Review: Boost Balm Skin Barrier Cream

Storytime with Sarah

Just when you thought you know your skin - it betrays you.

As shallow as it may seem, I only recently discovered and observed that my skin changes in tandem with my cycle. I'm not a science student nor a science graduate hence matters regarding the magical world of science, I'm most of the time - puzzled.

Here are the things I noticed:

Week 1 & 2 of the month, my skin would be at its best behaviour. Clear plump skin, cheeks like peaches which is a heaven-made canvas for makeup. As vain as it sounds, I would gush every time I see a cakeless base with a beautiful glow. I would confidently and foolishly think I got my skincare routine all figured about. Imagine that hair flip for me, would you? Thanks.

Then come Week 3 & 4 of the month. Like an indecisive, little piece of sh*t - my skin decides to flip its 'table' on my skincare routine. Now, imagine a house on fire and I'm running in circles. It is as if those products that used to work wonders decides to be utterly useless when I needed them most. Reminds me of my current WiFi. My skin would experience clogged pores/ closed comedones, pimples with no heads (they're the worse!) and whatever makeup I used previously that looked good - looks like I got run over by a bus or as if I had not slept for a week.

So how did I heal my skin?

Thanks to Boost Balm Skin Barrier Cream.

What is Boost Balm Skin Barrier Cream?

It's a 20ml black, solid gourd-shaped bottle with a pump that is priced at RM120. Its opacity helps stabilise the ingredients, extending its shelf life. It was initially heavily marketed as a primer and they still do but over time, it is introduced as a skincare product because of its healing properties. Here's a snippet of information from their website:

Primes Makeup stays for more than 10 hours post application!
Fills pores, 100% natural & suitable for Oily, Dry and Combination skin.
Protects Patented technology of film forming invisible mask once applied.
Creates a breathable film on your skin so any cosmetic products applied above it will adhere to the film and not your skin! So you now need not worry about NOT wearing makeup products due to sensitive skin, as it will not have direct contact with your skin!
Heals Rich in Anti-ageing properties such as Phytosan K to prevent premature ageing. Bearberry extract is incorporated to create supple, brighter looking skin.
Geranium extract is incorporated to battle combat with any sensitive bumps!

I won't discuss the ingredients because it isn't my forte. I will leave that to the experts but I will share with you the list of experts I follow and learn from in another post. But here's the ingredients list:

Ingredients:Water, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate (and) Glyceryl Stearate (and) Stearyl Alcohol , Octyldodecyl Oleate (and) Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate (and) Polyhydroxystearic Acid (and) Octyldodecanol, Lauryl Laurate , Alpha Arbutin, Glycerin, Salix alba bark extra, Persea gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea europaea (Olive ) Oil, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Taraktogenos Kurzii Seed Oil (and) Nigella Sativa Seed Oil (and) Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil (and) Potassium Lauroyl Wheat Amino Acids (and) Palm Glycerides (and) Capryloyl Glycine (and) Magnolia Grandiflora Bark Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Pulp Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium ) Oil, EDTA.

Review 

This may read like a paid advertisement and I do wish that I was paid to write reviews but alas no. The truth is that my journey with this Skin Barrier Cream was not a smooth one. I started using this product circa late 2017. By the end of 2018, I finished three bottles and wasn't satisfied with the results. So I decided to take a break from it and went about exploring various skin care product, seeking the holy grail. Slowly and expensively, I soon realised that there is no holy grail. It all boils down to knowing your skin and study about ingredients as much as possible. 

Early this year, my skin was behaving pretty well. Occasional, annoying breakouts but nothing too serious. But then around March/April, I started to experience breakouts that take longer than usual to heal. I had two pimples that do not have a head, felt like bruises and doesn't seem to go down despite using my usual creams. It went on for about a week or two and I was at my end's wits. Nothing worked. Lo and behold, I reached out for this Skin Barrier Cream again and decided to put it to the test. 

During the testing duration, I made sure to use products that focus on hydration and calming my skin. I stopped using actives such as Vitamin C, Retinol, AHA and BHA. The products I used are listed below. 

Night skincare routine: 
1. Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
2. Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion
3. The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum
4. AMPM Super Triple HA Lotion
5. Boost Balm Skin Barrier Cream

Day skincare routine:
1. Hatomugi Skin Conditioner
2. Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion
3. AMPM Super Triple HA Lotion
4. The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum

5. Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Advanced Face Serum

6. Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Face Lotion
7. Innisfree Perfect UV Protection Cream Triple Care SPF50+ PA++++

I stuck to this routine for about a week plus and my skin improved tremendously. I had pimples that weren't fully formed and it 'revealed' itself after a few days of application as seen in the pictures below. The ones that have broken were healed within days. If that's not a miracle cream, I'm not sure what's called - hence, the tagline: 'Pegasus Blood Edition'.

Sidenote: I think if I hadn't taken the before and after pictures, I wouldn't be able to tell the massive difference. It's honestly difficult to take a before and after pictures with a phone because of the change in lighting, etc. Do share or recommend cameras that will be good for this kind of work and can also be used for tutorials. I would really appreciate it! 

As you can see from the pictures above, the improvement is jaw-dropping. The Skin Barrier Cream did help heal and strengthen my skin. It's not as sensitive as it was previously. I'm happy and grateful that our very own Malaysian brand has outdone itself. I didn't need to look far and wide. 

Using it on its own may not be hydrating or moisturising enough. Like my skin, I had to use hydrating products and seal everything with the Skin Barrier Cream. I also incorporated Paris B's Moisture Sandwich technique and my skin loves it. I have used this as a primer but I found that I love it more as my night cream during my skin's troubled days. As the saying goes, "One man's meat is another man's poison." So what may work for me might not work for you but take comfort that you will find your sweet spot. It takes time and lots of experimenting. 

Not all is a bed of roses with this Skin Barrier Cream. I am at my fifth or sixth bottle now and I have consistently faced issues with its packaging. The pump is problematic and I end up having to remove the pump and scoop the product surrounding the tube every time I use it. I have shared this issue with the owner of Boost Balm and she has taken note of it with the assurance that they are looking at improving the packaging which is comforting to know. 

I wished this cream came in a jar because of its thick, creamy consistency. The jar that is of the same quality and material of the current gourd-shaped bottle would be ideal. By doing so, I will be able to see the remainder of the product and I can scoop up every drop. Even more so, it would be great if they have a recycling program where used bottles can be returned with a reward system. I would be encouraged to continuously use the product. 

Summary

The product works for me and I'd recommend it to everyone who suffers from acne and you're at your ends wits. Sometimes it's just your skin barrier needs some TLC. Overwashing, over-exfoliation and over-introducing new products can stress your skin out. If you're experiencing serious acne issues, please do visit a specialist. Remember that your hormones or diet can also contribute to your acne problems. 

If you're interested in purchasing it, you can get it directly from their website (Boost Balm Skin Barrier Cream) or their registered agents.  Or if you're not from Malaysia, they are now available on Amazon UK.   

You can follow them on these social media channels for the latest updates:

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BoostBalm/ 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/boostbalm/?hl=en 

Website    : https://boostbalm.com/ 

This post does not contain any affiliate links nor it is sponsored or paid by Boost Balm. I purchased all 5-6 bottles with my own money and was personally moved to share my experience with this product. I wasn't prompted or forced to write a review. If a product works or doesn't, I share about it at my own time. I need facts and to be very certain about what I think or feel about the product before I write as you can see, writing takes up a chunk of my time and effort. More practice needed. 

So that's it, folks. Until next time. Thanks for taking the time to read!

Stay beautiful always, 

Sarah :) 

Review : Make Up Forever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer in Hydrating Primer - It has finally reached Malaysia's shores!

Gone were the days where primers are products that simply smoothen out those pesky pores and holes on our faces by filling them up. It's undeniable that when there's technology and science involved, there will be and always be something new, something revolutionary, something extraordinary. Make Up Forever has done just that.

Being a curious cat as usual, I literally stalked/swatched/compared Make Up Forever's products in one of the local Sephora outlets. I love studying the different textures, functions, and finishes various products and brands has to offer. Most of the time, I would silently scoff at highly-raved products from certain brands because there are other products offers the exact same or similar function with just a fraction of the price. But there will always be products that are just simply... irreplaceable.

Make Up Forever has made sure their products are up a notch or two compared to other brands. Just do a random google of any best makeup products, there you will see one or two Make Up Forever product in one of some beauty guru or youtuber's must-have list of products. #fact

What is Make Up Forever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer?

STEP1 is the range of skin equalizers developed to refine, smooth and even out. Our exclusive Equalizer Complex delivers 3 key actions:

- APPLICATION : makeup goes on seamlessly
- RESULT : optimized color & finish
- WEAR: longer staying power

*source

As you can see the picture below, MUFE's old primer packaging comes in plastic, transparent pump bottle with a black, plastic cap. Below that picture, is the all new revamped product and packaging of MUFE's STEP 1 Skin Equalizer. I managed to find swatches of every primer available from MUFE's STEP 1 Skin Eqaulizer line. Picture credits to pixiwoo. 

Make Up Forever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer comes in 10 different shades and textures. It is without a doubt there's something for everyone. Listed below are the description and provided by MUFE :

• MATTIFYING PRIMER *(BLACK/DARK GREY) is the answer to unwanted shine, fighting against excess oil to ensure a matte makeup result. Formulated with our specific Sebustop Vegetal Complex, this first step equalizer instantly reduces pore size and controls shine for a flawless makeup all day long.

• SMOOTHING PRIMER (LIGHT GREY) instantly fills in and blurs imperfections for silky soft skin. This satiny, non-oily formula evens out skin texture by minimizing pores, wrinkles and fine lines. Skin looks resurfaced and perfectly smooth for a flawless makeup all day long.

• HYDRATING PRIMER (LIGHT BLUE) instantly quenches skin's thirst by helping boost and refreshing tired skin. Formulated with our specific H₂O Complex, it provides moisture transforming dehydrated skin into a supple, healthy, plump surface for a flawless makeup all day long.

• NOURISHING PRIMER (WHITE) instantly replenishes dry and dehydrated skin with a moisture-rich soothing formula. Our specific Vegetal Complex feeds skin, hydrating and reviving it while antioxidants protect from the elements. Its rich and creamy texture melts on the skin to nourish and sooth. Restores elasticity and revitalizes skin to ensure a more uniform texture and a flawless makeup all day long.

• REDNESS CORRECTING PRIMER (GREEN) instantly neutralizes and evens out red tones for flawless foundation coverage. Green Spectraflex® pigments color correct redness and boost radiance while moisturizing agents provide hydration. Skin tone is evened out for a flawless makeup all day long.

• RADIANT PRIMERS instantly color correct according to skin tone giving what looks like new bare skin. These tailored equalizers transform radiance levels and bring more hydration and light to the face. Formulated with our blend of Spectraflex® pigments to neutralize imperfections and banish dullness, Radiant Primers give immediate radiance and even skin tone for a flawless makeup all day long.

Find your Radiant Primer color:
6. Cool Pink: for  yellow fair skin (PINK)
7. Blue: for yellow red fair skin (BLUE)
8. Peach: for  fair skin (PEACH)
9. Yellow: for tanned skin (YELLOW)
10. Caramel: for dark skin (BURNT ORANGE)
11. Mauve: for yellow dark skin (LAVENDER) -not in the pictures-

*The colours in the brackets is to identify the packaging not the content.

It really does look amazing (* ^ *)

Review : MUFE STEP 1 Skin Equalizer in Hydrating Primer

Alright, let's get down to business. I have been using the primer for almost two months - hence the delay in reviewing this product. I believe in really testing and experimenting with the product to be able to provide a solid review. Before I start, this product was given to me as gift with reviewing purposes by Make Up Forever Malaysia. I'm not paid nor sponsored. The review is based solely on my experience and not influenced by any parties. 

Now, those of you who knows me pretty well - I have an extremely oily skin with loads of imperfections. Primers are a must for me because anything and everything will slide off my face, with the contribution of the Malaysian humid weather. Since I have oily skin, why did I choose the Hydrating Primer instead of the Mattifying Primer?

It's simple. Quite a lot of my face products has mattifying properties and I was thinking about my hours spent in air-conditioned classrooms. I once paired a mattifying primer along with a mattifying bb cream and finishing powder and after a long day walking around in the shopping mall - BOOM. MY SKIN LOOKED LIKE A PALE PRUNE. I kid you not. It looked dry and really horrible. Since then, I realized that even my makeup products has to be used in moderation. 

Plus I also noticed that my skin is oily on the outside but dry on the inside. This condition is commonly known as dehydrated skin. Dehydrated, combination skin - not a great combo. There's only so much makeup can conceal. Hence, I decided to switch up my products here and there to achieve a happy balance.

I used the Hydrating Primer with a few products and found that it works very well with powder foundations. Here's quick review of products used with MUFE STEP 1 Skin Equalizer in Hydrating Primer : 

• ZA Perfect Fit Two-Way Foundation in OC10 :
  The powder went on smoothly. Only extremely big pores can still be seen but it's fine with me because the main functions of this primer is hydrating and providing a smooth canvas which it did on both accounts. Wear time lasted about 5 - 6 hours in a humid environment/moving about whereas if it was in an air-conditioning room, it lasted from 9am - 6.30pm. 
  
  I checked on and off throughout the 10 hours period, my powder foundation melted quite well and it began to look like my second skin. By the 8th or 9th hour, I can feel my cheeks and T-Zone feeling a little greasy but the glowy kind of oily. Not the frying pan oily-kind. 

• KATE Liquid Touch Powder Foundation in OC-B :
  The results were quite amazing. The powder went on smoothly and my pores were nowhere to be seen! The Kate powder might have helped a little in covering up the excess pores. I wore this combo throughout the Chinese New Year celebration back in Malacca. It was the best time to really put the primer to the test because of the hot, melting weather.
  
  My younger cousins (there's not much privacy when 4 families live under one roof. LOL!) watched as I put on my makeup and they were like "Wah!", "Omg. How did you do that?", "Your skin looks so smooth now!". Hahaha! Kids :) I must admit that I was quite impressed with how the primer performed. Okay, here's the honest part - this Hydrating Primer did not fare well with the heat and humidity. I had to use Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray to help my makeup last till late night. 

• Laneige Pore Control BB Cushion in shade 21 :
  This BB cushion had mattifying properties and it worked quite harmoniously with it. I set the combo with Wet n Wild Cover All pressed powder and dusted Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay pressed finishing powder. I applied at 12pm and had it on till 11pm. My makeup lasted the whole day! Not forgetting, my skin looked glowing and pretty flawless, I must say. #perasaan  

• MUFE Mat Velvet+ Mattifying Foundation in shade 30 :
  I tried this combo last because I had a breakout when I used the foundation. It seemed to clog my pores. I am not sure whether it is just me or there are ingredients in the foundation that doesn't go well my skin.
  
  Anyway, I closed one eye and applied. Being paranoid, I checked my makeup on and off and found that there were slight bumps on my left cheek and red bumps on my right eventhough my bf said there wasn't any. HMM. I must be going mad. Okay back to the combo, I observed that my skin looked all-glowy and smooth throughout the day as if I did not put on any foundation at all. My bf even commented that it looked good. HEHE. 
  
  I applied it at 7.30am and removed it at around 9pm. When I removed it, I noticed that there were new formations of pimples on my right cheek. I'm not sure whether it was coincidence or my skin is disagreeing with the foundation. Sigh :( I have to test and do some research on it again before I can confirm anything.

Left to Right : Bare face with moisturiser and freshly applied primer, 10 minutes after primer applied, and full make-up

I honestly do not know how to have that same perfect selfie everytime. I find it quite time consuming (><)'''

Hope this doesn't scare ya. 

Conclusion

Based on my experience and experiments, I would recommend MUFE STEP 1 Skin Equalizer in Hydrating Primer to :

• Ladies who sits in an air-conditioning room for super long hours 
• Ladies who finds their skin dehydrated 
• Ladies who wants a gentle primer for sensitive skin 
• Ladies who love that glowy look 

I won't recommend it to :

• Matte skin lovers 
• Ladies with extremely oily skin 
• Ladies who moves about a lot 
• Ladies who wants extreme pore coverage 
• Ladies who dislikes glowy finishes 

Please know that our skin types are different and what I have experienced may not be the same as you. So do drop by at MUFE counters to get the trained makeup sales assistants to help you choose the right primer for you. You can go bare faced to Sephora and try out a full makeup using the primer as your base to help you decide whether its for you or not. There's no harm in trying out ;)

Oops, silly me. I left out the most important information. It's priced at RM160 for 30ml tube. It's available at all MUFE counters in Sephora Malaysia.

Don't forget to follow them on social media to get latest news or launches -
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Makeupforevermy
Instagram : @makeupforevermy
Website : http://www.makeupforever.com/

Have you tried these brand new MUFE primers yet? 

If yes, how did it fare for you? 

If no, do you think you will give it a go?

I would love to hear from you in my comments below. 

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Sarah :)