As much as I love my high end BB Creams (Guerlain and Diorsnow if you’re wondering. No deathly zombie-grey oil slick Korean brands for me!) I realise not everyone is as crazy as I am to splurge on them, and we really should be looking to tighten our belts. So I’m happy to report that I’ve found a budget BB Cream that I like, that you might like too!
Ladies, meet the Hada Labo Air BB Cream that has been out here for almost a year, and which gets a lot of raves locally. You might have seen the slew of reviews that appeared when this was launched about a year ago but I held back because I wasn’t sure about it.
Also, it was about that time that I was battling my skin problems and I just didn’t feel like talking about, or wearing a BB cream that didn’t offer me the coverage that I could get from a foundation. Yes folks, this isn’t a high coverage BB Cream, no matter what they say. It offers sufficient coverage, but not if you have blemishes you’d rather remain concealed. Yet, this is a very creditable product.
The Hada Labo Air BB claims to have 10-in-1 functions. But remember when we talked about BB Creams and why they could be bad for you? It is claims like these that give BB Creams a bad rap.
If you peruse the 10 functions, it would appear that it does everything from controling oil, minimizing pores, whitening skin to anti-aging. Here’s what I’ll tell you. Just take it all with a pinch of salt. You won’t use enough of it often enough, for you to derive any actual benefit from wearing a BB Cream.
Yet, there is one item I like and that is the SPF50 PA+++ sun protection. Sure, I use a separate sunscreen but I know many people don’t for whatever reasons they may have; chief amongst them, that it is too thick or oily. So, if someone isn’t going to use a separate sunscreen, but would be happy to apply a BB Cream, then the SPF50 function is better than none.
Texture wise, the Hada Labo Air BB isn’t as thick in texture as the Guerlain or Diorsnow. It has a much lighter feel which actually feels more comfortable. Also, I don’t detect a scent, which is another big plus point.
There are 2 shades available – Natural Beige and Ivory Beige. In normal circumstances, I’d have picked Ivory Beige, which has a slight pink toned base. However, as the swatches will tell you, Natural Beige with its lighter yellow base suits my skintone better.
Ivory Beige is significantly deeper in tone, with an ochre cast. I’d say that it should suit someone with medium-toned skin. Natural Beige will suit someone with lighter and fairer skin, but it won’t suit anyone who is too fair. If you are a very pale caucasian, I doubt either will suit you at all!
Some of you may also remember that a long time ago, I had a Hada Labo BB Cream way before the Air BB made its appearance.
For all intents and purposes, I liked how the Hada Labo BB Moist Cream felt on my skin. It was lightweight, it wasn’t oily and it was very comfortable. We never got it here in Malaysia, if anyone’s wondering. But here’s the funny thing. On the Hada Labo Japan website, I don’t see the Air BB Cream, only the BB Moist Cream and BB Moist Emulsion. Perhaps this was made for sale outside of Japan? I’m not sure. Confusing as heck, I tell you 😛
Confusion aside, here is how the Hada Labo Air BB Cream in Natural Beige looks on me.
Left: No makeup Right: Hada Labo Air BB in Natural Beige
You can possibly see how coverage is light. It covers up the redness I have in my skin and evens out the skintone generally. But where I have blemishes and pigmentation, it only draws a light veil over it. I can’t add too much product because it can then look too dark. So, I cover up the rest with concealer. For weekends, if I have to put a decent face forward, this is pretty much it. For weekdays, I allow for a layer of powder which adds more coverage without looking too heavy or too dark.
In natural sunlight, it looks fine. Under horrible fluorescent lighting, it can make my skintone look a bit dull. A dusting of Meteorites in Teint Rose usually helps me brighten my skintone better. But I’m the exception rather than the norm in terms of skintone, so please take my complaints with a pinch of salt 😛
Comparison swatches (1) Revlon Photoready BB Cream in Light (2) Diorsnow BB Cream in 010 (3) Hada Labo Air BB in Natural Beige (4) Hada Labo BB Moist Cream in Natural Beige (5) Guerlain BB Beauty Booster in Light (6) Kiehl’s BB Cream in Fair
In terms of shade, I prefer the Guerlain BB Beauty Booster because the slight pink base suits my skin better. This is true also of the Kiehl’s BB Cream in Fair. In terms of opacity, Guerlain and Diorsnow have a thicker more creamy texture with better coverage. So, I’d place Hada Labo Air BB in between Guerlain and Dior on one side and Kiehl’s and Revlon on the other. It is somewhere in between in terms of opacity. Shade wise, I could do better but the majority of the population should have no problems with the colour selection. I’m the odd one out there, trust me 😛
In a nutshell
The Hada Labo Air BB Cream is a lightweight BB cream that claims to have 10 functions. There is SPF50 which is impressive and useful for someone otherwise averse to wearing sunscreen. The texture is lightweight and very comfortable, without turning oily on skin. There are 2 shades available, which have significant yellow tones, and will likely suit a majority of the foundation wearing populace. I find it a little yellow for me but it works. Just about. For a budget product, this is one of the better BB creams I’ve experienced and one that I have no hesitation telling you to check out.
Pros: High SPF, Lightweight texture, Buildable coverage, Portable and handy packaging, Non oily, Not drying, Affordable
Cons: Shade is a little yellow if you have a more neutral or pink skintone like me
Who will like this: Anyone who wants an affordable BB cream with medium coverage
Here is the ingredient list for the Hada Labo Air BB Cream in Natural Beige.
Does this Air BB get your seal of approval, if you’ve tried it?
This one’s been out for almost a year now and I know many of you have tried it or own it. I do like this, for my casual days just to even things out. Unlike the Guerlain and Diorsnow, I can’t use this in place of wearing a foundation because it just doesn’t quite hit the spot. But as a light cover-up, it works, like a sarong on a beach. You won’t wear it to the office, but you’d wear it on a weekend LOL! 😀
Paris B
Hada Labo Air BB Cream comes in 2 shades – Ivory Beige and Natural Beige Price: RM49.90 (or get them on sale) Availability: Hada Labo counters at most major pharmacies
I totally agree that these claims give BB creams a bad rep, and also that some companies should stop making stuff up, i.e. they want to say 10 in 1 product or something but some of the claims just sound like total stretches.
This BB cream doesn’t look like it provides much coverage either, I’m kinda disappointed that a lot of them aren’t anything more than hyped up tinted moisturizers 🙁
Gotta give them props for trying haha! 😀 No, this one doesn’t offer much coverage, but it’s one of the better Asian brands I’ve tried. I don’t put a lot of credence in their skincare properties, but at least this doesn’t turn oily nor grey on me the way Korean ones do. I don’t get it. Who has grey skin?! Other than zombies I mean…
I swatched these when I was at Watsons and I love the light texture. I didn’t pick it up because I have too many and I learned to say no. LOL! It would have been easy to buy it though – so affordable 🙂 Sounds like it works great too.
Yep, it’s a good one. I pull it out on weekends when I want something quick and efficient. Does a good enough job, but never for work days when I need something better 🙂
I tried this Hada Labo Air and Hada Labo BB Moist. I prefer the Japan version! At least it gives those dewy look I wanted and I doesn’t look dull at all. Hada Labo Air are quite matte in a sense that certain times, it will make someone look dull. I find the oil control are pretty good though.
Hmm I didn’t get that matte feel, but then I was just glad it didn’t turn me into a puddle of oil the way a lot of BB Creams do haha! I think it’s a good option to have locally, alongside all the Korean and Asian brands. I remember the BB Moist turned more yellow on my skin than this does – I wonder if its to do with the dewy look?
I recently got samples of Diorskin Nude BB cream, lovely neutral shade available with a nice glow when I applied it onto my hand at the counter. But horribly heavy and thick on my face. 🙁 I’d love to hear if you have tried this out.
I think I have given up on most BB creams because I now find their thick and unforgiving (on my flaky skin) textures unbearable and I never seem to get a nice skin-like finish no matter what I do. I like Shiseido’s Sheer & Perfect foundation better as it really is so watery, like their sunscreen!
Nope, I didn’t try the Diorskin Nude one because that has a tint that’s far too dark. We don’t get it here anyway 🙂 I like the Diorsnow BB. It is a little heavy, it’s true, but when sheered out it gives very good coverage like a foundation. Has to be sheered out, that’s for sure, the way a BB should be. A tiny bit of product, spread over a large surface 🙂 I personally have never quite bought into it, but I can’t help all the brands churning out new BBs and CCs all the time. Just doing my duty although at the end of the day, I go back to a good foundation 😀 I just tested the Shiseido Sheer & Perfect. No thoughts yet, but it is sheer isn’t it? I love Perfect Refining so I was a little taken aback.
I just find it hard to spread the foundation/BB cream out enough to sheer it out because it always clings on to my skin and sets before I get the chance to. 🙁
I’ve tried the Shiseido perfect foundation brush but it tends to emphasize my flakiness when I drag the brush across my skin. I can only use it in a patting motion which makes everything look quite heavy. 🙁
I’m more obsessed with getting skin-like texture with less coverage these days haha…
Oh yes, the Shiseido brush, when dabbed, offers higher coverage. When swiped, it offers less. For lighter foundation application, I find the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush does a better job than Shiseido because it isn’t as heavy 😉 I don’t have great skin so I definitely can’t do without some base, but maybe you don’t? 😉
Why did you put the BB cream NEXT TO FOOD? I’m so skeptical about the “benefits” of BB creams that I don’t read them at all. You’d apply at most a pea-sized amount to your skin, how will that take the place of potent serums and lotions we massage onto our skin? I’m curious to know if consumers buy in to these claims.
I was gonna say the same thing too, LeGeeque… the food looks more attractive than the white plain tube, no? 🙂
hahaha!! Artistic maaa 😛 From my previous post, it would seem most that read and commented don’t buy into the claims, but then we are but a tiny proportion of the population. I’m sure people do. At least for sunscreen for which I am not impressed. What’s wrong with finding a GOOD sunscreen?!
Hi Paris! What do you think of the Revlon Photoready BB Cream? I have that and don’t like it at all. It makes my skin oily (I have normal-dry skin — imagine that!) and the coverage is too too light, even by BB cream standards!
Hmm… I can’t say I’m terribly impressed, mostly because it is so sheer. Part of the reason I haven’t reviewed it, have I? haha
I honestly don’t believe in any BB or CC creams..for me they are similar to tinted moisturizers or light weight/coverage foundations 😀
Yep, I believe the same. But for a tinted moisturiser, this Hada Labo one is pretty damn amazing 😀
I’m using this BB cream in ivory beige. I bought it for RM27.95 during sale in guardian. My face look smoother after applied and very natural as it blends well to my skin color. I’ve yellow tanned skin. I normally add face/loose powder after applying this BB cream for matte/natural glow look. I agree that it is very light and is good for daily use without feeling heavy like foundation. It doesn’t make my face oily like most BB cream i tried. I’m happy with this BB cream as it is reasonable price as well.
Thanks for sharing, Elaine! It’s good to know that it works well for you. I do think it is a good product provided you don’t go buying into all the 10 in 1 functions, but as a light cover up, it’s good and light on the wallet. Nothing to hate there! 😉
I’m slightly obsessed with base products, so I’ve tried quite a few bb creams! This sounds like something I may like.
On your good skin, S I think this is something that would be fab for you (and it’s affordable!)
You know, on your arm swatches, I picked out the Guerlain one as the most beautiful shade without knowing what it was at first. No. 2, 3 and 4 just look too yellowy. It gets me thinking… should one use a base under BB cream?
Excellent! Yes, the others are a bit yellow, but much to my surprise, some like the Dior one sheers out well and adapts to my skintone. The Hada Labo one looks ok in the sun, but not so ok under poor lighting. I suppose you could use a base under BB creams, but I don’t because I don’t use a makeup base at all. That said, I do use a sunscreen so I treat that as my base. Don’t see the need for a sunscreen AND a primer unless for a very special occasion 🙂
I enjoy using this. Personally feel that a bb cream is a tinted moisturiser more than a foundation. It offers better coverage than most tinted moisturizers though. Which is why i’m using bb cream on weekends nowadays and haven’t been purchasing anymore tinted moisturiser.
I think the whole tinted moisturiser – bb cream divide is very blurred these days but I appreciate anything that has SPF in it 🙂 On weekends, I go with a BB cream too. This one, mostly 😀
I am very delighted to see you feature this product review! I am not a BB cream fan to begin with, rather neutral on the (over)promises. If the claims are too good to be true, most likely they are too true to be good. I have the perception that most of the BB cream will turn ashy on my skin making it dull and well…greyish. So it didn’t appeal much to me. But then one fine day, I started to try the deluxe size of Estee Lauder BB cream and it somewhat intrigued me a little. The coverage was very minimal. The next deluxe sample that I tried continued to strengthen and promoted my interest. When I tried the Diorsnow BB cream, for the first time, I was actually ready to part with a lump sum of money…until I chanced upon the Hada Labo Air BB cream. I read a few reviews online and plus your positive feedback, I was sold!
I do agree that the coverage is light and easy to apply using fingers, which is why I loved it so much. The matte effect and oil control does make my skin dull sometimes, but with oily skin I cannot risk dewy look without looking like an oil rig. I love this one by Hada Labo and reached out for it every morning. I love how easy it is to apply and I can always dab more to conceal spots. It gives a lovely natural finishing which I adore. Oh yes, all in all, I think Hada Labo has done it again – this should be an award winning product 🙂 And I can’t thank you enough for sharing your positive feedback on it as well.
I’m glad you picked this up, Jennifer! 🙂 The Diorsnow one is very lovely as I’m sure you agree, but very ouchies on the wallet. This one ticks the boxes and if you don’t have as blemished skin as I do, then it’s more than sufficient for an even skintone and the lightweight non oily texture is a boon! Happy this works so well for you. I think Hada Labo products are generally pretty good stuff!
Hi Paris! A lil off the topic – My moms heading to japan soon, just wondering if u have any recommendations for skincare that could be cheaper over there so I could get her to bring something back for me? Thanks in advance!
Hi Felix, based on my experience when visiting Japan, I didn’t find their skincare much cheaper than they are outside of Japan. Products from their pharmacies will be cheaper but I only know of makeup from there. I bought some Tsubaki shampoo before it was available here, and when it arrived here, it was cheaper per bottle than what I paid! So unlike Korea where Korean brands are significantly cheaper in Korea than overseas, I don’t personally think Japanese brands are the same.
i did check astalift has great reviews with their jelly (with a seal of approval from lisa eldridge too!)- was hoping their price in jp might b kinder to my wallet.. but nooo its 9450 yen (rm300+)… how disappointing :(((
and tsubaki made my scalp really itchyyy!
I didn’t have a good experience with Tsubaki either and like you, ended up with an itchy scalp! So strange. Anyway, my experience is that most Japanese cosmetics/skincare are pricier in Japan than outside of Japan. The difference is that they have a much larger variety. So, if it’s available here, then the odds are it’ll be cheaper or the same price here.
Hi Paris
I am currently using the Hada Labo moist cream and it works on my combi-dry skin after a thin layer of mosituriser. I am wondering if the BB Air would work just as well. Do you notice any creasing into lines? The Hada Labo Emulsion does that to my skin, unfortunately.
Hi Juliana, I don’t notice any creasing nor settling into lines. I do think the Air BB has a bit higher silicone content than the Moist cream which is why it doesn’t happen. But I could be mistaken!
I would totally try this one out if it didn’t have paraben in it. Paraben is bad for your health, I’d rather stay away. Cancerous, I heard.
I think the opinions are a little blurred and divided on parabens but it’s one of those things that if we can avoid, we avoid or find a substitute 🙂
Hi Paris,
I know this review is about the Hada Labo Air BB cream but you mentioned Guerlain Meteorites and it had been on my wishlst for a while now. Would just like to ask which one of them would you recommend if I were to buy just one. Does it suit all skin tones? I am a MAC NC35.
I’d suggest you look at either Teint Rose or Teint Beige. Teint Rose has a more illuminating tint but can look white or overly shimmery on some people. Teint Beige has a slightly warm tone that may suit those who have warmer skintone.
I skipped this because of the high silicone content.
Didn’t notice it being unduly siliconey, but then I guess I’m not too sensitive to it 🙂
Hi Paris B! The Hada Labo Air BB cream is indeed a good budget BB cream as you mentioned! Thanks for the sharing! I really love reading all the blog contents!
Good to know you like this too Michelle! 😀
i’ve tried the HL BB Moist Cream but it just doesn’t work on me. i don’t have extremely dry skin but the so called Moist Cream doesn’t moist on me at all. It always leave me dry patches and creased into lines, hard to spread out although the texture is light. I just don’t understand why… even i mixed with the moisturiser, the outcome still the same… gave up on it after many tries…
Comparatively, I find the HL BB Moist Cream a little heavier in texture compared to the Air BB. I suppose the name does say it all – Air 😉