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.

NEST Fragrances

Two main reasons why I appreciate Laura Slatkin (other than her outstanding home fragrances). First, she’s a Wall Street girl turned luxury goods expert. I too have some Wall Street years under my belt, so I know how hard it can to be to transition out of that world. Secondly, she’s bringing her award winning home fragrances to our skin. Yep, NEST is rolling out the personal care products. Since this brand is far and away one of my favorites in the space, I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.

  1. You already know how much I love when fashion and beauty meet (hello, Guerlain and Pucci). Same goes for home fragrance and fashion. Jason Wu launched his first fragrance, Orchid Rain, in scented candle form in March. Inspired by florals, Wu included crisp freshness of rare orchid and Asian pear. And the porcelain vessel can be reused (currently home to my makeup brushes).
  2. My favorite size of candle is the single wick. They last about 50 hours and are easy to maintain. The grapefruit is perfect for a clean, “pick me up” scent. Pink pomelo grapefruit and watery green nuances are blended with Lily of the Valley and Coriander Blossom.
  3. I usually don’t like uber-floral candles, but springtime sometimes calls for Peony Blanche Candle. Peony blossoms and watery nuances are accented by a white floral bouquet of jasmine, magnolia, and lily.
  4. I’m new to the diffuser scene and already hooked. It is a persistant and low-maintenance way to freshen a room. I keep my Blue Garden in the bathroom – never having to fret about leaving it unattended.
  5. Here is where the beauty blogger in me REALLY gets excited. Hand soaps are the newest launch and just the beginning of what I hope to be a large personal care line. The soaps are not drying and housed in the most beautiful vessel. Moss and Mint is great for the kitchen and Bamboo (green citrus and white florals) is perfect for the guest bath.
  6. My favorite of all NEST scents is Moroccan Amber – just a hint masculine and so cozy for an evening spent in.

Keep an eye out for the Beach line hitting counters soon – sparkling turquoise water and lush coconut are married with juicy melon and a luminous base of lotus flower and sensual woods. 

LuckyFABB Nails

My Monday spent at LuckyFABB was full of blogging advice, seeing old blogging buddies and making new friends and connections. I never expected my manicure to get a facelift. At the LeSportsac booth, my manicure got “blinged”. On top of my original Chanel Paradoxal, she used Essie’s As Gold As It Gets and Sephora by OPI It’s Real 18K Gold Top Coat for an imperfect golden French Manicure. Then, an accent nail was added with just the gold polishes. Adds a bit of interest, don’t you think? And bonus! The manicure matched my ring perfectly.

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.

SIRCUIT® Skin Lavish™ | multi-use therapeutic dry oil GIVEAWAY!

I’ve always been a fan of using oil after a shower for hydrated and soft skin. I’ve used everything from good ole baby oil to almond oil from Whole Foods. But I was recently introduced to Lavish™ | multi-use therapeutic dry oil from SIRCUIT® Skin that took everything to a whole new level.

First, a little about SIRCUIT® Skin if you aren’t familiar. They are a decade old company based out of Los Angeles, committed to being green, fresh and using only the best ingredients. Their products are paraben, sulfate and cruelty free always. And they never use fillers, artificial colors, artificial preservatives or artificial fragrances. Everything is produced in small batches and this boutique approach translates into exceptional customer care.

I’ve been hooked on their cleanser and lip treatment for about a year so I’m not surprised another one of their products made it into my regular lineup. Unlike the baby oil and almond oil I have used before, Lavish™ | multi-use therapeutic dry oil is incredibly lightweight and absorbs quickly into my skin. I’m not left greasy, but glowing. Nine oils help heal my skin, improving the appearance of scars.

  1. Grape Seed Oil – Rich in linoleic acid, acts as an emollient and lubricant, antioxidant.
  2. Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil (aka Kukui Nut Oil) – excellent source of gamma linoleic acid, smoothes skin while moisturizing and protecting, used to treat dry, chapped, and irritated skin.
  3. Organic Borage Oil – high concentration of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), an Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acid (EFA), anti-irritant, soothing.
  4. Arctic Cranberry Oil – provides essential fatty acids and tocotrienols, for nourishing, moisturizing, and protecting skin.
  5. Cloudberry Oil – unique combination of energy and nutrition, rich in skin essential linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids, and UV protecting carotenoids, as well as membrane strengthening phytosterols, antioxidant rich.
  6. Bitter Almond Oil – high levels of oleic acid, unsaturated triglycerides provide moisture, easily absorbed in skin.
  7. Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil) – high in essential fatty acids, its natural affinity to human sebum makes it an excellent skin care ingredient. Is often used to improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
  8. Calophyllum Inophyllum Oil – stimulant for collagen synthesis for use in anti-wrinkle and anti-stretch mark products.
  9. Neem Oil – For thousands of years Ayurvedic medicine has used Neem for skin care and to treat skin disorders, Moisturizing, rich in fatty acids and glycerides, promotes healing, antiseptic.

I’ve been slathering it on my legs and arms but you can also use this on your face and hair and even add it to a bath.

And here’s the good news! Belle Belle and SIRCUIT® Skin are giving away one full size Lavish™ | multi-use therapeutic dry oil to a lucky reader. Just use the widget below to enter to win! You can earn up to seven entries until 12:01AM on Monday May 7th. The winner will be announced on Monday May 7th.


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