Marcelle BB Cream… first Canadian-brand BB cream!!

Me wearing the Marcelle BB cream (cheeks, nose and chin only, none on forehead) with Chanel Poudre Universelle to set, and Shu Uemura Dome Blusher in Sunlight Peach and Chanel Joues Constraste in Espiegle on cheeks

I am super excited to be reviewing this product for you. As you know, I am a huge fan of Marcelle products (especially their Hydra-C Energizing Hydrating Gel) and I am just so excited that they are releasing a BB cream to the Canadian market: a first for a Canadian brand!

About the Marcelle BB Cream

If you don’t know what BB Creams are, then you’re in for a treat. BB Cream, or Beauty Balm (or blemish balm, or beauty base, or beblesh balm… etc, you get the point) are an uber popular base makeup product in Asia. Basically it is an all-in-one product that contains moisturizing, anti-aging, brightening, coverage and sun protection properties in one single product. You can wear this either by itself, or as a base for your foundation. Specifically, Marcelle BB Cream is available in two shades (yay!!) and features an ultra-lightweight formula leaves skin with “nothing on” feel. It is also oil free, non comedogenic, paraben free, dermatologist tested, hypo-allergenic, perfume free and is contained in an ultra-hygienic airless tube-pump. This product is suitable for any skin type. Some of the key ingredients in the Marcelle BB Cream include: Hyaluronic Acid (Improves skin elasticity, helps minimize wrinkles, hydrates); Aquaxyl (Moisturizes and helps correct imperfections); Glycerin (Hydrates); Vitamin E (Antioxidant to protect skin); Aloe Vera (Soothes & hydrates); Green Tea & Chamomile (Stimulates, reinvigorates & soothes) and Soft Focus Powders (Light-reflecting, enhance complexion).

My thoughts

I absolutely LOVE this BB cream. Even though it isn’t a true BB cream because it doesn’t have any sun protection (which is actually a major feature and benefit of the traditional BB cream). The texture is light and creamy but provides sheer to medium coverage which helps to cover any redness and my pores, as well as smooth out my skin tone. My skin is luminous and even without looking like I’m wearing any base makeup. It is also very hydrating and works well for my dehydrated Canadian winter skin.

The light shade is perfect for my NC20-25 skin tone. The finish is semi-dewy so it might be good to set it lightly with some powder, but even though it is dewy it lasts all day. I also found very minimal transfer from my skin to my glasses rim whenever I do wear glasses, which is something that is important to me (not like Jill Stuart foundation which completely transfers onto my glasses rim!). To put it simply, my skin looks flawless and luminous when wearing the Marcelle BB cream.

I definitely recommend the Marcelle BB cream if you are looking for a good base makeup product that provides natural coverage with a natural finish and also skincare properties. If you have anywhere between dry to combination skin, this product will be good for you. If you have really oily skin, you might either need an oil controlling primer, oil controlling powder or to touch up your base makeup every few hours because this product doesn’t have much oil control (but that isn’t what it’s supposed to be for anyways).

This product is already available in store wherever Marcelle is sold, priced at $22.95.

After 8 hours of wear, my skin still looks flawless!

FREE Marcelle BB Cream!! + winner to Konad giveaway

Marcelle is undoubtedly one of my favourite Canadian beauty brands. They recently came out with a BB cream that I absolutely love. I’ve been wearing it every day for the past 2 weeks and I found that it made my skin very smooth, bright (as in even skin tone) and hydrated. The coverage is just enough to look like I have amazing skin, but not heavy or cakey at all. I will do a thorough review of this fantastic product at a later date, complete with photos.

You can now get your own FREE Marcelle BB cream HERE. If you decide not to get the free one, you can also buy them in store for $22.95.

Also, sorry for being MIA. Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I have been extremely busy with work for the past week. I haven’t had any time or energy to blog, which I am very sorry about. I hope to be back soon as I have a couple of exciting things I would like to blog about. Thank you for understanding!

Lastly, congratulations to Tiffyama for winning the Konad giveaway!! You will receive the starter Konad set. Nail Polish Canada will be contacting you soon for your details.

Swatch/Review: Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipstick in 802 Delight

Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipstick is holy grail-worthy, especially on a drugstore budget! What Marcelle says:

“Luscious lips made easy. Express your true self with Rouge Xpression lipstick! Rouge Xpression has a dual personality that will delight your lips; it has a moisturizing Maxi-Lip complex that hydrates your lips’ delicate skin and adds sexy volume. Replete with avocado and Omega-6 oils, its formula prevents dry, cracked lips and restores moisture. Its creamy, velvety and non-sticky texture ensures total comfort. And with so many vibrant colours, biting into life will never have looked so sexy! Hypoallergenic and perfume-free.”

Priced at just under $12, this lipstick is creamy, pigmented and super comfortable to wear. 802 Delight is a very creamy, opaque coral pink. This lipstick wears very creamily and applies very smoothly and easy. It feels moisturizing on, and even after removing it, my lips didn’t feel dried out. I love that while it is so creamy, it does not settle into lip lines like certain other creamy lipsticks (*cough* YSL Rouge Volupte) and there is no slip. It is also scent-free, which is good for those of you more sensitive to scents.

The colour is a nice every day colour suitable for all skin tones. One gripe I have with this particular shade is although it looks amazing on my lips, it makes my teeth look extremely yellow. It was because of this reason that I can’t wear this shade outside, which is sad because the formula and colour are both what I was looking for.

Here are some swatches:

Lip swatch:

Overall, I like it. This colour in particular isn’t for me but I’m sure many of you will like it. The formula is really good and highly recommended. You can buy this online at Marcelle, which ships to the US and Canada. Fellow Canadians can also find this at Shoppers, London Drugs, Superstore and most places where Marcelle is sold.

Review: Marcelle Essentials Soothing Cleansing Water

I am a lover of cleansing oils, it is what I use every night to take off my makeup and sunscreen. However after using the Marcelle Soothing Cleansing Water… I am a convert!

What they claim (from Marcelle): A refreshing take on beautiful skin. A soothing refreshing water that gently cleanses and tones skin while removing eye make-up, just what you wished for. Introducing Essentials Soothing Cleansing Water make-up cleanser, a rinse-free formula that micro-emulsifies impurities and waterproof make-up without irritating skin, gentle for even the driest and most sensitive complexions. Skin feels clean, refreshed, and revitalized.

Price: $14.50 for 200mL at Marcelle counters across Canada and online (for shipping to Canada and US)

The good: This cleansing water is refreshing and cleanses very well without leaving any residue. I love how clean my skin feels afterwards without feeling oily, even after removing MAC lipglass which is super sticky and thick. It also love how it is scent-free and very light. You don’t need much to remove your makeup, just one cotton pad will suffice. Removal was also effortless, I didn’t has to rub it in as much but everything still came off.

• Refreshing, no residue
• Cleanses well
• Scent-free
• A little goes a long way
• Effortless removal

The bad: Nothing really for the product. I’m not completely happy with the pour lid because I found it dispenses more than I need (especially if I’m using using it to clean up a mess and not remove the entire thing). A pump dispenser would have been better (in my opinion).

• Pump dispenser may be better

Overall: This is highly recommended for everyone, but especially for people with sensitive skin or eyes. It feels like you are using water to remove your makeup, that is how refreshing it is!

Product: 19/20
Packaging: 4/5
Value: 4.5/5
Overall: 27.5/30 | A
Repurchase? Yes

Review/Swatches: Marcelle Lux Eye Dust in High Voltage (OH EM GEE!!!)

First, I must say I’ve never liked loose anythings, not powder, not blush, and definitely not eyeshadow. BUT, I must scream to the entire world how amazing this Lux Eye Dust swatches and performs. Yeah, the word is AMAZING.

Marcelle says this about their Lux Eye Dust:

“Perk up any look in a matter of minutes with Lux Eye Dusts. Transform your makeup from modest to daring with these new highly pigmented and shimmering mica shades. The multi-use light-weight formula allows you to mix them in with body cream, with nail polish and even with lip gloss. The possibilities are endless! Use them dry for a rich colorful look or wet for an even more dramatic and intense look.”

They are completely right about it being rich and colourful. The texture is really smooth and very, very pigmented. High Voltage is one of the most gorgeous greens I’ve ever used. I’m not joking when I say that it is full of depth and while shimmery, is still smooth.

Here are some swatches so you don’t think I’m kidding around with you. Keep in mind that these swatches were done dry! You can get it to be even more intense by using it with a damp brush.

A little off focus so you can see the sparkles:

The only thing with this that bothers me is how the packaging is a little hard to use. I had to loosen up the cap with a nail file before I could pry it open. Once open, I love how there is a stopper (looks like suction) to help prevent the powder from spilling everywhere.

I would love to try more of these, especially the gold (called Vegas… how appropriate is that?). I can imagine myself wearing this as part of a holiday look. Highly, highly recommended!