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Have you used a BB or CC Cream before?
Have you used a BB or CC Cream before? How did you use it? Did it replace any other products you used to use? Share!
I have used them before, but I usually used them more as tinted moisturizers than as a replacement for moisturizer or primer (though I don’t typically wear primer, so if it acted as a primer as well, it would be doing double-duty there).
Thanks to reader Jillann for today’s question idea Do you have a question idea? Submit yours here.
I’ve tried Maybeline’s BB cream, which I like, and I’ve also tried Revlon’s BB and CC creams, which I really disliked. Most of the HE brands don’t make a BB cream that is light enough for my skin. :/
Like Christine, I’ve only used them as a replacement for foundation/tinted moisturizers before. I don’t personally love Asian BB creams (too thick, too much coverage, never the right color), and I treat US BB creams as tinted moisturizers. It’s kind of funny that what they label as BB Cream in the western market is really much closer to Asian CC cream (and vice versa).
I have used both bb and cc cream. They both replace my sun block and foundation. BB cream even replaces my corrector but I found a tendency of more black heads after using it for more than two months. CC cream on the other hand doesn’t.
I have tried them because I have received them as samples. I do not think I will ever purchase them.. I prefer foundation.
I’ve tried a couple of different Korean BB Creams. I like the fact that they seem to hold back the oiliness on my skin and I find a little goes a long way in terms of coverage. The downside is getting a colour match. I’ve mixed them with a tinted moisturizer to match my skin in the summer.
No. American BB and CC creams appear to be glorified tinted moisturizers. I haven’t tried any Korean brands I’m hesitant to purchase anything that I can try first. NARS tinted moisturizer is the only product I found that does the same thing as the best of the BB and CC creams but doesn’t try to pretend it’s something special by giving in initials in the name.
I’m the same way, especially with base products. Most Asian markets have beauty counters though where you can test the imported ones (they don’t even need to be big markets, there are three different ones within an hou of me that all sell the stuff and these are smaller, local markets). Just be cautious of purchasing from them as – in my experience – the prices are outrageously higher than buying online.
Amen Jennifer!!! I agree with every word.
I’ve been using Smashbox’s BB and CC cream and I’ve actually worn them all summer instead of foundations! I tone, moisturize, then apply the BB or CC cream. Their creams are full coverage and easy to blend. I highly recommend them! 🙂
I use Skin79 BB cream as my foundation most of the time and I use a Korean color corrector from Etude house. I haven’t had much luck with western bb or cc creams and I have a very difficult time finding foundations in the US. Most are too orange or red for my skin tone.
Even though I have a lot of acne and acne scars, I love wearing BB cream because it gives me a really natural finish. I have pretty oily skin so sometimes foundations can seem a lot on my skin, even when I use something matte and more lightweight. My favorite BB cream is the Etude House Cotton Fit, it has more of a matte finish and looks really natural on my skin.
Depends if you’re talking about American BB creams or Asian ones. Very different products, IMO. I didn’t use them up until recently when I tried out Missha’s Perfect M BB cream because I wanted a base for summer that could survive our muggy heat. I am officially a convert. I’ll never wear foundation again in the summer. It has variable coverage, sticks like iron, and moisturizes like whoa. It also keeps away the oily sheen that I find some TMs get after few hours in the sun, and it has SPF 42. What more could a lady want? (Except maybe more color range. I picked up 21 because I wanted to play safe, and while it works, I think I could have gotten away with 13, as I’ve seen it recommended for NW15 skintones. So it could use an even lighter shade AND it definitely needs more expansion on the darker side of the spectrum.)
BB cream is the only face product I use – Missha’s Signature Real Complete BB cream. Just the right amount of coverage, stays on all day, moisturizing without being greasy. Love it!
I tried Garnier’s one and it was absolutely terrible. Thick and greasy and smelled of sunscreen. Plus the colour was horrible.
I exclusively wear them. I realised some time back that my face didn’t need as much pick up as my eyes did. But I have yet to find anything that doesn’t oxidizer on me.
Oh yes! Dior bb creme is an all time favorite base for me! I hate the foundation feeling on the face so obviously something as light yet covering as a bb creme works for me
I am a big fan of Dior’s too. I use Diorskin Nude, usually when I am in a hurry (woke up late) and have no time for full moisturising/priming routine – or if I know I will be re-doing my makeup from scratch that day for whatever reason. I always mix in a little Becca skin perfector or another illuminator as I would with foundation too, it really brings is to life. I also love the way it makes me look much more natural than foundation. I do have very oily skin and am prone to breakouts so I tend to just conceal big problem areas with Vichy Dermablend foundation where needed (which to be fair I would do with regular foundation too). I’ve also tried a sample of Bobbi Brown’s BB cream, which I was pretty impressed with too, especially as it has SPF35 (Dior is only 10). The only thing is it wasnt as light as the Dior, but coverage was great. I also bought MAC Prep+Prime BB (again for the high spf) but was so disappointed in the texture and finish that it is still sitting in my drawer.
Oh thats a great tip with the Becca skin perfector! I have moonstone will try mixing it with the BB Creme next time! Thank you! and oh too bad about the MAC one 🙁
Yeah give it a go, you only need a very tiny bit. Let me know what you think 🙂
I used up a tube of Maybelline’s Dream Pure BB Cream, which was nice enough for spring and summer. I also have and use the Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream — it’s a bit oily but always looks and wears fabulously!
I use Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Fair to Light. It matches my skin perfectly and feels very light.
It hasn’t completely replaced anything. I use it on days when I don’t feel like wearing my powder foundation (one days when my cheeks feel drier & less oily), but don’t really want my heavier stick cream foundation. I use it as a lighter “foundation” when my skin is clear, but I still need a bit of a base, or I want a more natural look. It’s another piece in my makeup wardrobe. As a pre-menopausal woman, my facial skin can vary a lot: It’ll be it’s usual oily state most of the time, but I’ll get bouts of hormonal breakouts. Other days I may go through a cycle of really dry cheeks and oily T-Zone. It helps to have a few different options.
I’ve tried several brands and most of them break me out or just do nothing for me.
YSL’s BB cream is my favourite ‘foundation’ product 🙂 most BB creams are too dark/orange for me though, even in their fairest shade.
Yes, I have a BB cream from Estee Lauder, and CC creams from Bourjois and Estee Lauder. And I even have an EE cream now… 🙂
What is an EE cream?
As far as BB and CC creams go, I have a sample from Clinique, the moisture surge CC cream and haven’t tried it yet. has anyone used that one?
I’ve used quite a few bb creams instead of daily foundation. I like them, the “one single step and you’re ok”, is very attractive to me.
About the cc cream this morning I was about buying the chanel CC one. but too expensive….
I’ll stick to my Herborian’s cc which does it job with a very respectable spf 40 but has a too strong smell,
Have you tried Asian BB/CC creams, Christine? They’re really different from western brands! I find that most Japanese BB Creams can actually replace foundation for me.
They sound great, what would you recommend B?
I used them both before but BB is not my fav,now I don’t use them anymore and CC cream I usually used them after primer ,before liquid/powder foundation but not everyday though
You better believe I do. IT Cosmetics CC Cream has become my “go to” daily product because it combines a lot of products in one and also has a high level of SPF. In summer, I can usually skip moisturizer with this product, though in winter, I usually wear moisturizer underneath. I also love Clarins BB Cream (also with a high level of SPF) especially since they’ve finally come out with an even lighter shade and Marcelle’s BB and CC creams are 2 others I love. Generally now, I only bother with foundation for special occasions or just to use them up!
Would you mind telling me more about the IT CC cream? I’m very interested in that line of cosmetics after reading about them, and I’m considering using a BB/CC cream…I don’t need a lot of coverage…
I really like MAC´s Beauty Balm because it makes my skin look glowing without being greasy and is pale enough for me. Unfortunately, most BB/CC creams on the European market aren´t fair enough, so I couldn´t try them even if I wanted to.
Not yet. I’d like to try one soon though to see what the big deal is
I think they’re pretty pointless. Lousy moisturizers with zero coverage. The lone exception is Maybelline’s Pure BB 2% salicylic acid acne treatment. It’s thicker—more like a sheer foundation.
I use It Cosmetics CC cream and love it. I’ve tried Missha and a few other BB creams from Korea but could never find a good color match. Once it hit the American market, I tried a few BB/CC creams like Smashbox and Tarte, which were not bad, but the rest I didn’t think they were any better than a tinted moisturizer. Those two I mentioned have more coverage than the other American BB/CC creams i have tried though. Once I tried It Cosmetics CC cream, I fell in love. It was amazing coverage and a lot of skin benefits and smells nice too. I use this CC cream everyday now in place of my day time foundation. The medium color is perfect for my NC30 skin.
Linda – isn’t it GREAT (the IT one)? I really like it too – blends in so nicely when I apply and then sort of press with my palms. And I love the high level of SPF. Such a good product.
BB creams yesss all the time. I love the ones from MAC, Annabelle and Marcelle. THe tinted moisturizer from theBalm is pretty much like a BBM cream ( on me anyway) and I love it too. THey replaced a whole bunch of products for me..definitely. Ive swatched a lot of CC creams but those to me would just be a base over which id probably use my foundation/BB cream.
The only “Asian” BB Cream I’ve tried is one from Dr. Jart’s, and I really like it. It’s one of the few products that is light enough, and *also* has a grey tone to it. I’ve also tried Ole Hendrickson CC Cream, which has a great formula, and does great things, but it’s too orange-which I find with most CC Creams.
I’ve also tried various DS “BB Creams”, and with the exception of having a low SPF, I quite like them. However, I don’t need a lot of coverage, so they suit my needs.
Currently, I’m using Skin Food Broccoli Sun Cream + Ardency Inn Custom Color Concentrate, which is basically the same as a BB Cream, and I can adjust the pigmentation. I just wish Ardency Inn had a better color match for me, or I may have to buy a second shade…
I’m loving the BB cream by Andalou Naturals. I tried using it throughout the summer in lieu of a moisturizer, but I found it wasn’t quite moisturizing enough for my combination skin. I now use it on top of my moisturizer to minimize the appearance of my pores and even out my skintone a bit. If I want further coverage, I’ll then put some of my Guerlain Lingerie de Peau on. I adore the Andalou BB cream and Guerlain combo for my skin!
In general, I’m LOVING the Andalou Naturals line of products…. I use a night cream, cleanser, and BB cream of theirs. Their BB cream is fantastic in my opinion!
I used the Skin79 Oriental Gold BB Cream as a sunblock/foundation. I’m pretty happy with it, although I’m thinking about transitioning into a lighter coverage “tinted moisturizer” type formula instead.
Hi! They make that in an air cusion pact now! You can control the coverage and it stays moist with easy application! 🙂
The only BBB cream I tried and like is Dr. Jart premium. It pretty much replaced my primer and foundation for summer casual days. Sometimes I can skip moisturizer with it as well, but my skin can get pretty dry.
I’ve tried Meybelline Dream Fresh and I hated. Make my skin so shiny and greasy!
Loreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream for my skin is great. Makes my skin beautiful and fresh. Control the shine and evens out the skin tone very well. Doen’t have SPF tough.
Even though it’s not technically a bb cream, I use the stila sheer color tinted moisturizer for a multitude of purposes. It has sheer to light coverage but is moisturizing, luminizing (fine shimmer), and has mineral spf. Some days I will use it by itself or with powder. Days when I want more coverage, I use it as a primer underneath a medium coverage foundation.
I’ve tried ones from Tarte but I didn’t like them. Too much silicone.
I am using bb cream nearly everydays. I use as BB as light foundation or tinted moisrurizer.. I use cc cream as a primer with foundation.. It makes amazing long lasting and glowing effect with foundation..
I’ve tried one CC Cream by Clinique. Apart from the fact that I was sold totally the wrong colour, I didn’t like the texture or finish. Used it half a dozen times, then gave up and sold it. I only charged enough for postage, but I was going to bin it, so at least if found a home! I have four BB creams: Bobbi Brown’s with which I’m rather underwhelmed, the Dior BB cream which is okay and two Garnier ones, the ordinary the the BB Blur one. And guess what? They knock spots off the high-end ones.
IT CC cream is my go to foundation. Quick and easy and great coverage.
I never have used either one – I remember when these products first hit the market – a lot of information I read said they were gimmicks – I don’t know but decided I didn’t need either one. : )
I like my CC cream but I don’t love it. But I enjoy the CC cream from Becca cosmetics. It feels like a tinted moisteriser, and that is all I need for my skin right now.
I’ve tried a few different tinted moisturizers… err, BB creams… and CC creams available here in the states but I haven’t been impressed with any of them thus far.
HOWEVER, the Asian BB creams (especially BRTC) have worked great for me. I can wear it as a foundation (with my fair to light skin) and it provides enough coverage to even-out the mild redness I sometimes deal with. I’ve worn it under other foundations twice and the result was incredible! My skin looked flawless and it improved the overall wear of my makeup. =) I keep some on hand for special occasions.
Indeed! I’ve learned NOT to use Western ones, though, as they are just tints of bad moisture or sunscreen.. REAL BB/CC from Korea HAVE MULTIPLE BENEFICIAL SKIN PROPERTIES and also provide coverage like a foundation, for me anyway, if one so desires. Hence, I find BB/CC creams much more useful than a foundation and they’ve replaced foundation I never liked anyway. 🙂 There are more finely tuned ones out and still coming that are more like a foundation while still incorporating the fine qualities of a bb/cc/dd.. Etc. If you want coverage but still want to let your skin breathe and heal.. Research these! 😀 YaY! (Cushions rock!) The trend is slowly leaking into Western products as we notice claims changing and routines of products echoing that of Korean regimes.. But the flawless execution and ingredients aren’t quite there yet.. To those who think BB/CC won’t stay on or there’s not a color for you, good companies have created ways to suit everybody and there are wonderful beneficial finishing & setting powders & sprays, not to mention concealer as well, if you feel it can’t be built up enough.. Try ebay for a sampling of Korean BB/CC! ( If you are interested but don’t know how to access items..) Reputavle power sellers only have AUTHENTIC product SO CHEAP.. You’ll never pay much more than drugstore costs. 😀
I actually found my skin to benefit from the Garnier & Aveeno ones. The *only* issue I have is the low SPF, but on days I don’t do anything outside apart from walking my daughter to/from school (across the street), the SPF is adequate. I also apply MPF over it, so there’s an added layer, as well. Also, with the “Asian” products, I’ve found several to contain Mineral Oil or other things I *try* to avoid in products I use daily, and I don’t know what type of regulation check they go through in terms of authenticating the SPF. Skin Food is an exception I’d be willing to try, as they have individual retail outlets in the US, but not any others. SPF is a major issue for me, and one thing I like to have confidence in.
Hi! I’m glad you found something that works for you! It’s so difficult, isn’t it? Regarding SOF, even ifcim indoors all day, the light reacts ne as well emitted from computers, etc., and other products I use render my skin more sensitive, needing an spf to block future problems. I never thought it was THAT important either. As for brands, there are great usa retailers and a majority of Korean & Japanese products are that they ARE 20 free, 6 free, whatever free.. Meaning of parabens, gmo, petroleum, mineral oil, animal testing.. Many things safe by standards you can research yourself on google! Great people have made information possible as well as product availability so it’s there if you need it. A lot of products are better dupes of things we already have.. It’s quite astonishing what I’ve been learning lately about skincare and makeup. We rely on their knowledge but our regulations and demand for higher prices make USA a time challenging project.. Besides, the products stay cheaper from there and there are, like I said, many wonderful others who were in our position and became those reliable sources! Because you only mentioned Skin Food, I’m guessing that you’ve not been following the industry on that side snd j hope you do and find things that surprise and make you very pleased! 🙂 <3
reputable^ lol
I’ve used a few – Missha, SkinFood and Holika Holika. I do like them better than the tinted moisturizers I’d tried in the past due to the better coverage they give, but I rarely feel like my skin is behaving well enough to just get away with a bb cream.
I don’t like wearing a tinted moisturizer, I prefer to wear foundation to even out my skin tones (redness). However I have used a CC cream and I found it to be useless. A daily face moisturizer, primer and then foundation is my routine.
I have tried both of them and am still using them on a daily base. I can’t tell the difference between BB and CC tho (maybe there isn’t any!). I use them mainly as foundation since I easily break out while wearing foundations and I tend to use “shields” under foundations. ( to me that means sunscreens that has safely tested on my skin for a while). So to me, BB or CC creams are a faster and easier choice in the morning.
i have smashbox’s bb cream in the darkest shade and it still feels light. In the heat it literally comes of as i am doing my makeup and gives my makeup a really nasty look. i use it anyway because sometimes i just dont feel like having the heavy feeling of foundation on my face. however, i do hear that the maybellin bb is pretty good so i will just have to take a chance on that. thought i would really like the smashbox bb but its been a huge let down and u know it wasnt cheap either
I’ve used Missha’s Perfect Cover BB cream. While I liked the coverage and how smoothly it applied, I couldn’t get over the fragrance. It’s a damn shame too because it was the only Korean brand bb cream I could find that carried a medium warm shade (no. 27 i think). I ended up giving it to one of my teenaged nieces. She adores the stuff.
And I totally don’t use it in place of my regular moisturizer. I even have oily skin but noticed my skin was too thirsty and seemed to suck up too much of the bb cream as i was applying it, which made it go on unevenly.
I’ve tried a few. I would like them to replace moisturizer, sunscreen, etc. but if I wear them by themselves, they don’t feel moisturizing enough, and if I wear them over moisturizer, then it feels like too much for my oily skin. I think I’ve decided that if I’m going to put something all over my face, I might as well just use foundation so it will cover up my acne and scarring.
The ones I’ve tried:
Physicians Formula: was really great until it oxidized and smelled weird on my face
Revlon CC: a whole lot of nothing
L’Oreal CC (can’t remember which one, unfortunately): also a whole lot of nothing
Neutrogena Visibly Even: wasn’t impressed, no coverage at all
Laura Geller: felt oily, color was weird on me (I’m fair, tried the lightest color)
Tarte: the lightest color was too dark for me
DiorSnow: this one is probably my favorite, and I get compliments on my “radiant” skin 🙂 when I wear it, but it’s thicker, so it’s basically foundation with a really high spf.
philosophy A to Z: pretty good, light coverage, fairly moisturizing
Garnier: just started using this on my friend’s recommendation. So far I like it – it feels light, coverage and color is pretty good, and leaves a nice matte finish – doesn’t feel oily.
On the other hand, the Pantene BB cream for hair is awesome!
What can I say – I like trying new stuff! (And I like to share my findings…obviously. 🙂 )
I have used Bobbi Brown BB cream for a while. I used to use it alone. Now I use it over my SS/moisturizer.
I’ve only used Korean BB Creams, which are very different from the tinted moisturizer-like products that Western brands make. My current favorite is Skin79 Green BB Cream, not only does it have very good medium coverage, but it’s also the palest foundation shade I’ve ever found off the rack (I’m about NC05, btw). I wear it over primer (the Monistat one that works amazingly well), followed by concealer and loose powder on top.
I used the Skin79 hot pink BB cream as a replacement for my foundation for a while. The color was a bit too grey for my skin tone and it made me break out every time I used it. And not just normal pimples, I got big, red, cystic pimples. I will not be using BB cream anytime soon after that.
Yes & I love the Kiehl’s one with SPF 50 & the Dior ones (BB nude & BB tan I think). I like the Kiehl’s because it’s such an easy go to for summer with the high SPF & the Dior ones have a gorgeous light matte finish. My skin isn’t so bad, although it’s pretty oily, and I prefer light coverage, so these are perfect for me in summer.
are used BB creams after toning and moisturizing and putting on sunscreen. For me they are foundation replacements that aren’t as harsh on my skin. Actually my skin is in really great shape and I use bb cream daily. Its also easier for me with Asian-caucasianlskin to find a good color match using Japanese bb creams. They are also cheaper than foundation because I buy them in Japan. I use Moist Labo BB Essence Cream in Natural Ochre (winter, when my skin is paler), and Hada-Labo BB moist Emulsion for fuller coverage (though it’s a little cakey and the color is slightly too yellow). When I am more tan (like in the summer) I use the American brand Aveeno’s positively ageless correcting tinted moisturizer in light to medium tan. When I first tried it I thought it was too shimmery and oily (uses oil based spf), but I just apply it lightly around my cheeks, nose, and lower eye and brush a little bare minerals on and it makes my skin look dewy and natural. It has definitely improved my skin and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to foundation. I have also tried Smashbox CC cream and a few other American brands through sephora samples and thought they were cakey and awful. I’m definitely on the lookout for good Asian bb cream recommendations!
Yes I have but I dont use them all that often cause I find them too sheer for my liking.
Yes I have actually. And I swear by them. Best way to look a little extra pretty without looking fully made up. I love the maybelline and loreal ones. But MAC’s prep+prime is by far my fave