MAKEUP RULES: All hail the BB cream

 By Bobby Walsh, Special to the Weekender Jan 30

What is a BB cream? Beauty Balm or BB (Blemish Balm) cream was developed over 60 years ago in Germany. Its original intent was to soothe and camouflage patients’ skin after a number of facial treatments, with its five main components consisting of moisturizer, primer, sun screen, foundation, and anti-aging cream. BB cream later reached the Asian market and became popular for its flexibility and ease.

One product that can do the job of many others, BB creams give a natural coverage and flawless appearance to ones complexion while nourishing the skin with hydration and antioxidants. They also shield the skin from free radicals (the things that break down the skin cells that cause wrinkles) in the environment and include an SPF for UVA/UVB sun protection.

Only in the last two years or so we are really seeing an influx of BB cream production. At least every makeup company is the U.S. has some sort of Beauty Balm available. For starters, Garnier has created a BB cream they call Skin Renew; this sensitive non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) formula is available in two shades, instantly renews, evens, brightens, hydrates with vitamin C, and protects skin with SPF 15. It also mattifies and controls oil absorption, leaving the skin smooth and oil free, and for just around $12, it’s a must-have that any beauty lover can afford.

Another BB cream called Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm by Stila cosmetics (stilacosmetics.com) has even more benefits you and your skin will love! This one shade fits most BB cream reduces wrinkle depth by 84 percent, increases antioxidant activity by up to 89.7 percent, diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with bamboo and pea extracts, has a long-wear HD formula (looks beautifully flawless in photos and stays all day), minimizes pore size and controls oil and blemishes, reduces redness and irritation, gives a seamless smooth coverage, has a silky powdery finish ideal for all skin types and tones, and finally, it’s oil-free, paraben-free, and dermatologist tested (for all of you sensitive people). This 10-in-1 BB cream doubles as a foundation primer as well, as do most beauty balms. You decide if you just want to wear it alone or pair it with something else. Just simply apply a small amount in an upward and outward motion all over your face and follow with your favorite liquid/powder foundation or tinted moisturizer for an extremely flawless airbrushed finish. For just $38, this BB cream gets The Real King Bob’s seal of approval!

When applying your BB cream, you can use a flat or domed foundation brush, beauty blender, or your fingers. Don’t be afraid to use your fingers – most beauty balms contain oil controllers that will eliminate the minimal amount of oil you are putting back on your face.

A few other Beauty Balms are TarteBB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen at $34, Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 at $39, Too Faced Air Buffed BB Crème SPF 20 at $39, and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-In-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector at $8.99. Most can be purchased at your favorite Sephora, Ulta, or drugstore.

If BB creams aren’t new enough, keep an eye out for CC creams, which are color correcting creams that mimic beauty balms but with added coverage for more problematic skin.

Check out the article here: MAKEUP RULES : The Real King Bob "All Hail The BB Cream"