MY LATEST OBSESSION: BB/CC Creams

December 19, 2019

I’m oh-so obsessed with BB Cream

I’m obsessed with BB/CC cream in general. If you don’t know what that is, it’s like foundation and in some cases, primer but not. It can give you coverage, but it’s as thick as foundation. In other words, it’s witchcraft. You often will see some of my character use it in books.

So what’s the difference between BB and CC cream, you ask?

Basically, BB cream is an extremely lightweight foundation with some skincare stuff thrown in. CC cream is a color-corrective version that can tone down redness or sallowness. Apparently there’s also a DD cream, but I’ve never used it.

I love foundation, and yes, you will get a post about what foundations I’m obsessed with, but my day to day go to make up—okay, I actually don’t wear anything most days—but if I’m going somewhere and sometimes even when I’m doing events, I’ll just use a BB or CC cream, mainly because I love how it feels like I’m not wearing anything. If I want the BB/CC cream to last, I usually do a primer first, the BB/CC cream and then finishing powder after I do a blush or a really half assed job at contouring. I also like to use BB/CC cream if I’m feeling lazy.

Also, please watch this girl’s video on contouring. Nothing makes me laugh harder.

“If men find out we can rearrange the bones of our face, we’re finished.”

Some of my favorite BB and CC creams are:

L’Oreal Paris Makeup Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ($) – this is a pretty cheap drugstore version that works better than the vast majority of the department/luxury brands. This could technically be worn under foundation, but I would not recommend.

Peter Thomas Roth Skin to Die for CC Cream ($$) – One of the times I’ve been complimented on my skin was when I was wearing this. It’s hard to find, though, and shade selection is crap. Would not recommend wearing under foundation.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream ($$$) – I feel like this is the brand that started it all. You do not wear this under foundation. I’ve seen reviews where people complained because that was how they were using it. User error right there.

Charlotte Tilbury, who is the bomb diggity and probably one of the few product lines I saw advertised on Facebook that is actually really good, has a Flawless Filter line that is sort of like a CC/BB cream and it’s one of my favorites. It has a full line of shades too, and can give you a really nice glow if you’re into that. Steph is not.

Pros

• Very lightweight but is often buildable
• Decent coverage
• Doesn’t cake or crease
• Great if you’re not a fan of foundation
• Very natural looking
• If you’re in the brands shade range, you don’t have to worry as much about perfectly matching skin tone since it’s so blendable. Is blendable a word? I don’t know. It is now.

Cons

• Shade selection on many of the brands are seriously lacking. For example, back when IT Cosmetics first introduced their CC creams, I could wear their “deep” shade during the summer. I mean, I’m not the whitest person out there, but I’m pretty white. They have come a long way though.
• Some of the green based CC creams designed to reduce redness end up making me look pasty and weird, like most green based products. I’ve found the BB/CC creams are no different.

Price

• $, $$, $$$
  • Depends on the brand. You can get really great cheap ones and really amazing expensive one.

Well, this was a freaking fail: IT Cosmetics CC Cream with Illumination and CC Cream Matte Finish

This really isn’t so much a fail but more so the products just didn’t work for me. Since I love their original line, I was super excited to try both of them. Both felt too heavy for a CC cream, which can be a problem with some lines that have high SPF in them. It was also hard to match skin tone, which for me, at least, sort of defeats the point of being lazy.

Cons:

• Heavy, thick and settled in creases

Pros

• Both lines have a lot of great reviews, so this could be just be a personal thing.

Price

• $$$

You can purchase CC+ Cream Illumination with SPF 50+ and see some customer reviews here.

You can purchase CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 and see some customer reviews here.

Bonus Product Rec!

BB/CC creams are kind of like skin perfectors. Even the regular ones will often erase redness, which is something I struggle with. I get these weird splotches of redness on my neck and upper chest, and sometimes on my cheeks. One of my greatest pet peeves is when people comment on the redness. It can be in the middle of the winter and someone, usually a complete freaking stranger, will be like, “Did you go somewhere and get sun burned?” or “Why is your skin so red?” First off, if you’re one of those people who sees anything you don’t understand or seems abnormal on another person and you feel this overwhelming need to comment or ask about it, stop before you do and punch yourself in the face. You’re an ass. Like, the only exception is if you’d think the person is legit dying. Any other reason just means you’re an ass who needs to learn how to people. The question is embarrassing and invasive. Also, do you think people don’t realize they have red splotches? Look, you just shouldn’t be commenting on people’s body. I mean, how is that even still happening?

Anyway, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness powder is amazing. It really can diminish the look of redness. The cream version is the best, but it’s such a tiny jar. The powder is also really super effective. So, if you have skin prone to redness, this would be a great product for you to try. It’s in the $$$ price range, but I think it’s worth it.

STEPH’S CURRENT SKIN PERFECTOR OBSESSION: Tarte BB Tinted Treatment  

To be perfectly honest, I very seldom use any concealer, foundation, or all-over-the-face cosmetics. I have a very lazy makeup method which typically involves taming my eyebrows, mascara, a little blush or bronzer, and a statement lip.

HOWEVER, for the random times that I do feel the need to have a light coverup, I will always reach for my tube of Tarte BB Tinted Treatment.

Technically, this product is moreso meant to be a primer/foundation base, however, I have been using it as a tinted moisturizer. This gives me *just* enough coverage to even out my complexion without caking my pores.

Pros

• Can be used as a primer, or spot treatment
• Has SPF 30 to protect your faaace
• It’s also a moisturizer, so won’t dry out your skin

Cons

• This line only has 4 shades (so deeper skin tones can’t use it)
• Typically the shade I use (medium tan) is almost always sold out — hard to find
• You definitely need to use a brush or sponge for application (I’ve never been able to get an even application with my fingers, lol)

Price

• $$$ (Typically round $37, but you can get it cheaper during sales!)

You can purchase the Tarte BB Tinted Treatment and read customer reviews here. 

Price Guide  

$ – Under $10

$$ – $11-$30

$$$ – $31-$60

$$$$ – $60 – $100

$$$$$ (i.e. what the fuck, how much is this?) – over $100

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