I’ve been back at it again…trying out products and jotting notes about them like a mad woman. This time I have tested five BB creams, and taken notes on how they perform, so you can just come here, look at my review and see what each is best at, and decide which might be good for you!
So first things first. What the hell is a BB Cream? Essentially a tinted moisturizer, but with a little twist. Usually, as compared to a tinted moisturizer, BB cream offers longer wear time and also anti-aging benefits.
They usually do wear longer than a traditional tinted moisturizer, which is why I reach for them fairly often.
I can’t really speak to their performance in the anti aging department, but in the year or two since I’ve started using BB creams I haven’t gotten really old looking, so I suppose we’re off to a good start?
So, I have amassed five varieties, which I have either purchased myself or have gotten a deluxe sample of with a purchase…and I think one was in my BirchBox. I wore them all on several occasions, and now I’m ready to spill the beans on what think.
Price: $18.86
Size:1.69 Oz
Coverage: Full, like full on foundation levels of coverage. If you are looking for a sheer, light option, this one is not for you.
Feel: Smooth…but a bit heavy.
Shade Range: There seem to be a few choices. The lightest one (21) was just a little too dark for my skin when first applied (I’m MAC nw15 for reference), but it adjusts and looks good after a few minutes.
Wear Time: Decent. After about 6 hours I felt oily, but I think it would be good for 8+ hours if I set it with translucent powder, because it really acts more like a foundation than a BB cream.
SPF: 42+++ (I’m not going to lie to you, I have no idea what the +++ means)
Overall: Good for someone who wants the full coverage of a foundation but also wants the speed of getting all their skincare (SPF, moisturizer, serum etc.) done in one step.
:Price: $38.00
Size:1.3 Oz
Coverage: Medium-Sheer.
Feel: Light and smooth, has almost a gel-like quality. Reminds me of applying a primer. Not heavy on the skin at all.
Shade Range: Only one shade. But since it’s sheer and self adjusts a bit It will work for most skin tones. Maybe VERY fair ladies might find it a touch too orange.
Wear Time: Excellent. They aren’t kidding when they say stay all day. It wore for 8+ hours without budging.
SPF: 30
Overall: Good as a BB Cream, GREAT as a primer. That’s why this one gets “Best Multi-Tasker” I use it as a foundation primer so my moisturizer, SPF and primer go on all in one step and it stays all day and helps my foundation look awesome. I also use it on it’s own just as a BB cream sometimes, so I really get a lot of use out of this one.
You can see how I use it under my foundation here:
Price: $34.99
Size:1.5 Oz
Coverage: Extremely Sheer. Seriously next to nothing.
Feel: Goes on smooth, and dries so light it’s like you aren’t wearing anything.
Shade Range: Only one shade, but it’s so sheer I can’t imagine how it could not match someone’s skin tone.
Wear Time: Pretty darn good. After about 7.5 hours I felt a little oily but not so much that I needed to wash it off.
SPF: 20
Overall: Good for someone who wants next to no coverage at all. Just to even out almost perfect skin, or get an even tone with the natural look of freckles and beauty marks showing through. Even very light freckles show through this one.
Price: $36.00
Size:1.5 Oz
Coverage: Medium.
Feel: Weightless, about as weightless and “nothing on my skin” feeling as the Urban Decay one, but with medium coverage. Which is why it wins Best Weightless Feel, because that’s pretty impressive!
Shade Range: Just one shade, but like most BB creams it seems to adjust to match your skin after a few minutes. I will say that this one does take a while to blend in and match your face though, like 20+ minutes.
Wear Time: Decent. Started feeling a little greasy after about 6.5 hours
SPF: 25
Overall: Good for someone who wants to feel like they aren’t wearing anything on their skin, but still needs medium coverage.
Price: $12.99
Size: 2.5 Oz
Coverage: Medium. Like a very light coverage foundation.
Feel: Feels like it will be heavy when you squeeze it out of the tube, but applies really light.
Shade Range: There are 3 or 4 shades from what I saw in the store, and the fair/light one is the lightest shade I have ever seen in a BB cream. It matches me very well right off the bat, no need to wait for it to adjust. If you have extremely fair skin and can’t seem to find a BB cream that suits you, this might be the one for you!
Wear Time: Meh…not great. At about 5 hours I felt greasy and by 6 I felt like it was time to take it off. It almost felt like it was oily underneath, but with little crumbly bits forming over it. Not a nice feeling. It was great up until that point though
SPF: 15
Overall: Good for someone who can’t find a BB cream light enough for them. ALSO great on a budget. It is cheaper and comes in a larger tube than any of the others, so if you are looking to try one out and not invest much, this might work for you as well!
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM:
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream (the fair shade seems to be sold out on most places online, but I found mine at walgreens, and I have seen it in stock at Target as well!)
5 Comments
OK now I know I NEEEEEED a BB cream ..ASAP ..love your style and delivery
Ive been using Smashbox BB cream. Have you tried this kind yet? Also, I LOVE your blog!! Always helpful!
Aww thanks Stephanie! I haven’t tried smash box yet, but I’m testing a Joier one at the moment and I like it so far! Let me know how you like the Smashbox one.
There some very impressive points in your blog. I must appreciate your excellent work. I find the blog post very interesting and moreover very informative.
Thank you! So glad you enjoy it!