BB Cream | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Jan 9, 2013

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Review

January 9, 2013 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

This is a reader/guest review of Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream. Thanks, Natalia for the review!

I am absolutely in love with Camera Ready BB Cream by Smashbox. BB cream is a state of the art cream from Asia that acts as a foundation, concealer, moisturizer and primer. This product has coverage you can build upon, so if you have any acne scarring, blemishes, or other imperfections, you can simply rub in more cream. I tend to use this product with a medium coverage that effortlessly smoothes out my face.

Smashbox's BB cream is creamy and smooth for easy application and I love how it makes the skin glow. Unlike foundations and powders, BB cream does not dry up even the most sensitive skin. Instead, it will hydrate and nourish dry skin, maybe even improve it after a few months of use. My dry skin is no longer a problem once I started using this cream, it is very nourishing. This light cream also has SPF 15 in its ingredients, so its the perfect product to wear even during the hot dog days of summer. After wearing it for a few weeks, I noticed it also absorbs your face's natural oils so it won't get greasy during warm days.

Camera Ready BB Cream is available in 5 different color shades. I use the fairest shade and it blends in nicely with my porcelain complexion, you can't even tell I'm wearing makeup. I have only one concern about this product, I needed to touch it up after about 5 to 7 hours during the day. The cream might wear off a bit if you are out and about, so you might want to take it with you in your purse. Its small and compact size is perfect for travel. If you prefer, you can also dab a small amount of powder on your face to let it stick better.

Overall, Smashbox's Camera Ready BB Cream is an amazing experience for those that want to try a new kind of makeup that will replace their foundation and concealer completely.

Buy Smashbox Camera Ready

Disclosures: Beauty and Fashion Tech at times reviews products provided by a representative of the company. When we do so, we specifically state so. We also use affiliate links. For more, please see the disclosure page

Filed Under: Face Products, Foundation, Makeup Tagged With: BB Cream, Makeup, Smashbox

Jan 2, 2013

Too Faced BB Cream Review

January 2, 2013 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

This is a guest/reader review of Too Faced BB cream. Thanks JJW for the review!

You have probably heard of the hype surrounding the skincare product known as BB cream, beauty balm or beblesh balm. Originally designed for Asian markets, the product quickly gained popularity in the Western market as well. Now many mainstream Western companies carry their own line of BB cream, including Smashbox, MAC, Dior and Bobbi Brown. The all-in-one skincare product is said to treat and perfect skin while serving as primer and full coverage foundation as well with a weightless feel. Some of these products also provide sun protection.

I have tried several brands of BB cream, starting with the original Asian brands such as Missha and Skin79. The products do provide excellent coverage as well as moisture and softness, but the main problem with these original brands geared toward the Asian market is the lack of color selection. Many of these BB creams come in no more than three shades, and they are generally designed to lighten the complexion so the shades are very pale. Some of them also advertise skin whitening properties.

BB creams aimed at the Western market were usually released with a wider and darker color selection, making it easier to match a variety of skin tones. I was surprised to discover that my favorite BB cream is the one made by Too Faced.

The texture is creamier and less balm-like than some of the Asian brands and the lightest shade is a great match for my skin. The Too Faced Beauty Balm provides broad-spectrum 20 SPF using only mineral barrier sunscreens rather than chemicals. It provides a natural luminous finish and keeps my skin protected and moisturized. I love how it goes on smoothly and stays in place all day with no primer. I do like to set this product with finishing powder.

While some of the other Western brands seemed to release products that did not live up to the hype of the original Asian BB creams, I feel that Too Faced improved on the concept. Most of the Western brands marketed their products at a significant markup compared to the original products, except for those available in drugstores, but the Too Faced Beauty Balm is also among the lower-priced versions coming from a higher-end company.

Shop For Too Faced BB Cream

Filed Under: Makeup, Skin Care Tagged With: BB Cream, Makeup, Skin Care, Too Faced

Dec 13, 2012

The Evolving Beauty Routine

December 13, 2012 By Carleenp 1 Comment

Just the other day something amazing happened. I got carded, and they meant it, and I am 45! I can’t remember the last time that happened and it made my day! These days, I am unfortunately more aware than ever that aging is happening and my beauty routine is evolving with it. Here is a look at how my routine has evolved through the years.

Me at 45

The Teen Years

Oh to be a teen again with smooth and even skin. Well, wait, it wasn’t so sooth and even actually. I do remember teen acne. But I was pretty lucky back then. I could get by with a bit of basic acne treatment for breakouts. In hindsight though, I wish I had regularly worn sunscreen. Some of those aging signs that I see now could have been delayed! Back then all of the double duty products with sunscreen that you see now were not available. I don’t think regular makeup even had sunscreen in it at that time. Plus, I was rather naive about protecting my skin.

My 20’s

I had great skin in my 20’s. By my late 20’s, I also began to appreciate it by using makeup with sunscreen and wearing moisturizer at night. It was a good time, but changes were coming!

My 30’s

My 30s saw the first signs of sun damage. I developed melasma in spots and began a serious skin care routine in earnest. Sunscreen and products with antioxidants became part of my daily routine, and I sought out skin brightening and anti-aging products both to protect my skin and to treat discoloration. I learned a lot during that time, and came to seriously appreciate anything that would block UV rays.

My 40’s

I am now 45 and seeing a whole new host of issues. My melasma has faded quite a bit with years now of religious use of sunscreen, but fine lines and wrinkles are starting to show up and I am developing some redness that could be rosacea. My routine now includes more anti-aging products, and I look for items that can do double or triple duty by including treatment actives, a tint for a more even appearance, and sunscreen in one. The advent of BB creams, and now a CC cream, has been wonderful for that. Why buy multiple products when you can get them all in one?

I am also exploring technology for skin care more and more by looking into home laser and led light devices and by reading up on the latest products and ingredients. I love all of the innovations that are coming out in skin care! Hopefully, if I stick to a good routine, I can still fool a clerk into asking for identification a few more times!

As a leader in skincare with an eye for emerging trends, Olay is bringing the first-ever mass market CC line of products to the United States {Canada} beginning in October 2012. CC, or Color & Correct, Creams have started to emerge in Asia as a new category and are designed for women who love BB Creams for their ability to provide a quick, flawless finish but are seeking skincare solutions that deliver long-term benefits.

The Olay Total Effects CC Tone Correcting UV Moisturizers fight seven signs of aging, while also providing immediate color correction with tinted formulas that include UV protection and tone correction over time. The multiple, must-have instant and long-term benefits leave skin luminous and even-toned with the reduced appearance of discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Olay via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Olay.