BB Cream 101: Understanding the Basics of Beauty Balm Cream
What is a BB Cream?
Beauty or blemish balm, better known as BB cream, is a multi-tasking cosmetic product that combines skincare and makeup benefits. It's designed to provide a smooth, even, and natural-looking finish while also hydrating, protecting, and improving the appearance of the skin.
They typically contain a combination of skin-beneficial ingredients such as sunscreen, moisturiser, and anti-ageing properties.
BB creams have colour pigments to provide light coverage and even skin tone. The texture of BB creams is usually lightweight and easy to blend, making them suitable for all skin types.
These creams come in a wide range of shades, so choosing a shade that matches your skin tone as closely as possible is essential. Prefer one that targets specific skin concerns, such as oily skin, acne, ageing, and dark circles.
BB creams are easy to use, and you can apply them with your fingers or a brush. You can use them alone or layered with other makeup products for additional coverage, depending on your skin issues.
How to Effectively Choose and Apply BB Creams
Applying BB cream (beauty balm cream) can help achieve a flawless, natural-looking complexion. Here are some tricks on how to select and apply BB cream:
1. Choose the right shade.
Make sure to choose a BB cream that suits your skin tone as closely as possible. You can test shades on the back of your hand or jawline to find the best match.
Remember that lighting in stores can be deceiving, so it's vital to test shades in natural light to better understand the actual colour. Some BB creams come in adjustable shades that can be mixed to match your skin tone perfectly.
If you have cool undertones, you should opt for shades with a pink or red base. If you have warm undertones, you should look for shades with a yellow or golden base.
PURITO Cica Clearing BB Cream is available in six colours: Neutral Ivory, Rose Ivory, Light Beige, Natural Beige, Sand Beige, and Deep Warm. This K-beauty BB cream is free of harmful ingredients, so it's an excellent option for people with sensitive skin.
2. Consider your skin type.
BB creams come in different formulations for skin types, such as oily, dry, or sensitive skin. Make sure to use a formulation that is suitable for your skin type.
3. Read the label.
Look for ingredients that address your specific skin concerns, such as SPF, anti-ageing, or oil control. For instance, M Perfect Cover BB Cream from Korean brand MISSHA protects the skin from harmful UV rays as it contains SPF42 PA+++.
MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream is a 3-in-1 wrinkle repairing, whitening, and sun protection formula. It's available in five colours, and it's KFDA approved.
4. Start with a small amount.
A little goes a long way with BB cream, so start with a small amount and build up as needed.
Apply to the centre of your face where skin tends to be the most uneven, and blend outwards, particularly to areas with blemishes or darker skin tone.
5. Use a brush or sponge.
Use a brush or sponge to blend the BB cream evenly into your skin for a natural-looking finish.
Here are some tips for using a brush or sponge to apply BB cream:
- Use a brush or sponge specifically designed for liquid products, as this helps evenly distribute the BB cream and provides a smooth finish.
- Dab the brush or sponge into the BB cream and remove any excess. 3. Use circular motions to distribute the product and provide a smooth finish. 4. Clean your brush or sponge regularly to prevent bacteria and oil build-up. This will ensure that your BB cream is applied cleanly and hygienically.
6. Finish with powder.
You can finish with a light dusting of powder to set the BB cream and control shine.
INNISFREE No Sebum Moisture Powder controls and absorbs excess sebum while maintaining oil-and-moisture balance in the skin. This K-beauty product is free of animal raw materials, mineral oil, synthetic pigment, talc, artificial aroma, and dioxin.
7. Reapply as necessary.
Reapply the BB cream throughout the day to maintain the desired coverage and sun protection level.
Look for signs of wear or fading, such as uneven skin tone or shine, throughout the day and touch up as needed. If your BB cream contains sunscreen, it's important to reapply it every 2 hours to ensure adequate sun protection.
Follow these tips if you want flawless, radiant skin.
