BB Creams.
Have you been hearing the buzz or is this something totally new to you?
A few weeks ago I was checking out at Ulta and they handed me a sample of a BB Cream. It looked like four small samples of foundation. Not knowing what they had actually given me I just said thank you and headed out on my merry way.
Later that same day I noticed an ad for a BB Cream in a fashion magazine and finally I was shopping with a friend who pointed to a tube of Two Faced BB cream and told me that was her favorite BB cream.
Wha, What???
I had no clue as to what she was talking about.
Talk about feeling like you are the last one to the party. That was me.
What I have learned since then is that BB creams, also called beauty balms or blemish balms, are a one step wonder. They are similar to a tinted moisturizer but have the additional benefits of a sun screen, anti aging serum, brightening qualities and sheer coverage and color all rolled into one amazing product.
The first BB cream was created by dermatologists in Germany as a moisturizing cream with healing properties for patients who had undergone facial laser surgery.
These healing properties are designed to help
- alleviate sun and acne spots
- reduce the appearance of fine lines
- work as anti- aging and acne treatments
- even out skin tone
- improve skin texture
- provide SPF and environmental protection
And all in a one step tube! Baby I'm amazed!
Incredible as it seems, these creams can reduce the need for layering on all of those multiple products every morning. Still, not every BB cream is perfect for every skin type.
So, which cream is right for you?
Paler Skin Tones
According to The Daily Makeover, the best BB cream for paler skin is
Dr. Jart + Water Fuse Beauty Balm available at Sephora.com.
Medium and Darker Skin Tones
might want to look into
Maybelline's Dream Fresh 8 in 1 BB Cream
This one is available in several shades from light to dark. It is harder to find darker BB creams but this one from Maybelline is touted as one of the best for deeper skin tones.
While some creams are categorized by color, others are grouped by skin types.
Two great BB creams for oilier complexions would be
Estee Lauder's DayWear BB Cream
and
L'Oreal's Magic Skin Beautifier
One of the best BB creams for drier skin is from Garnier.
This cream contains both hyaluronic acid and glycerin which are apparently power house moisturizers. For around ten dollars this is an amazing product at a very affordable price point.
Over 40 skin would probably like this
Stila Stay All Day
This BB cream supposedly contains little micro beads that will reduce the appearance of wrinkle depth by eighty four percent.
Are you looking for better coverage?
BB creams are more than a tinted moisturizer but lighter than foundations and really don't provide quite as much coverage as a foundation but there are a few of these creams that come pretty close. So if this is a property you are looking for in a BB cream you might want to consider
Shu Uemura
This cream is really more of a mousse but it provides excellent coverage, SPF 30 protection and it is much better at covering blemishes than most of the other BB creams.
Dior's Hydra Life was also ranked well for coverage but the down side is it is only available in one shade.
A third option for better than average coverage would be
Clinique's
Age Defense BB Cream
This one also comes pretty close to a foundation and is chalk full of all kinds of things that are great for your skin but I have read that you might still need a concealer.
Best For Sun Protection
If a high SPF factor is what you are going for then you will want to try
Dior's Diorsnow
With a SPF rating of 50 it is unsurpassed in sun protection and is available in two shades.
As for me, I have only tried the Tarte BB cream that they had offered me and I have to say I really really liked it. It comes in four shades, offers subtle but decent coverage, a sunscreen, and an oil free moisturizer.
I usually don't wear foundation. I typically just use a firming serum and a mineral powder and I have always steered clear of moisturizers. I know, shame on me but a lot of them are too rich and tend to clog my pores or leave me feeling greasy and looking shiny within a couple of hours. I wondered if this BB cream would also be too heavy.
In fact, the sample of Tarte BB Cream that I received at Ulta sat in my drawer for almost a week before I tried it. Then last weekend we were heading out for the evening and I thought I would give it a whirl. I absolutely loved it. Maybe this is what my look has been missing.
My skin appeared more even, definitely smoother, and it just felt so good.
A little goes a long way. I would say a pea size amount would be enough to cover your whole face. The other big secret, I think, is how you apply your BB cream. I put a small dab in my hand and then use a Beauty Blender.
It looks like this and you can buy it
here.
This little dream tool looks like a pink foam egg but it makes it so easy to apply foundations or creams. I have tried those triangle sponges and hated them. I ultimately ended up throwing them all away. This is so different. It is washable and reusable and it helps to create a flawless even coverage that I just can't get with just my fingers or a brush. The narrow end is great for getting in close to the nose and eye area. Love this thing. It will probably be one of my go to gifts for my friends this year.
:D
I still use my firming serum and and eye cream and some days I still require a bit of concealer but all in all this has made my morning routine so much easier.
So, BB cream. You make my skin look smoother, my pores smaller, my complexion more even and you are actually GOOD for my skin. How did I survive so long without you?
xoxo,
p
