May 18, 2011

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ Review, Swatches, Photos

Hmmm word on the street is that people are pretty happy with the new Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ that debuted at Sephora recently.

After trying the Dr. Jart Premium Beauty Balm BB Cream and being disappointed I was excited to try this version since many of you seemed quite pleased with it.

With BB Creams finally taking the Western market by storm I was quite hyped about testing out US formulations of a BB Cream plus add to the fact that we’d have options available that were easy to purchase and needless to say you can add to my excitement. Most folks that have never tried an Asian BB Cream will probably rave the new collection of Dr. Jart BB’s available at Sephora. It’s a given that having never tried something superior that you’ll instantly like these rather brilliantly formulated products however being a connoisseur of BB Creams I can honestly say so far these options prove very, very low calorie compared to Korean BB Creams.

Let’s take a peek!


A one-step skin perfecting balm that minimizes the need for foundation, concealer, SPF, and moisturizer.


Now BB Creams have been compared to a TM (tinted moisturizer) too many times for me to count. Please, don’t compare BB’s to a TM because they are simply not the same product particularly if you’re using an Asian one.

In the case of Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ you can throw that word around all you like because that is exactly what this is, a glorified tinted moisturizer but I’ll share the good with you before I get into the bad…

This an oil free balm that will work brilliantly on anyone with dry skin and just as well on oily skin since although creamy and rich the formula still remains lightweight. This is made up of 50 percent water and the texture speaks for itself in that aspect. It’s incredibly creamy, smooth, rich, and hydrating. It has a beautifully cooling, refreshing feel as you apply and absorbs in a snap. I am absolutely in lust with the formula, they did an excellent job here and it can’t be argued that it’s simply perfect in all ways in regard to it’s blendability and overall beautiful texture.

The balm acts as your moisturizer and foundation plus has SPF 25 for sun protection. I took note that it remains incredibly moist and dewy throughout the day and like most BB Creams it remains fresh throughout the day. It’s basically like a drink for your skin, very refreshing, cooling, and moist.

The shade is a light, creamy beige that would most suit fairer skin types in the NC15-25 range…don’t quote me on these MAC foundation numbers because I’m not a true expert on their range of bases but I’m going throw it out there for an example of color match. You may even get away with it if you’re NC30-35 because…


The product lacks pigmentation.

Yeah, well, that’s the main issue here. It absorbs easily but it really offers very, very, very minimal coverage. Asian BB Creams have very good coverage and some can even act as a concealer however with the case of Water Fuse Beauty Balm you’re not going to get that kind of coverage.

So in the end all you have is a really superior formulated TM of sorts….but not a BB Cream.

  • Those looking for very lightweight coverage.
  • Those with perfect skin that desire a bit of coverage plus the benefit of SPF.
  • Those who want a moisturizer, base product, and SPF all in one.

  • Those already using and familiar with Asian BB Creams (if you use Korean BB’s this will disappoint).
  • Those wanting the bells and whistles that come with many Asian BB Creams (this lacks whitening agents, anti-aging agents, etc….which are normally the standard in Asian BB Creams).
  • Those with imperfect skin wanting a flawless complexion (pigmentation is minimal so this won’t conceal or perfect your skin).


Well, Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm has a superior formula. I already own the blue label Dew Drop Blemish Base from Dr. Jart that was purchased in Korea and I have to say the Water Fuse version here in the US has a far better formula in terms of creaminess and hydration however the pigmentation is sadly lacking in our version. This time around I think they got the formula down pat but the lack of color pay off is an issue because to me that makes this BB Cream simply a gloried tinted moisturizer plus add in the fact that it’s lacking anti-aging benefits or whitening ones and you really do simply have a TM in the end….

I will say if you never tried BB Creams before you’ll probably love this but it does kinda disappoint me that some of you aren’t really getting the full Asian BB Cream experience….so you’ll probably ending up loving a formula that really isn’t close to what you can really be sinking your teeth into…how sad!

So far, BB Creams launching in the US is very uneventful.

Have you tried Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balm?

Did you love it?

Why?

Did you not like it?

Why?

Share it!

Dr. Jart’s new line is being sold exclusively at Sephora.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jamie

    Thanks for the review!
    I have a couple questions, if you don’t mind!
    Are you going to try the Boscia BB Cream that just came out (or have you already tried it and like/don’t like it?)?
    Also, of all the Korean BB Creams, which is your favourite? I’ve got a friend over there for vacation right now, and I was thinking about asking her to pick one up for me. But there are so many different brands!
    Just so you know, I’m around NW25 for Mac or B20 for Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua.

    • the Muse

      Hi Jamie.

      Have tried Boscia’s but haven’t done review yet, will prob post it tomorrow so I can give you the low down shortly on it…..I really like Skin79 both the Pink and Gold Labels. I also like the silver and black labels of Dr Jart and if you can get it, it’s not Korean, Shills makes an AMAZING bb that I love (reviewed it on here a while ago).

      Hope this helps!

      • Jamie

        I look forward to your boscia review!
        Thank you for the recommendations! I’m off to check out the review you mention!

  • Katja from Pudderdaaserne.dk

    I have never heard about Beauty Balms before the last couple of days and I am eager to try the full asian BB experience. I have combination skin, need some coverage and need good lasting power, Can you give me a recommendation on a balm to try?

    • the Muse

      hi katja! I really love Skin79’s range, also Skin Food, and Silver and Black Labels of Dr. Jart ;D All have excellent staying power and offer great coverage!!!!!!!

  • Kitty

    I think i’ll stick to my Korean bbcreams! bleh i’d rather import an awesome bbcream and pay more than get this one!

  • Cait

    I have this one and I like it, but I’ve also never tried any other BB creams before. I’m curious to read your review of Boscia’s….if you like that one more I may take my Dr. Jart back to Sephora and swap it for that one.

    • the Muse

      cait I think if you never tried a BB Cream before this will be an instant OMG awesome..b/c if anything it really is brilliant formula wise even though pigmentation is sadly lacking a bit..but anyone who has tried Korean BB’s before might feel this is a tad disappointing in the fact it lacks anti-aging benefits plus the color pay off isn’t that fab ;(

  • Tammie

    What’s your HG BB cream? I am curious to try them out but I am too picky about face stuff to try out more than one (as in, if I don’t like one I am not going to be bothered with the rest).

    • the Muse

      tammie I actually have alot of HG bb creams…haha..I listed a few in the comments here ;D!

      • Tammie

        Hmn, what’s the cheapest one then? I am really cautious about face things ever since TMs would just come off whenever I touch my face. I just don’t want to invest too much and find out I hate it lol.

        • the Muse

          hey tammie most of them are really cheap…they go from around $10-$20 and up…that’s Korean retail of course….E-bay and other websites do tack on a considerably amount since these are brands not available in the US ;-/ I’ve seen them from $15-$45 and up…they jack up prices terribly!

  • Andrea

    dude! i had to educate my coworkers (we work at …) that bb creams are not tinted moisturizers but i’ll give them a pass on calling this product a tm lol!

    • the Muse

      i swear andrea I want to murder people that say that LOL! ;-D People drive me nuts when they are like oh bb creams are TM’s…NO THEY AREN’T! Obviously they have never tried a BB Cream ;D!

      • Andi

        lol! i kept telling the customers that over the weekend! btw, shipment of the boscia bb cream arrived silently at…played with it. kinda love it. not sure but simliar to “pearl” or “shiny” formulas…has shimmer which breaks me out =/ but it gave good coverage!

  • Jessica Allison

    How disappointing that they seem to have taken all of the properties that make BB Creams unique and fantastic out of the one they’re promoting in the US market. It’s not as if American women don’t want good coverage, anti-aging benefits and soothing properties.

    Luckily the internet makes a great global marketplace, so for now, I’ll stick to my Asian BBs!

  • Emilie

    I think this would be great for the summer time if you don’t need a lot of coverage and were looking for a light TM. The one thing I do wish it had were the anti-aging, whitening, etc properties in it. Because it doesn’t have those, I’m gonna have to say no to it. For the price, I can buy one with those from Asia.

    Do you have any recs for dry skin? All the BB Creams I’ve tried seemed to be for oily or combo skin so my skin didn’t look that awesome.

    • the Muse

      hi Emilie made a few recs in the comments already ;-D I have dry skin and the ones I mention work for me..hope it helps!

  • Ana

    I keep reading reviews about how this one is ‘too light’ … well, it was too dark on me! 🙁 It turned me a beauuuutiful shade of orange. :p

  • steph b

    After all of your comments, I finally caved and bought the 4 mini set from skin79. I can’t wait for it to arrive!

    • the Muse

      brilliant steph do let me know how it works out for you!

  • Musebeliever

    I’m glad I bought te Erborian BB cream ! xD
    Thanks for the review ! 😉

  • Cindy

    Does this give even a little bit of coverage? O: I want to try BB creams that don’t feel like it’s heavy on my skin. I’ve tried skin79 and skinfood and they feel heavy for me. :/ I’m pretty much confident in going out with my bare face, but I want something that could kind of even out my skin.

    • the Muse

      it’s sheer cindy but thick….if you felt like skin79/skinfood were heavy this is along the same thickness hun. if you use a small amount and blend out, it’s very lightweight….but skin79/skinfood I feel the same way about so long as you use a tiny amount!

      • Cindy

        thanks so much!! i was wondering have you noticed bad changes to your skin when using bb cream?

        • the Muse

          cindy no, not sure on the anti-aging as that would have to be literally years to tell 🙂 but in regards to break outs, etc…I’m not sure as my skin rarely freaks out…..so I’m not sure if it’s doing anything amazing for my skin other than fantastic coverage!

      • cindy

        thanks so much! i was also wondering have you ever had negative effects on your skin from bb creams in general? if they make your skin worst or etc.

        • the Muse

          No problems my side cindy although some folks expressed clogged pores occasionally.

  • Shoppingaholic

    Hey Muse, I wanted to ask if you will/ buy skin products on ebay? <3

    • the Muse

      depends shoppingaholic if I trust and purchased from the seller before than yes, sure.

  • Tammy

    Hi 🙂 I am interested in trying this since I have dry skin. I have tried Missha bb creams…they are ok. What other foundations would you recommend for dry skin? I am looking into trying this or the Josie Maran Matchmaker Serum. Thanks!

  • Sam

    I just ordered this from sephora, but I was wondering do you know if skin79’s hot pink super plus bb is good for sensitive skin? Because I was also considering getting that one but my skin has a temper and has bad reactions to whatever it feels like so I have to be careful of what I put on it. Or do you know or any bb’s in general that are good for sensitive skin?