Today I’m here with the By Terry CC serum review for all my oily girls out there. Why? Because I get you.
Having an oily or combination skin type usually leaves you with not much of a choice concerning glowing products unless you prefer to look like a disco ball which is totally ok, but definitely -not- the case for me. I surely get excited to try different ones but I’m always super hesitant and careful with my choices because I can turn into an oily mess in a matter of seconds with the wrong product. No and no.
After seeing one of my favorite people to watch on YouTube and major beauty Lydia Millen raving about it, I thought that the By Terry Brightening CC Serum may be suitable for me and wouldn’t interrupt my easily irritated oily complexion.
I bought it in the darkest shade, Sunny Flash, despite my pale skin tone because I wanted something to make me look more “alive” in the Summer as I never stay under the sun and always wear the highest SPF possible resulting in me looking like a ghost without bronzer. But who cares? That’s where great products come through.
So what’s the deal with the -oh so famous- By Terry Brightening CC Serum?
How To Use The By Terry CC Serum
The brand describes it as an illuminating primer to put under your foundation but also as a multi-purpose product to mix with your base, to apply on your preferred areas or even layer it for maximum glowing effect.
I use it in 3 different ways:
As My Only Base
I love wearing it all over the face as my only base, adding some concealer under the eyes to brighten up the area and also do some spot concealing wherever I need to. I usually apply it with my hands or with a soft brush and move quickly as sometimes it sets quicker depending on what I have underneath.
The shade Sunny Flash creates a super healthy, bronzed look but if you are fair like me you should definitely apply it on your neck too. If you have a slight fake tan layer on your body it will look perfect just applied on the face, as your neck will already have a caramel color. It has a beautiful smooth texture and the finish isn’t oily or sticky; things that turn me off in a base product.
The final result is absolutely stunning; you’re glowing in the best way possible and your skin looks blurred and in a magical way healthier without feeling heavy or like you’re wearing too much on your face. If you love the -skin that looks like skin- look, you will love it!
As far as concerning layering it, in my opinion you don’t need to. It will be “too much” and the result won’t look as natural as with one layer. That’s why this product is such a miracle worker. With one layer you get the effect you wanted in the first place.
One thing to have in mind is the scent. It has a rose scent that some may love others may hate. For me isn’t disturbing at all as it fades away after a couple of minutes.
With Tinted Moisturizer On Top
I’ve also tried to add my favorite tinted moisturizer on top in the days where I want a bit of extra coverage. It works great as well. My skin looks more even and beautifully bronzed.
The best part is that it actually performs better as the day goes by and looks even prettier. I only need a powder touch up on my T-zone after several hours and I’m done. Due to its added skincare benefits with rose steam cells my skin feels more hydrated and smoother at the end of the day.
As a Liquid Bronzer
Whenever I run super late or just need the quickest fix possible in order to look put together and more awake, I add half a pump on my hand and apply a small amount on a brush. I then blend it in the areas I would normally apply my bronzer; forehead, cheeks, chin, nose and neck.
It takes around 1 minute or less and looks super natural and barely there, yet makes a big difference. Just how I like my makeup to be. Minimal lovers get ready to be thrilled.
Before & After
What To Avoid If You Have Oily Skin
As much as I truly enjoying using the By Terry Brightening CC Serum, I’ve noticed two things you should pay attention to if you have oily skin.
1. The first thing is what you put underneath like your skincare products or SPF. Whenever I use it with an SPF that feels like velvet (think Benefit POREfessional as a texture reference) like the Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield it separates in places like my chin area and it is really annoying. I’m not saying you will have the same problem, maybe that’s just my skin, but have that info in mind.
2. The second thing is the dry patches you may have on your face. Even though I have oily/combination skin, I still get some dry patches here and there depending on the season. Exfoliate regularly and moisturize your skin well because it can cling on these drier areas and not look as good. Applying it with a beautyblender helps if this is the case for you.
Can I use a Dupe?
At first I’m going to let you know my personal opinion and then explain it in case you want more details. No, I don’t think you can find an exact dupe with the same effects and skincare benefits as the CC Serum from By Terry. Why?
You can surely use a glowing product from the thousands existing in the market like the illuminator drops by ICONIC LONDON or the bronzing drops from Pai Skincare to achieve a similar effect but I don’t think your skin will actually be better like it does with the By Terry one, simply because it won’t have the same ingredients & skincare benefits.
Before trying anything from By Terry I was a bit skeptical about the price range of their foundations, primers, lip balms etc. You can’t say they are cheap and that’s ok.
But as a beauty addict -and a major believer that when a high quality product is good, it can outrank 20 bad quality products (expensive or not) and save you from wasting money or filling your beauty space with unnecessary purchases- I had to give the brand a go and have an opinion for myself.
The first thing I’ve tried was their glorious Terrybly Densiliss Foundation which is as good as they say and like the Brightening CC Serum it hydrates and rejuvenates your skin while you’re actually wearing makeup. Something that definitely makes you want to invest in these base products and not on other cheaper alternatives. As an added bonus they last forever as well.
Final Review Of The By Terry CC Serum
I love this product so much that I’m definitely going to purchase the lighter shade Apricot Glow that matches my skin tone exactly. It has a yellow undertone that minimizes redness and it will be perfect for days where I don’t have time to blend the darker shade on my neck. It also comes in a smaller travel size, perfect for testing it out without the splurge.
In one word, when you find an awesome multitasker like this serum, you get it. The final result is so chic and effortless that makes me want to stare my skin in the mirror. Nobody will believe you prepped your skin to look this gorgeous in less than 2 minutes.
So, what are your thoughts on that? Have you tried the serum? Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram @tzinamak_ to catch up!
