Back when BB Creams first took the world by storm, I tried a few and found that from a personal perspective, I never really liked the “real” BB Creams that came out of Asia and especially Korea. I found them heavy, grey (!!) and oily. When the western brands started jumping on the bandwagon and came out with BB Creams, I realised that their versions of BB Creams felt better on my skin. Nevermind that it was not “real” or that it was akin to a tinted moisturiser. I am more likely to use something that feels comfortable as opposed to something that is not.
There are quite a few Western brands out there doing BB Creams but they do tend to be a little pricey. Last year, UK brand Sleek Makeup launched their version of a BB Cream called the Be Beautiful Blemish Balm. And they did something right by my books. They launched a BB Cream in 4 different shades (Fair, Light, Medium, Dark), to hopefully suit all or most skintones, yes, even dark skintones! So, dark skinned ladies, you too can now wear BB Cream 😀
I had the opportunity to try this Sleek Makeup BB cream in Light. Whilst I could make it work, I definitely think that Fair is my shade. Have to trust my instincts next time and go for the lightest end of the spectrum and then work my way up 😛
Like most, if not all BB Creams, the Be Beautiful Blemish Balm serves to perform a myriad of functions – conceal, repair, protect, with full coverage and SPF15. SPF15 is a bit light for our blazing tropical sun, but it is better than nothing I suppose. Unlike many conventional Western BB creams, the texture feels more close to that of one from Asia – it is thick and it spreads well so you only need a thin layer for best effect. Not quite surprising, when I noticed that this was made in Taiwan.
Whilst the shade did not make me feel comfortable enough to wear it often, there is one thing I absolutely love about this BB Cream. It is seriously, hand on heart, not oily at all. I can wear it all day without it slipping one bit and I don’t oil up as I will with regular Asian BB Creams. I have drier skin but this feels comfortable. Its pretty amazing in that regard! 🙂
The product comes in a fat squat tube that reminds me of the Nars tinted moisturiser. It does in fact, feel a little like the Nars Tinted Moisturiser (which I happen to like! Remind me if I forget to tell you about it!) which is good news for anyone hankering after the latter 😉
The cream is a little thick so it is easy to control and to squeeze out just a little, or enough for use. I must caution that you use only a light layer because that’s how BB creams operate. You aren’t supposed to slather on a thick paste on your skin.
The problem I had with the Light shade was that it squeezed out brown. I know, its awkward.
Sleek Makeup BB Cream Swatch in Light Left: Straight from tube Right: Sheered out
If you can see, it comes out a light caramel brown which does nothing for my skintone. When I sheer it out as you see on the right, it is a bit better but it still adds a bit of “warmth” to my complexion that I don’t feel very comfortable with. There is one shade lighter – Fair – and if I have the opportunity, I may give that one a go.
Here’s the regulation before/after shot. On left is bare skin where you can see spots, dark circles and redness in all their untouched glory 😀
On right is after I’ve applied a layer of the Sleek BB Cream. It helps to even out the skintone somewhat, cover up redness around the nose and undereye and a little of the pigmentation spots I have. But although it is touted to be a full coverage cream, you can clearly see that it isn’t. I still touch up with concealer for a more evened out skin complexion. I could not layer on more product because you may already notice that my skintone in the “After” shot is a little warmer than that of my natural skin. If I layer on more, it will conceal more of course, but I will also have my face looking darker than the rest of me.
Texture wise, as I’ve mentioned above, it is a little thick but spreads very well and it is easy to get it to go on a thin layer on skin. The best part, as I have also mentioned above, is that it does not oil up nor turn oily at all. Some foundations do that, but not this one. I have to say its pretty amazing because here I am, running in and out of hot humid sunshine, into cold dry air-conditioned offices and it still looks pretty good at the end of the day without me looking like I could fry an egg on my face. I did not expect that, and I am very happy with that quality.
Just to give you an idea of shade, I have swatched the Sleek Be Beautiful Blemish Balm next to a few other BB creams that I sometimes use.
Left-Right: Bobbi Brown BB Cream, Diorsnow BB Creme Light, Sleek Makeup Be Beautiful Blemish Balm (Light), Garnier BB Cream (Asia Ed), ZA BB Cream (All links lead to reviews)
I think you now understand my grief pertaining to shade. The Sleek one is definitely deeper and more brown in tone than the rest I use. I do not know if the Fair shade is close but I do hope so. As I said, someday if I get to try it, I’ll update 🙂
Generally, I think this is a pretty decent BB Cream as bb creams go. Its thick and easy to spread but not uncomfortable, it does a fair job at evening out skintone in a natural manner, and most importantly, it does not oil up one bit on me! 😀
In a nutshell
The Sleek Makeup Be Beautiful Blemish Balm comes in 4 shades – Fair, Light, Medium, Dark – which is to me, an excellent idea. This means that those who have darker skintones now have a choice of BB Cream they can potentially use. The texture is thick but very easy to spread and you only need a little for it to go a long way. It claims to be full coverage but I found it pretty light as it evened out redness in skin but did not quite cover dark spots or blemishes. You can layer on product on affected areas that need more coverage of course. I tried, but it still isn’t full coverage. I prefer using just a light layer on skin and then touch up the areas I need more coverage with concealer. Overall, I think this is a pretty good product, and doesn’t make my skin oily!
Pros: Easy to spread, Compact packaging, Light on skin, Non oily
Cons: Not quite full coverage as claimed
Who will like this: Anyone with darker skintone who wants to try a BB Cream, Anyone who may want to try a BB cream that does not make their skin oily
There is another new product that you see in the photos above – the Face Form palette, which also comes in different skintone shades. The one in the photo is Medium, and contains a contouring powder, highlight powder and blush, so you can contour, highlight and glow all in one handy kit. The shades are much too dark for me to use, but I have the swatches for you to have an idea.
Left-Right: Sleek Makeup BB Cream from tube, sheered; Face Form Medium shade: Matte contouring powder, Shimmer peach highlight and shimmer bronzer
Again, I think I have to go for the Fair version, which has a lighter contouring powder, highlight and Rose Gold blush.
Finally for completeness, here is the ingredient list for the BB Cream
Have you come across or tried the Sleek Makeup BB Cream yet? Do you still use BB Creams? If you have darker skintones, have you found a BB Cream that works for you?
I think Sleek Makeup does some interesting items at relatively affordable prices, and this one’s no exception. I do like how they have different shades for different skintones, which is very helpful. I’m sure many darker skinned ladies appreciate that, as they do tend to be ignored sometimes. I don’t use BB Creams very much (I never have) but I like using them when I travel because its so easy to have an all in one product in a tube, you know! Especially if you want to travel light 😀
Paris B
Sleek Makeup Be Beautiful Blemish Balm comes in 4 shades – Fair, Light, Medium, Dark Price: US$11.49 Availability: Superdrug stores in the UK and the Sleek Makeup website (ships internationally)
Hehe high five for writing about BB creams today! (ahem. Lame :P)
While I’ve not tried this before, I’m really glad they have shades for darker skin tones. So many people have complained that they can’t try out these “BB creams” (emphasise on the quotes) because of the stupid 1-shade policy. Finally! The beauty brands have listened! 😛
As you might have guessed, I didn’t realise we had BB Cream posts on the same day but high five! 😀 I do like the idea of having darker shades – darker skinned ladies shouldn’t be left out of the fun!
Oh wow, that really is quite dark and brown–especially when swatched next to all the other bases. If that is Light, I can’t imagine what Medium or Dark look like! 😛
Sadly yes, it did look terribly brown. I’m not sure why although some readers have said theirs isn’t as brown hmm…
The swatch really looks dark on your hand. I am tempted to try BB creams but the shades are always to fair for my medium-tanned skin. But this brand looks to have provided more shades which is good for medium to dark skin girls. Is there any difference between BB creams and tinted moisturisers and have you tried Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturiser? Was just wondering how it would fare against BB creams.
In terms of shade, I think Sleek got it hands down pat! Medium-dark skintones need BB Creams too and its great they realised it. Other readers have pointed out that I might have gotten a dud as Light should not be this dark but who knows eh? As far as BB Creams and Tinted Moisturisers go, my personal philosophy is that they are the same thing. Purists disagree, saying BB Creams provide more skincaring benefits and are thicker and better for skin in the long run and they have SPF. Tinted Moisturisers are usually lighter in texture with no SPF (although some do) so I’d say its a matter of preference. I never bought into the BB Cream hype 🙂
I have the the sleek bb cream in light and, unless they’ve changed it since this past fall, that’s not the same ‘light’ as mine. My ‘light’ is a good 2 or 3 shades lighter than yours and has much more of a yellow undertone to it. I also purchased the shade in medium, and it’s much more similar to the shade you’ve shown in this post. I wonder if they sent you the wrong shade?
Yikes! I didn’t realise that Amber. This was what was printed on the box and tube so I had to assume it was the same. Pity. I do like the texture a lot but the colour just doesn’t do it for me 🙁
i have always been using Taiwan skincare and makeup products. i have been using this (http://www.sasa.com/SasaWeb/eng/product/viewProductDetail.jspa?itemno=105709002002) for about 3 years and it works wonders. i have introduced this to many friends who use it now as their default bb cream.
st
Looks interesting, ST. Thanks for sharing!
wow, that shade is really dark. it seems to even out your skintone very good, that’s a huge plus I think. I have a really hard time finding a foundation match, most of them are too yellow, orange and too dark. I only really like their blushes but when my skin is super dry, they look extremely powdery on me 🙁 they have such gorgeous shades though.
I don’t know Clarie. The texture was great but my skin looked dull after everything so its definitely not working out shade wise. I have one of their powder blushes that I picked up during a sale but haven’t tried it. I think the product I like the most from them is the Pout Polish. Quite nice with lovely colour 🙂
*does a double take* seriously, they also make BB creams now? wow!!!! I like it if the BB cream texture is thick yet blends easily! I love the fact that they have various shades, my friends always complain how “white” their bb creams are against their skin!
Yes the deeper shades are a huge plus for me too! I think its great for a brand to listen to this and then respond 😀
I chuckled when I saw this sentence “I could fry an egg on my face”. Happens to me a lot! Blame the hormone imbalance! Some of the foundation will leave me looking like one. Huhuu.. I bought DrG BB cream 4 yrs ago, one of the famous one from Korea but oh boy I hate the grey cast! Ewwww! I never buy a BB cream since then. Talk about being traumatized. LOL
I love Sleek Makeup packaging. Black, simple and straightforward. I don’t need this but oh, now I feel like trying one. Thanks to you! :p
You know how distressed I am when I don’t have oily skin to start with haha! 😀 I haven’t tried many of the top Korean brands after a few trials made me realise that for the most part, Korean BB Creams tend to have that funny grey cast. I swear I don’t understand why unless Korean ladies find it helps their skintone so maybe they have different skintones from us? But anyway, yeah, I don’t get it 😛 This Sleek one is pretty good in terms of texture. Colour wise its good for those who have deeper skintones because I think that’s where the strength is!
Hmmm, how do u compare this with Bobbi Brown’s? Maybe u wanna try Chanel’s CC cream? I got to use it during the weekends and am loving it! It’s comfortable and suitable for fair skin chickas like u and me! Lol
Hello liyeun, I’m really curious how the CC cream works comparing with BB cream? does it have a strong smell?
Paris! I think medium is too dark for you. I happen to have Fair face form but haven’t tried yet. Rose Gold they say is a dupe of Nars orgasm (yep everyone comparing blush to Nars big O).
I have seen even urban decay and tarte launching the BB creams. Now I wonder why doesn’t the CC creams catch on? 🙂
Hi Ting,
The CCC smell is a little strong, but I find it more pleasant than BB creams’ that sometimes could smell like some hair dye product. (oops I don’t know if other would agree with me cos I’ve only tried Lancome’s and Dior’s). I cant avoid the smell upon application, and it lingers for a minute or two.
However, I find the coverage of CC much better as the color is yellower, which would suit alot of skintone, rather than BB creams that usually have more of a beige tone that could turn a little greyish on the skin. Oh, I have to say that I need to touch up after 3 hours though as my nose start to show some oil. I have worn it for more than 8 hours and I do not see any patchiness. However, it might accentuate flakiness if there are dry spots on your face, so I suggest piling your face with hydrating moisturizer and etc. I might repurchase unless I have tried Bobbi Brown’s BB cream.
I hope you will have a good experience with the CC cream, too!
^_^
Hello Liyeun,
Aaahhh now you got me real curious about the CC cream. I assume you have to powder over it too, yes?
Thanks for sharing your in depth experience of using it. 🙂
Yes, I dust a lil loose powder all over my face and pucci meteorites on my nose bridge. I wore it whole day today and I hv compliments from promoters from Shiseido and Bobbi Brown when I stopped by there! Hehehe
I prefer Bobbi Brown to this primarily because the colour suits me better. I like the Sleek one for texture but can’t go at it long term thanks to the colour. I have sampled the CC Cream and I find it too drying for my skin 🙁 Colourwise, its ok for me but I do have a review coming up 🙂
I guess it’s time to check out this BB cream that I got from you. 🙂 I hope it controls my oilies too! I haven’t tested it yet.
This is actually the first review I’ve read about the Sleek BB Cream. It seems decent but the color is definitely really dark. But it may work great for my oily skin. I’m going to check this out.
Glad you found it useful Angela. As far as texture goes I think its great stuff. Just a bit of a pity the shade was a poor choice for me. Hope you find a shade that suits you 🙂
I’m a MAC NC41 and purchased the bb cream in medium. Unfortunately, it’s way too dark for me…but I really love the formula and all that it promises to be. I think the medium shade suits MAC NC/NW45-5o best; so beware for those for are intending to buy this!
With the new shades I think I’m light 02 o.O (that’s a color match I’d never think for me) I’m a MAC NC42. Which one do you think I should try?
You can write on their FB wall and they’ll be happy to reply you (as they did with my question)! http://www.facebook.com/SleekMakeUP
I will agree with you, the formula is lovely! Thanks for chipping in with a shade selection tip!
I really think that is the medium shade, because of other online swatches, although I believe still fair is a better match for you; now I have a new lemming.
I’m waiting to read about Nars TM and how it works in a warm weather.
P.S. Sleek has added three more shades to their BB cream.
After this, I definitely think Fair is the best bet. This looked much too dark and made my skin much too dull looking. The Nars TM is wonderful! I love it (and that’s saying a lot 😀 )
That’s tan not light 🙂 I’ve never cared much for BB creams. When I want to moisturize or repair my skin I use a cream or go see a dermatologist. I prefer foundations in terms of coverage. Unfortunately, I have a huge problem with the proper shade.
Hi Maria, yeah, its definitely too dark to be a light shade 🙂 I don’t get the BB Cream hype either but people keep telling me its because I haven’t found one to like. Ah well, I still prefer using foundation any day 😀
I got onto the BB Cream bandwagon only about a year ago as I wasn’t convinced ONE product could do so much. I’m still not convinced but I like it now. I either use it as a primer or as a light foundation. I like the Asian ones better despite some looking grey on me. I bought the Sleek BB Cream and after researching on the suitable shade for me, I settled for Light. I am NC40 in Mac and Light isn’t the best but it works, somewhat. I remedy that with bronzer which is a staple in my makeup routine anyway. I like that it gives a little more coverage and, like you, not oily. It’s just the shade from Light to Medium is a BIG jump: Light is a tad too light, Medium is too dark. But finally, a BB Cream for the darker skintones. I never did understand the “one shade fits all” nonsense.
I never understood that one shade thing either. It never made sense because skintones are so varied. I’m glad the Sleek one works for you. I really like the texture but their shading could do with some work. They’ve since come up with 3 new shades to bridge the Light-Medium gap so I think that’s great 😀
I just love Sleek, the eyeshadow pallets are wonderful and the blush is sublime, one of my favourites is Rose Gold. I have 6 eyeshadow pallets and I love all of them.
I have been curious about Rose Gold blush for ages! But I picked up Flamingo during a sale a while ago and that’s pretty too! Oh and their eyeshadow palettes are pretty good for the price.
Its sold in Metro Singapore…am now tempted to try this….lol
What is sold in Metro? Sleek?
They’ve rolled out more colors. They actually have light, light 01, and light 02 to choose from. I think what you tried was the old package of light 02 which is very dark.
hey, can i ask where you bought this? i live in Malaysia and its so freaking hard to find, mind my language. x
Hi Alli, you can get it from the Sleek Makeup website http://www.sleekmakeup.com/ They ship overseas and the shipping for a few items isn’t very much since they dropped the price a while ago. Good luck!