Revlon PhotoReady BB Cream Skin Perfector SPF 30 in Medium - review and swatches

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I'm currently using this product on an (almost) daily basis as part of Project Dent 2016. I bought it at the beginning of the year for half-price and it sat there unused for six months before I was ready to open it. 

I did test it a number of times a few months back before deciding that it didn't have enough coverage for me - and given the 24-month shelf-life, I put it to one side with the thought that I would include it in Project Pan 2017. Since I'm currently nutting out my PP 2017 list, I thought it was a good time to use it more frequently and confirm how I feel about it.

In brief, this isn't the BB cream for me because it's inconsistent and I feel like it's clogging my skin, but more on all that below.


Revlon claims/product details:
  • A lightweight, multi-benefit beauty balm that combines skincare, makeup and sunscreen into one step
  • Hydrates like a moisturiser
  • Smooths like a primer
  • Covers like a foundation
  • Blurs flaws like a concealer
  • Protects with SPF 30
  • Three shades available: light, light/medium and medium
  • To use: may be worn alone on bare skin or over your regular skincare for additional moisture
  • RRP $24.95 for 30ml, but do shop around

 Unblended (left) and blended (right) swatches, indirect sunlight:


 Direct sunlight:


Natural light:


 My bare face for reference:


And the other side (bare):


Wearing two thick layers of product:


Two layers, other side:


Verdict

I don't hate this product but I don't love it either, for a number of reasons I'll touch on below.

First, the coverage: it's too sheer for my personal tastes (and I do like things sheer, so that's saying something) and it doesn't do a lot in terms of covering imperfections. It will even things out a little and cancel very slight redness, but that's about it.

Second, the texture. There's something mousse-like about it and the product already appears to have separated, even though I've only just opened it. I've noticed the same thing happens with Revlon's CC Cream (a much better product in my books, reviewed here), but only after it's been open for a while. 

Also, the texture is inconsistent: to start with I was barely getting any coverage and the product was quite oily, and it's now a little thicker (so the coverage is slightly better), but I never know how much coverage I'm going to get from the same amount of product on any given day. Plus I don't feel that it's buildable: if I try to build it, I don't get much more coverage - but, at the same time, it somehow starts looking like paint very quickly.

Third, it clogs my skin. I'm not sure why because it's meant to be a 'skincare' product as well as makeup and it is a lighter base, but it still feels like my skin can't breathe properly when I wear it. I've also broken out in a few blemishes over the testing period and I'm wondering whether this product caused those (I can't say for sure of course, but I suspect it did).

Fourth, the lasting power isn't great. I get around four hours' wear from this before I start to notice some fading, and while I don't expect lighter bases like this to last forever, this one lasts a couple of hours less than most.

Also note that the finish is quite dewy and I've seen oily lasses say that this isn't the product for oily skin. I can see why because it does look very shiny on my face in the above shots, and while I personally don't mind this - my skin is dry and I like some grease, plus you can manage the issue with a setting powder - I can see it being an issue for some.

Also also, the 'medium' colour is way too dark and way too orange for my skin. I grabbed the medium shade because I'm always a medium with Revlon, but this is darker than the CC cream and perhaps the light/medium would have been a better choice. I think this particular shade should be labelled as eg medium/tan because the orange undertone and depth of colour mean it's not a traditional 'medium', so I think it's quite misleading. It also oxidises on application (on me, anyway), so perhaps that's part of the problem.

I like that it has a decent SPF and that it's fragrance free, and the price is ok if you can get it on special - but I certainly wouldn't pay full price for it because it's expensive for what it is, particularly given that it's quite sheer and won't do much for covering imperfections.

All in all, I don't think this is a great product and I wouldn't recommend it. It's not terrible, but I personally think you can do much better in this price range. As an alternative, check out Revlon's CC offering: as mentioned above, I reckon that's much better.

Ok.


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