Called a beauty miracle by some, BB creams have revolutionized skincare by doing it all: concealing, priming, protecting, moisturizing and revitalizing.
Already hugely popular in Asia, BB creams (also known as Blemish Balms and Beauty Balms) finally made the leap across the Pacific last year. Most are tinted to replace your foundation and equipped with SPF protection to shield against the sun, antioxidants for anti-aging, and hydration for deep moisturizing.
Make It Better tested several BB creams over the past few weeks, and we were all impressed with the amazing results. The creams evened out our skin tone, lasted all day and left our skin feeling soft and smooth. But like all new things, each product had its pluses and minuses. To choose the right product for your complexion, we’ve shared our reviews here:
Dior Hydra Life BB Crème SPF 30 – PA+++ ($56) Even though this product has the most expensive price tag, it definitely wasn’t perfect. Dior’s cream only comes in one universal color, which I found to be a bit too golden even for my skin tone (I have a complexion with olive undertones). For summer, this bronzing effect is nice, but it might look a bit strange in the middle of Chicago’s winter. That aside, it did leave my skin looking dewy and flawless all day.
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream ($12.99) Make it Better Art Director Jessica DeJong has been testing out Garnier’s cream in the light/medium color (also offered in medium/dark). The color blended well with her fair complexion and provided sheer, long-lasting coverage. For a bit more coverage, she suggested adding a drop of your regular foundation before applying. The downside was its dewy finish, which ended up looking too shiny. She acknowledged it may be because her skin can be a bit oily and used powder to set it.
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 ($37) This was my favorite. Offered in three different shades, I opted for Shade 02 meant for moderately fair complexions with golden undertones. It was a great match and perfectly concealed—hiding blemishes, but also leaving skin looking natural and not cakey. Unlike the other two, Clinique’s cream had a more matte finish. It also acted as good primer for my bronzer and blush. Like Dior’s and Garnier’s, it provided all-day coverage—even withstanding a visit to the beach.
Estée Lauder DayWear Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme SPF 35 ($38) If you’re looking for a lot of sun protection, this is the product for you. Complete with a refreshing cucumber scent, the cream leaves your skin feeling light and oil-free. It’s available in two different shades, but the lightest option might still be a bit too dark for the super fair skinned. The other downside? It’s sold out, so you may not be able to get your hands on this one, at least locally, for a while.
