Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick SPF21 PA+++

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that BB products are not my favourite make-up item. I have never purchased them ever and am unlikely to ever purchase a BB product in whatever shape or form because I don’t see the need for them. Sure, they always claim multi-benefits but I am happy to slater on sunscreen and foundation separately.

So when I received Maybelline’s Clear Smooth BB Stick SPF 21 PA+++ for review, I was hardly enthusiastic. Not another BB product which I’ll probably store in the deepest recesses of my drawer and forget about. This BB Stick is said to be the first BB Cream and 12-hour anti-shine powder in a stick form. Intriguing!

It’s said to have 8 transforming skin benefits:-

#1 SHINE CONTROL

#2 POWDERY FINISH

#3 CONCEALS IMPERFECTIONS

#4 EVEN SKIN TONE

#5 LESSENS VISIBLE PORES

#6 REDUCES REDNESS

#7 NATURAL RADIANT SKIN

#8 LONG-LASTING WEAR

Perhaps because it contains Mineral Clay with Salicylic Acid (which as everyone knows is used in acne-control products to help clear and prevent acne/skin blemishes), the BB Stick is suitable for oily/combination skins. It’s a BB Cream with a powder texture to even skin tone and control shine.

Before the 1st use, I was hoping that it’d apply smoothly. Of course, you can use a sponge or a brush to blend but I chose to use my fingers after applying the product directly to my skin in strokes. I find it much quicker to use my fingers but to me, there is no right or wrong application method. I believe you should use whatever method you are most comfortable with and find most effective.

What surprised me about the product is the mousse texture, it felt like a mousse foundation and I do like mousse foundations because they have a soft, bouncy texture. It applied smoothly on to my skin and was so fast to blend without a cakey effect.

My shade is in 02 Natural (the other shade is 01 Fresh) which suits my skin tone just fine. In any case, I believe 01 and 02 suit fairer skin tones. Perhaps they will come up with shades for darker skin tones in due course.

Although I still hold fast to my belief that BB products aren’t must-haves, I’d say the BB Stick is a good alternative to BB Creams and foundations. In fact, I like the BB Stick even more than BB Creams. The BB Stick gives me medium coverage at best but it stays put for hours. I don’t have oily skin overall but I do have an oily T-zone and it doesn’t make that area shine. It gives my complexion a matte appearance all day. It is said to be sweat-resistant and sebum-resistant. I’ve put it to the test outdoors and it stays put despite the sweat on my T-zone area.

Moreover, it’s so lightweight that it feels as if I have barely anything on my face. As it has a powdery finish, you can actually do without a layer of powder over it but I prefer to set it with loose powder so that it’ll last longer.

For once I can say I’d like to replace this BB product once it’s finished. It’s so compact that I can bring it anywhere. It doesn’t take up space and isn’t half as bulky as a tube of BB Cream. This is a rare BB product I truly like. If you have oily skin and this works to control your shine/sebum, you’d probably hear people saying, “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.”

Maybelline Clear Smooth BB Stick SPF 21 PA+++ retails at RM24.90.