I really can’t think of many bad things to say about this BB cream at all, other than its shade range (or lack thereof). I suppose it’s unfair to criticise the lack of shade selection because Dr.Ci:Labo aren’t touting this out as a foundation, and Japanese BB creams often only come in a “one size fits all” shade. (After all, Japan is one of the most homogenous countries in the world!) But this BB isn’t sheer enough to be that colour-forgiving. Anyone who’s fairer or darker than me (I’m a shade NC20–25 in MAC, for reference) will struggle to get a natural finish.
If your undertone is on the neutral side of warm and you generally fit Japanese “standard shade” well, this should be no exception. With this issue out of the way, I honestly think Dr.Ci:Labo VC100 BB Cream is rather impressive. In terms of texture, it’s very light and fresh to apply but at the same time has a creamy and comfortable feel. My skin looks believable and fresh, pores around the nose are pretty comprehensively hidden, redness eradicated. It has buildable medium coverage and a finish that looks super natural.
For me, a good BB cream is all about convenience — flawless-looking skin in a tube. If I want to just apply one product after skincare then this BB does the trick for me. I can pat it on and get several beauty boxes ticked off. Dr.Ci:Labo have combined makeup coverage with the benefits that you would expect from their VC100 skincare line. So vitamin C, fruit acids, hyaluronic acid, collagen, ceramides, proteoglycans, marine placenta, and botanical extracts to address discolourations, visible pores, rough texture, and dullness. It’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and it has been formulated to be water, sweat, and sebum-resistant. (Hover over the image below for ingredients.)
During lazy summer days, I could get away with just using a serum underneath, which is good news for those with oilier skin. Now that the weather gets cooler, it’s equally nice layered over a moisturising sunscreen. Longevity is also excellent. I’ve done a full day (setting it with CEZANNE UV Clear Face Powder) and it looked pretty much the same when I got home as when I set off. The added SPF40 PA++++ in the formula is handy when you’re spending most, if not, of the day inside and can’t be bothered with a proper sunscreen.
You can find Dr.Ci:Labo VC100 BB Cream SPF40 PA++++ at Amazon Japan — it’s ¥3,300 for 30g. It’s also available at YesStyle for US$60.90.
