La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur - Review

I purchased the La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur - Instant Oil Absorbing Coverage Cream Mousse after hearing great things about it from fellow rosacea blogger - TalontedLex.

My usual day-to-day foundation is Bourjois Healthy Mix but I was coming to the end of the bottle and thought I would try something new.

The packaging is typical La Roche Posay, their usual simplistic white and blue, the foundation comes boxed which keeps it in line with their skincare products and walking past it on the shop floor you probably would mistaken it for a skincare item.

The foundation is described as a mousse, and my initial impression was that it was very thick in consistency, 

When applying foundation I usually like to pop it on the back of my hand and either use a brush or fingers to apply, so that I can control how much I am using but with this foundation it's not possible due to the thickness.
I then applied using my Bobbi Brown blending brush and I got a much better result, more even and flawless application.

My other initial worry when I first used this BB cream was that it appeared to very orange in colour.

The cream only comes in two shades, fair/light & light/medium, but once blended it did match my skintone pretty perfectly.

As you know I do suffer from Rosacea and from the photos you will see you can still slightly see the pustules on my cheek area but the final look of the BB cream is nice, although I find it to not be that buildable due to the consistency, so concealer is needed if you have any imperfections.

Foundation and concealer only

You will of noticed from the title of this BB cream that it is oil absorbing, my skin is actually very dry and so I usually choose a dewy foundation and for me personally this is a little too matt for my liking. I try and counter act this by using a radiant primer underneath or by creating a littler shimmer with a subtle highlighter afterwards.

I like the fact the foundation feels weightless and it really does feel like you aren't wearing anything on your skin, its also quite long lasting and wears very evenly without going patchy.

Overall I think if you don't like a heavy foundation and want something fuss free, easy to apply with a nice coverage then this BB cream would be perfect.
I definitely think as the weather warms up and I want to wear less makeup that this will be a foundation of choice.

Full makeup application

How about you? Have you tried this BB cream, what are your thoughts?

Sad Winter Skin? Help may be at hand...

If you've read my previous blog posts you will know I suffer with rosacea.

Rosacea sufferers will tell you that the symptoms can be triggered by many a thing, spicy food, alcohol, skincare products and for me, it's the cold.

As soon as the temperature drops in the UK and the heating goes on, my skin will get red and tiny pustules will pop up all over my cheeks and forehead.

I try not to venture out in the cold too much if it's freezing, but I can't stay in the house forever as I do have a job to go to, so when heading into the frost I try and keep my face as covered as possible.

So what do I use to try and keep that pesky cold air at bay? It's this little magic gel from Dermologica.

The description on the Dermalogica website states "help(s) fortify sensitized skin and a damaged barrier with this velvety, anhydrous (waterless) moisturizer. "

Now first things things, I wouldn't describe this product as a moisturiser, the consistency, I think, is similar to that of a primer - Gel-like and quite thick.

On application the cream has a very velvety texture that moves easily, a little goes along way so do you not need to use a lot of product.

I use this after toning and moisturisering but before makeup. After applying I usually like to try at wait at least a couple of minutes to allow the product to sink in as much as possible.
The thing I am not keen when it comes to the texture is that it seems to sit 'on top' of the skin, so if you are applying a foundation afterwards you feel like it doesn't apply in the same way.

So what does it do? 
Well in theory its meant to create a 'barrier' as the name suggests, between the skin and the outside environment and it also contains an 'UltraCalmingTM Complex to interrupt inflammatory triggers that lead to sensitization.'
Personally, I think its a great idea and anything that helps protect my skin against the extremities is a must for me, due to its sensitive nature.
This is the first cream I've tried that is meant to counteract the cold and so I class it as a necessity in my winter skincare routine.

Overall I do like this product, its not something I use on a daily basis but if the weather is cold I do make sure I apply this in the morning and it does seem to help counteract the redness. The only thing I'm not keen on is the product consistency, for me it is too slippy and makes applying makeup slightly frustrating.
All in all if you have skin that throws a tantrum in the winter, I would definitely recommend giving this a go!

How's your skin in the winter?

Louise.