Friday 27 June 2014

Battle of the BB Creams

bb creams review swatch comparison

Over the past year or so, there has been a massive outbreak of a strange phenomenon known as - the BB cream. Also known as 'Blemish Balm' or 'Beauty Balm', the concept was originally made popular in Asia. Then Western companies began producing their own version of the humble, BB cream. Now we've even begun seeing CC ("Colour Correcting) and even DD ("Dynamic Do-all") creams.

Ignoring the fact that they are beginning to sound like bra sizes, a lot of products are being labelled as "BB cream", yet the many cries of consumers can be heard when they find out that a majority of Western BB creams are just glorified, tinted moisturizers.

I'll be honest. I have pretty much given up on finding a Western BB cream that I am completely satisfied with and can confidently declare that it is a "BB cream". Asian brands just do it the best in my opinion. In this post, I will be comparing the BB creams that I currently own and a few more that I have previously tried.

The Face Shop Oil-Free BB Cream ~USD$14
the face shop clean face oil free bb cream

This was the first Asian BB cream that I ever owned. For a few months, I was pretty happy with it and that's when I started being more open to trying BB creams. It gives pretty good coverage, definitely more than a tinted moisturizer, and is moisturizing and dewy. Unfortunately, it did break me out (holla at my sensitive skin). One downside of asian BB creams is the limited shades and most tend to be a weird ashy, grey tone, like this one. But this is easily fixed with a coloured powder on top.

L'oreal Nude Magique BB Cream AUD$26.95
loreal nude magique bb cream medium

This is an interesting one, as it comes in the form of white liquidy beads that supposedly correct to your skin tone. I'm always skeptical of products that claim to "change colour" to match you. Unless you have an orange skin tone, I don't see how this product will match anyone. Then again, I do own the "medium" shade but I doubt the light one would be any better. It gives a light coverage with a dewy finish but I don't ever reach for this product because it just looks like fake tan gone wrong. I do applaud L'oreal's efforts in including some kind of SPF in it though (SPF 12).

loreal nude magique bb cream medium swatch
L'oreal Nude Magique BB Cream in Medium blended out. Can you spot it?
Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream for Oily/Combination Skin AUD$13.99
garnier bb cream for oily combination skin
This is probably one of the better Western BB creams I have tried. Unlike a tinted moisturizer, it gives medium coverage and actually has reasonable shades. I have the shade Light which has yellow undertones. It has a semi-matte finish and has that typical Garnier scent. The only faults with this particular BB cream is that the product itself has a very runny consistency and it is inevitable that product will just leak and run out every time you open it.

I've also tried the original Garnier BB Cream (targeted for more Dry skin) and that was quite a disaster. It felt greasy, oily and provided little coverage. It also heavily broke me out and I still have scars from that to this day, 2 years later.

Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream AUD~$20 (ebay)
Source: http://prettyandcute.com/
I've already reviewed it here where I raved on about it. Lioele is a Korean brand and it is a fine example of what I expect in a BB cream and to this day, it still remains as my favorite BB cream. It gives impeccable coverage and isn't too ashy like The Face Shop BB cream. It does have a strong floral scent, so it is something to keep in mind if you are sensitive to scents.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream AUD$15.95


Source: http://ulta.com/
I've also previously reviewed this here. I wasn't a big fan as it really was another example of how a "BB cream" seems to equal tinted moisturizer in the Western market. If it was marketed as a tinted moisturizer, then yes, I would say it is a nice everyday product for those who want light coverage to even out their skintone. But as a BB cream? I would say no.


Asian or Western BB Creams?
What is your favorite BB Cream?

39 comments:

  1. I'm torn between Western and Asian haha! I think for a true BB cream, definitely Asian, though the lack of shades is quite annoying (or weird, ashy toned ones). I've come to accept that the Western market's 'BB cream' isn't a BB cream, more so a light coverage, light feeling base. That's what I like for everyday so the couple Western ones that I've tried, I do like :) Totally hated the original Garnier one though! I had a similar experience as you, though I didn't break out. It's a shame that your skin is so sensitive! :(

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. Yeah I suppose if you don't require a lot of coverage, then the Western 'BB creams' do the job. Ugh I despise the Garnier original, I know I'm still traumatized! x

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  2. I love my Garnier BB cream for oily/combo skin. Definitely a go-to to me but I wish it was a tad more yellow as it goes on me too pinkish. Regardless, I love the coverage that it gives! I think you should try the Maybelline Dream Pure. The shade is better than the Garnier and it's a lot thicker

    Nhi | Miss Blushaholic

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    1. Oh really?
      Yeah maybe I should try the Maybelline Dream Pure! The Salicylic acid sounds appealing too. x

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  3. I feel exactly the same. I've gone through so many BB creams but they're either the wrong tone, make me break out or feel awful on my skin when applied and I don't even have sensitive skin! I've never tried the proper Asian ones though!

    The Sunday Chapter
    xxx

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    1. I feel your pain! The Asian ones are great and even have skincare benefits, although you'll probably struggle to find a proper colour match! x

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  4. I'm glad you've found some that work best for you, sorry to hear about the break outs! I'm never experienced that with any foundation/bbs so I'm quite lucky. I only and have only tried asian bb. I've seen how sheer a lot of western ones are and that's not what I'm after. I like the same lioele bb, I also am currently using the 3CE bb and I also love Peripera (although a bit gray) and also Missha! I always set my bb/foundation with powder so i don't mind if the bb is a bit too bright or a tad gray!

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    1. A dedicated asian BB fan! I've heard good things about Missha too :) x

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  5. BB creams kill me, I'm really not a fan! I've tried a lot of the Western BB creams and pretty much gave up. (Although my mum absolutely loves the Garnier one that you mentioned) However when I went to Japan and tried a BB cream from Etude House, I realised what a REAL BB cream actually was lol! The Asian ones are really great!

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    1. Haha yes! I remember reading your review on the Etude House one! Asian BBs ftw. x

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  6. I'm actually a big fan of BB creams now. I never used to be though. I really love the L'oreal one but the colour range or lack of is such a shame. I would love to try some Asian BB creams in the future!

    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. They are quite nice when they work and are the right shade. I like how light weight they feel yet provide some coverage, and it still feels like you're not suffocating your skin under foundation.
      You should, I think you'll like them! x

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  8. def love Asians bb cream !! because even they have lack of shade but they can blend in with your natural skin color in about 15 minutes
    love the Etude Precious Mineral Cotton Fit BB cream
    i think it heals pimples too because whenever i use it, it seems to calm my pimples

    anyway do you mind if we follow each other ?
    i've already follow you

    http://amourpixie.blogspot.com/

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    1. Oh that BB cream sounds excellent for my acne skin haha. x

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  9. I like bb creams as they feel really light on the face and are great for everyday coverage. I much prefer Asian bb creams but I like the shade range with the Western bb creams. Hehehe, they should totally combine these two factors together for the best of both worlds!

    missjessjess || Fleeting Stars

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    1. Yeah that's probably the positives of BB cream that I often miss out on due to shades/breakout factor :( Yes they should! Ultimate win-win product haha! x

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  10. I've tried a couple off BB Creams and CC creams and i find that they transfer easily and not good with coverage. But nevertheless I love them for lazy days! I think my favourite would have to b Garnier's All in One Miracle BB Cream!

    Multitasking Damsel Blog

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    1. I agree, most of the ones I've tried offer hardly any coverage. But yeah, good for those who don't have much to cover I suppose. :)

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  11. I have tried quite a few but I always go back to my Garnier one. I think I go through phrases though; these days I'm reaching for my foundations more than BB Creams :) Make Me Up Mandy

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    1. Same! I think I rather stick to my foundations at this stage, because I doubt I'll find an amazing BB cream that I will want to wear over my foundations.

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  12. Nice battle, thanks for the comparison :-) My favorite BB cream, without a doubt, is Estee Lauder's Clear Difference BB Cream.

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    1. Thanks for reading! I haven't heard of that one before :) x

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  13. I haven't been wearing BB cream recently but I think I definitely prefer Asian BB cream. I've yet to buy a Western one because every time I test them in the store they look so orange and dark! My most horrific experience was Topshop's BB Cream; swatched all the shades and there were too orange so I left the store. By the time I left the mall, it was raining which got onto my swatch covered hand and OH MY GOD you can see where the raindrops had landed and made the BB cream run!! Imagine wearing that BB cream on your face on a rainy day lol

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    1. Yikes that sounds terrible haha! I know what you mean, I swatch them in store and then when I leave, I can clearly see the orange circle on my arm haha.

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  14. I love BB creams and have tried many of the brands available out there! Currently am using the one by Innisfree, its a Korean brand and absolutely loving it! Well, really interesting post and loved the way you write! :)

    I would love to stay in touch! Would you like to follow each other? Do visit my blog and let me know where you follow and I will follow back right away!! :)


    Kisses
    http://www.myfashionfootprints.com/

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    1. Thanks for letting me know you're loving it, Korean brands rock! x

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  15. Such a lovely post. I love this L'Oreal BB cream, sounds great. Is it for oily skin? Thanks for visiting my blog.

    style-mepretty.blogspot.com

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    1. I think it could work for oily skin, but there is a dewy finish so if you don't want to look shiny, just powder down!
      Thanks! x

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  16. I found the maybelline BB cream to be super rubbish! I didn't like it at all. It looked horrible and the shade range is really poopy :( the rest sound brilliant too, I was going to try the garnier one but I'm not a fan of the matte finish. x


    Beauty Soup || UK Beauty Blog

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    1. Yeah I'm not fond of the matte finish either, I find it can look a bit dry and cakey. x

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  17. Love this post! Your blog is so perf, OMG! Would you mind checking out my blog and maybe following via GFC and bloglovin? You would help so much!
    Thanks,
    Azia from sarcastic hipster
    Blog ♡ http://sarcastichipster.blogspot.com/
    Bloglovin ♡ http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/12346821

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  18. Great post! If you're still up for finding a good drugstore BB cream, try the one offered from Chi Chi Cosmetics. It's by far my favourite one I've ever tried. Super moisturising but doesn't make me oily and has great coverage. 2 layers is pretty much medium coverage on me. There are only 3 shades for colour choices I believe but the formulation is spot on!!!

    Sarah
    bowsandpleats.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Thanks Sarah! I've heard good things about that too. Does it have a strong scent? x

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  19. I can't use BB creams the way it's actually meant to be used - i.e. an all-in-one product. I feel like I'm breaking the moisturise-prime-foundation law, when I just apply the BB cream over the top of freshly toned skin. Furthermore, most of the BB creams I've tried makes my skin feel so oily. Argh! First world problems!

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    1. I totally get you girl! I need to moisturize and prime, and I agree about the oil front! x

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  20. I would love to try the face shop one out sometime, I've heard it's supposed to be great for acne prone skin. And don't even talk to me about L'oreal's 'magic' bb cream. I'm pretty sure I did a review on this a year or so ago, and specifically remember disliking it immensely haha. Seriously, who wants to look like an orange?!

    Beauty Challenged

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    1. Yeah on the tube it says it helps to achieve a "clear complexion" although I haven't seen any results for that. Haha this made me LOL!

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Thanks so much for reading! Your comments make my day.