February 12, 2013

L’Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance Review & Swatches

L’Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance is the third BB Cream released by L’Oreal here in the US. L’Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance is a five in one beauty balm created for mature skin available is $14.99 and available in a Light/Medium shade selection.

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance

This promises to nourish, protect (SPF 20), even out skin all while boosting radiance.

What did I think?

It’s so far from a BB Cream that it’s ridiculous. I’m talking leaps and bounds away from the formula of a true BB Cream. Putting that aside it is a very interesting product.

I can understand why they recommend it for more mature skin as it is VERY hydrating and that moisture will ease the appearance of fine lines created by dryness.

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream

The formula is much like Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in the fact it starts out an opaque white cream with tiny pigment beads suspended in the cream formula. As you apply and it warms up you’ll notice it begins to adjust and turn into an almost tinted highlighter of sorts. The Light/Medium shade should be suitable for up to an NC30 (I’m not really an expert on MAC foundations so take that with a grain of salt). The color is so sheer most skin tones (even darker) should be able to get away with this as it has a sort of golden orange-y glow. If you have fairer or paler skin with pink undertones you might feel that it has a bit too much orange to it. I’d recommend it for those with warmer undertones if you’re willing to give it a try.

It has a delightful yet strong fresh floral scent. The formula is a hybrid moisturizing facial cream, tinted moisturizer, and highlighter all in one. The cream-like texture quite reminds me of a regular lightweight daily facial moisturizer with a smooth, hydrating finish that’s VERY moisturizing. I would recommend it for drier skin but not oily or combo as it might look too oily in place. I find the combination of the slicker, dewy finish along with the glow it produces makes my skin look a tad oily. It absorbs very easily into my skin, hydrated well, and leaves behind a tiny bit of tint as well as a glowing finish.

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance Swatches

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Swatches

LOreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance Swatches

I’m not keen on the radiant glow finish in all honesty. My face is a little too full to look good with this much glow going on. I think I kinda love the texture and the idea behind it and a little less of a glow and I might be inclined to like it. It hydrates well throughout the wear however, it doesn’t offer any real coverage so sadly my dullness is still there and my skin is still lackluster. It might prove interesting as a highlighter of sorts to use on top of foundation? But it’s so moisturizing that might prove a disaster.

If you’re a truly minimalist makeup user and don’t need a ton of foundation this might be appealing however, those who aren’t interested in sheerer coverage should skip.

Overall, L’Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance is an interesting product. What it isn’t is a BB Cream. What it is, is a highlighting tinted moisturizer of sorts. It’s one of those products that would do well on a vacation or holiday that involves a beach or a tropical island when your skin is glowing and only needs a bit of moisture and radiance to get you through the day.

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance 7

L'Oreal Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance 8

Anyone try it?

Do share!

Available now at drugstores.

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

    • the Muse

      judy cool or warmer undertones? curious minds…! I thought perhaps with a bit warmer undertones that glow might be good.

    • Whistlingdixiee

      I absolutely agree. I tried this and the color was a pure burnt orange on my fair skin. It looked like a bronzing gel to me. Really funny! 🙂

  • Jen B

    Tried this and returned it! It went SO orange on me and made me look so sweaty (not glowy, straight up ‘I just ran 5 miles’ sweaty). Such a disappointment.

    • the Muse

      ugh not good jen! def went oily on me, not too bad on the orange though, very sheer so I looked kinda glowy oily versus anything else ;-D

  • Angela

    Glad I read this review as I will not be getting this. Probably doesn’t work too well for my oily skin.

  • Jackie

    I tried a sample of this when it came in my Marie Claire (with Katie Holmes on the cover). I’ve been tanning (normally have super fair skin) and this BB cream looked AMAZING on my skin. It just lit it right up and I definitely will purchase it since I would just use it when bumming around town or going to the gym. The only flaw I feel like it has is the fact that there is SPF in it. For some reason, SPF always tends to burn my skin a little bit, but I’d suffer for this one. 🙂

    • Lindsay

      Hi Jackie! What is your skin’s undertone? I’m wondering if this cream will work better for me once I tan a little bit.

  • Jean

    Didn’t like this product at all. Overly scented, unfortunately lasted all day. Didn’t like the color or the “glow” it left on my skin. Hard to determine how much to use as the color doesn’t show until a few minutes after you put it on. Nothing positive. My 3rd BB cream and by far the one I am most dissatisfied with.

  • Wendy

    This was the worst product I have ever used. The color and glow wasn’t bad, but it easily wiped off. It felt like it never absorbed into my skin. It was the only lotion I used, but even with a small sweat going or being out in the sun, the color wiped right off onto a tissue. Extremely disappointed and out $15.

  • myrna smith

    I am trying to buy L’Oreal age perfect BB cream in light medium and cannot find it anywhere. Can you help me?

  • Liz Haywood

    I want to buy this BB age perfect cream for mature skin light/medium spf20…can you help me?

  • Linda Langer

    Love this but I can’t find it anywhere. I think it’s been discontinued.