If you remember my Asian Beauty Haul from a few weeks ago, I picked up a few Asian BB Creams on a recent trip to Pacific Mall in Markham. Asian BB creams are the original BB creams, benefit-packed products available in few shades that provide full coverage but a natural finish. While many Western beauty companies have recently jumped on the BB cream bandwagon, many of their products are tinted moisturizers or lightweight foundations, and don’t contain the beneficial ingredients found in their Asian counterparts.

I had heard great things about the Lioele brand, a line of makeup products from Korea. While their Beyond the Solution BB Cream is arguably their most well-known, I opted for their Triple The Solution BB Cream as it contained more hydrating agents. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always on the look out for products with hyaluronic acid, and this BB Cream contains it.

According to Lioele: “This product makes your skin moist as yoghurt and hyaluronic acid suppl[ies] moisture and nutrition. It is a low-stimulating product since it doesn’t contain the ingredient of organic ultraviolet sunscreen. The index of SPF 30 and PA++ not only controls the generation of skin blemish[es], but makes your skin bright.” PA++ refers to the degree of sun protection, and is a very high rating. The product also claims to be whitening (though I think this is more around the fact that the sun protection prevents too much of a tan) as well as offering wrinkle care (which is likely due to the fact it contains hyaluronic acid for moisture).

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

I’ve used this product for about two weeks now, and my first impressions are very positive.

Packaging: A+. This liquid foundation comes with an elegant, smooth-operating pump which is very helpful in making for a quick foundation routine and also controls how much product is dispensed (meaning less waste). It comes in a small, sleek tube that can conveniently fit in a makeup bag.

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Scent: B. This BB cream definitely has a scent, though it’s not terribly strong after the product dries, nor is it unpleasant.

Application/Texture: A. To apply, I dot one pump worth of product around my face, and spread it onto my skin starting at the centre of my face (where I often have more redness/need more coverage), working outwards. It has a smooth, silky texture and applies nicely, not drying too quickly as to make it hard to work with.

Coverage/Finish: A+. This product is unique in that it provides full coverage, but looks incredibly natural and skin-like, never heavy or cakey. I often don’t need much concealer with it, and dabbing on a bit more product over areas requiring additional coverage can act as a concealer substitute. It provides a relatively matte finish, but doesn’t look dry or flat. Since starting to use this product, the dryness on my face has subsided and I have not experienced any blemishes.

This BB cream comes in only one shade which has been perfect for my skin tone. I will see how well it does in adapting to my skin tone as I get some colour on vacation this winter.

To get a sense of a) how a little goes a long way; and b) how it blends into the skin, I’ll include a seres of photos below of what the application looks like. This is about one third to half a pump of product.

Swatch of Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Swatch of Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Swatch of Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Swatch of Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

Swatch of Lioele Triple The Solution BB Cream

You can somewhat still see the product in the bottom-most picture, but the product tends to blend into the skin further after being applied.

Lasting Power: A. Despite not wearing it with a primer, this product lasts all day, especially when set with powder.

Value: B+. The full size (50mL) product cost about $28 CAD where I bought it, but is available online at a lower price. A little goes a long way, providing good value in my opinion (but not quite A-worthy given the over $25 CAD price point).

Overall Score: A. A beautiful natural-looking full coverage base that is both hydrating and lightweight.

If you live in North America, you can find Lioele products in Asian drug stores/specialty stores, on Amazon ($12-20 USD + shipping), on eBay (~$20 USD + shipping). I believe it is also available on other beauty sites like PrettyAndCute.com.

What is your favourite foundation? Have you tried any BB creams yet?

Kate