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XOXO, JOYCE

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bb cream

bb cream

Drugstore BB Creams

July 22, 2012

I've been really glad to see many brands come out with a "BB Cream" option in the last year or so, and am always on the search for that one perfect one. I recently tried two from the drugstore lines here in the US, and thought I'd share my thoughts.

(Left to Right: Maybelline swatch blended, not blended; Garnier swatch not blended, blended)

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream: 1 oz, around $8

As you can see from the above swatches, this shade does have some peachy tones to it. Blended into my arm, it nearly matches perfectly! The texture of this is light, which is great for summer.

I know many reviewers have already discussed the "BB" cream properties of this, so I won't hash that out here. I approached this product like a tinted moisturizer and was quite content with its performance.

I had to apply a bit more than I would with my Nars Tinted Moisturizer (1 oz, $42) and got slightly less coverage overall. However, I do think the coverage of this BB cream is pretty comparable to other high end tinted moisturizers.

On me, this lasted for about 6-7 hours before some minor fading occurred. It also did not have much scent, and I liked that it had SPF. I experienced better wear (all day) and improved coverage with La Roche Posay Anthelios Primer underneath.

Overall, I thought this was a nice drugstore option. If I didn't already have my HG base options, I would really like this product. It is particularly affordable if you wait for sales or have coupons!

Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream: 2.5 oz, around $13

I really like how this shade appears - it is more neutral than the Maybelline and probably more universally flattering to a wider range of skintones.

If you are sensitive to scent, this product may not be for you. I enjoyed the light floral, almost citrus scent, but can definitely see how it could be nauseating for some. Fortunately the scent doesn't last on skin for more than 20 minutes or so.

The coverage in this BB cream was great - it really evened out my complexion in a natural way. The cream itself had a thicker texture than I expected, and I suppose as a result, the product never seemed to dry down completely. While this provided a nice, dewy glow, it also left a tacky feel on my skin. (However, my boyfriend didn't think so!) I imagine this would not be great for oily skin, but this cream still looks great with powder over it as well.

On me, this wore all day until I removed it. However, I do have relatively normal skin and was not in 100 degree weather like many of you are. I'm not sure how this would fare then, but I suspect I would find that slightly tacky texture gross!

Final Verdict: Out of the two, I preferred the Garnier because of the coverage it offered, but hated the tacky texture of it. Maybelline's felt more like a tinted moisturizer with minimal coverage, which is not a product that I need at the moment. In the end, I returned both - I'd much rather save my $20 and put it towards something on my wishlist!  However, both of these are worthwhile drugstore options to try - it all depends on what you're looking for!

I'm looking forward to purchasing Marcelle BB Cream, and have heard good things about the BB cream offerings from brands like Too Faced, Smashbox, Estee Lauder, etc. However, nothing has stuck out to me like Marcelle's so far!

What has been your experience with BB creams? Have you tried these or other brands? I'd love to know if you have a favorite I should try! :)

In First Impressions
← Fragrance SamplingNordstrom Beauty Bash 2012 →
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Joyce

A 30-something living outside Chicago with a love for luxury goods and fine dining. Stick around to see what I’m loving!

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