I first heard about Maybelline's new Dream Pure BB Cream on Teresa's blog, Money Can Buy Lipstick (
her review and comparison to the original Dream Fresh BB Cream here). I'd been having some breakouts on my chin and jawline and the idea of wearing a base product containing 2% salicylic acid seemed pretty brills. I mean, why wear a regular base when you can wear a crime-fighting one that's working out your acne issues while you go about your daily routine?
*Quickie side vent: Living in Atlanta, a city consisting of 5.45 MILLION people and winning the title of the 9th largest metro area in the United States, one would assume I'd have decent access to drugstore products. Alas, one would be wrong. I cannot tell you how often I visit multiple retailers such as Target, CVS, Walgreen's, Publix, and Kroger, and roll snake eyes when attempting to track down a newly released drugstore makeup or skincare item. It is muy loco. I've even asked fellow Atlanta-area bloggers, including the lovely
Quinn / Mama Fashionista, and they've agreed that newly released drugstore goodies can be quite elusive. That being said, I was unable to find the Dream Pure BB Cream locally and resorted to ordering a tube from Walmart.com. It worked out nicely because I was able to use a Walmart gift card a friend had given us for our wedding, and I received the BB Cream very quickly. Anywho, back to the review!
Maybelline's Dream Pure BB promises to deliver the following 8 items of intrigue:
- Clears acne
- Conceals imperfections
- Minimizes look of pores
- Reduces appearance of redness
- Adjusts to skin tone
- Hydrates and smoothes
- Enhances and clarifies skin
- Is oil-free, with a lightweight feel
Compared to the original Dream Fresh BB (
review here), the Dream Pure formula seems to provide a bit less coverage and dries to a matte finish. I don't detect a medicinal scent. The shade medium matches my NW25 skin well, but I can see it working for both someone slightly deeper and slightly fairer than me due to the sheerness of the coverage. It's available in 5 shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep, and Deep.
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| Maybelline Dream Pure BB Medium on NW25 skin in natural light |
I can't speak to it's power to clear acne because it is not the only base product or acne product I use. I can say that it has not caused me to break out. On my combination oily skin, this BB cream holds up well for about 5-6 hours before my skin looks and feels a bit greasy. I tested it both with and without a setting powder, and the results were the same. In comparison, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (
review here) provides more coverage. Also, my new favorite base product, Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream (review SOON!!), also provides more coverage and looks "just applied" even at the end of the day. I personally prefer slightly more coverage when dealing with break outs. The Maybelline Dream Pure BB might work better for me in the winter as the humid weather really poses a huge challenge for foundations. Also, my skin looks REALLY spotty and freckled right now and posting the photos below was not an easy decision!
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| Left: No Makeup / Right: Wearing only Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Medium |
In the photo below taken outside on a sunny day, I've applied Dream Pure to the left side of my face and left the right side of my face bare. You can see the left side looks more even overall and the spots and freckles are more camouflaged.
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| Left side: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Medium / Right side: No Makeup |
Overall, I'd recommend Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream to someone seeking a salicylic acid base product with light coverage who has normal to dry skin.
Oh, and PS: a few days after I ordered this from Walmart, I found it on the shelves at my local CVS!
Where to Buy: Walmart, CVS, Target
Price: $8.99 USD MSRP (I got mine for $7.44 USD at Walmart)
What's your favorite summer base option?
Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream FOTD
- Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream (set with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - not pictured)
- Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller
- Laura Mercier Sand Glow Caviar Stick
- Clinique Chocolate Lustre Cream Shaper (review here)
- Benefit Cosmetics Bad Gal Lash
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Medium Brown (not pictured - oops!)
- Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer (review here)
- City Color Cosmetics Fresh Melon Be Matte Blush
- Flower Beauty Wispy Wisteria Lip Service Lip Butter
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| (photo taken 5 hours after application) |
