As a half-Japanese 20-something woman who spends a lot of time in Tokyo’s drugstores, I have added a lot of odd beauty tools to my arsenal – some wonderful, some not (case in point: heated eyelash curler. What was I thinking?) However, none has been as useful as the cream that became a sensation in Japan last summer and is just starting to hit American makeup counters: BB creams.
What It Is:
According to Squidoo.com, BB cream stands for Blemish Balm Cream and was initially invented in Korea to help protect and cover laser-treated skin. Korean celebrities realized that it worked great on healthy skin too, which led to the discovery of this cream by Korean cosmetic companies. They tweaked the initial formula and marketed it to ordinary people, and boom! The Korean cosmetics trend was born.
So why should you use BB cream? Because it’s easy. A basic tube of BB cream functions as a moisturizer, concealer, and sunscreen. Some even contain acne treatments or skin-lightening ingredients. (Skin lightening is an extremely popular trend in many Asian countries.) And while the cream was initially targeted to East Asian audiences and so came in a limited amount of colors, American companies have finally started to capitalize on the trend.
Note: If you are of East Asian descent and have access to an Asian beauty store, I highly suggest buying BB creams in Asia. These companies have more experience and so presumably will have a better product.
What To Buy:
Since BB creams are still fairly new in the United States, there are not many reviews out yet. Still, here are some already-popular picks.
For the Beach: Tony Moly Nano Gold BB Cream SPF50+ PA+++, $32.99. This BB cream has SPF50, which is higher than many other BB creams on the market. Not totally necessary for every day, but definitely a plus at the beach
For the Broke Girl: Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector, $12.99. 3 cosmetics in one and super cheap. What’s not to like?
For Anti-Aging: Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30, $37. This anti-aging BB cream from a reliable cosmetics brand fights wrinkles, packs in moisture, and goes on super-lightly.
How To Wear:
The beauty of BB creams is that they’re versatile. For days when you don’t want to wear a lot of makeup, just put on a light layer of BB cream for soft coverage. Or dab just a little on problem spots. The only caveat? BB cream is base makeup with sunscreen, but for full coverage you need to reapply sunscreen at least every 2-3 hours. So make sure to buy a separate sunscreen that goes well over makeup. We like Peter Thomas Roth’s Instant Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 45, $30.
Have you tried BB creams? What did you think?
guest
I recently bought the Garnier BB cream, and I love it! Light and easily blendable!
guest
I have the Garnier kind and I LOVE IT. It has magically changed my face and I feel so much better about myself when it’s gone. It evens out my skin tone, moisturizes and doens’t get oily or shiny, it is a perfect product. (It also covers my red splotchy skin condition amazingly well for not being a heavy product)
orchid / 217 posts
The Garnier is gorgeous. I love that I can slap that on my face and walk out the door. It feels great, has helped so much with my acne, and I look so radiant with it on! My (male) friend told me that he loves that I don’t wear makeup because I’m so “naturally pretty” – but I had that on! It really does make a difference.
guest
Wow good to hear that the three commenters above really love the Garnier one because I just bought it last night! I forgot to try it out this morning and instead applied my normal tinted moisturizer. I’ll use it tomorrow when I have a totally fresh face to judge it fairly
guest
I fell in love with BB while living in Korea–and even though I am a pasty white girl, I can still find a shade white enough to work for me. I can’t, however, find one without the “lightening serum” in it.
hydrangea / 56 posts
Huh. Sounds like the lotion I make only not natural. My lotion fights acne, is a light sunscreen, people use it as a concealer, and it evens out your skin tone and moisturizes while not making your skin oily or shiny. I’d rather put stuff on my face with no harsh chemicals and look even more radiant.
dahlia / 2382 posts
BB Cream is marketed towards women with light/pale skin tones. I’m the darkest beige or the lightest bronze shade in terms of makeup colors & none of them would work on me. I have yet to find a BB Cream worth trying if they only have 3-5 shades. I always feel the makeup industry is biased towards the girls in the middle. For the longest there was nothing for darker complexions & now they have lines especially for them. But if you’re in between, it’s so hard to go makeup shopping without spending a ton of money. I love that MAC has a foundation that fits me perfectly but that’s so expensive.
ranunculus / 3285 posts
I’m definitely getting some when I go to Asia
guest
Sounds really interesting! I’ve seen the commercials on TV but had no idea what BB stood for haha. I’ll have to give the Garnier one a try!
guest
I own a Etude House BB Cream but when that runs out, I’m more than willing to try Garnier’s BB Cream.
rose / 980 posts
I use and love the garnier one. I like it better than the Dr. Jart one I tried too. Only wish the Garnier one was a higher SPF.
guest
I just used the Skin 79 VIP Gold collection today and it works wonderfully on my skin! I heard of BB cream about a year ago and after i use up all my moisturizers i’m definitely just gonna stick to BB cream since it’s so convenient. It’s now one of my “must have”. And for the girls who wants to get the Asian cosmetic brands, you don’t need to go to Asia to buy it. They do have it on ebay and amazon although please be aware of the fake ones. Just check the sellers feedback. I’ve bought fake bb cream before but surprisingly they work just as good as the real ones, even a little better. But if you are skeptical just google the real vs fake ones, there are tons of blogs out there that will tell you the difference.
sunflower / 286 posts
After reading all these comments about the garnier one, I’m definitely going to try it!
orchid / 193 posts
I’ve been using the Garnier BB cream for over a week, and I’m already in love with it. It really does help your skin look beautiful even when you aren’t wearing it. I really love that it’s quick and easy to apply, because I’m not a morning person at all and it’s made my make-up routine before work a lot simpler. Just blend it in and go. I definitely recommend it!
guest
maybe I should try the Garnier BB cream instead of forking out $32 for Skin79 BB cream
guest
@Jennifuk@xanga - Yesstyle.com also carries them, if you didn’t already know
peony / 1 posts
Sorry, but the BB Cream was invented in Germany, not in Korea. It was made popular by the Koreans!
Here is a complete overview on BB Creams :
http://hope-inablog.com/bb-cream/the-beginners-guide-to-asian-cosmetics-part-6-bb-cream-and-its-evolution/
guest
I bought the Garnier BB cream two weeks ago for light to medium and despite being super pale, it blended perfectly and is simply just awesome. I never wear any make up or foundation but I got this stuff and love love love it. I’m going to suggest it to my mom.
@Shinbi_Belldandy@xanga - just out of curiosity, have you looked into the medium to dark Garnier? Just because I can see how no other brand, especially from Asia, is going to carry a shade for medium to dark, but maybe Garnier MIGHT be dark enough.
@EmberCove - Well, if you are selling, let me know!
guest
I just bought the Garnier after hearing SO much about it. It was literally the last one on the shelf, and I think the shade is too light. Oh well. BTW the side of the box says “Beauty Balm” (For BB)
guest
I want to try Garnier, but I am extremely pale. I’ve read a few reviews that the light/medium is too dark for super pale skin.
guest
LOL. I didn’t try the American BB cream versions yet. I’m using the Gold 79 One right now, it’s not bad. More of a foundation than lotion though.
guest
skin79 pink label is really good
guest
I have been using the Skin79 dream girls BB cream for almost 3 years and I loveee it!
peony / 1 posts
I bought the maybeline dream fresh BB 8 in one beauty balm skin perfector medium sheer tint. I absolutely love this product my husband says my skin looks smoother without makeup on but I have the bb cream on and he does not even know it. it’s an 8 in one so it covers blurs imperfections, brightens, adjusts to skin tone, smooths, hydrates, spf 30, and 0% oils or anything consisting of oils. All I can say is I found my magic face cream. Im 42 and people think im 28.