With so many makeup products on the market, knowing the differences among them can be difficult. Most people know that foundation, or base makeup, evens out skin tone while concealing flaws. For many years, consumers could choose only between foundation and tinted moisturizer to achieve this goal, but things have changed.
BB cream — beauty balm or blemish balm — is a hybrid product that conceals imperfections, evens out skin tone, and often contains skin-loving ingredients and sunscreen. Just like foundation, BB cream can be applied in many ways, so read on to learn what each application method can do for your skin.
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Apply with your fingers
For quick, lightweight coverage, apply BB cream with your fingers. Your body's natural warmth will help thin the product, so that you get smooth coverage without looking overdone.
For quick, lightweight coverage, apply BB cream with your fingers. Your body's natural warmth will help thin the product, so that you get smooth coverage without looking overdone.
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Apply with a brush
Makeup brushes are designed to apply product all over, and they work especially well in tight spaces. Use a fluffy brush to buff BB cream into your skin and around the sides of your nose.
Makeup brushes are designed to apply product all over, and they work especially well in tight spaces. Use a fluffy brush to buff BB cream into your skin and around the sides of your nose.
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Apply with a sponge
When you want the sheerest application possible, use a damp beauty sponge. Pat and press your BB cream into your skin. The moisture in the sponge will dilute the cream slightly and reduce the possibility of caking during the day.
When you want the sheerest application possible, use a damp beauty sponge. Pat and press your BB cream into your skin. The moisture in the sponge will dilute the cream slightly and reduce the possibility of caking during the day.
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Apply around your eyes
To cover dark circles or sallowness below your eyes, apply BB cream with a small eye shadow brush. Pat the product into your skin to avoid leaving brush strokes behind.
To cover dark circles or sallowness below your eyes, apply BB cream with a small eye shadow brush. Pat the product into your skin to avoid leaving brush strokes behind.
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Apply in dots
There's no reason to apply BB cream to your entire face if you have only a few minor areas that need coverage. Pump a small amount of product onto the back of your hand, and apply dots wherever you need to conceal something. Be sure to press the product in fully, so the pigment blends with the rest of your skin.
There's no reason to apply BB cream to your entire face if you have only a few minor areas that need coverage. Pump a small amount of product onto the back of your hand, and apply dots wherever you need to conceal something. Be sure to press the product in fully, so the pigment blends with the rest of your skin.
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Use small amounts
Unlike foundation, a small amount of BB cream can go a long way because it's so much more emollient than base makeup. Start with a tiny dab of product, and add more as needed.
Unlike foundation, a small amount of BB cream can go a long way because it's so much more emollient than base makeup. Start with a tiny dab of product, and add more as needed.
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Pat it into the skin
If you're using BB cream to conceal redness or blemishes, gently pat the product into your skin. Rubbing the cream in will only irritate your skin further.
If you're using BB cream to conceal redness or blemishes, gently pat the product into your skin. Rubbing the cream in will only irritate your skin further.
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