Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream - swatches and review

It's just like saying ATM Machine -- ATM stands for Automatic Teller Machine, so are you going to take a $20 out of the Automatic Teller Machine Machine? A few months ago I learned the error of my ways by repeating the trend and calling Beauty Balms, BB Creams; is it a balm or is it a cream? And how do we even begin to address the CC variant? But I digress.

Recently Kiehl's released their own beauty balm, Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream. Presently, this offering is available in three shades: Fair, Light and Natural in Australia and two shades: light and medium in the U.S. Now that summer's through, I found Light to be the best match for me.

Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream

Light

Flip top

In this 30 ml tube, Kiehl's promises an "Instantly perfecting formula clinically proven to correct skin tone irregularities." What I got was a fairly easy to use beauty balm to help with concealing imperfections. One week later, my skin hasn't necessarily improved and my rosacea has even slightly flared up, I'm not too sure if this is my skin's way of adjusting to something new. The scent is pleasant and light -- it reminds me of Clinique's foundation infused with the tiniest amount of maple syrup.

What else?? Did you notice the sticker on the tube? Underneath it reads "SPF 50 PA+++". So, why did we cover it up? For those who live in the States, if you were to travel to Oz with the SPF you purchased over there, it still wouldn't offer you the same amount of protection. Put simply, there's a huge hole in the ozone over Australia and New Zealand thanks to years of pollution and you can pretty much go from undercooked to crispy in less than an hour. SPF 30 is the minimum requirement in Australia and Kiehl's beauty balm just meets the standard. Want to learn more? Check out my in-depth Bobbi Brown BB review I posted last year.

And what's this nonsense about PA+++? Just think of it this way, SPF helps to protect you from UVB and PA aids with UVA protection. Pretty Gossip breaks things down further for you into terms you can understand and even addresses the '+'. As for the Vitamin C, it's known for its "clarifying" properties.

How well does it last? Last Sunday I applied Kiehl's Beauty Balm around 9 AM and by bedtime, call it 9 PM, I was pretty smitten with how well it still looked.

Swatches of Kiehl's Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream in light

In terms of texture/consistency, Kiehl's Beauty Balm initially dispenses slightly runny and then turns creamy prior to application. To apply I'll grab my liquid foundation brush and start at the centre of my face, making sure to blend and sheer the coverage out as I reach my chin, scalp, temples and ears. A small dollop, about the size of a five cent piece/dime, is all you'll really need. Want a bit more coverage? Dispense a nickel sized amount.

Afterwards, I set the balm with a small amount of powder foundation and Hourglass' Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light. As the day progresses I've found this formula turns dewier than I would like; to take it down a notch, I place a tissue over my face and gently run the pads of my fingers over the trouble spots. This process helps to sop up the shine and re-blend the colour.

Kiehl's BB Final look

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Kiehl's Actively Correcting and Beautifying BB Cream:

• $37.00 USD / $36.00 AUS - for once things are on par!

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 7 out of 10 bags – Not too happy about my rosacea flaring up, but I'll wait it out to see if things really improve.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I picked up a bottle of Kiehl's Aromatic Blends Skin-Softening Body Lotion in Vanilla & Cedarwood. The feminine and masculine qualities of the scent were extremely appealing for winter. Review to follow :)

Let's discuss: Beauty Brands, Foreign and Domestic

I love reading other blogs and watching videos, because I love to learn new things and soak up as much information as possible. Especially when it comes to makeup. 

Haven't heard of these brands? You can check them out here...

• RMK - Goss Makeup Artist showed off a few palettes in his haul video. I am jealous, btw.
• Rouge Bunny Rouge - I can thank Kate for introducing me to RBR ;)
• We See Beauty - clicked on a story about the brand back in January and I've been intrigued ever since.
• Make-up Designory Cosmetics - a serious stumble upon scenario.

As a side note, I can't wait for the Michael Kors Sporty, Sexy, Glam makeup collection. It hits shelves this August!

What's on your radar? What are you must excited about? And have you heard of something new you're dying to share with the makeup world?

Giveaway time: Win a bagful of notions!

This morning I felt compelled to clean my workspace and guess what, I stumbled across a few unopened goodies! I've amassed quite the makeup collection, it's getting to the point where I need to purge a bit. If there was ever a time to have a giveaway, it'd be now.

Enter for a chance win your very own bagful of notions!

Essence Cherry Blossom Girl

Two L'Oreal lippies and an Infallible eyeshadow in Flashback Silver

Maybelline's Baby Lips in Pink Glow

The Body Shop's The Sparkler x 2

The Balm's Balmbini palette

So what are you waiting for? Enter now!

P.S. be sure to check out the rules below.

Good luck :)

**Update**

The giveaway is officially closed. Congratulations to Diana, hope you love the Essence makeup!

Thanks to those who entered! I’ll be sure to have another giveaway in the near future.

The Rules:

• Enter to win (1) gift bag filled with beauty items from Essence, The Body Shop, L'Oreal, The Balm & Maybelline. These items were either purchased by me or given to me. Estimated prize valued around $150.00+ AUS.
• How to enter – there are two ways to enter! For two entries, leave a comment below and follow me via Twitter @bagfulofnotions -- be sure to send me a tweet and say hello after you follow me! Not interested in Twitter? Leave a comment below for one entry.
• This giveaway is open to adults aged 18 years and older.  Also, this item is up for grabs internationally.
• I will happily accept entries through Sunday, 28 April 2013 by no later than 11:59 PM local time.
• The winner will be chosen randomly via http://www.random.org/. I will then notify the winner via e-mail; you will have 24 hours to claim this giveaway.  Should you fail to contact me within the time frame specified, I will choose someone else again at random.

Blow Dry Bar Melbourne Central -- celebrate with bubbles and blowouts in 30 minutes

Happy Birthday, Blow Dry Bar @ Melbourne Central

Got an event, don't want to bother with your hair for a couple of days or feel like getting pampered? Get thee to your nearest Blow Dry Bar, tout de suite. Recently, I was extended an invitation to check out the Melbourne Central location -- they have a lot to celebrate, because it's their first birthday!

Blow Dry Bar first opened their doors in Sydney five years ago and since then they've added 22 more locations; now they are setting their sights on the States -- look out, Gwenyth Paltrow!

Upon arrival I was warmly greeted by the salon's assistant, asked to take a seat and offered a glass of bubbles (yes please!) while I waited for my stylist to come out. A few beats later, I was sitting at the sink getting my hair washed and head massaged; it was glorious and relaxing all at once.

My daily fruit intake

For my visit I was asked to try out one of the three favourite looks as chosen by BDBs' stylists from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which just wrapped up last week in Sydney.

Bronx and Banco: A simple look, yet exudes style in a modern, chic way

Alex Perry: A minimalist look with hair tied back into a loose chignon, yet still looks beautiful and elegant

We Are Handsome: "A 70s inspired look that is playful, refreshing and glamorous."

Together we, my stylist Jen and I, opted to go with Bronx and Banco's sleek look, sans bangs. Very rarely will you catch me without waves or a bit of frizz, we figured it was good to switch things up :)

Jen worked quickly and I was amazed by her ability to grab ahold of my hair without yanking at my head. Before I was through, Jen ran a flat iron over my locks without flattening the volume near the crown and set my look with a bit of hairspray.

Post blow out

Happy snaps with Jen

Can you believe she's been in the hair industry for 11 years? I can't! Jen started at the very young age of 13-years-old in Suffolk, England -- an attentive helper who earned her keep by washing hair and sweeping floors. About five years ago Jen came down to Australia for a visit with 10 close friends; I think she likes it here, because there are no signs of her departing this lovely continent any time soon. So far, Jen's worked with Kevin Murphy, Joey Scandizzo and has even put her talented hands to work at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney. Not too shabby!

//Edit: I'm absolutely shattered, because Jen no longer works at Blow Dry Bar! 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for a Blow Dry Bar Experience:

• Prices vary, but I think my style hovered around $60.00 AUS, which included a moisturising hair treatment.

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags – bubbles, great conversation and you're out the door in 30 minutes!

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I've already booked in for my next blow out, I'm hooked. They also cut and colour hair too, I just might have to make the move to a new salon!

*Special thanks to Frank PR for the invitation and Blow Dry Bar Melbourne Central for the hospitality.