Review: Ellana's new OG/BB Foundie makes my skin look like my skin, but better
Unless it’s an actual job requirement, no one needs to wear makeup every day. I think the world is changing to recognize beauty doesn’t need to equate perfection, and more people are finding the courage to be comfortable in their own skin. That said, it’s nice to be able to spend a few minutes for yourself to get ready for the day ahead and put your best face forward.
If you find yourself rushing through your mornings, choose easy to use products that don’t require much effort or time to apply. Since it became popularized by K-beauty, BB creams have been a popular face base option for Filipinos. They’re often lighter than foundations, offer skin-caring ingredients, and can easily be applied with clean fingers. The problem is, it’s a challenge to find a BB cream that really suits warm Pinoy skin tones!
Even though I have fair skin (NC20), a lot of Korean BB creams are still too white for me. Many also have a pinkish undertone that looks unnatural on my yellow-toned skin. That’s why it’s exciting that Ellana Cosmetics just dropped their latest release: The Original Glow BB Foundation, a lightweight face base in shades especially designed for Filipino skin!
If you’re a long-time PV reader, you’d know we’ve been raving about this local brand’s foundations since forever. A big reason for that is how they cater specifically to the range of Pinoy skin tones, so you’re bound to find a shade match from their line. Ellana’s newest baby comes in four shades: Buttermilk (light warm shade), Gingersnap (light cool shade), Biscotti (medium warm shade), and Brown Sugar (medium to deep warm). I found my match in Buttermilk, but I can also wear Gingersnap even though it’s a little bit more pinkish on me. They’re designed to be shade-adjusting. If you know your Ellana powder foundation shade, you can use the following as a guide:
Buttermilk - for French Vanilla to Hazelnut/Radiant shades
Ginger Snap - for Chai Tea to Almond Latte/Cheer shades
Biscotti - for Caramel to Cinnamon shades
Brown Sugar - for Macchiato to Toffee Mocha shades
BB creams are designed to keep your skin looking like skin, but better, so expect the usual features: light to medium coverage, a moisturizing effect, and sun protection of SPF50. The combination of color and skin-caring properties makes it a great multitasking product for people on the go, although you should definitely make sure to apply a separate sunscreen beforehand instead of relying on this for sun protection.
The watery formula is great for application - it’s easy to blend and sheer out, layers well because it’s so light, and a small amount goes a long way. However, do be careful about dispensing from the foil packet because the runny liquid easily escapes the large spout. Given that this is priced at P999 for 25g, I do wish they had used nicer packaging. I don’t really need for it to be in glass or acrylic, but a plastic tube with a finer nozzle would look nicer, allow for better control of the amount dispensed, and still be suitable for carrying around in a kikay kit.
The OG BB Foundie doesn’t offer much coverage but it creates a brighter, more even complexion.
Nope, I’m not wearing highlighter! That’s just the OG BB Foundie applied to bare skin.
The OG BB foundie’s coverage seems a bit more sheer than the BBs I’ve tried in the past but this is not an issue for me. The improvement in my skin’s appearance is enough to be noticeable but doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing makeup. The finish is glowy, but not dewy and wet like some BBs are. It sets into place even without powder, so you don’t have to worry about transferring or smearing. Considering that other BB formulas either slip off or fade quickly, staying power is quite impressive! I have dry skin so it lasts a good 8 hours on me, but I’ve seen some oily skinned girls say that it stays for 6 hours on them and actually helps with oil control.
It’s been a long while since I had BB creams in circulation, and Ellana’s version has certainly inspired me to start using them again. While pricier than other market offerings, I think it’s well worth it for a face base that actually matches my skin tone, and makes my skin look so much better than it actually does.
Shop this product at ellanacosmetics.com or find them in stores. Ellana Cosmetics has 50 locations nationwide.
Photography by Nicole Quindara
