I read a lot of foreign beauty blogs and it amused me greatly when recently, the beauty scene in the UK was taken by storm by a new introduction of something they’d only ever really read about on Asian blogs, or which was mostly unavailable in their market – BB Cream. To be exact, the Garnier BB Cream.
At about the same time, or a little before that, the Garnier BB Cream was launched here in Malaysia too. You will already have seen it on the shelves so with all this buzz, it probably is opportune that I let you know what I think of this new BB Cream, or to give it its full name – Garnier Light BB Instant Fairness BB Moisturizer with SPF26 PA+++ 🙂
The Garnier BB Cream is very affordable, weighing in at just RM19.90/20ml. At that sort of price point, you don’t really feel the pinch to give it a go which I think is very clever marketing strategy. Importantly, I know what you’re thinking – how does it perform and is the Garnier BB Cream in Asia the same as the one in Europe? Let’s try and answer those questions 🙂
First off, this is your regular run of the mill BB Cream – and like many BB creams promise you lots and lots. In fact, they promise you 10 benefits (beating the Maybelline BB cream that promises 8 benefits by 2!)
Here’s what they promise your skin will be:-
- More radiant
- More even-toned
- Less dark spots
- Less visible imperfections
- Reduce redness
- Smoother
- More hydrated
- Less visible Lines
- Less visible pores
- Reveal a healthy glow
On top of that, it also promises you amazing fairness (hence the “Light” in its name). Me = Sceptic. So, I’ll let you judge for yourself with this before and after picture.
Garnier BB Cream Left: Before Right: After
You can see my skin imperfections in all their glory – pigmentation on the cheeks, and pimples and pimple marks on the chin, redness around the nose area.
I will concede that the Garnier BB Cream is a dab hand at covering up redness. You can see that the redness is markedly reduced on the skin and naturally therefore, the skintone looks more even. The tint in the Garnier BB Cream tends to a slight pink based cast which does adjust itself somewhat to give a slightly brighter tint to the skin.
However, dark spots aren’t covered and neither are imperfections. Pores are slightly reduced. On the whole, I’d say that there is a slight improvement in the skintone overall, but coverage is very very sheer. I do rather like how it evens my skintone out quite well, so I take care of the rest by using concealer. A swipe of loose powder over my face to set it, increases coverage and keeps it on longer.
If I do not set it with powder, I do find that it will slip by the end of the day. It does not turn my skin very oily – a little but nothing dramatic – but I will warn oily skinned gals about this. If you have combination-dry skin I think it will work better than if you had oily skin. A light dusting of powder helps me take care of the oiliness.
Its tone is pink based as I’ve noted which can help with skin brightening. However, if you have a very warm or very yellow based skintone, it may not suit you. The tint looked dark initially for me, but I did notice that it self adjusted quite well after a few minutes so it did match my skintone ultimately. That said, it must be noted that my skintone is light, and this only comes in 1 shade so I’m not sure if everyone can use it.
Like all BB Creams, I do not treat this as a skincare item but as makeup. Therefore in my case, I apply this after my skincare routine and sunscreen.
In a nutshell
The Garnier BB Cream is very sheer and does not cover imperfections on my skin. It however covers up redness and evens out the skintone and generally helps my skin look a little brighter. I did not notice any skin lightening but it did look dewy without looking like an oil slick. It also did not make my skin very oily throughout the day. I usually use this with a dab of concealer and a light dusting of powder for all day wear. I don’t think those with very oily skin will take to this or those with very warm or yellow skintones. Otherwise, I think its an affordable product that does a decent job.
Pros: Covers redness and evens out skintone, Affordable, Slim packaging, Skin looks a bit brighter after application
Cons: May not be suitable for those with oily skins, Did not cover blemishes and skin imperfections
Here are some comparison swatches for your viewing pleasure.
Left-Right: (1) Hada Labo BB Moist Cream Natural Beige (2) Garnier Light BB Cream (3) Maybelline BB Cream Fresh (4) Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream Light
The Garnier BB Cream is a tad pinker in tone compared to the Maybelline BB Cream but not as pink toned as the Sunplay Skin Aqua Silky BB Cream. The Hada Labo BB Moist Cream is significantly more yellow toned. I decided to compare apples with apples so they were compared with pharmacy based brands as opposed to mixing in higher end brands.
And here’s the ingredient list for the Garnier BB Cream
Now, how does the Asian Garnier BB Cream compare to the European BB Cream? Truth to tell, I have absolutely no idea LOL! However, if you read the review on Beaut.ie here are a few quick differences I picked up almost immediately:-
| Asia Garnier BB Cream | Europe Garnier BB Cream |
|---|---|
| Name: BB Instant Fairness BB Moisturizer | Name: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily all-in-one B.B. Cream |
| SPF26 PA+++ | SPF15 |
| 10 in one benefits | 5 in one benefits |
| One shade | 2 shades available – Light and Medium |
| Skincare benefits focus on whitening, brightening, radiance | Skincare benefits focus on hydrating and offers 24 hour hydration |
| Comes in 20ml tube | Comes in 50ml tube |
The ingredients are also different so the irresistible conclusion is therefore that whilst they may have the same name and perform the same functions, the two products are quite quite different to suit the different needs and requirements of the different areas they serve.
Have you gone and picked this one up already? Its available in local pharmacies so you can take a gander at it to see if it might be something that suits you or that you might like. I experienced no unnatural breakouts with this one. I’m not the biggest BB Cream fan out there but I do think this rather decent for weekends and suchlike. Otherwise I do still prefer using a foundation.
Paris B
Garnier BB Instant Fairness BB Moisturizer retails at RM19.90/20ml at all major pharmacies. It comes in 1 shade.
Hi, for its price I feel that it is good =P
I have never used BB Cream before after reading about the side effect of it =P (not sure how true it is)
May I asked you a silly question? Hee… What’s the difference between applying BB cream alone and applying sunblock + foundation separately? =P
Not sure about side effects. The side effects I experienced were breakouts, oily skin and bad colour matching 😛 And no, your question isn’t silly at all! 😀 BB Creams are supposed to be moisturiser, sunblock and foundation in one, so you just apply 1 product. Applying sunblock and foundation separately is just that – separate products 🙂
I’ve given up on BB creams, being too dark for them. But this may have piqued my interest, hmmmm….
Hmm… maybe it’ll be too light for you too unless they come out with a darker tone. Not sure if they plan to though.
I’m a 19YOguy and need something with light coverage for any slight breakouts I sometimes get, this looks Ok
I recently purchase the Garnier BB Cream since my Laura Mercier Foundation Silk Finish Creme is finish, just so that it will last until pay day…Of course it doesn’t cover my blemish and dark spot..but if I used powder the cover is a mild cover. Which mean if I wanted to be using less make up I’ll just take the bb cream and powder. Been using it for 1 week already….and as you said its for sheer coverage and me being a combination skin means its suitable for me.. I guess the colour is a bit light because most of my colleagues told me I look pale..hahah
Thanks for sharing! I use this BB Cream for lazy days too but I do still need concealer and powder if I want a better finish 🙂 Perhaps you could help with the colour tone if your powder is a touch darker? 😀
I can see tiny improvements, the dark under eye circles reduced a bit, but you’re right, its a bit sheer so it just covers a bit! It works as a “good base” though 🙂
Oh yes, it does work well as a base because its not super oily like many BB Creams out there 🙂 That’s how I use it most days
for the price it is even cheaper than most sunscreens! well who knows some may just use this as moisturizer+ sunscreen and skip the 2?
Yup! It is definitely cheaper than most sunscreens or moisturizers. Its suppsoed to be able to do the job of both at the same time. I’m just personally more paranoid 😉
Great breakdown…I wonder if it’s coming to Australia…
I hope it does and if it does, I wonder which version you’d get! 😀
I’ve enough of bb creams (for the face). I’m thinking of trying out the Garnier BB cream (Comes with roller ball application. Is roller ball applicaton making a comeback from the 80s cheap roller ball tasty lip glosses?) and Lancome BB base for undereyes. But am i falling for a few gimmicky tricks here?
Did you mean the Garnier BB roll on thingy for the eyes? I’m not sure if its called BB but I remember Garnier having an eye concealer thing with roller ball. I haven’t tried the Lancome BB base for the eyes but I saw someone using it and it actually just reminds me mostly of concealer 😛
yes…it’s something that just hit our shelves during the last couple of months or so. Take a look:
http://prettyseaeagle.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/swatch-review-garnier-bb-eye-roll-on-asian-skin/
Ah ok – we might see it pop up here soon then 🙂
I am thinking about picking up the Medium Shade at Boots – thanks for the great review¬!
Will be looking forward to your thoughts on it Jamilla!
thanks Paris for this review! was curious about it – looks like this is another BB that won’t work for me 🙁
You’re welcome – don’t think it’ll be a colour match unfortunately 🙁
it did brightened up your skin 🙂 sheer coverage though, i prefer a medium coverage for a BB cream 🙂
Thanks Issa – yes there is some skin brightening but coverage is barely there. Good and bad I guess 🙂 Medium coverage BB creams tend to be a bit thick and oily for me
I don’t understand why are Garnier Asian and European BB Cream so different?
I think this one is for someone with barely any imperfections on their face, as far as I can tell. I think I might give it a go when it gets on shelves in Croatian drugstores 🙂
I don’t understand it either! I thought it might be the same thing marketed differently but from the ingredients, it would appear to be different formulas. Interesting 😛 I hope you like it though if you get it. I like the whole idea of hydration in the European version 🙂
i think it’s because europeans are not interested in the whitening effect, especially northern europeans who try really hard to achieve a tanned look. i’m from southern europe, i have to order whitening cosmetics on the internet (i have brown spots too despite my very fair skin tone, my face and hands also get really red and i don’t know what to do, lol like my blood vessels are exploding). i think bb creams are interesting especially because of the sunscreen (i have a svr spf50+ tinted cream, though, but when it oxidizes it becomes a little dark..) and the lightening effect. i ordered the skin79 diamond prestige, hope it works for me!
I feel like I’m out of the loop because I just learned about BB Creams this week in a magazine article, and this is the second blog post today where I’ve read about them. I guess I should try one out soon!
Aww don’t worry Jeni. Its been around quite a few years in Asia and is just starting to take Europe by storm. Perhaps it’ll invade the USA soon too 🙂
SUPER late comment because I only got it yesterday (RM17.xx discount upon discount HA! *cheapskate*)
I really wanted to try it because the texture’s so light and watery
(reminds me of the Vichy BB but darker)
though the shade seemed too light (shade) upon swatching.
BUT (there’s always a big, hairy BUT in my comments & reviews ^_^),
I could still pull it off, appling a thin layer, due to its sheerness!
And I’m loving it as a much lighter (texture) alternative to my Hada Labos <3
Hurray! *woot woot*
Hey, great to know you’re liking this one 🙂 Its terribly sheer but its a decent BB cream for the price and everything else. I just don’t buy into that 10 in 1 hype and I”m all good 😀
Hi there, i was google-ing for bb creams and chanced upon your blog. I found this product interesting so i headed down to Watsons with the intention to get it. It costs, SGD18.90 here for the same 20ml!! I find that quite expensive for such a small tube. But I do see that it does make your face look smoother especially around the nose. Do it think it’s worth it for me to buy?
Goodness! That’s double the price down in Singapore! Can you get someone to get it for you from JB where its half the price? 🙂 That way it won’t hurt the pocket to try 😉
Hi Paris, thanks for the great reviews on this. Which would yo
u rather prefer?The bb cream from Maybelline or this one.? I have dry combination skin. Which is safe to use to prevent acne`s,? Thanks!
I personally prefer the texture of the Garnier bb cream. I think both can be used on acne skin but I’m not 100% sure
Hey, Paris!
I’ve got a question…are you sure you got the Garnier BB Cream for RM19.90/20ml?
Because yesterday I went to Watsons and the price was RM69/30ml.
So I wanted to ask where did you buy yours from?
Yes that was as per press release and I believe as in store. Perhaps you saw the L’Oreal BB cream instead? That one is pricier 🙂
Honestly, if you want the real deal, then you need to get it from Korea. BB cream has been incredibly popular in Asia for a few years already, so they’ve got quite a bit of experience behind it. I personally think brands like MISSHA and Etude House from Korea would be much better than Garnier’s one… Hanskin, Skin79 and BRTC are pretty popular too, but MISSHA is apparently the best.
Thanks for your input 🙂 Korea is definitely at the forefront of BB Cream technology. Being based in Asia, I’ve watched this BB Cream phenomenon explode on the local scene. However, I personally can’t use most of the Korean brands BB Creams due to either texture, colour or oiliness. Therefore, I find the Garnier one better for me in terms of application. That said, like all foundations, each of us will have our own preferences 🙂
I just need to say this… Love Garnier deodorant!! haha. The only deodorant that makes me feel like I’m not wearing any but works super well (no longer have BO thanks to this, haha!)
but… I don’t think i will ever try their BB cream. Had bad experiences with 2 drug store brand BB creams already, Vichy and can’t remember the other one. But Vichy doesn’t have the consistency and it sort of made my skin appeared flaky (although I don’t have dry skin, weird).
I love the Pink tube Coenzyme Q10 BB cream from Beauty Credit (SPF 46/PA++). Its costly i think RM100+ (can’t recall) but it goes a long way. I’ve been using this for almost 2 years now n the tube is still heavy! U really juz need a lil bit and it evens out skin tone really well. In fact, it makes my face appear like I have rosy skin and baby-like-dewy complexion. I really like this. But it doesn’t fully cover blemishes so u might need concealer. But what works for me might not work for others so mayb u can try some samples first =)
i already tried this.
& im quite satisfied with it.
my skin colour is not so bright~
its a bit tan, but this cream blend perfectly~
the oily part after several hours is true~
what i like about this cream compared to foundation is,
if i apllied foundation & after that im sweating,
the foundation will become uneven because the sweat wash it away.
but i dont find that problem with bb cream~
i want to ask…my face felt slightly pain after using any garnier products..maybe because my face turns thinner after using many products before? or it just my skin sensitivity which indicate thats these products are not suit to me…?
Sounds like it may not be suitable for you. Happens to us sometimes