MAC: Prep + Prime BB Beauty Balm SPF 35
Price: B1,390
They said: A creamy beauty balm that primes the surface of your face ready for makeup. Offers everyday UVA/UVB SPF 35 defense. Available in nine shades.
We say: Quite creamy in texture but not difficult to apply. Compared to the others, MAC’s BB acts like a face primer, mineralizing your skin, with a tinted color to cover imperfections. Wearing alone with a touch of powder gives a daily natural look while you can also add foundation without it ending up looking caked-on.
Revlon: PhotoReady BB Cream
Price: B390
They said: Lightweight, multi-function cream that combines skincare with makeup and SPF 30.
We say: Revlon cosmetics is best known for their skin-preparation product line (i.e. foundation and concealers) for medium to high coverage that offers a smooth, mineralized finish. And the same applies to their newly launched BB cream. Light in texture, the cream is easy to apply but not oily. Even better, the product gives a coverage level that’s not far off that achieved by foundation.
L’Oreal: Lucent Magique Skin Illuminating BB Cream
Price: B399
They said: Brightens as well as corrects imperfections, with the added bonus of SPF 20, PA++. Incorporates Intuitive BB Capsules Technology with the use of skin-perfecting pigment.
We say: L’Oreal differs from others in that it’s more like a daily moisturizer as it doesn’t really provide coverage, but it does have natural color capsules that absorb into your skin when applied. It luminizes your skin but foundation is needed for a flawless finish.
Maybelline: Clear Smooth BB White SPF 50 PA++
Price: B249
They said: The multi-function cream moisturizes, covers and features whitening properties and SPF 50 PA++.
We say: Maybelline originally launched a stick version of the Clear Smooth BB, but we feel it works much better as a cream. The main functions—correcting imperfections and sun protection—remain much the same, but the cream is a lot easier to apply, offering a more natural finish and a higher level of oil control.
Ettusais: BB Mineral Liquid
Price: B750 (30ml)
They said: The product consists of smooth liquid oil and smooth matte powder. Formulated with 59% skin care ingredients including double-hyaluronic acid and UV-blocking SPF 35, PA++. Available in two shades: light and natural beige.
We say: While most BB creams act like foundation that you have to touch up with either loose powder or pressed powder, this one has a different, powdery texture that requires no touching up. This makes it very convenient for when you’re in a rush—the only problem is the relatively low coverage level and that additional applications can make your face look dehydrated.
BB versus CC
The difference between Beauty Balm cream and Color Corrections cream?
BB cream, or beauty balm, was invented by a Korean cosmetics brand as a hybrid product combining three daily essentials (moisturizer, foundation and sun protection) to respond to the increasingly hectic lifestyles of women. Newcomer CC cream, or color correcting cream, serves a similar multi-functional purpose only with an additional skin preparation focus, hence the reference to color correction. Basically, both products are considered part of the same line—which one you opt for depends on you and your skin condition. Our tip: test which one works best for you at the makeup counter.
Essentials
MAC, Bobbi Brown, Ettusais, Revlon, L’Oreal and Maybelline available at M/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., BTS Siam.
