By Jennifer McShane
16th Apr 2016
16th Apr 2016
Summer is around the corner, rejoice! It’ll be brighter, warmer and we can firmly say adieu to the beauty routines that took us through the past few (chilly) months. Barely-there beauty is on trend at the moment, and rather than letting your make-up?cover every pore, it’s about naturally enhancing the beautiful features God gave you. This all starts with a base and for spring/summer, that means letting your skin shine through. One of the best ways to do this is with a BB cream. Yes, we know they have new counterparts now – CC and even DD creams – but we’re going back to basics and focusing on a product that has yet to steer us wrong.
The multi-tasking products have a lightweight feel but create a flawless canvas. They are too light to be foundations but are a step up from a tinted moisturiser. But what makes a BB cream different from tinted moisturisers? The answer lies in the formula, which is laced with potent antioxidants; it combats issues like acne and ageing (depending which one you go for), and improves your skin with each use. Plus, they contain “smart” pigments which blend seamlessly to match every tone (though you’ll get a variety of shade choices as well). We put together a list of some of our favourite BB Creams on the market at the moment.
L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfection BB 5 in 1 Instant Blemish Balm, €16.99
Skin Perfection range was created to visibly improve skin quality “acting on a pixel level on pores, skin texture and skin tone.”?Skin Perfect promises to help improve the look of skin, and specifically the range contains the LR 2412 molecule that’s in Lancome’s Visionnaire, but at half the strength (reflected in the price). On to the BB cream itself, this is by far the IMAGE favourite. Texture wise, it’s extremely light so it’s perfect for those non-make-up days. It contains lovely ingredients like?Glycerin, Allantoin, and Vitamin C, all which help to correct and improve the appearance of skin quality, with frequent use. This brightened up my ghostly complexion and didn’t settle into any of my fine lines or enlarged pores. And it has SPF 25 which is a major plus. It’s also a bargain at under €20.
MAC Prep & Prime BB Beauty Balm, €32
Wear this sheer cream alone for a natural finish, or layered under foundation for longer-lasting coverage. Skin looks dewy and healthy, and the SPF 35 also gives this one major brownie points. The colour range is also excellent.
Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream, €15.99
This one is cheap and cheerful but does the job. It comes in a few varieties, including anti-age, and I currently use the Blemish Balm when I’m having a bad skin day as it treats as well as covers the spots. Thanks to this fresh-scented balm, skin looks bare, only better. It’s moisturising, contains SPF 15 and if you find it’s a tad too oily, a dab of power will sort that out.
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream, €34?
This one contains optical pearl pigments impart a lit-from-within glow (everyone commented on this when I wore it), and the lightweight formula won’t clog your pores – hugely important if you’re prone to blemishes. It’s?loaded with anti-ageing peptides for a decrease in fine lines over time, plus it guards against harmful rays with SPF 35. If your skin is dry, moisturise first and it can also be used under foundation.?
Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream, €11.99
I loved how this one was gel-based but didn’t feel greasy. Its smooth formula melts seamlessly into skin, leaving you with an even finish.
Bobbi Brown BB Cream, €37.50?
For me, this is the next best thing to a foundation. Its unique formula combines moisturiser, treatment, SPF 35 and a lightweight foundation in one so it’s more than a simple BB cream and the coverage is much better than the average, yet it looks light as a feather when applied. For the days when you need more coverage.
L’Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream, €14.99
This works seamlessly with every skin tone. It’s meant to “transform” into a foundation, but the coverage isn’t good enough for that. I loved that it was lightweight and didn’t dry the skin out.
Estee Lauder Double Wear All Day Glow BB Cream, €38
This lightweight, oil-free BB cream stays put for hours and adds a luminous glow to the skin. It’s pricey, but the high-factor SPF 30 and the fact that it looks as good as a foundation (minus the heavy coverage) means you’re getting your money’s worth.
Also Read
