 2011 at 9:06 amohhhhh…maybe it’s because i hava oily skin, whilst yours in on the dry side?
sasa takes forever restock stuff though. i dread buying it online =_=
ParisB says
June 22, 2011 at 10:21 amIt could be that – maybe its not enough. But it goes SO FAST!
Uruz says
June 20, 2011 at 9:14 amI’m quite fair and this BB cream is too grey for me. Finish is alright but oil control was almost non existent for me. The Kanebo Freshel White C BB Cream UV Whitening SPF32 PA++ is a much better option IMHO and is around the same price as the Sunplay one.
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 10:08 amHmm… didn’t turn me oily but then I have normal-dry skin but was using the silky BB cream so that might be it. Thanks for sharing. Perhaps it isn’t that good at keeping oilies away. I may have the Freshel one around (I got it at a sale a while ago) so I’ll give it a go. Thanks for the rec!
Meghann says
June 20, 2011 at 10:31 amAm I the only one who always get breakout after using any brand of BB cream? Anyone has the same problem?
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 10:37 amNope, its entirely possible. I’ve read of people breaking out from BB Creams too because it usually contains a lot of silicones which you might be sensitive to 🙂
Rainy Days & Lattes says
June 20, 2011 at 10:37 amI haven’t experienced any grey tones w/my bb creams but I’ve read in many blogs that this is a problem for lots of ppl! The diorsnow one looks like a good match from your swatch 🙂
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:20 pmPerhaps the colours of your BB Creams aren’t grey tinted, or perhaps they work for your skintone (many Korean brands are grey tinted so perhaps you have their colouring 😉 ) The Diorsnow is a tiny bit dark but it balances itself quite nicely to my skin thankfully 🙂
maggie says
June 20, 2011 at 10:40 amthis is my fav! 🙂 although it did give a grey cast on my face but after i warm my face with my palm right after i’ve blended it on my face, it match my skintone perfectly. which i always do whenever i apply liquid form on my face.
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:21 pmGlad this one works for you. It could work with your skintone and not mine. I have lots of pink in my undertone. Warming it up does nothing for me but does help most liquid foundation blend into the skin better.
Cindy Tong says
June 20, 2011 at 11:07 amI’ve tried Bobby Brown BB-cream and quite like it..but still doubt whether it will suits my face since i tried some other brand (sample packet) which look too whitish/fair on my face! Can recommend which BB cream i shall try?I want to have smth that cover my uneven skin tone but not too thick or sticky..that is why i dun like foundation!
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:23 pmHmm… I’m not sure what you mean about another brand looking too fair for your skin? I like the Bobbi Brown one because its light and the colour suits my skintone. For now, the only BB Creams I can safely say I like are the Bobbi Brown one and the Hada Labo one (not available in Malaysia yet). I don’t usually use BB Creams, prefering to use liquid foundation – many new ones aren’t thick or sticky at all. Or use powder foundation which is my first love. You could read more about my foundation reviews here.
eliza says
June 20, 2011 at 11:10 amI quit using BB creams =/
It did a great job at covering scars while it heals but it caused my skins to clog real bad with whiteheads. I did wash my face 3 times (make up remover + cleanser) but still the same. Then I started picking on the whiteheads (bad of me) then pimples start to grow (I deserve it).
Skin started become sensitive, etc. And the dermatologist advise me to stop using anything for 6 months and eat yogurt. 3 months now and I am quite happy. Only the scars remains from my popping and picking but not too bad.
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:26 pmBB Creams don’t work for everyone. I’m only now using them after refusing to for so long (mostly because I’ve been asked to try) but I could never substitute my usual foundation for this. I just don’t like it as an all in one and I’ve heard of many whose skins cannot adjust to the number of chemicals in BB Creams 😛 Glad you worked out your problem and that your skin is getting better. 🙂
lyn says
June 20, 2011 at 12:58 pmI used to have both versions (normal and moisturising) and preferred the moisturising one. But like you, it has a greyish undertone on me too. I have gotten over the bb cream craze now, of which I am thankful because it means having one less cosmetic product to lemming about 🙂
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:28 pmYou prefered the moisturising one? I didn’t try it because I was afraid it would be too oily. I don’t get the grey tone bit. Koreans don’t have a grey skintone! 😛
Julia says
June 20, 2011 at 1:55 pmI agree with you that most BB Creams are just hyped tinted SPF.
However, I have been using Missha’s Perfect Cover BB Cream for about a year now, simply because shade #13 is about the only affordable base make-up product that is light enough for my skin. (I heard Kanebo’s Media also has some really light stuff, haven’t tried that, though.)
It’s nothing for you, though, probably, as it has zinc oxide pretty high up on the ingredients list.
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:29 pmI don’t think we get Missha here anymore but I have tried Missha (and didn’t like it) but I’m glad its working for you 🙂
zila says
June 20, 2011 at 2:05 pmhi…
I’m wondering, where do you get the Hada Labo BB Moist Cream Natural Beige? Never seen one before. And how much is the price?
🙂
ParisB says
June 20, 2011 at 2:29 pmI got mine online. If you are in Malaysia, its not yet available here.
Sue Lynn says
June 21, 2011 at 12:36 pmI contacted Hada Labo through FaceBook, enquiring when they’re bringing the BBs in because I’d prefer to have easily acccessible!
“…considering…”
“Nuff said =_=
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 2:44 pm“wonderful”
Jamilla Camel says
June 20, 2011 at 8:57 pmI use the Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer SPF15 in Light to Medium – the BB cream isn’t available in Europe yet – but I would like to try it!
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 10:01 amI hope you get the BB Cream but if not, you could possibly have it picked up in Asia 😉 I’m not sure if its the same/similar to the Tinted Moisturizer though. I haven’t tried that one.
milktea says
June 20, 2011 at 10:33 pmI got the Sunplay BB cream Moisure version. Too light for me 🙁 Not planning to buy Western prestige BB creams. Still fascinated by Korean brands – there are a lot out there! 🙂
I think the Sunplay Silky BB blends quite well into your skin, it looks wearable. 🙂
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 10:02 amLOADS of Korean brands! Every Korean brand has a BB cream – which makes it super confusing 😛 The Sunplay one blends into my hand… just not onto my face 😛
Reena says
June 20, 2011 at 11:13 pmIt’s weird. I’ve never had a problem with BB creams. I only use a little of the product and it covers my blemishes fairly well. Have you tried Skin Food Agave BB cream? I currently use this product and it’s the bomb. 🙂
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 10:05 amI guess you’re lucky 🙂 I’ve never had luck with BB Creams – oily, sticky, thick, grey, orange… you name it, I’ve experienced it 😛 I’ve only tried the Skin Food Premium Grape BB Cream. That wasn’t too bad 🙂
April says
June 20, 2011 at 11:52 pmGosh. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’ve just realized my faceshop bb cream is kinda grey too..
ParisB says
June 21, 2011 at 10:05 amHaha… if it doesn’t make your skin look dull, its alright. This one made mine look dull 🙁
lavender says
June 21, 2011 at 9:50 pmSo far I have not found any BB cream that worked for my super oily skin. I am not too interested in BB cream anyway.
ParisB says
June 22, 2011 at 10:16 amI don’t think BB Creams work for oily skin too (although the Hada Labo Emulsion one might if they ever decide to bring it in 😛 )
Elisa says
April 12, 2012 at 1:07 amGreat post! I know it’s old but I recently came across it in my hunt for a foundation or bb cream that uses only physical sunscreens (ie only titanium dioxide or zinc oxide). No luck yet…sadly. Wow you have lots of reviews and quite a breadth of knowledge on beauty products! Great site! Any suggestions you might have for my hunt would be welcome, xo!
Raquel M. says
April 19, 2013 at 4:55 amHello, Paris!
I am so interested in the MAC one cause I am so pink!! :p
But I went to the MAC website and they now have three shades – extra light, light and light plus! Do you happen to know which one is this one? 🙂
Thank you! x
Paris B says
April 19, 2013 at 10:13 amHmmm… you know, I’d totally forgotten about the MAC BB LOL! This is the one I have (link) and I don’t think it came in any shades when I bought so I’m not sure which it falls under.