March 25, 2013

What are BB CREAMS?? A Comprehensive Guide

Everywhere I turn, I've been seeing a new type of cream called a BB CREAM. I have been very curious to find out what exactly it is so I spent 3 hours yesterday testing different kinds of BB Creams. I discovered that almost every single makeup brand has a BB Cream and it is the newest IT Cream on the market!

A Comprehensive Guide to BB Creams

What is a BB Cream?
BB Cream stands for Beauty Balm Cream or Blemish Balm Cream. According to Allure.com, "BB Creams are like tinted moisturizers on steroids!" They hydrate, even-out skin tones, treat the skin with antioxidants and anti-aging properties, offer high-spectrum SPF AND are tinted! Basically, they help your skin look more natural, make it glow and are very beneficial for your overall complexion in the long run. 

How does it differ from Tinted Moisturizer? 
I have recently been using tinted moisturizer and I love how it makes my skin look more alive, especially when I am pale. BB Cream is different because it offers other benefits to your skin and not just that 'glow'. I noticed that they all even out skin tone and imperfections so that your skin looks like a sheet of paper with no bumps or pigmentation

When should I use a Tinted Moisturizer vs. a BB Cream? 
I would recommend owning both - a BB Cream for when you are out and about all day as it is longer lasting and has a high SPF, and a tinted moisturizer for shorter trips or under your makeup. 


My Review of Six BB Creams

This is supposedly one of the best BB creams on the market. It treats fine lines and wrinkles, minimizes discoloration, brightens and clears the skin, soothes irritations, and protects your skin from harmful pollution in the air. It comes in 3 colors and has an SPF of 40. 
My review: It is nice and smooth but a bit too thick and is probably more suited for more mature skin (40+). I only found it in one colour which was too light for my skin tone. 

This BB Cream is more like a lightweight foundation for the skin and claims to help keep your makeup on longer due to the added seaweed and Vitamin E. It comes in 3 colours and has an SPF of 30. 
My review: It didn't cover my blemishes or undereye circles as well as the other creams did

Christian Dior BB Creams
Christian Dior has the most BB creams on the market with the Hydra Life, DiorSnow & Diorskin Nude. They all blend really well with the skin.

HYDRALIFE: It balances the skin, corrects the complexion and protects its youthful appearance. It only comes in one shade and has an SPF of 30. I found it nice and creamy like a moisturizer but the shade was too light for my skin. 

DIORSNOW: This cream has a brightening treatment that evens the complexion, diminishes the appearance of dark spots, increases radiance and protects against UV Damage. It comes in two shades. I found it more matte than the Hydralife and didn't like how it felt on my skin. Again, the color was too fair for my skintone.

**DIORSKIN NUDE: This cream is skincare and makeup rolled into one. It moisturizes, soothes, protects and corrects skin with sheer coverage. It comes in 4 shades and has an SPF of 10. It gives a fresh glow and dewy finish and had the most perfect shade for my skintone. 



Of course- Chanel came up with a CC Cream! CC stands for 'Correction Complete' and this cream claims to: sooth sensitive skin, moisturize, protect against UVA & UVB rays with SPF 30, provides a shield against external aggressors, and evens out imperfections. It comes in only one light shade.
My Review: It has a very strong smell, is a bit too thick and oily, and the shade is TOO fair for my Mediterranean skin. (It is meant for Asian skin) 

Overall, I preferred the DiorSkin Nude for its colour and texture. BB Creams are great because of all the added benefits they provide for your skin plus their SPF factors. However, they come in very limited shades so you have to find the perfect shade to suit your skin tone. I will continue to wear my tinted moisturizer under my makeup but will switch to a BB Cream for during the day.

What do you think- will you be buying a BB Cream?

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