The face cream to end all face creams!

After searching my whole life, I have finally found the very best face cream on the planet!

It's not La Mer, it doesn't have gold flecks in it and it doesn't cost a lot.  I know that sounds too good to be true but be prepared to be dazzled.

If you are in Australia, you might have seen them advertising the new Garnier BB Cream.  Not that anyone knows what a BB cream is but a little research revealed something amazing.

BB stands for "blemish balm".  It is a cream given to people who have had laser or similar treatment on their faces to simultaneously cover blemishes (or healing scars), protect from the sun and promote healing.

Some Korean actresses got hold of this stuff and it took off like a shot in Korea.  Other countries have been slow to start but it is now making its way around the world as the next hot thing since YSL Touche Eclat!

Rather than buy the various incarnations available on the internet, I went to the source: the original.  It is made by a Korean company called Missha.  They have a store in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney or you can pick it up online at various sites.  They stock a few different types but I went for the Signature Real Complete BB Cream as I have combination skin.

It was only $36.90 and it is truly amazing!

Missha Signature Real Complete BB Cream

It does the following:

1.  Covers my pimples

2.  Covers the dark circles under my eyes

3.  Evens skin tone

4.  Reduces redness

5.  Protects from the sun (SPF 25)

6.  Smooths fine lines (although I don't admit to having many yet

7.  Provides a beautiful base for make up

8.  Doesn't feel heavy (more like a sunscreen weight that foundation weight)

9.  Matches your skin tone without fiddling with numerous colours (comes in either yellow based or pink  based)

10. Stays on all day (and all night if you are naughty).

Using this you no longer need a moisturiser, sunscreen, foundation, concealer or primer.

Plus you can wash it off in the shower with a good cleanser.

I cannot recommend highly enough that you go out and try this product!

Before and after using Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (Lipglossiping)

My morning routine has shrunk to cleansing, putting on the BB cream, mascara, blush and lipstick.  On the weekends I usually only do the first two!

Little tubes of magic from France

I read all the time that you should skimp on your cleanser and splurge on your moisturiser.

I can't say I have ever paid more that $100 for a moisturiser, plus my skin reacts to something in every product I have tried labelled "anti-aging".  Therefore, the last thing I want is to put down $300 for La Mer and end up using it once and looking like I have a red, raw face.

I once tried a you-beaut moisturiser from Clinique.  I usually don't have too much trouble with their skincare products (unlike Lancome, Aveeno and Olay).  So off I went on honeymoon with my little tub of magic.  It was magic all right.  It turned my lovely skin from peaches and cream to red and angry!  I spent my whole honeymoon with my face covered in a rash and not being able to wear any make up!

But to the rescue came a true little tube of magic.

At the first sign of the rash, I raced from my NYC hotel room down the street to Duane Reade.  There I found my saviour.  Eau Thermale Avene Skin Recovery Cream.

I used it as my moisturiser for the rest of the trip and the rash was almost gone by the time I got home.

Eau Thermale Avene actually make a whole stable of brilliant skincare products.  They are all made in France, most do not contain those nasties like parabens, and they have an excellent range for people with sensitive skins.  Not to mention their products for men and children.

I currently use their Clearance K moisturiser.

I must add, their 30+ Sunscreen is awesome!  Most sunscreens drip into your eyes as you sweat in summer causing stinging and crying.  This one is made with proper zinc and titanium dioxide (with a slight tint so you don't look too white) rather than nasty chemical sunscreens.  I even put it on my eyelids and under my eyes without any stinging even in the middle of a Sydney summer.  Highly recommended.

You can pick up your own tubes of magic at Priceline and other good pharmacies (and Duane Reade if you are in NYC!).

Thanks for...

Gorgeous Green Art-Deco Earring (Lovisa, AU$15.99)

Sleeping kittens

My iPhone 4 (which takes most of the pictures on this site)

The best pink lipgloss ever invented!  My perfect pink is a gorgeous bright bubblegum colour.  What's yours? (Bourjois Rose Exclusif, AU$22.95)

Free tea in the mail from Madame Flavour.  Testing out the new Mint Lavender Tisane (AU$29.40 plus postage for 6 boxes of 18 pods).

Your complete make up bag for under $100

Make up is one of those fantastic things in a woman’s life that makes her feel confident and amazing without making her feel afraid of opening her bank statements.

If you have no make up and only $100 to spend, this will get you everything you need:

Dove Tinted Moisturiser ($9.39) – I prefer tinted moisturisers to foundations, especially for summer. They are lighter and therefore less clogging for your pores, they do triple duty as moisturiser, sunscreen and foundation. For winter, when skin is drier, they also help you stay hydrated. (Available at supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Maybelline Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($19.50) – This fabulous little stick of genius has a concealer in one end and a highlighter in the other! Plus, it is much better at covering up under eye dark circles/bags and fine lines than the famous Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat. I am never without this product! (Available at supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Avon Colour Trend It Takes Two Eye Duo ($4.99) – This is a nifty little purse friendly winner. It comes in a few colours and is a liquid eye shadow with a jumbo pencil on the other end. I really like the VIP colour (a gorgeous blue green) to make the eyes pop! (Available from your friendly local Avon rep – Seriously, get to know them as Avon have some amazing products and they are really cheap!)

Manicare Eyelash Curler ($8.50) – One of the first make up things my mother ever gave me was her old Curlash eyelash curler. That was almost 15 years ago and it was only recently that I retired it in favour of one of these. An eyelash curler creates beauty magic when used right. Everyone has their own style but I just wack it on as close to the eyelid as it goes, curl, hold for a count of 10 (or 20 if I want it to hold all night long) and let go. It really opens your eyes. Follow with a mascara to hold the curl in place. (Available from supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Blackest Black ($15.95) – It is frankly beyond me why companies make mascaras in any colour but black. This one is only every best seller list for a reason. It is a super all rounder and incredibly cheap. (Available from supermarkets, Priceline or pharmacies)

Benefit Pocket Pal Benetint + Gloss ($39.95) – Anyone that has ever used Benetint will attest to it being a fantastic product. Put a dab on the cheek and rub in circles then out to the hairline for a rosy cheek and dab on the lips and leave for a bit for an all day lip stain. It also last forever. This one is purse-friendly and has a built in lip gloss to finish off the look. (Note: I would either wear the Avon Eye Duo or the Benetint but not both at once. If you are going with the Eye Duo just use the lip gloss. Remember – draw the focus to either the eyes or lips, but not both at once otherwise people won’t know where to look!) (Available at Myer or Benefit Boutiques).

All of this works out to be a finance-friendly $98.28.