Review: Luview Whitening Capsule BB Cream

It's high time I shared with you my thoughts on this product. I got this as a prize from fellow bloggers Eloisa and Tara's HUGE pre-holiday giveaway. I've been using this product every time I go out since I got it :)

It's the Luview Whitening Capsule BB Cream.

Read on to know what's so special with this BB cream :)

Description (from Luview): Created with a highly optimized formula from natural elements and the most advanced dermatology. This is the functionality magic BB that pops the micro capsule and generates natural and splendid skin-tone. For combination and oily skin types. Coverage: 2 out of 5 stars.

Benefits:

• Magic BB -  The white cream finds and blends with your natural skin color.
• Whitening - It has skin whitening and brightening properties. Certified by KFDA (Korea Food and Drug Administration).
• Sebum control and moisture supply - Contains hyaluronic acid and aloe that keep the skin radiant and moisturized.
• Low stimulation - Talc-free and contains non-irritating natural ingredients, providing comfort to the skin and preventing breakouts,
• Natural light effect - Enhances the skin and gives it a natural pearly finish.

First, let's talk about the packaging. I really like how this is packaged. The bottle looks so classy! It's not bulky so it's easy to store in my organizer and carry around in my makeup bag. The product is dispensed through a pump which can be locked by just simply twisting the cap. There's nothing much with the packaging that annoys me so far... maybe just the usual minor problems we encounter with any pump-type packaging.

As for the shade... this is what interests me the most! Why? Because when you pump the product out of the bottle, it looks stark-white. I mean, it really is white. But upon application, it does change its color and blend into your natural skin color. Really cooooool!

From white, the color of the cream turns beige-y upon blending until it matches your skin tone.

This 'magic' wouldn't work with darker skin tones, though. This cream is recommended for those with light to light-beige skin tones. This is one gripe I have about BB creams - the shades are usually limited.

This BB cream doesn't offer too much coverage. I mean, the 'magic' here is that the BB cream will match your natural skin color and not change your color completely. Makes sense?

I now do not mind sheer foundations or BB creams. I used to want those with heavier coverage but now I'm not very particular with coverage. I just need them to brighten my face and even out my skin tone since I don't really have a lot of dark spots to conceal. And this BB cream does all that - I mean, it brightens my face and evens out my skin color.

As for the finish, this has some shimmer to it so it does give a pearly finish, just like what it claims to give.

Sheer coverage, pearly finish

I'm not a big fan of dewy-finish foundations because my skin is already oily and I don't want to end up looking too shiny at the end of the day.  This BB cream doesn't make my face oilier despite the pearly finish it gives BUT it doesn't prevent me from oiling up either. This BB cream keeps my face oil-free for up 1.5 to 2 hours. When the weather is on the cooler side or when my activity level is low, my face remains oil-free for a few more hours.

Here's what it looks like on me.

With one layer of BB cream

It evens out my skin tone, brightens up my face and gives it a glow. I usually still apply concealer around the eye area, and top everything off with a powder foundation.

Taken with flash
See "The Glow" there?

One layer of BB cream + powder foundation
(Maybelline Clear Smooth All-in-One) 

One layer of BB cream + powder (dreamGirl BB powder)

Thumbs up:

• The texture - Very easy to blend.
• The shade - Magically matches my skin tone and doesn't make my face look ghost-white.
• Instantly brightens up my face.
• Evens out my skin tone.
• Doesn't make my skin oilier although it gives a dewy finish which makes me look more shiny than usual after a few hours.
• Doesn't dry my face. Actually, this does feel a bit moisturizing on the face.
• Doesn't break me out.
• Packaging - Thumbs up for the pump and for the classy-looking bottle.

Thumbs down:

• Pearly finish - Makes me look a bit sweaty/more shiny than usual, which I tend to avoid since I have oily skin, that's why I have to avoid putting on too much. But it all depends with the powder I use to top it, too. When topped with 4U2 dreamGirl's BB powder, the finish doesn't appear to be so glowy on me.
• Limited shade range - This is one of the common problems with BB creams.
• Price and availability - Priced at $22.80 (~P1000) for 34g of product. Can only be ordered online.

The sheer coverage this product offers maybe a thumbs-down for some but to me it's not a very big deal. It brightens and evens out my color, anyway. And with concealer and powder on top, I'm already fine with the result. This is my current go-to face product. Topping off with powder is a must for me with this BB cream, though.

If you're interested in ordering this 'magic' BB cream, check out Luview Cosmetics' website *here.* They have other BB cream variants, too. Oh, they also have a Facebook page! Check that out *here* :)

Have you tried this or any other Korean product? Do you use BB creams? Share, share, share! :)