Product Test Drive: New BB Creams from Maybelline & L'Oreal

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream & L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream
medium/deep & deep 

Since BB creams are so hot right now AND you were so interested in my Garnier BB cream review, I thought I'd share 2 more drugstore versions. Remember, my opinion may not always be positive; I encourage you to try these products & see if you like them. I used my fingers to apply both. Onto the reviews:

The Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream sells itself as an 8-in-1 skin perfector. It retails for around $7.44 and comes in 5 shades. It allegedly:

• Blurs imperfections
• Brightens
• Evens skin tone
• Smoothes
• Hydrate
• Enhances
• Protects with SPF 30
• 0% oils and heavy ingredients 

I chose the medium/deep shade, but a medium would've worked even better. While it featured a nice creamy texture, I felt the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream had as much coverage as a tinted moisturizer and not a BB cream. I didn't feel that it really blurred imperfections or enhanced. I liked that it didn't feel oily or greasy, and I liked the SPF 30. I experienced no breakouts or offensive smell. I would buy it again if I needed a tinted moisturizer.

Best for: dry-normal, light coverage, smaller budget, spf

Next up was the L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. It retails for around $8.24-10, has less slightly less product than the Maybelline (1.9 oz vs. 1 oz), and comes in 4 shades. It allegedly:

• Hydrates
• Corrects
• Evens
• Perfects
• Vitamin e
• 24 hour hydration

I chose the deep shade, and it blended well. It starts off grey, like the traditional BB creams do, and then blends into the shade. "BB" stands for "beauty balm" but in this case it means "beauty beads." I bought this before reading the contents (I know) and was not happy when I applied the product on my face. It hurt my sensitive skin & felt like an exfoliation product at first. I found using a cosmetic brush was the painless way to go. It didn't feel hydrating on my skin--I think those with oily skin would like this because of that fact. The L'Oreal BB Cream had better coverage, but it I noticed it was very reflective and sort of sparkly. I'm in my mid-thirties and reflective foundations/powders/etc. don't look good on me. I didn't notice any breakouts or smell. Due to the beads and the reflective quality, (and I don't think there was an SPF) I would not repurchase.


Best for: younger skin, oily skin, bigger budget, those who need more coverage

Are you a BB Cream user? 

Which brand is your favorite?

PS: High end BB Cream reviews here