L’Oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator Review & Swatches
Official song for BB Creams released in the US, another one bites the dust.
L’Oreal Youth Code BB Cream is another fail of a BB Cream that’s marked up to $18 at drugstores at the moment, yes, that’s $17.99 plus tax.
You can imagine my review of the new L’Oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator isn’t going to be a good one so brace yourself.
I feel like a broken record, it’s not a BB Cream.
Rant, sigh, burp.
L’Oreal created Youth Code BB Cream to perform a few functions so like any good BB Cream it multitasks a few different things.
Promises:
- To even out your complexion.
- Illuminate your skin
- Perfect it.
- Moisturize it.
- Correct it.
What does it actually do?
The formula is a thick, creamy texture however, it loses something of its credibility as a BB Cream since the formula is a bit on the runny side during application. Upon contact with skin it becomes looser and very, very hydrating. Great, I love hydrating base products however, it might prove overkill for oily skin types as this provides some incredible moisture.
It does even out skin tone to some extent but the coverage it offers is zero to sheer. BB Creams in Asia offer full coverage 95% of the time so the fact that US brands continue to put BB Creams into more of a Tinted Moisture realm is one of the main reasons you’ll continuously hear me rant, “This isn’t a BB Cream..!”
The formula definitely has a luxe feel to it. I can’t deny that it feels like a higher end tinted moisturizer and at $17.99 I feel like that’s a bargain considering how costly higher end tinted moisturizers from brands like Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier are. However, at $17.99 you can get two Asian BB Creams that actually have a superior formula to this, food for thought.
It does moisturize skin however, unsure what exactly they think it corrects. Outside of possibly protecting skin from future issues using a broad spectrum SPF 15 (which is FAR too low in my opinion) it doesn’t technically have any anti-aging, correcting, or healing properties.
The good news is it does create a more uniformed skin tone and does lend a healthy finish to skin so dullness is eased, skin looks healthier, smoother even.
I’m not seeing the illuminating aspect here and I’m quite alright with that because anything that has shimmer/sparkle or iridescence looks rather badly on my face in natural light.
Overall, L’Oreal Youth Code BB Cream is a glorified tinted moisturizer. I liked the fact that it eased dullness and created a solid base for makeup. My skin looked healthier after application, less dull, and it evened out my skin tone. I enjoyed the hydrating feel of the product and felt it blended beautifully however, I think it’ll prove a little rich for those with oily skin since it leaves behind a certain soft, dewy sheen on skin. They promise the formula will refine skin and imperfections will diminish within two weeks of use but they don’t specifically mention what those imperfections might be. Acne? Fine lines? Eh?
In the end, I think the price is a little too high. You can easily pick up the Garnier BB Cream for a little less. I will say I did get it at $14 thanks to a friendly sales associate at Walgreens giving me a coupon. You might want to wait for a sale to purchase it as it might be worth trying out for a little less than near $20.
It has the potential to please users that have never experienced a real Asian BB Cream in the past. I think more mature, drier skin will like it the most where as younger, less drier skin will find it a bit too heavy. For someone desiring full coverage, you’ll find this is disappointingly sheer and won’t offer the coverage you need for concealing redness, acne, acne scarring, dark spots, etc…
And of course, those of that have experienced a real BB Cream will just dislike it completely.
It’s another BB Cream that’s merely a tinted moisturizer.
I could be persuaded to rave a little more if they called it L’Oreal Youth Code Tinted Moisturizer.
It’s available in two shades for $17.99-$18.99 (depending where you purchase) at drugstores now.
Tried it?
Loved it?
Left it?
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