December 10, 2012

MUA Makeup Academy BB All In One Beauty Balm Review & Swatches

I recently hauled MUA Makeup Academy BB All In One Beauty Balm during their Facebook sale. I was quite interested in this BB Cream since reading so many reviews on it.

It’s available in six shades for �4 each however, during the sale I paid half that price. Seriously, �4 is a good deal without the added advantage of the sale. By the way, the sale is still ongoing, simply use promo code MUA40 for 40% Off your total.

Take a look!

MUA Makeup Academy BB All In One Beauty Balm was inspired by Asian BB Creams and promises a full coverage foundation experience that conceals, brightens, and evens out skin tone with a range of shades that will adapt to suit your skin tone.

I got the Medium shade which in fact was the perfect shade. It starts out a tad too beige but quickly adapted to a lighter beige that suited me perfectly so perhaps the color adapting technology is working.

The formula is super creamy and rich with a hydrating feel on skin that doesn’t accentuate dry areas on my face. It blends out like a dream thanks to the smooth feel and creamy texture of the BB Cream. If you have dry skin you’re sure to adore it. The satiny finish also insures that oily skin should get on board well with it as well.

For me it does brighten which in turn eases my dullness. It also evens out my skin tone and creates a flawless finish for my makeup. It isn’t as pigmented as Asian BB Creams but it will offer sheer coverage and can be built up to semi-medium coverage. It definitely isn’t tinted moisturizer which is a common mistake many BB Creams released in the US have been making it lately. I’d say it’s a hybrid sort of formula that’s one part BB Cream, one part cream foundation.

The lack of an SPF is really what takes away from the overall BB Cream as this doesn’t have sun protection at all all sadly.

Overall, many of the multitasking functions of a good BB Cream are here as well as a creamy, rich formula that has an extended wear of at least six hours without fading or oxidizing. However, the lack of SPF is a deal breaker for some I’m sure. They would have really sealed the deal if it contained at least an SPF 30 particularly at this value price.

If you don’t mind the lack of sun protection you’ll want to try this out. It’s an excellent formula that wears very well while producing fairly flawless coverage.

Likes! Borderline Muse Approval if it had SPF!

Available at www.muastore.co.uk

Tried it?

Do share!

I purchased this item.

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

  • K.

    Thank you so much for the review! I think I’d really like this because I’m a big fan of lighter formulas that still have a little coverage xoxo

  • charlotte

    I actually prefer products that don’t contain spf since I am sensitive to a lot of them.. that way I can put on one I know won’t upset my skin. I ordered from them over a month ago and still have not gotten my items.. so no way I’m ordering anything else until they get their issues sorted.

    • the Muse

      i just got my order Charlotte so yours might be on the way as well ;D hope it arrives soon!

  • Sandi

    Hmmm….I would have though the medium too dark for you. It was for me and we tend to the same shades usually. I have dry/aging skin and was just “meh” with the performance of this BB cream. I think people who associate BB cream with American style tinted moisturizers will be pleasantly surprised. However, for someone who is used to Asian bb creams, the lack of SPF and the lack of smoothness is apparent. Just my 2 cents of course.

    • the Muse

      hey sandi, at first a tad too beige but adjusted well! 🙂 I’m so sorry to hear it, I was very pleasantly surprised, it felt very thick and creamy to me and blended in perfectly but the lack of SPF def a deal breaker :-/

  • OrangeLipstickBlog

    Do you apply sunscreen by itself? Or do you like to double up and have sunscreen and products with SPF? I used to try to find products with SPF but I got addicted to MUFE HD foundation and so now I just use sunscreen. (I use SolBar PF 50 Cream.)

    • the Muse

      actually even when products have spf I still apply it ;-D I typically apply it after my skincare and before my makeup typically SPF 50 more when possible.

      • OrangeLipstickBlog

        Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one who wears SPF 50 daily. Can’t tell you how much I get made fun of by my sisters over that one. I figure 50 is a good baseline and any additonal SPF in my makeup is just a benefit.

        • the Muse

          they’ll be crying when you’re 60 and look better than they do hehehe! from my understanding spf in makeup won’t really add protection if you already apply prior but hey, I’m always of the mentality more is better!

          • OrangeLipstickBlog

            Haha, I say the same thing! I tell them when they’re older they’ll wish they had younger-looking skin like moi! Lol. And then they remind me that I’m already the baby of the fam so my skin will ALWAYS look youngest! Hmmm didn’t know that about it not adding extra protection. Bummer. Well, at least I don’t feel bad for not using makeup with SPF sometimes!

          • the Muse

            lol ;-D let’s see what they say when you are in your 80’s and still looking like a kid ;-D

      • AnniLau

        I used to do my sunscreen like that too, but lately I’ve seen a lot or dermatologists saying that, if you’re using a chemical block, it should be the first thing you apply…it apparently loses efficacy if it can’t interact directly with your skin cells. The order doesn’t really matter with physical blocks like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide though.

        • the Muse

          i’ve always debated the best way to use spf as well under or over skincare..I just end up following the instructions and they say after skincare so hopefully it’s ok!

          • OrangeLipstickBlog

            I just do whatever my dermatologist tells me to do! :-X

          • the Muse

            wish I can say the same ;-D he always tells me NOT to use a lot of products and I can’t stop ;D

  • Danielle

    It sounds like a nice little product. I already have sunscreen in my moisturizer, so the lack of SPF is fine.

    • Danielle

      I hopped on their site and expected to be disappointed by the brush prices and shipping. Everything is so relatively inexpensive and with about $12, I’m sold ~

  • Lorraine ER

    Finally a BB cream not from asia that isn’t simply tinted moisturizer. Too bad it’s not available stateside. It is not, correct?

  • Gala

    ok, since you approved i will get it on their 50% sale. but only because I trust you! my last haul from MUA was kinda disappointing.. wasnt impressed with their products that much.

    • the Muse

      i really like their products gala 😀 which ones did you have bad luck with!?

  • Gala

    I got glamour days palette, the eyeshadows very pretty powdery and unblendable.. the lipstain are meh 🙂 the single eyeshadow I recieved was really good. the lip boom is just ok.. the intense glitter eyeliners are really dissappointing as well, as is their 1 pound colored mascara… the mega volume mascara is ok.
    I would love to hear your recommendations!

    • the Muse

      oh no..I tried lip boom liked it, but thought it was too drying! so sorry you had such crummy issues with your haul 🙁

  • MeganNoel

    I HATED this bb cream. It settled right into my pores, made my peach fuzz on my cheeks stand out, and broke me out! The only good this about this was that it matched my skin color, and gave me okay-ish coverage. I had just high hopes for this too!

  • hira tariq

    i have tried it n loveeeee it.i use a separate spf so works gr8 for me.best coverage.