Everyone is talking about BB cream. So what is bb cream? Named by its inventor “blemish balm cream” to soothe the skin after chemical and laser treatments, it was then picked up by the Asian countries, where it became the end all, be all of cosmetics. Now, its hit the US shores where it has become the hottest beauty product we’ve seen in a long, long time.
BB cream has multiple uses and benefits. Its greatest benefit is as a skin tone and color regulator, evening out your skin and hiding blemishes while nourishing. Its uses are many – skin primer prior to applying foundation, moisturizer, as a standalone foundation, concealer and, of course, all BB creams have an SPF factor to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Since most of the BB creams currently available are fantastic at concealing and evening out your skin tone, why not try one out? Generally marketed as a tinted moisturizer, this product is that and so much more!
Most of you are pretty new to using BB cream and are probably in a quandary about exactly how to use it. There’s a lot of information – and contradictory information at that – out there about applying BB cream. Some folks say not to use your fingers, others say, “Go right ahead!” We’ve reviewed the information available from the companies that produce the best of the lot of BB creams available to find out the exact information you need to know to have a successful experience with BB cream. It’s not a difficult process but, with so much information available, it can be confusing.
First, know this – not all BB creams are created equal. Some brighten and illuminate, some give that matte finish that is oh, so popular right now. Some offer a lot more coverage than others. Some are colorless and some are tinted. What’s a girl to do?
If you have oily skin, there isn’t much need to add moisturizer. Not everyone has oily skin, however, and NOT moisturizing first can leave with a dry and flaky finish. Many of the BB creams state that it’s a moisturizer and foundation in one. Don’t risk it – put on a moisturizer first.
We discovered that the easiest way, hands down, to apply BB cream and achieve the most even and natural look was to apply it with your fingers. Apply little dots all over your face and blend with your fingertips. You can also layer it for more coverage.
And speaking of layering…Do you have areas of skin that require concealer? Blemishes? Scars? BB cream is just the ticket to cover those up. You can even use it as an under eye concealer. This is where the layering comes in. Apply BB cream to the areas of concern and blend in with your fingertips. Wait a bit to make sure your application has set up and then apply BB cream to the rest of your face as usual.
As we said before, BB creams can differ from each other. Setting all BB creams with powder is a must if you want that all day, long lasting effect. You will apply the BB cream to your moisturized skin and let it dry. Different brands may take less or more time to fully set up. Then set with powder as you would with regular foundation. Setting your face with powder will lengthen the effects you will enjoy using this product. To achieve the longest lasting effects, be sure to keep your hands off of your face.
If your skin tone is darker, you may want to mix your BB cream with a foundation that is the correct color for you. When this product was first marketed in Asia, it came in only the lightest colors because, culturally, white skin is considered the most desirable. Some of those BB creams even had a skin lightening element. Fortunately for us, there are many options available for those with a darker skin tone.
In the US, BB creams are manufactured by a range of companies, from high end to more reasonably priced. Today, you can find a variety of BB cream products at your local drug store at extremely reasonable prices.
Before you buy, consider a visit to a larger department store with a variety of makeup options. Find out which manufacturer offers BB cream with the benefits you desire and see if you can obtain samples. Once you find a sample you love, search out a reasonably priced option with the same ingredients and the same effects. You’ll need to figure out what kind of coverage you’re after as well as an illuminating BB cream or a matte finish BB cream. After a few tries, you’ll be looking fantastic.
BB cream has multiple uses and benefits. Its greatest benefit is as a skin tone and color regulator, evening out your skin and hiding blemishes while nourishing. Its uses are many – skin primer prior to applying foundation, moisturizer, as a standalone foundation, concealer and, of course, all BB creams have an SPF factor to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Since most of the BB creams currently available are fantastic at concealing and evening out your skin tone, why not try one out? Generally marketed as a tinted moisturizer, this product is that and so much more!
Most of you are pretty new to using BB cream and are probably in a quandary about exactly how to use it. There’s a lot of information – and contradictory information at that – out there about applying BB cream. Some folks say not to use your fingers, others say, “Go right ahead!” We’ve reviewed the information available from the companies that produce the best of the lot of BB creams available to find out the exact information you need to know to have a successful experience with BB cream. It’s not a difficult process but, with so much information available, it can be confusing.
First, know this – not all BB creams are created equal. Some brighten and illuminate, some give that matte finish that is oh, so popular right now. Some offer a lot more coverage than others. Some are colorless and some are tinted. What’s a girl to do?
If you have oily skin, there isn’t much need to add moisturizer. Not everyone has oily skin, however, and NOT moisturizing first can leave with a dry and flaky finish. Many of the BB creams state that it’s a moisturizer and foundation in one. Don’t risk it – put on a moisturizer first.
We discovered that the easiest way, hands down, to apply BB cream and achieve the most even and natural look was to apply it with your fingers. Apply little dots all over your face and blend with your fingertips. You can also layer it for more coverage.
And speaking of layering…Do you have areas of skin that require concealer? Blemishes? Scars? BB cream is just the ticket to cover those up. You can even use it as an under eye concealer. This is where the layering comes in. Apply BB cream to the areas of concern and blend in with your fingertips. Wait a bit to make sure your application has set up and then apply BB cream to the rest of your face as usual.
As we said before, BB creams can differ from each other. Setting all BB creams with powder is a must if you want that all day, long lasting effect. You will apply the BB cream to your moisturized skin and let it dry. Different brands may take less or more time to fully set up. Then set with powder as you would with regular foundation. Setting your face with powder will lengthen the effects you will enjoy using this product. To achieve the longest lasting effects, be sure to keep your hands off of your face.
If your skin tone is darker, you may want to mix your BB cream with a foundation that is the correct color for you. When this product was first marketed in Asia, it came in only the lightest colors because, culturally, white skin is considered the most desirable. Some of those BB creams even had a skin lightening element. Fortunately for us, there are many options available for those with a darker skin tone.
In the US, BB creams are manufactured by a range of companies, from high end to more reasonably priced. Today, you can find a variety of BB cream products at your local drug store at extremely reasonable prices.
Before you buy, consider a visit to a larger department store with a variety of makeup options. Find out which manufacturer offers BB cream with the benefits you desire and see if you can obtain samples. Once you find a sample you love, search out a reasonably priced option with the same ingredients and the same effects. You’ll need to figure out what kind of coverage you’re after as well as an illuminating BB cream or a matte finish BB cream. After a few tries, you’ll be looking fantastic.