TBS Moisture White Shiso BB Cream [SPF 25 PA+++] Review

WHAT IS IT: Moisture White Shiso BB Cream [SPF 25 PA+++]

THE PRODUCT(S):

Moisture White Shiso BB Cream [SPF 25 PA+++]: This multi-action make-up base conceals, soothes and evens out skin tone. Conceals, soothes and protects. Infused with Shiso, Vitamin C, liquorice and Community Fair Trade aloe vera. Apply to face after your daily care routine.

Before using Moisture White Shiso BB Cream.

After using Moisture White Shiso BB Cream.

VERDICT: Honestly, I actually have a love-hate relationship with this Moisture White Shiso BB Cream from The Body Shop. When I first tried it in a TBS outlet, I thought I fell in love with it as the color matches my skin tone. But shortly after buying it back and trying again, I thought it suddenly looked too dark. Subsequently, my perception was proved wrong once more when it seemed to blend into my skin tone. Never had a BB Cream gave me so much anguish before.

Let's take another look at one of the important ingredient that goes into this Moisture White Shiso BB Cream, namely Shiso. Shiso reduces early melanin-making signals even before the hyperpimentation process and melanin production starts. It helps prevent uneven skin tone, brown spots and freckles. and also minimise dark spots formation and discolouration.

This Moisture White Shiso BB Cream comes in a slim white tube reminiscent of a toothpaste container, thus making it a good product that you can bring out of the house with you for "emergency" touch-ups when needed. Despite the BB cream itself looking rather thick and creamy, I was really surprised when the texture actually felt smooth. Although I had to admit that just because the texture is smooth doesn't necessarily make it lightweight in any way at all. It does take a little more padding/massaging/rubbing to ensure complete absorption into the skin.

Nevertheless, this particular product only has 1 shade to it's line. (i know, 1 shade is really hard to blend for everyone who have different skin tones/colors, kinda unfair and biased somewhat, I would agree.) And true to the packaging's words, it does give an instant whitening effect on my skin. I could actually see the slight skin tone/color difference between my chin and neck. What blasphemy!

Trying a small dollop on the back of my hand proved that it did "blended" in, but on my chin/face, it seemed as if it's trying to make it look contrasting somehow. After letting it sit on my chin for a good 30 minutes or so (+/- 30 minutes since I didn't really time it accordingly), it does seemed to slowly blend into my skin tone and doesn't look that much contrasting as compared to when I first applied on a layer. Although it did made my face look as if it's wearing a really thin, thin layer of BB mask.

And one other thing about this Moisture White Shiso BB Cream is that, it's actually a good product for people like us oilies (a.k.a people with oily skin) as it actually does blend in pretty good. If you have oily skin, powder isn't necessarily a good choice as sebum flow may cake the powder on your face and give you "lines". Despite 30 minutes later and some light activities that includes dishing up a late lunch without the benefit of an electric fan blowing my direction, I am pleased to say that my chin under the layer of BB cream actually doesn't look too bad at all. Just a slight glow that can easily be taken care of with blotting paper.

PRODUCT RATING: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: For something that comes in 1 shade, it does surprise me all the time!

WHERE TO REDEEM A SAMPLE: So far, I've never encountered sample versions of this Moisture White Shiso BB Cream at any TBS outlet in Singapore. However, you can actually pop by and ask if they have any. If not, just go to any TBS outlet near you and try it in their outlet.

BB Cream Tip: Always try out BB Cream on your jawline, not on the back of your hand. The skin tone on your hand and face may not be an exact match. And if the BB Cream "disappears" into your skin while being tried out on your jawline, Congratulations, you've just found a BB Cream that is right for your skin tone.

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TBS Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector Cream SPF30 PA+++ Review

WHAT IS IT: TBS Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector


THE PRODUCT(S):

TBS Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector: This moisturising cream protects skin against harmful UV rays. It contains the unique Japanese shiso formula. This multipurpose cream from Body Shop acts as a base for your makeup, gives you a fairer complexion instantly, hiding the blemishes and also protects your skin against the harmful effects of environment and sun.

Provides UV protection with SPF 30, helps protect from skin discolouration and has proven to improve the appearance of skin brightness in four weeks as it has been specially developed for Asian skin.

This product contains Japanese shiso oil, organic aloe vera,vitamin C and liquorice, which are all known for their skin lightening and complexion enhancing properties.


Squeezed out a generous dollop, the texture looks more like a moisturizer than a UV/Sunscreen cream. And it doesn't smell anything like UV/Sunscreen cream at all, in fact, the scent is rather good too.


After applying to my left hand, I compared it to my right and noticed that the left looked more visibly and significantly hydrated as compared to the right.

VERDICT: As mentioned above, this Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector Cream although may look like a moisturizer than a UV/Sunscreen cream, the scent doesn't smell anything like UV/Sunscreen cream either. Instead, there's this wonderful sweet-smelling scent that you can literally associate it with moisturizer than sunscreen. How often does one gets put off from using a sunscreen cream or lotion partly because of the scent? I believe I do. It just reminds me of the days back in the 90s when I was still young and sunscreen simply screamed "Abomination", just because of the scent itself.

Plus the fact that Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector Cream contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin C (there's liquorice and Shiso Oil too) kinda puts this as a double-win moisturizer + UV/Sunscreen cream all at the same time. But before I go on and on, let's take a look at the main ingredient that makes it "Shiso".

For over a thousand years, Asian herbalists have noticed that Shiso plants have the ability to survive the most extreme droughts and climatic conditions, as well as helping the surrounding plants to grow. As a result, Shiso has become the jewel of Japanese culinary art as well as an important ingredient in macro biotic food because of its healing powers.

Shiso essential oils provide a strong taste whose intensity might be compared to that of mint. Shiso is rich in omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid with anti-inflammatory properties and is considered to help preserve and sterilize other foodIn Japanese culinary, Shiso is served with sashimi (sliced raw fish) or cut into thin strips in salads, spaghetti, and meat dishes. It is also prepared as a flavorful herb in a variety of dishes, including Japanese pizza (Okonomiyaki) topping.

In Korean cuisine, Shiso is prepared for Kimchi due to its strong taste in leaves’ essential oils. Fresh leaves have an aroma reminiscent of apples and mint and are served in traditional Korean salad.

In Vietnam, Shiso is used as a decoration in rice vermicelli dishes called bun. Several parts of this plant are used for various purposes, not only its leaves. For examples, in Indonesia, Shiso seeds known as Selasih are often added to drinks. In China, Shiso is traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine to stimulate interferon activity and help improve the body’s immune system.

Shiso (Perilla Frutescences (L.) britton var.crispa Makino) leaf extract contains various substances including Rosemarinic acid, Linoleic acid, Glycoproteins, I-perillaldehyde and Phenol Compound with unique properties to protect and revive skin cells by providing anti-oxidant benefits that are more effective than any artificial anti-oxidant In the market.

Source: http://www.thann.ca/press-release-shiso.html

And now back to the review at hand!

As with most current UV/Sunscreen cream, Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector Cream no doubt will also cast a whitish glow on your skin after application. Although it looks like a moisturizer, this cream no doubt is in fact creamy, and you do have to liberally rub it into your skin for better absorption and coverage. But once the product has been fully absorbed, the whitish glow will go away, and you will not look like a lost woandering soul loitering in the midday sun ^^;

Wonderful part? Moisture White™ Shiso UV Protector Cream is a full spectrum UV cream that protects your skin from UVA/UVB rays. What's more, it's oil-free which means it's suitable for all skin types. And this little nugget doesn't make your skin feel heavy even hours after application and it comes in a small handy tube that you can bring it out with you as well. How's that for total convenience?

PRODUCT RATING: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: Convenience in a tube!

WHERE TO REDEEM A SAMPLE: As usual, The Body Shop may not necessarily have sample satchets. However, you can pop by any The Body Shop outlets throughout Singapore and try this in their outlet.

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