Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Multi-Targeted UV Shield BB Cream SPF30++

Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Multi-Targeted UV Shield is the brand’s very first BB cream. As with the rest of its Visible Whitening range, this is specially formulated for Asian skin. Although Elizabeth Arden has been around for a very long time, this is my very first time trying something from the brand, and was really looking forward to it. Given how reputable Elizabeth Arden is, I had rather high hopes too.

“This protective daytime beauty balm provides high protection from sun and pollution as it instantly hydrates and brightens skin. Contains melanin-inhibiting and anti-aging technology to fight the appearance of discolorations and fine lines. Imparts a smooth, even toned look and a soft, translucent glow.”

My excitement proved to be short-lived as the very moment I squeezed the product onto the back of my hand, I found it to be really dark. There are actually 3 shades available but my sample was already the lightest, and I am hardly the fairest in town. More puzzling, I found the BB cream to have an unflattering reddish grey tinge that just doesn’t blend well into my natural skin tone.

The most disappointing was the oily sheen this left on my face right away. I don’t know how this could have been formulated for the Asian market where humidity and looking matte is a prevalent concern. Clearly the folks at Elizabeth Arden have a very different idea when they said “soft, translucent glow”.  Many BB creams are guilty of leaving a sheen, but Elizabeth Arden is flat-out oily.

As if having the wrong base color and an oily formula are not bad enough, Elizabeth Arden’s BB cream has the least coverage of all the BB creams that I’ve ever tested. It is perhaps better described as a tinted sunscreen than a BB.  Unless used on flawless skin, there is no way this product will impart a “smooth, even toned look” for the everyday mortal.

I was so annoyed after I applied the BB cream that I wanted to take it all off right away, but paused to take a photo to show you what I meant, so this is without any other makeup/touch-ups done.  You can clearly make out the red patch on my right cheek that is just fading, every single pore and bump, and the incredible shine all over.  My face also looks slightly ashen, a completely different tone from my neck.

On a final note, I found this to sting my skin upon application, which I do not usually experience with good BB creams or foundations. So those with sensitive skin or having any broken skin from flare-ups should definitely watch out.

Overall, I found Elizabeth Arden Visible Whitening Multi-Targeted UV Shield BB Cream to be a very disappointing product on every count. I actually tested this out the moment I received it, gave my skin a month’s rest before giving it a 2nd chance. Much as I wanted to embrace my very first encounter with Elizabeth Arden, this BB cream is going into the trash.  Thank God for samples!