How to Choose the Right BB Cream


Beauty Balm creams or BB creams as they are widely called, originated in Germany but became popular in Asia. They are like a cocktail of ingredients that when put together, forms the perfect combination for your skin in one jar, saving you tonnes of time in your beauty regimen. Not surprising with all the promises of a beauty balm, where in Asian women are known to layer numerous skin care creams in one setting. Some beauty balms can have up to ten promises in one product! Read on get some tips on choosing the right BB cream for you. 




The first thing to look for in a beauty balm is sun protection. Most BB creams do have some level of sun protection, some more than others. Look for one that has at least 25 SPF and even so, layer over another SPF cream of at least 30 in the summer but can be used alone in the winter months. Great options are Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30,  Maybelline Dream Fresh BB which also has SPF 30 and Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35.






The second most important thing to look out for when choosing a beauty balm is the color options of the brand. Since maybe 99% of beauty balms are tinted, one shade does not fit all. Not that you should look for one that matches your complexion perfectly. Since the coverage is light, shade matching does not have to be as precise as choosing a foundation or concealer. Look for a line that has at least 4 shades that may have a shade that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. Great options are Maybelline Dream Fresh BB which has 5 shades and Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 and Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm SPF 20.




Another important thing to look for when choosing a BB is the promises that each product has. In order to do so, first assess what your skin concerns are and the ingredients that are most important to address those concerns. If your concern is hyperpigmentation ie, dark spots, acne scars and age spots, look for ones that evens skin tone, brightens  and banish imperfections. Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty contains Arbutin to erase unwanted dark spots. If you are experiencing dehydration and want a cream to hydrate throughout the day, Dior Hydra Life BB Créme SPF 30 is a great option. If you have more mature skin and is looking for firming and lifting properties, Hydroxotone Anti-Aging BB Cream is great and so is Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 which promises to diminish the appearance of pores and fine lines. 


Another important thing to look for when choosing a BB is the promises that each product has. In order to do so, first assess what your skin concerns are and the ingredients that are most important to address those concerns. If your concern is hyperpigmentation ie, dark spots, acne scars and age spots, look for ones that evens skin tone, brightens  and banish imperfections. Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty contains Arbutin to erase unwanted dark spots. If you are experiencing dehydration and want a cream to hydrate throughout the day, Dior Hydra Life BB Créme SPF 30 is a great option. If you have more mature skin and is looking for firming and lifting properties, Hydroxotone Anti-Aging BB Cream is great and so is Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 which promises to diminish the appearance of pores and fine lines.

True Beauty: JENNIFER ANISTON



Jennifer Aniston embodies beauty. At 43, she can make any woman half her age green with envy. 



She has never made a secret of how she keeps her physique in such amazing shape. She works out 5 or 6 days a week, combining yoga, cardio and pilates to keep her routine interesting. She was even voted Fitness magazines most wanted body in 2011 and for good reason, the girl has a super tight fitness regime.




She has followed the zone diet in the past which is 30% fat, 40% carbs and 30% protein. Now, Jennifer has hired herself not one, but two personal chefs (Jewels and Jill Elmore) to cook her meals consisting of healthy carbs, low fat proteins and lots of vegetables. But everyone has a weakness and Jennifer is no exception. Hers is Mexican food. Yes, really.


 




Her hair is legendary, her skin is radiant, he bod is hot and she’s hella funny. What a great combo. That is why we love Jennifer Aniston here at Beauty’s Pavilion. She totally embodies true beauty. Love her!

Blue Polka Dot Ombre




So I decided to combine two of the things that I'm obsessed with at the moment: polka dots and ombre. Enjoy :-))








The colours I used are: White on White from China Glaze, Kinetic Candy from China Glaze, Electric Beat from China Glaze and Let's Get Lost by Essence

OMBRE NAILS


I love ombre. I love ombre hair, ombre lips and ombre nails. It started a long time ago when I first learnt how to do tie die and loving the way  all the colours fused with each other creating a gradient effect. So today, I have created ombre nails using some of my favourite nail polishes at the moment with just a little twist. Now you can do all the nails gradient or do what I have done and do just an accent nail (which I love doing). The ombre goes two ways here, each nail going from light to dark and on the accent nail, light to dark in the same order as the nail. Hope you guys enjoy this one :-))











The colours I used are from L to R: Enlightenment by Precision, Lime Up by Essence, Gaga for Green by China Glaze and Pretty Edgy by Essie.

Something BLUE


Hello Everyone, I apologize for taking so long in posting another look. It has been just a busy few days with bridals and studying so I have not had time to post this last look in the Bridal Week series. So here goes, Something Blue. Hope you enjoy :-))



I used 2 coats of Essence polish in Let's Get Lost and Essence Fast Drying top coat mixed with blue body glitter I got from Claire's






Bridal Look 2- Golden Smokey Eye


I have another look for you guys today to continue Bridal Week here at Beauty's Pavilion. This time we went for a golden smokey eye. My camera is not picking up these looks as I would like so bare with me while I work on getting a better one. I hope you guys enjoy this look :-)) 












With Flash



Face- Makeup Forever HD Foundation set with translucent powder and Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

Eyes- NYX eye primer in beige, Urban Decay Naked 2 palette (Half Baked on lid, and Blackout to deepen crease), a dark brown from a random palette in crease and under eyes, Foxy and Bootycall from UD palette on brow bone, Bootycall and Half Baked in inner tear duct and finished with Nigel's Emporium wispy lashes.

Brows- Mac Spiked

Cheeks- Mac blush in Gingerly, Nars Orgasm to highlight

Lips- Rimmel's Airy Fairy, NYX gloss in Shorbet







Glamorous Bridal Nail Design


Yesterday I talked about how brides now are breaking traditions and are looking for more modern touches on their big day. I have created a nail design that sure breaks the traditional french manicure bridal nails with a very glamourous, blinging design. I just love the way this turned out. This look can also be reworked to your liking with just a accent nail with the crystals or one on each nail but I've decided to go all out. Hope you guys enjoy :-))





 I used OPI Bubble Bath (3 coats) and rhinestones from Michael's






Bridal Look 1- Purple Smoke






More and more brides are breaking traditions not only in their ceremonies but in the way they choose to look on their wedding day. Brides are now opting for more modern touches on their big day in their makeup look by upping the drama with smokey eyes. Yes, brides still want to look like 'a more beautiful version of themselves' but often now, this includes a smokey eye in various shades. I have chosen to do a neutral purple (yes purple can be neutral depending on the base) smokey eye with a golden base and a purple nude lip colour. Hope you enjoy this look. The look however, should work in the daylight and look equally as gorgeous in flash photography.








With Flash







The colours I used are:

Foundation- Makeup Forever HD
Undereye- Mac Pro Longwear concealer
Powders- Mac Prep and Prime powder (sparingly) and Mac Mineralize Skin Finish Natural
Shadows- Sleek Storm Palette- Purple shade on lid, dark brown and black shade in crease, nude and shimmer shade on brow bone
Eye Liner- Annabelle Smudge Liner in OHMYGOTH!
Mascara- L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes in Black
Brows- Mac pencil in Spiked 
Lashes- Nigel's Emporium lashes in G747M
Cheeks- Mac Gingerly blush and Nars Albatross to highlight
Lips- Mac Fabby topped with Mac Boy Bait creme gloss