During the last year or so, BB Creams have become all the rage. I had no idea what a BB Cream was until a few months ago, when I was given a sample during one of my Sephora shopping trips. I didn’t use the sample because at the time, I was clueless to what a BB Cream was—it just sat in my makeup case. Fast forward several weeks when I began seeing commercials on television from well-known drugstore brands such as Loreal and Maybelline touting their own BB Creams. I had to find out what the buzz was.
BB Cream stands for Blemish Balm or Blemish Base. Primarily used as a base for the skin, it works to moisturize, prime, and and can even add color and cover up imperfections to the skin’s surface. It is sold in a liquid cream form, usually in a tube and is a one-stop morning routine for the face. Simply wash your face as you normally do with your favorite skincare, then apply the BB Cream. You can then add your makeup (no need for moisturizer or primer, the BB Cream does it all), or you can use it as a standalone.
Many BB Creams have SPF that protects the skin. No matter your skin tone or hue, you should be using a sunscreen, so the BB Cream works as a protectant as well.
There are tons of BB Creams on the market. When I visited Sephora recently to buy a tube, I was told that Smashbox has the best BB Cream on the market. But for a little more, I could buy the Miracle Skin Transformer by Sarah McNamara in Dark (retails for $48). It does everything a BB Cream does (and technically it is a BB Cream) but also improves the skin’s overall texture and includes anti-aging properties. I’ve been using the Miracle Skin Transformer for a few days now and I love it! It’s light, but covers well, and is a great base to my look. I’ve used it as a standalone cream and with my concealer and foundation. It really has given me an overall more polished, yet dewy, look.
I really love using a BB Cream now for my daily look, with our without a full face.
So are BB Creams worth the hype? I certainly think so!
Do you use a BB Cream?
I got som Dr Jarts BB Cream in a Birchbox (https://www.birchbox.com?raf=kdq2n) a few months ago and really liked it. Then I saw Maybelline had a BB Cream too, so I tried theirs (because it’s cheaper, obviously!).
I use it everyday, and don’t use another foundation with it, just some pressed powder. I really like it – especially loved it in the summer when my skin is varying in colors / dryness.
Now they have ‘CC Creams’ that are BB + color correction, so I think that would be a better / more substantial daily makeup.
Danielle, thanks for commenting. I just received some CC cream to review but I’m still getting the hang of the BB Cream. Better late than never! lol
I just received the L’Oreal BB Cream to review via SheSpeaks. I plan to use it tonight before my husband and I attend an event in Atlanta. When I wore makeup daily for my TV news job, one of my makeup artists introduced me to a cream for your lids so shadow stayed on better and it worked wonderfully. I’ll see if BB cream does the same for overall coverage.
Joyce, after my BB Cream for about a month now, I love it! Not sure how I got by without it. It primes, controls oil, creates a great base that can be used alone or under foundation. It’s amazing. 🙂