This is the first BB cream I’ve ever tried. Foundations of various popular brands are getting too pricey, and the quality leaves much to be desired.
That is the reason I’ve decided to try something from Korea. I’ve chosen Holika Holika Petit BB cream, as it was one of the bestselling and affordable products out there.
Price point: $18
Shade: Clearing that is meant for problem skin.
Packaging and ingredients
The packaging looks very pretty. The design with blue undertones and a purple cap has no frills yet looks really nice. The tube fits well in the hand.
I don’t speak Korean, so I have no idea what ingredients are present here. However, the manufacturer states that the cream contains the Tea Tree Oil extract, which is normally thought to counter redness, breakouts, large pores and excessive sebum. What is more, I was happy to see SPF 30 on the packaging.
Claims:
Holika Holika Pore Clearing Petit BB Cream with Tea Tree Oil and Sebum Control Powder 30ML
Fresh Texture without oil Tea Tree Oil Extract helps to clean skin by alleviating skin troubles and red spots, make a refreshing baby face with Sebum Control Powder.
Terpine-4 of Tea Tree Oil alleviates inflammations that happen by bacteria and mold funguses.
Sebum control powder helps to maintain fresh and soft skin condition by reducing shine with excellent sebum capturing effect.
About the shade, texture and smell
The texture is quite thick yet lightweight, which ensures a great coverage. My face doesn’t look like a mask, especially if I don’t overdo it.
I have pretty pale skin and the cream seemed quite dark with its pink undertone first. However, I knew that Korean BB creams can blend with the natural skin color, so I was not afraid to apply it.
Moreover, I’d like to note that this cream has quite a potent and long-lasting fragrance, which is no likey for me. It would be much better if it smelled like a tea tree oil than this. The smell is too sweet and cloying. Lucky me, I don’t really feel the smell on my skin.
Right after application
in 10 minutes after application
The feel and effect
Right off the bat, I love this BB cream. Yes, it takes about 10-15 mins for the product to set, which is quite a bit of time. Right, it is potently fragrant and slightly visible against my skin if you take a close look, but it does an outstanding job when it comes to disguising blemishes and imperfections. In addition, it protects my skin from the UV rays. The cream is long-lasting and it neither causes any skin irritation and breakouts nor clog my pores.
I hardly feel the foundation on my skin during the day and my face doesn’t get more shiny than usual.
My pimples don’t really bother me, but the foundation doesn’t cover them up completely.
I’ve been using the product daily for about 6 months now, so it lasts for quite awhile.
Max Factor Lasting Performance foundation, which I praise highly as well, is only half as good as Holika Holika BB cream.
Before application
After application
How to remove it?
I prefer using a micellar water for removing my makeup, plus a natural soap on a sponge. Thus I get a clean face without any foundation residue.
Verdict
Holika Holika BB cream is a great low cost product. Now I get why it is trending today. The reason is that we get a good foundation with SPF 30 for a bargain price.
However, I’m not going to repurchase it. I would like to try something else, as I haven’t found my perfect foundation yet.
I will probably buy another Korean foundation.
I recommend Holika Holika Clearing Petit BB cream.
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