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Home » Product Reviews » For those who believe in hydration, I Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb will be your pick

For those who believe in hydration, I Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb will be your pick

March 24, 2016 Paris B 20 Comments

Belif, the curiously intentionally misspelled word that grates on some people’s nerves, is a Korean skincare brand that I’d come across a number of years ago. A friend in Singapore had kindly gifted me some samples, which I had tried back then, and filed away in my Mind Palace as a “brand to try in the future”. Well, the future is here, and I was offered to sample one of their star products, so I could tell you if it lived up to its hype. Gosh, the hype!

belif true cream aqua bomb gel moisturiser hype
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The hyped product is the Belif The True Cream – Aqua Bomb, which has its focus on hydration, and is therefore something that piques my interest. I however later found out that there are 2 versions, with the Aqua Bomb being a gel moisturiser that’s more targeted at oily-combination skin types, and the Moisturizing Bomb, being a cream moisturiser which is targeted at normal-dry skin types.

So, while this Aqua Bomb formula will be the one that appeals to most people, especially those who shy away from using moisturisers due to their perceived heavy texture (why would you do that?! Use a moisturiser, your skin needs it!) I believe that my skin would have preferred the heavier version. Still, let me tell you about this, and why it’ll be the last time I feature this brand save for one exception 🙂

Belif hails from Korea, but adopts the brand philosophy of a Scottish herbalist brand, Napier. They claim to use herbal ingredients, and are formulated without a lot of the presently perceived harmful ingredients e.g. mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, dyes etc. Stories like this usually intrigue me, because I liked the simple packaging and the concept and focus on skin hydration. It’s what I feel the Koreans get right, which is why their skincare routine is taking the world by storm. The quirky name and brand history is also quite representative of Korean skincare, to me.

belif true cream aqua bomb gel moisturiser hype
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The famed Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a pale blue gel moisturiser that feels like a burst of water on the skin. There is a bit of a strange scent that doesn’t bug me, but what I liked was the very comfortable, and lightweight formula that almost instantly hydrates your skin, especially if it’s feeling parched. In many ways, it’s very similar to all the other gel moisturisers available out there.

The thing was, I wasn’t expecting very much, since I already adopt a fairly comprehensive hydration routine, but even then, my skin seemed to recognise that this product gave it a little more oomph. In the day, my skin drinks up the gel and it seems to keep my skin feeling comfortable even with the present heatwave we’re experiencing that’s drying out my skin like the Sahara. I do use a hydrating serum underneath, because if I don’t then this isn’t sufficient on its own. In the evenings, I do feel like I need something more because it doesn’t quite last the night for me. So, for someone with drier skin like mine, you could even use this like a hydrating serum even, by applying a thin layer on the skin and then topping up with a moisturiser.

belif true cream aqua bomb gel moisturiser hype
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If you have oily-combination skin, you will fall head over heels for this gel because it’s perfect for your skin type. It leaves no oily or greasy after feel on the skin, and for some reason, almost seems to cool down my skin. It is very comfortable, it helps with dehydrated skin (yes, under all your oil, is likely to be dehydrated skin!) and like most gel moisturisers out there, is perfect for oily-combination skin types.

Here’s another way you can use it – as a sleeping mask! Some days, I scoop out a generous amount, slather it all over my face, and go to bed. Sure, it’s messy but if you’re no stranger to sleeping masks, you’ll know how to sleep so your face doesn’t mark your pillow! LOL! 😀 When I do this, I wake up with lovely supple skin the next morning, which is very nice.

For all intents and purposes, I’d say that if you are in the market for a lightweight, comfortable moisturiser that delivers wonderful hydration to your skin and keeps it plumped and comfortable and importantly, hydrated for most of the day, and if you have oily-combination skin, you could do worse than go for the Belif Aqua Bomb. It is quite da bomb as a moisturiser! 😀

If you’re interested in what’s in it, here’s the ingredient list that is surprisingly long:

Aqua, dipropylene glycol, methyl trimethicone, glycerine, alcohol denat. sd alcohol 40-b, dimethicone, peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin, cyclomethicone dimethiconol, polymethylsilsesquioxane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, sodium acrylate/ acryloyldimethyltaurate/ dimethylacrylamide crosspolymer, isohexadecane, polysorbate 60, malakite extract, phenyl trimethicone, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, 1,2- hexanediol, panthenol, peg-150, carbomer, tromethamine, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, avena sativa kernel extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, nepeta cataria extract, rubus idaeus leaf extract, baptisia tinctoria root extract, stellaria media extract, alchemilla vulgaris leaf extract, equisetum arvense leaf extract, urtica dioica leaf extract, plantago lanceolata leaf extract, hydrogenated polydecene, hydrogenated lecithin, stearic acid, c12-c20 alkyl glucoside, c14-c22 alcohols, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, cholesteryl hydroxystearate, cholesterol, ceramide- 3,triethanolamine, trisodium edta, citrus aurantium dulcis oil,citrus aurantifolia peel oil expressed, rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, geranium maculatum oil, citronnellol, limonene, citral, geraniol, linalool.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a gel moisturiser that is more suited for oily or combination skin types. The product feels like a burst of water on the skin, and is a lightweight gel formula that absorbs quickly and easily into the skin without any greasy or oily after feel. This makes it feel very comfortable for most people, and which explains why it’s popular. I wasn’t crazy about the packaging, as there is a little cap over the opening, that is impressively hard to pick up. But as a product, I think it’s a good one to have, if you want to keep your skin well hydrated.

PROS: Lightweight texture, Absorbs quickly into skin without leaving a greasy or oily feeling, Hydrates skin well and keeps skin feeling hydrated and plumped, Can be used as an overnight sleeping mask

CONS: Packaging is rather fiddly, A little pricey

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with oily-combination skin who wants a lightweight moisturiser that delivers good hydration to the skin

PRICE: RM155 | US$38 for 50ml

AVAILABILITY: Belif stores, Sephora (US)

If you don’t want to read a rant, you don’t have to read beyond this image, and you can jump straight to the comments below if you’d like to share your experience with this product 🙂

belif aqua bomb cream
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So, if it’s such a nice product, why am I not curious enough to try something else from the brand? Well, I am. Except that this is an instance, when pushy PR has totally and absolutely spoilt the brand for me. I don’t normally air dirty linen, but this is one instance when, as they say, the straw has broken the camel’s back. When I agreed to consider their product back in December 2015, I made it quite quite clear what my timelines were like. Essentially, it was going to be end March 2016 before a review could be expected, if that. I kept to my timeline, but I’d been bugged over and over in between as to when I would post a review, and that puts paid to any further relationship I’ll have with this brand and their distributors locally. I never promise anyone a review, I can only give an indication.

The one exception would be if I deign to try other products from Belif from elsewhere, because there’s no way I’m stepping into their local stores either. Am I being petty and ungrateful? Well, some of you may think so, and you’re entitled to your opinion. But for me, this boils down to basic courtesy and good relations. If my timeline was not to their satisfaction, they were welcome not to send anything to me. There would have been no hard feelings on my part, and I had even offered to return the unopened product, because I did not appreciate being pushed to publish a review when I wasn’t ready. They declined my offer, but still bugged me before my timeline was due. I hear a similar situation has happened to others, and while I don’t claim to know the details, this is not on. I’m sorry, I don’t work this way as there is no mutual respect here. Please feel free to bug someone else, because this seriously beggars belif 😛

/end rant

Have you tried anything by Belif, or this famed Aqua Bomb moisturiser? Any recommendations?

Yes, I’m smarting, but I’m still open to trying other products from the brand, just that I’ll have to get my fix another way from somewhere else haha! Oh yes, I’m not a nice person when crossed. Just don’t cross me. Good product, pushy PR, lucky you don’t have to deal with them. Fin 😛

Paris B

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Disclosure: Featured product was a press sample for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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20 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. Norwati Jaapar says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:21 am

    This is the best moisturiser I’ve used so far. I’m one of those oily-combi and hate wearing one, but after receiving a sample last year I’m hooked. My skin is looking better than ever. I also love their anti aging serum. Wear it together plus their sun block, it’ll leave your skin glowing. If you love how the “Korean glows” you’ll love this.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I’m glad to know I was right and that it works well for oily-combination skin 😀 I will have to try their anti-aging serum one day. Just have to find a way to get it online! haha!

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    March 24, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the Brand’s PR. Always enjoyed and appreciate your candor… you say things as it is!! Thank you! 😀

    Funny story – i searched all over for this store when I was in Seoul but just couldn’t for the life of me encounter one. And when I came back, a store popped up at the nearby mall!!! lol made me frus for nothing! -___-

    The SAs at that store were really nice to me though and gave me some samples to try. This one wasn’t moisturizing enough for me, but I LOVED the Moisturizing Bomb! Will probably commit to a full tub after finishing my current day cream 🙂

    And yes, I thought I was the only person who cringed at the intentionally mispelled name 😛

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Thanks for understanding my vent Jenn 😉 Now I have to find the Moisturising Cream, dammit! >.< I definitely need something stronger, although this gel is quite nice in the day. The name is quite typical of Asian skincare isn't it? A little nonsensical yet means something LOL!

      Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    March 25, 2016 at 12:40 am

    Yup I know all too well about pushy PR that keep emailing and bugging for a review. I always tell them that skincare takes longer, but they just don’t listen some of them.
    I have this on and LOVE it. I have the cream too and it’s awesome, as is the essence. They really hydrate skin nicely! If you can buy them, they are worth the money.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:33 pm

      Nope, people don’t get how skincare takes time, and we only have 365 days a year, and not all of us want to use something different every single day and then make a snap judgment, just to get a freebie 😛 That said, I will definitely get the cream because I think my skin will like that. Glad to know you like this! If it works in Canada, it’ll work anywhere! 😀

      Reply
  4. Cynthia says

    March 25, 2016 at 1:27 am

    I love this item! It works quite good though i consider it pricey. Like you, i get annoyed by pushy PR that refrained me from getting into the brands itself.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:34 pm

      Yep, this PR definitely turned me OFF the brand LOL! But that’s ok I’ll just look online and see where else I can buy the cream. I hear that’s better for me!

      Reply
  5. Vera says

    March 25, 2016 at 5:24 am

    Aiyoh tsk tsk image went due so much for building the brand. PR & Sales/Beauty Advisors are ambassadors of the brain, architect to build the bridge; in this case.. the bridge became like our SG/MY bridge ahaha..

    Anyway I had great reviews & experience on this brand from Sephora. Tried, tested but did not buy. Size & price – smaller and higher compared to other brands. Many of the Beauty Advisors told me it was popular in Singapore. Then again, I never go after brands/products but I like ingredients & compatibility on my skin.

    Nowadays the weather change rapidly, our skin and products also have to switch and adapt.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:36 pm

      Sadly yes, all it takes is one person to kill the brand but you know, it serves them right LOL 😛 That said, I thought the price was alright, in view of how effective it is. But compared to other Korean skincare, I do think it’s a little pricier. Oh and we definitely need different skincare for different times – our skin can change due to anything! But that’s part of the fun for me 😛

      Reply
  6. Julia says

    March 25, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Why does this tub look like it’s wearing a hat? 😀

    Reply
    • Beauty Bee says

      March 25, 2016 at 6:30 pm

      Haha! Thanks for the laugh Julia 😛

      Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      HAHAHAHA! It does doesn’t it?! 😀

      Reply
  7. Ping says

    March 25, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    I have been using the moisturizing bomb for about 2 years and I must say it’s the only one that works well for my dry and slightly sensitive skin. The other thing I like about it is that it comes in travel size (10ml) as well. So I need not bring the whole tub with me when I travel! 😀

    Sorry to hear the PR was pushy. What an irony that they should be the experts in managing relations and yet they are spoiling the whole experience themselves. Duh!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      They come in a 10ml size? That’s amazing marketing on their part! 😀 Glad to know that this works so well for you. It is quite gentle on skin doesn’t it?

      Reply
  8. Lily says

    March 26, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Ah, pushy PR, always off putting.
    I haven’t tried this brand though. From the comments, seems like many people love it!
    Seems more affordable than those on my wishlist too. Must try this one day.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      April 1, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      If you have the chance to, I think it’s definitely worth trying especially when it’s so hot and our skin needs more moisture 🙂 Hope you don’t have to face this PR LOL!

      Reply
  9. Meg says

    October 10, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    I was given a sample of the Belif Aqua Bomb from a family member after a recent visit to the states. Being a huge lover of beautiful products for your skin (and makeup too) I am really impressed and surprised at how lovely this is. The only thing that puts me off is the amount of ingredients but after having a reaction to products by a very known brand (that are meant to be free of paraffin’s, ph banaced etc and VEGAN – I will deter from saying the ‘Green’ brands name) I have just ordered myself a pot. Being in the UK, it’s a pricey expense but I am hoping one that will be well worth it. I love how yummy it is under makeup. no need for primer and my makeup stays put all day. No oily or shiny patches and I literally glow all day. I hope Belif comes to the UK soon.

    Reply
  10. Irene says

    June 7, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    This is one of the few moisturisers (probably only one these days anyway) that works for me. I have dry combi skin but i suppose yours is drier since u prefer a cream. Am pretty happy with the gel consistency. I love the caudalie overnight recovery oil too! And laneige overnight mask too! Will need to check out the sulwhasoo overnight one..all for cheat days! I seem to be increasing the number of cheat days with different cheat products lol!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      June 27, 2017 at 9:33 am

      Don’t worry, my cheat days (nights) outnumber my actual routine days LOL! 😛

      Reply

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My Women Stuff by Paris B

Welcome to My Women Stuff, a beauty blog based in Malaysia, written by veteran blogger, Paris B. What you can expect is honesty, critical views & a healthy dose of shared life lessons sprinkled amongst beauty product reviews. What you shouldn't expect is a page filled with unnecessary narcissistic photos. MWS is a blog for those who love to read, because we love to write! Read More about MWS and Paris B

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