Etude House CC Cream in Glow
It was only a matter of time before Etude House, the Korean beauty juggernaut, came out with their very own CC cream. I find it to be a unique product because unlike the other CC creams I've tried, this is a white cream with tiny pigment spheres! It's sheer but gives this glow-from-within finish, as if there's a softly lit light bulb trained on my face. Can't think of a better way to describe it!
The Etude House CC Cream in Glow is off-putting at first because it starts out very, very white, like a kabuki mask. But as I rub it starts to slowly blend in to my natural skin color. There's still a bit of whiteness due to the SPF30, but it's not obvious unless you flash a bright light. I love the finish; it's subtle enough that it's difficult to capture on camera! There is shimmer in the formula although it's very fine.
Here's a quick run down!
What I love about the product
- Its main purpose is to correct and care. It corrects the dullness and uneveness of my skin, while moisturizing and protecting it from the sun at the same time.
- Gives a soft focus, glow-from-within finish (with a bit of vigorous blending). It also sort of counteracts the yellowness of my skin, and gives it a more neutral tone - if that makes sense.
- This CC cream is an excellent makeup base! It can be used underneath powder, cream, or liquid foundation if you want something with SPF that would "enhance" your makeup. But if you have good skin and just need sunblock + brightening, this is just perfect as is. You have the option of powdering your T-zone if you're oily.
- Stays for about 5 hours before it starts to fade.
- Doesn't feel heavy on my face.
- No pimples! I don't usually break out from Etude House products.
- A little goes a long way. I use about two pumps for my whole face, one pump per side. I love how the pump gives out just the right amount of product too.
Swatch
See those tiny dots? Those are the pigment spheres. They show up on white paper, but on my skin they are very sheer.
Worn, set with powder
What I don't like about the product
- The texture is sticky in the beginning and not that easy to spread, so I have to rub to even it out completely.
- If you have acne or enlarged pores, the shimmer in this product will highlight them.
- There's only one shade and it would only match fair to light-medium skin tones.
Neutral
- The scent is kinda sunblock-y - it's mild so I don't mind.
- Does not control oil, does not exacerbate oiliness.
Save vs splurge
This CC cream reminds me so much of an old favorite, the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Face Base SPF25. Same whiteness, same fine shimmer. Bobbi Brown is more lightweight though, and spreads easier. Etude House has a tiny bit of tint. But the effect is the same!
Recommendations
The Etude House CC Cream in Glow is an illuminating makeup base that would be perfect for girls with dry to combination, stable skin. If you need an everyday tinted product that would give you a soft-focus glow, this is it! This could be all you need to make your skin look even brighter. It has shimmer but it won't make the face look overly shiny or oily - just dewy.
This is ideal for fair to light-medium skin tones. Darker than that and the cream will look white, indeed.
If you have troubled skin and big pores, this product might make them more visible. I would recommend something with less shimmer. I think this CC cream has another version that isn't as glow-oriented, so you can check that one out.
Verdict
Love it. It's a great makeup base, but it's also nice to wear alone too. I'm sure some of you would ask - how does it compare to the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream? IMHO, they are two completely different products. The Etude CC Cream is almost colorless, and has more shimmer in it. The Clinique CC has better coverage and has undetectable shimmer. Which do I like more? Depends on the look I want. :)
If I'm looking for the glow, then I would pick up the EH CC Cream. If I want the coverage, then I'd go for Clinique.
What do you think? Does the Etude House CC Cream interest you?
