ESTRELAEVRA: SMASHBOX CAMERA READY BB WATER

There has been a huge shift in makeup trends. Looking "beat" is out and "your skin but better" is in. With the BB cream movement and the very recent surge in interest around serum foundations, this new innovation by Smashbox Cosmetics emerged at a great time. Fusing the two "technologies" together, the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30 (R490 at Smashbox counters/Woolworths, Edgars) carries great benefits - sun protection as well as a decent array of antioxidants - for the skin.

Once again tying in with the serum foundation trend, this Smashbox BB Water comes in a glass bottle with a push-button dropper applicator. This in fact encourages me to ditch using a synthetic foundation brush and instead use my fingers to blend in the foundation.

"Smashbox used a mix of mineral and non-mineral actives—octinoxate, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—to achieve its broad-spectrum SPF rating" - Paula's Choice This Smashbox BB Water has a lightweight water-like texture. Suitable for an array of skin types, it doesn't dry to a matte finish but it absorbs into the skin leaving a satin, sheer and natural finish. I found that you can build the coverage if you tried but barely. It did, however, win me over because its broad spectrum protection.

If you have heard of the MAC Waterweight Foundation - the newest addition to their foundation category - know that both this "foundations" are EXACTLY the same. My guess at the reason why they called Smashbox a BB water and MAC a foundation is because the Smashbox consumer prefers a lightweight, natural looking finish while the MAC consumer often gravitates towards a more full-coverage finish hence taking to the term "foundation" a lot more positively.

3-4 drops is sufficient to cover my face. I don't use this BB to cover every single blemish but it does well to minimize pronounced discolouration.

The Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water SPF 30 is available in 8 shades and I am in the shade MEDIUM/DARK which is a "golden medium tan" according to Smashbox.com. Use MAC NC50 as a reference.

The Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Serum SPF 40 Foundation is next on my list to try so watch out for that review soon!