Category: face

BB Creams – My Favorites for Each Skin Type

A BB Cream (initials for “Beauty Balm” or “Blemish Balm”) is a moisturizer, sunscreen, and skin care treatment all in one. They were first popularized in Asia and have since taken the US by storm. They are literally EVERYWHERE. As a beauty editor, the questions I most often get are “How do I pick a BB Cream?” or “Which BB Cream is your favorite?”. So, this article is designed to narrow down my favorites based on your exact needs.

First, I must disclose, this is probably my most favorite beauty product at the moment. It is a multi-tasker that prevents aging, makes skin look even and still have a natural look about it. They work great as a primer with SPF under foundation. Or on their own if you don’t need as much coverage. One of these should definitely be in your makeup arsenal.

Best for combo/oily skin: Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++

This oil-free formula comes in only one shade but works on a wide range of complexions. It has a watery consistency that blends easily and won’t clog pores. The addition of Abyssine, a naturally-derived survival molecule, can actually calm skin inflamed by breakouts or sensitivity.

Best for dry skin: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30/PA+++

NARS has a high SPF with a dewy and hydrated finish. The coverage is fairly substantial for a tinted moisturizer and this keeps my dry skin plump and glowy all day. They have a great shade range and the slightly yellow undertones neutralize redness. NARS also promises to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation with four weeks of continued use. My dark spots did improve while I was using NARS but I also had steps in my skincare to fight darks spots.

Best for dry skin with lighter coverage Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ 

This formula by Dr. Jart is made with 50 percent water, hydrating skin to give a healthy finish. This is great for a hot summer day because the water actually has a cooling effect as it is applied to the skin. The coverage is slightly lighter than his Premium formulation seen below.

Best for sensitive or red skin: Omorovicza Complexion Perfector BB Cream SPF 20, 1.7

This silicon-free formula is perfect for easily irritated skin. The luxury formula has loads of skin care benefits, including Hyaluronic acid, adding hydration. The coverage is light but it easily minimizes redness and gives a glowy finish without looking too dewy.

Best for varying coverage or as a primer: Miracle Skin™ Transformer

This vitamin rich formula evens skin while still being light-weight. Its formula and coverage makes it particularly well suited to build as you need more coverage and contains scilicon to give it a bit of “slip”. This also makes it a great primer under a fuller coverage foundation. This was a lifesaver in the winter when I needed more coverage for redness in the center of my face, but was stil able to use a lighter application on my cheeks and forehead.

Best SPF: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++

While these other formulas have between 20-30 SPF, Dr. Jart amped it up with this formula. His “Premium” version is perfect for summer days spent outdoors. He didn’t skip on skin care properties – bio-peptides and adenosine protect skin from harsh environmental factors while restoring firmness and elasticity.

For a drugstore alternative: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream

Garnier did a great job bringing BB Cream to the drugstore, available for $12.99. They have two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep.

benefit Sun Beam

I have a sweet nostalgia for benefit Cosmetics. While living in San Francisco, I was around the corner of benefit boutique. Loads of Saturdays were spent browsing their retro goodies and the store on Chestnut was the home of many brow waxes. The roots of this company are solidly in the Bay Area. In 1976, twins Jean and Jane opened a makeup boutique and benefit was born.

One of their signature items is high beam, an illuminator housed in a nail polish like bottle. It is a satiny, pink that I love using on cupid’s bow, under eyebrows and down the bridge of my nose. This stuff has honestly been in my makeup cabinet for 10 years running. So, I had to try its new sister product that recently launched.

Sun beam is the same concept but with a bronzy golden shade. Since I am such a fan of the dewy and glowy look, this is perfect for on the cheekbones, blended up to the forehead. It is the safe sun in a little bottle.

If you have a fan brush, this can also be worked on the décolletage and blended out on the face.

LORAC Wild For TANtalizer® Collection

For my recent trip to Los Angeles for LuckyFABB, I brought along this summer kit by Lorac. I knew for a conference that was held literally at the shore, I needed a summer look that was still natural.

The set contains:

The bronzer is on the darker side but still worked for my light-medium skin. I used it under my cheekbones, forehead and neck. It would also look great on the collarbone and décolleté. This is on the shimmery side of bronzers and gave a very healthy glow. The eyeshadows were a subtle range of shimmery taupe. The lightest (Fierce) is a great highlighter. Both middle shades work on the lid, and the darkest (Saber) makes a great, natural liner. I love the gloss – nurturing and perfectly nude. It does have a slight cake batter smell. Wish they had gone with a more tropical coconut or vanilla flavor, but I don’t mind the baking scent.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

For a long time, I was on the fence about primers. I just didn’t see their value. Until I gave Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer a shot. My foundation lasted hours longer. And I was a convert.

Laura Mercier, the queen of the flawless face, is known for her complexion items, especially her tinted moisturizer. But I think these primers are the real stars. She has five varieties:

My friends and family will all tell you I am a fan of the glowy and dewy look. I love a hydrated and healthy face (an uphill battle with my dry skin). So, I was quick to get my paws on the newest primer, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance.

The primer contains Jojoba Oil and Vitamins A, C & E that keep your skin from looking dull and tired. The the water content keeps it looking hydrated. The formula doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin at all and is silicone and paraben-free.

Out of the tube, this looks like a peachy, pearl lotion. But it goes on perfectly sheer when you blend it into the face. Don’t be fooled though – it is creating the perfect canvas for foundation. My undertone is slightly less red with a radiance about it. And it makes a bare face incredibly soft. I still need a moisturizer underneath, but those with more normal or oily skin will do just fine without.

Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick

So many recent “firsts” over here at Belle Belle Beauty. First Edward Bess, then La Prairie and now (finally) Tom Ford. I love it just as much as my other luxury foundation pick, Clé de Peau Beauté Silky Cream Foundation, but they couldn’t be more different. Clé de Peau gives a silky, glowy finish with medium coverage, whereas Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick is nimble, oil-free and buildable in coverage.

This stick has a unique quality: swiping the stick directly on my skin gives a creamy, blendable formula. The only other stick foundation I’ve used (Bobby Brown) is not near as blendable and almost cakey. As the Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick sets, the finish is more matte, bringing with it fantastic staying quality. I haven’t had a foundation EVER stay on as long as this does.

Shaped like a giant concealer stick, I wasn’t sure now precise I could be. But actually, the stick allows you to build coverage where needed and let a sheerness shine through where you don’t. If you are having a particularly good skin day, just use this as a concealer! And love this is airplane friendly and portable.

Tom Ford’s price point is definitely high ($78), but this stick is HUGE and excellent quality. You won’t be sorry.

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation

I’ve definitely covered loads of foundation options for those of you with dry skin like me (look here, here and here). But this one is for all those with oiler skin. Laura Mercier has just come out with new oil-free foundation that gives skin the ultimate coverage, comfort and wear for a flawless complexion.

Here’s what she promised (and delivered):

  • Oil-free, non-drying, lightweight formula glides on evenly on to skin and does not settle into fine lines.
  • Visibly minimizes the appearance of pores for smoother skin.
  • Buildable coverage, from moderate to full, evens skin tone.
  • Provides a soft matte finish.
  • Longwearing formula (lasts up to 8 hours) feels lightweight and comfortable on skin.
  • Silicone-free, fragrance-free, non-greasy.

The formula is excellent – smooth, great staying power and even, matte finish. My only caveat is make sure you actually do have oily skin. This will only play nice with truly oily skin. My guinea pig, Corey, assured me she had oily skin but it was even drying for her. But when I tried it on my early-twenties buddy with the right complexion, the Oil-Free Supreme Foundation really shined. I love this for younger skin with acne problems. The addition of aloe, green tea, and silica sooths, heals and corrects.  Vitamin A will also help correct imperfections. And Vitamin E hydrates without a greasy finish.

The oil-free foundation hits counters this month and is available in 12 shades: Porcelain Ivory, Blush Ivory, Warm Ivory, Sunny Beige, Vanilla Beige, Golden Beige, Shell Beige, Tawny Beige, Honey Beige, Suntan Beige, Toffee Bronze, Rich Sienna).