Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30

Where I got it: I have been very interested in this type of foundation where it has an almost water-like fluid consistency, super light-weight, provides sheer to medium coverage and a natural to semi matte finish. I got this on ebay for NZD$51.31 including shipping. Ordered on 17/12/15 and was delivered on 6/1/16. This is also available on the Smashbox NZ website for NZD$75. It comes in a total of 8 shades – Fair/Light, Light/Neutral, Dark, Fair, Light, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Dark. I have purchased this in Light, but I think I could also go with Light/Neutral.

What I got: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30 in Light. This is Smashbox’s first and only BB with a water-like texture that delivers multiple benefits in just one drop. The built-in primer water technology means a liquid silk-consistency—it literally glides onto your face, blends easily and moves with your skin. Because it’s alcohol-free, there is no drying, cracking or caking during wear. The ultra-hydrating, oil-free formula also creates a sheer, radiant finish that makes you really love your skin in every conceivable light. What makes it a technological feat is the breakthrough system that suspends pigments in H2O. A BB that hydrates your skin throughout the day and a demi-matte, but never flat complexion. Just a few drops create a remarkably natural-looking canvas that still camouflages imperfections. Just build for more coverage. 

How I find it: Comes in a plastic bottle with a black plastic lid with a push down pipette.  It dispenses drops of the product so you get easy control how much to use. I use about 4-5 drops if I use my fingertips. 3 drops with a kabuki brush. You don’t need to use a primer because this is essentially a BB cream but in a water form. This BB water contains SPF30 but with the amount of this BB water you need to use (even 2 layers) there is not enough to provide sufficient SPF30. So I would always apply a moisturiser and a minimum SPF30. Once the sunscreen or moisturiser has set or absorbed, I use about 2-3 drops of this BB water on the back of my hand and apply with either my fingertips or a flat top kabuki brush to buff it in. You can also drop the BB water directly onto the brush and apply onto the skin. One layer will provide sheer coverage and 2 layers will give you a light/medium coverage. I would not recommend going for a 3rd layer because it might get cakey. I don’t find it absolutely necessary to set it with a mattifying powder but it does help keep shine at bay for longer.

Overall:  This BB water applies soooo smoothly and the finish is amazing! I did see from Beautypedia that the ingredients of this BB Water is exactly the same as MAC’s Waterweight Foundation (Smashbox and MAC are both under Estee Lauder). It has a 5 star expert rating on Beautypedia so I was really interested. This is suitable for all skin types whether you have combination skin, acne-prone skin or dry skin. If you have oily skin, you can powder over the BB water and/or apply a mattifying primer. If you have dry skin, apply a good moisturiser and a moisturising primer before using this BB water will allow it to sit very well on the skin. I have tried using it with and without a smoothing primer. It almost feels a bit more tacky with a primer so I don’t really like to use one. It feels almost like a watery serum at application, but once applied, it is blended nicely and feels smooth and natural to the touch. If I don’t set it with powder, my t-zone is already oily by noon (4 hrs), but the foundation seems to be still intact, so I would powder and touch up. Unfortunately by the end of my day, my skin is oily where I use to be oily and the BB water has pretty much faded at my oily areas and around my nose and mouth. It is not a long lasting foundation but a sheer coverage foundation that looks like skin. I would strongly suggest powder over, blot and touch up at least once during the day if you have oily skin. Overall, loving this BB water!