I went to Y's Nail Salon a few days ago to get my nails done. As usual, Yoko was very kind and patient to customise the design for my nails :3. And tada~ I got some bling bling this time \>_</.
Oh, and she also got me some little cosmetic gifts (lip balm with SPF and blotting papers) from her recent trip to Japan <3
Haha how did she know that I use lots of blotting papers. She's sweet :). Trust me, when you get your nails done by Yoko, they last for 3-4 weeks without any peeling :O. Pretty cool, hey!
Regardless, let's talk about CC cushions that you may or may not have heard of.
For the last few years, the beauty trend has been seeing an increased number of CC cushion and BB/CC cream users. As a result of the Korean beauty (aka K-Beauty) trend, the major companies started launching Korean CC cushion inspired cushion products starting with Lancôme last year. And for the last few months, major big companies started to introduce their version of CC cushions one by one on the US market. Those brands include Dior, Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, Yves Saint Laurent and MAC.
It's actually very interesting as those brands have already launched the CC cushions in Asia first although they aren't meant to be Asia exclusives. What I can only assume is that they just wanted to test the heavily K-beauty inspired Asian market? I'm not certain, but I'm at least glad that they've brought those CC cushions to US much sooner than I expected :).
I've already talked about the deal between Amore Pacific Company and Dior in regards to production of their CC cushions in my previous post. In the post I reviewed their first ever CC cushion, DIORSNOW Bloom Perfect Brightening Perfect Moist Cushion SPF 50, which seems to still be available only in Asia. However, today I have two CC cushions from Dior and Bobbi Brown to compare as they are all made in Korea, the origin country of CC cushions.
Packaging & Puff
Although both Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 35 and Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Perfect Skin Cushion SPF 50 Broad Spectrum SPF 50 are produced in Korea, the packaging feels already quite different except the puff.
I would say Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Perfect Skin Cushion SPF 50 has more traditional Amore Pacific company CC cushion packaging. It feels compact and has a good grip when you actually hold it in your hands.
Even the sponge that holds the liquid inside feels almost the same as one of Amore Pacific company's CC cushions and their very first CC cushion, DIORSNOW Bloom Perfect Brightening Perfect Moist Cushion SPF 50 (full review).
Unlike the Dior one, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact SPF 35 follows the slimmer CC cushion packaging trend in Korea. When you check inside though, you won't see any liquid foundation unless you press with the puff.
It actually really reminds me of one of those CC cushions owned by LG company that you might be more familiar as an IT company. In fact, LG company has different skin care brands such as O HUI and Belif that has been popular in Asia for a long time. Anyways, their version has a cover (either metal or plastic) on top of the sponge for better control and hygiene.
So basically the Bobbi Brown Foundation Cushion has the similar look but without the cover.
Regardless, thanks to the slimmer and wide packaging, you actually get a bigger mirror, which can be great for touch ups during the day. However, it doesn't fit into my hand comfortably although I have fairly big hands with long fingers. And it doesn't come with a refill unlike Dior Skin Cushion, which is shame.
Scent & Colour Matching
When I first used Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact SPF 35, I was a bit worried as it has some kind of eucalyptus oil scent kicking through. It didn't burn my eyes as it isn't very strong, which is important. Well, at least, there was no lingering scent afterwards and didn't break my skin out. I was actually very concerned that it might give me little bumps on my skin like how some of their foundations did about 7 years ago O_O. Yep, this is the first time that I use their foundation since then XD.
Bobbi Brown -Initial Application
Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Perfect Skin Cushion SPF 50 rather has a floral scent like how all of their products have. It doesn't irritate my eyes and no bumps! :) I personally like the Dior's scent better.
Dior - Initial Application
As for the colour matching, Dior gives limited selection of colours whereas Bobbi Brown offers a very wide range of colours. I've been using 020 in Dior Skin Cushion and Light to Medium in Bobbi Brown Foundation Cushion, and they have been about the same. There's really a slight difference in between those two. I feel that Dior one has a more brightening and evening effect with a neutral finish, and Bobbi Brown Foundation Cushion gives more of a foundation finish with a more yellow warm tone.
Coverage & Longevity
Both Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin Perfect Skin Cushion SPF 50 and Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Cushion Compact SPF 35 starts with sheer to light coverage at first application due to the nature of the CC cushion. They even out skin very well and bring life back to dull skin. They both feel very light on skin and improve the look of pores very well, which is expected as they are CC cushions after all.
a few hours later - Bobbi Brown & Dior
However, I've noticed that the Bobbi Brown one gives better coverage if you keep patting on top. I would say that you can get up to medium coverage by using the puff. As for the Dior's CC cushion, your skin just gets brighter and brighter rather than giving actual coverage. It can give some kind of medium coverage effect, but it certainly isn't something to do with coverage that we are talking about. That's where the major difference lies between those two CC cushions. As their names reflect their product type, Bobbi Brown one acts more like a lightweight foundation unlike Dior Skin Cushion that is more like the original CC cushions that we know of.
Bobbi Brown & Dior
Although they both give enough decent coverage for the dark circles around the eye area, you will still need a concealer if you want to cover up any sun spots or acne scars.
As for the longevity, even with just one application they all lasted very long, up to 6 hours with hardly any blotting throughout the day. My skin felt less oily even during my monthly compared to those days when my skin's make-up free and has only sunscreen on. It almost feels like they control the sebum very effectively. Having said that, people with drier skin might find them too light, so I highly recommend you to moisturise your skin very well beforehand if you decide to try one. Other than that, they seem to work well with most of the skin types.
Where to Buy
- Nordstrom (Free shipping & samples)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (Free shipping & samples)
Recommendations
- La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Transforming Cream Sunscreen SPF 30
- La Prairie Light Fantastic Cellular Concealing Brightening Eye Treatment (Concealer/ Highlighter/ Primer)
- IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning (First Essence Lotion)
- High-end Hydrating Moisturisers (Guerlain vs La Mer vs La Prairie vs Sisley)
- Luxury Skincare Guide (La Mer VS La Prairie VS Swiss Perfection VS Sisley)
- Luxury Suncare (La Mer vs La Prairie vs Sisley vs Chantecaille vs Chanel vs Dior)
Some of the footage from family outing...
