By Julie Davis
If you haven’t heard of BB Cream just yet, get ready. Almost every beauty company, from mass to prestige, has launched one in the past few months—and can hardly keep them in stock.
BB Cream (otherwise know as Blemish or Beauty Balm) is formulated to go beyond your everyday base products—primer, foundation, concealer and the like—offering breathable, flawless coverage, high-performance skincare benefits, intense hydration, broad-spectrum sun protection and oil-control. In other words: It’s tinted moisturizer on steroids.
“BB cream is exactly what every woman is looking for. It adds amazing, flawless coverage with all the beneficial properties of a moisturizer,” says Danielle DelGandio, a makeup artist at The Glam Bar on Broad Street in Red Bank. “Essentially, it’s a primer, foundation, concealer, antioxidant-packed moisturizer and sunscreen all in one simple cream. It’s truly a one-step flawless makeup for any woman looking for the perfect complexion.”
For this exact reason, women everywhere are clamoring to get their hands on it. The simplicity of the product alone makes it incredibly desirable—smooth it over clean skin and go. As does the versatility: you can use it alone as noted, top with translucent powder or even apply under foundation for slightly more coverage. And with its bevy of potent skincare ingredients, the anti-aging benefits are triple that of a “smart” foundation or tinted moisturizer. “You will love how your skin looks and feels while you’re wearing it, but also the long term effects you are going to see after you remove your makeup,” says DelGandio.
While BB cream is a new breed of beauty here in the U.S, it was developed over 50 years ago in Europe. It was created to comfort and cover skin post-surgery, most notably laser. Eventually the product was introduced to the Asian market, where its popularity quickly hit rock star status thanks to millions of beauty savvy women who swear by its skin-perfecting capabilities.
From Asia, BB Cream made its way to the U.S. One of the first to launch stateside was Asian favorite Dr. Jart. The reviews for the product are favorable with a single complaint—it’s available in one shade. Companies like Clinique and Smashbox took note and are offering their versions in multiple shades to accommodate a host of skin tones.
BB Cream’s lightweight, layerable coverage appeals to all women, of all ages, and is particularly useful for women on the go—it’s fast, easy, and highly effective, not to mention longwearing. Notes DelGandio, “If you want to improve your skin without the look and feel of makeup thEn this product is for you. It honestly is one-of-a-kind makeup.”
