Missha is a low-end Korean drugstore brand, similar to Maybelline or Wet’n’Wild. In the US it’s famous mainly for its affordable BB Creams which just happen to be better than most of the american-made ones.
Real BB Creams act like skincare (hence the name Beauty Balm) so when you find the right formula for your individual skin concern, you don’t need to use a moisturizer underneath anymore. I still use the toners, serums and eye creams, but I found that any other daily skincare is totally unnecessary and only makes my face feel heavy.
M Perfect Cover BB Cream #21 SPF 42 PA+++
First of all I would like to note that this BB cream was the reason why I decided to make my first Missha purchase. All first time customers receive a free full-sized bottle of Perfect Cover BB cream with any purchase, even if you only get the cheapest $2 eye shadow. This particular BB Cream has a light floral fragrance thanks to several essential oils included in the formula. It provides light to moderate coverage as well as some skin caring properties. I also liked that it made my skin look dewy but not shiny, providing that nice “glowing from the inside” effect without the obvious sparkle. Best part: it looks absolutely natural and if you blend it well it is completely invisible on the skin. The color I received matches my pasty complexion perfectly and one pump is enough to cover my entire face. That’s why I like Korean cosmetics so much: they offer a very good range of foundations and BB Creams for fair skin that suit most undertones.
M Vita Matte BB Cream SPF 20/PA++
I was already getting the free Perfect Cover BB Cream with my purchase so I wanted to get another one to compare, since Missha makes eight different ones. This particular one is made to help enhance skin’s vitality, provide anti-pollution and soothing benefits, and relieve skin stresses. I have combination skin and it worked well for me, but I know a few people with dry skin who used it and said it wasn’t moisturizing enough for them, so it certainly should be used for the appropriate skin type to avoid any potential disappointment. This BB Cream comes in just one universal color which is close to Perfect Cover #21 but just a teeny bit pinker and darker. It also provides better coverage than Perfect Cover, I guess Missha thinks people who would need to use a mattifying BB Cream have oily or combination skin and are likely are prone to breakouts so they need better/heavier coverage. The coverage is actually so good that I didn’t need to use a concealer anymore, and it doesn’t look chalky or cakey on the skin even when you layer it.
Comparison swatches
Here you can see two comparison swatches, one taken in the sunlight the other inside the house. M Vita has noticeably more pink in it so it’s suitable for pale complexions with pink undertones, while Perfect Cover #21 is best for those of us with yellow/olive undertones.
- The best: Umm… everything? But really, I think the pasty shades and the creamy invisible textures are my favorite parts.
- The worst: The tubes come about 70% full.
The verdict: I am now going on a pokemon hunt of sorts because I just “Gotta try them all!” I loved both of these BBcreams and now I want to try the remaining six 🙂
Disclosure: I bought this.
