Thread: BB (Beauty Balm) Creams? What's out there and what's worth the price!/

I recently saw a FB post about BB creams, which I believe to be lotion with some kind of foundation incorporated that can be used daily and I want to give them a go BUT there seem to be hundreds of them and some are kind of pricey so I'd like to ask around for some experienced opinions;
What brand has the best color selections? I have hard to match yellow undertones.
Which brand is worth the price? Best coverage? Less additives and what not? Can I achieve the same result by mixing liquid concealer with my daily lotion or are BB creams something else?
Thanks


BB Creams - BB Cream Deals and Reviews

Have you checked into making your own? Edit: sorry, just saw your last line. Yes, basically you can mix your liquid or powder foundation with moisturizer that you like. BB = blemish balm, and some contain mattifiers, some contain sunscreen, etc., etc.

If you already have a foundation, primer, sunscreen etc that works for you, then you can mix them to create the same ease of use without having to worry about finding new color matches, etc. See this post, including some of the comments: Angry Chicken (She links to some brand creams and explanatory links too)

I got a free sample of the Boscia BB cream and liked it so much, I went and bought a tube. I like it quite a bit. The color is so subtle, that it'll blend with alot of skin colors. It gives mine (also yellow undertones) a nice glow and I like the SPF.

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++: Shop Moisturizer | Sephora

The Asian brands are meant to be MUCH better than the western variations. I've been looking into them as I am going to Japan in July and hoping to stock myself up on some nice makeup. You can order these from Amazon I think.
Look for brands like Missha and Skin79 which are Korean I think.
Makeup alley and other makeup forms are a good source of info.

I tried Garnier's BB cream... totally underwhelmed. I used it for a few days and then couldn't stand the smell or the feeling it left on my skin (I realize I hate the feel of primers, it just feels like I put a grease slick over my face). I was very disappointed.

I highly reccomend cover girl tinted moisturizer. I use it on its own if I don't have to go anywhere special in the day, or I use it as a base before my concealer/foundation if I need moisture and coverage. I am obsessed with it, won't go a day without using it. It is oil free and has SPF :)

I like the idea of making one's own! I had a suspicion they were really just tinted moisturisers. The trouble I have always had with the latter is that they add too much colour (when really, for my face, I want to take colour away because it's so weatherbeaten compared to the rest of me).

I do actually really like a silicone primer by Nars that I sometimes use. It doesn't give any colour or coverage really, just sort of smooths everything, like you are slightly soft-focus.

The western ones are no better than tinted moisturisers. This is quite a good blog about the differences between the BB creams...

BB Cream It's Not A BB! - BritishBeautyBlogger

There are many kind and helpful beauty bloggers who swatch their BB creams next to each other,and compared with nuances in for example MAC charts.
I´m a pale BB cream user(tried about 15 different brands,crazy about the quality of asian beauty products!),what color are you?
Maybe I can give you a tip about brands that works?:-)

Normal day makeup for me is slapping on a BB cream after cleansing(I don´t need a moisturizer under in summer/humid climate)blush+lip tint w. spf and after that I´m off Having a 3 in 1 products saves time!

Few of the western brands have SPF:s over 30,and list their PA protection,so I don´t generally give them thumbs up.
I think mixing concealer(the higher the pigment %,the better as to not dilute)with sunscreens is an exellent option...especially for those who can´t tolerate chemical sunscreens around the eyes,or hate the blue/white cast sunscreen can give.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

There are many kind and helpful beauty bloggers who swatch their BB creams next to each other,and compared with nuances in for example MAC charts.
I´m a pale BB cream user(tried about 15 different brands,crazy about the quality of asian beauty products!),what color are you?
Maybe I can give you a tip about brands that works?:-)

Emma, way back when there was a sunscreen thread your recommendation for the Japanese sunblock lead me to the best block I've ever used (Perfect UV). I'd love to hear what you recommend for the BBs!

I'm kinda pale but not medium toned if that helps.

[QUOTE=emma-bessa;979914]There are many kind and helpful beauty bloggers who swatch their BB creams next to each other,and compared with nuances in for example MAC charts.
I´m a pale BB cream user(tried about 15 different brands,crazy about the quality of asian beauty products!),what color are you?
Maybe I can give you a tip about brands that works?:-)QUOTE]

That would be fabulous. I am Golden 3, I usually have to mix yellow corrector with warm 3 if I can't find anything in my shade.
I tried to make my own which ended in failure. The only product I currently use is coconut oil so I thought "hmm, I'll mix that with my mineral powder and through in some rose water for awesomeness". It didn't work. :-p

Originally Posted by coffeegoddess

Emma, way back when there was a sunscreen thread your recommendation for the Japanese sunblock lead me to the best block I've ever used (Perfect UV). I'd love to hear what you recommend for the BBs!

I'm kinda pale but not medium toned if that helps.

SO HAPPY that I could help!
Got very little time over for blogging after I´ve started a "beauty ramblings and reviews"blog,but there are some recommendations for my favorite makeup+skincare products up:-) Since I will study math now I´ll have more time in the summer/autumn.

Truth is,there are good and bad formulated products in BB creams,just as every cosmetic products.
The trouble with complexion matching are that the asian market tend to produce many BB creams with a strong pink/grey undertone that does NOT match any natural skin tone.It has to do with the desire to brighten skin:look at this picture to see what most commercials look like:http:http://beautyknot.wordpress.com...ic-bb-cream///

Many of the good formulated ones are also very moisturizing,and I´ve noticed a lot of pore clogging(sorry,TMI).
These are intended for korean/japanese/chinese WINTERS,and definitly not for those that have a tendency to get blackheads or acne.
Those that claim to be better for oily skin always contains a large % of alcohol to give it a "lighter"feeling.Here are two objective reviews for two of the most popular brands BB:
Beautypedia - Search

Blog link,scroll down in posts for "engrish"translations:Shabby Non-Chic

So after trying out quite a few,I have liked Missha M Pefect Cover,and Skin Foods.
Both have neutral/ivory/golden undertones instead of pink/grey,comes in several colors and are affordable.They are best for day,and do not photograph well(high spf:s makes face stark white with flash photography)

My favorites that I still use and buy again and again is the Sunkiller BB Perfect Strong,I think it may be perfect for you,coffeegoddess!
It´s a light weight(runny) tinted sun lotio.It fits NC15-30 and settles down matte(has alcohol content just like the Perfect UV)

That would be fabulous. I am Golden 3, I usually have to mix yellow corrector with warm 3 if I can't find anything in my shade.
I tried to make my own which ended in failure. The only product I currently use is coconut oil so I thought "hmm, I'll mix that with my mineral powder and through in some rose water for awesomeness". It didn't work. :-p[/QUOTE]

What kind of skin type do you have?Any problems with specific ingredients?:-)

I'm 30 and currently preggers so my skin has become a bit dry and kind of prone to brake outs, I've noticed two sun spots as well. I know I can't use benzital (sp?) peroxide, Bare minerals brand powders give me a rash when I sweat and whatever is in Loreal makes my eyes burn.
I really appreciate you sharing all of your beauty knowledge, I know it probably cost a fortune in time and moneyto experiment with all these different bands so Thank You!

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

My favorites that I still use and buy again and again is the Sunkiller BB Perfect Strong,I think it may be perfect for you,coffeegoddess!
It´s a light weight(runny) tinted sun lotio.It fits NC15-30 and settles down matte(has alcohol content just like the Perfect UV)

Thanks for all the information and the recommendation! I'm going to find this one and give it a try.

Originally Posted by Ahmber

I'm 30 and currently preggers so my skin has become a bit dry and kind of prone to brake outs, I've noticed two sun spots as well. I know I can't use benzital (sp?) peroxide, Bare minerals brand powders give me a rash when I sweat and whatever is in Loreal makes my eyes burn.
I really appreciate you sharing all of your beauty knowledge, I know it probably cost a fortune in time and moneyto experiment with all these different bands so Thank You!

Aha,you are probably sensitive to bismuth oxycloride!Then I have a suggestion that worked well for 7 of my friends(sensitive,prone to breakouts-3 were pregnant at the time they tested this and continued after)
If you are happy with the way mineral makeup application(and do not wish to have a cream application)try:Free product kit makeup / Everyday Minerals | Everyday Naturals
I have yet to see problems from their formulations(and they can be pressed to be more travel friendly)

The best applicator for sensitive skin types I know looks like this:http://http://www.skin-one.com/young...ooglebase12111 Most makeup supply shops carry this "generic"and brands like Jane Iredale&Youngblood have them for sale branded(more costly)

If you prefer a more creamy application,one sunscreen that mixes very well with E.M. concealer and foundation is this(samples avaliable)Pure Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15 with Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide - Select Sun Care: Paula's Choice Skin Care & Cosmetics It settles to a satin matte (and is exellent for babies)and is not irritating to eyes,so I usually mix one little pot with concealer,and one larger with foundation.Congratulations to being waiting for the baby

Originally Posted by coffeegoddess

Thanks for all the information and the recommendation! I'm going to find this one and give it a try.

Found a very detailed review with swatches from Kathi("the" asian beauty products blogger)
HERE:Lotus Palace: Inexpensive Beauty Find: Kiss Me Sunkiller Perfect Strong BB SPF 50+ PA+++

I use Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20 and have for years -- on my 50+ year old skin it's just enough. I powder over it for performing. It's not terribly expensive and I can layer it in areas where I need more coverage without looking cakey. One needs to let it sit on the skin for about 15 minutes for the matte effect to kick in (but I usually am wearing another heavier-duty sunscreen underneath which may account for this). Only complaint might be that there are not many shades from which to choose, and those are all for light to medium skintones. But if one of them works for you, it's good stuff.

I´m a big fan of Paula:-) Her makeup advices are obviously not for me(PB dislikes shimmer,garish colors and overly dramatic eyeliner)but her skincare advice changed my skin from problematic-3 rounds of Accutane,melasma pigmentation mask-to being the feature I get the most compliments for!

Since using her methods doesn´t require buying products from her I think it´s safe for me to say:GIVE IT A TRY if you have skin woes!

To continue "beauty nerding"BB creams are nothing but tinted moisturizers.

Most BB creams are just emollient creams or alcohol based gels with tint.
The first generation BB creams were meant to use after deep peels/laser resurfacing and protect/cover up the red,flaky skin while healing.The "good for acne"is mostly a marketing gimmick.

There are skin calming ingredients,there are pigment reducing ingredients,there are skin communicating ingredients.
But I have yet to see any included in BB creams as more than a little "spice for marketing".

The benefits of UVA protection(PA means Protection Grade of UVA,PA+++ is the highest)in the asian products does not outweigh the hardships of finding a good match and formulation that does not clog or dry out.

So IMO+from my experience:
Mixing any high protection sunscreen that face tolerates well(around the eyes without stinging,doesn´t break you out)with a high coverage concealer like Hard Candy´s Glamoflauge(about 5$ on Walmart,great litte find)is a way to get a"BB cream"as good as most on the market:-)