All about BB Creams

What is a BB cream?

According to Wikipedia..

"BB cream stands for blemish balm, blemish base, or beblesh balm.. and in Western markets, beauty balm. It is a cosmetic item sold mainly in East and Southeast Asia, although larger beauty brands are increasingly introducing BB creams to Western markets."

Lets stop there. 

They are, and have been for a while, huge in Asian, especially Korean, markets. They were very expensive, and very hard for us 'Westerners' to get. They offer more coverage and the Korean formula is mineral-based and is intended, not only to cover blemishes, but to treat blemishes- including acne, sun spots, and age spots. It also contains anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammitory, and soothing effects.

Do our American BB creams do that?

 No. Just look at the ingredients. The BB creams you see sold in American are nothing more than tinted moisturizers. I hate to break it to you. I just hate to see people buy these products thinking that their skin is going to change because of the benefits, and then become sorely disappointed. These creams may help your skin, but only because its a light-weight moisturizer, tinted with a bit of color, with an SPF. 

I took a look at the ingredients of a popular drugstore brand BB cream. The one and only active ingredient is Octinoxate 4%. If you do a quick search of this ingredient, its primarily used in sunscreens and lip balms. So, nothing life-changing. I then did a search for the first few inactive ingredients. In case you didn't know, the ingredients listed first in anything- food, facial products, shampoo, etc., are always the most abundant ingredients. So, moving on. I searched the first ingredients. (I won't list them all, because they're all big words no one can pronounce, but you can look for yourself). The first 4 or 5 ingredients are all defined as either skin conditioning or moisturizing agents that are commonly found in your everyday, run-of-the-mill moisturizers, foundations, lip products, and even deodorants.

Nothing 'major' in BB creams causes any more skin benefits than the current moisturizer you're now using; however, the fact that it contains some color (to wear under powder or by itself) to give you some light coverage, AND the fact that it contains an SPF are good things. BB Creams aren't ALL bad. Just don't be fooled into thinking they are anything like the ones sold on the Korean market, or that they are anything more than a tinted moisturizer with an SPF. I actually really like the Garnier BB cream for combo/oily skin; not because it has changed my skin or has done anything amazing, but because it gives decent lightweight coverage, doesn't make me insanely greasy, goes on smoothly, and I can forgo my SPF + moisturizer + foundation routine, and do it all with one product! 

Best Drugstore Beauty Buys

A few years ago, my idea of 'high-end makeup' was the Mary Kay concealer my mom would buy me every Christmas. Everything I owned was from the drugstore. Since then, I've added some more expensive products into my collection, but I will never stop shopping for makeup at the drugstore. Some of my favorite makeup products are 'drugstore products' (CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, Target) and I repurchase them over and over. Here is my list of absolute favorite drugstore buys.

1. Foundation: Revlon Colorstay
Retail Price - $11-$13

This was sort of tied with my other favorite foundation by the same line, Revlon Colorstay Whipped. I actually tried that foundation first. But once I tried the regular Revlon Colorstay, I was hooked. Its the perfect medium coverage, every-day foundation. It lasts forever even through heat and humidity. I buy the Combination/Oily skin formula, and it never makes my face greasy. The price is reasonable and it is worth every dollar.

2. Under Eye Concealer: Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller

Retail Price - $11-$13

Between allergies and genetics, I really struggle with dark circles. This product is probably one of my absolute must-haves. Even if I don't wear any other makeup at all, I have to put on my dark circle roller. I use the one with a light tint to it. Its sort of a 2-in-1 because it has all of the ingredients of a dark circle eraser- caffeine and all that good stuff- plus, the roller ball 'rejuvenates', and it also has a good light-to-medium coverage that is extremely blendable. It may be considered a tiny bit pricey for a concealer, but its totally worth it!

3. Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Retail Price - $4-5

I have tried a couple of other setting powders, and I keep going back to this one. I use it every single day. Its the perfect complement to my foundation, and I also use it to set my undereye concealer. Super inexpensive, and much better than any other I've tried. If you have problems with oily skin I would definitely try this setting powder.

4. Eyeliner: CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus

Retail Price - $4-$6

I talked about this eyeliner in my beauty favorites post, and like I said then, I have been using this eyeliner since I first started wearing makeup, over 10 years ago. It goes on so smooth and thin and doesn't smudge at all. It somehow stays on all day, yet comes off really easily with any makeup remover. I haven't heard much about this eyeliner in the beauty community, but I would say it is definitely worth trying. 

5. Mascara: Maybelline Falsies

Retail Price - $6-$8

I like this mascara because its natural, yet dramatic, if that makes any sense. It doesn't make my eyelashes look clumpy or spidery. They just look wispy, fluffy, long, and voluminous, all while looking natural at the same time. The flexible wand has a slight curve to it, which plumps and builds volume without clumping. 

6. Brush(es): Eco Tools

Retail Price - $8-$10

I own some expensive brushes, but Eco Tools brushes continue to be some of my favorites, and you can find them at any WalMart, Ulta, or drugstore. They are the softest, fluffiest brushes I've ever come across. I use their blending brush for my eyeshadow, a blush brush for my setting powder, and another for my bronzer. I have yet to find a softer brush, at any price point!


So that's it! You may notice that I didn't include blush or bronzer. I am not a huge fan of blush, and the only one I have ever found that works for my skin tone, is a high end blush. As far as bronzer, my absolute favorite drugstore bronzer was discontinued. :( It was a matte bronzer by Milani, and the name completely chipped off of it so I've never been able to find it online because I don't have the name. So those two are off my list. But I hope you pick up the products listed above, and give them a try. They are all so inexpensive, so its always worth it!