Review: Nature Republic Botanical Green Tea Fresh BB Cream

*Edited to include swatches of both 21 Bright Skin and 23 Natural Skin

The product: Nature Republic Botanical Green Tea Fresh BB Cream in 23 Natural Skin 30mL

Price: PhP 680.00
Where I bought it: Nature Republic, 4th floor, Atrium, SM Megamall

Rating: 10/10

Pertinent positive/s:

• The cream is lightweight. It is not sticky at all.
• Easy to blend with fingers
• Perfect for summer or for extremely warm and humid days!
• Has a matte finish but it doesn't feel drying on the skin
• Very good oil control
• Does not end up being cakey
• Natural, buildable coverage
• Sleek packaging
• Pump works well
• Has SPF 30 PA++
• Mild, non-irritating scent (It did not trigger my allergic rhinitis!) which goes away after application
• No adverse reactions caused on my skin: no breakouts, no allergies, no redness, no irritation
• Great value for money!!!

Pertinent negative/s:

• Comes in only 2 shades, 21 (Bright Skin) and 23 (Natural Skin)

Complete list of ingredients (click image to enlarge)

According to the website of Korea Department Store:

• This is a light and fresh BB cream that contains Jeju green tea extract 250ppm.
• This is supposed to create light and natural face like "air." (Maybe what they're trying to say is that it feels light and natural as air?)
• It fits (or adheres) to skin gently and its light touch creates matte skin.
• This BB cream is FREE of the following ingredients: paraben, tar color, mineral oil. benzophenone, talc and triethanolamine. (These are the ingredients referred to in their claim of "6 non-added formulas.")
• It is for all skin types and for all ages. (Perhaps all ages means that teenagers and even those with mature skin can use it.)
• It can also be used during all four seasons.

After it's blended!

This is currently my favorite BB cream. I love it so much that I'm thinking of purchasing another bottle despite not even using up 1/4 of this one. It has a very natural looking finish but is able to cover the redness of my cheeks and the skin around my nose. There are several reasons why I love this BB cream. First, it has a lightweight formula. Unlike many of the BB creams I've used before, this one does not feel sticky at all upon application. It doesn't feel thick on the skin. Second, it is very easy to blend onto the skin. Third, it has very good oil control compared to all the other BB creams I've tried. Usually I'd start getting oily 3 to 4 hours after makeup application but with this product I only start getting oily at the 5th or 6th hour. And that's even a mild kind of oiliness--the one where I'd be okay with not using an oil absorbing film! My face doesn't end up as oily as when I'm using other BB creams. It doesn't get cakey too!

Left: 21 Bright Skin, Right: 23 Natural Skin

Left: 21 Bright Skin, Right: 23 Natural Skin

Left: 21 Bright Skin, Right: 23 Natural Skin

With BB cream only

Topped with powder and a bit of blush + concealer on the undereye area (not fully covered though; I have very dark undereye circles!), eyeliner and lipstick ;)

This is the first BB cream I've tried from Nature Republic and I'm very happy that it didn't disappoint. Actually it exceeded all my expectations for a product at this price point! I love it! I LOVE IT!

If you're looking for a new BB cream that looks natural, is lightweight and has good oil control, I highly recommend you try this one. It goes without saying that I will repurchase this product!

Notes:

1. This BB cream is reflective in flash photography. 
2. You can use it without topping it off with powder because it's already nice on its own. I prefer to set it with powder though so that I'm assured that it'll last longer on my skin.
3. There is another variant of this BB cream which is called the Botanical Mandarin Essential BB Cream. This one has SPF35 PA++. It contains Jeju mandarin extract 100ppm and it is meant to "create natural illumination and healthy skin." It also claims to remain moisturizing for hours. This is recommended for people with dry skin.

If you have questions about this product, feel free to post a comment and I will reply as soon as possible. :)