Makeup
Editors' Picks: The Best BB Creams
"Beauty balms" are currently the darlings of the beauty world. But which BB creams are worth trying? Read on
BB creams are suddenly everywhere -- from giant signs in Sephora windows to the best real estate in the drugstores. And even us beauty editors (who have to be hypercritical -- it's our job) are excited about the new makeup-meets-skin care category.
The craze started in Asia, and at least a dozen brands have launched a BB cream in the States over the last year -- with many more to come. BB stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm" depending on the formula, and they're basically tinted moisturizers with skin care ingredients and SPF built in.
Although everyone from salespeople to journalists is touting them as all-in-one miracle creams, we wouldn't go that far. "It's marketing," says Washington D.C.-based dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi. "There's nothing magical about a BB cream -- but if you're looking for a new tinted moisturizer, why not try one of these?" So that's exactly how we're categorizing them: tinted moisturizers -- with benefits.
Find out which BB creams are our favorites now.
We tried all of the options to decide on our personal favorites. And along the way, a few Total Beauty editors decided that BB creams aren't for them -- some didn't like the texture, which is similar to primer, and others weren't thrilled with the coverage. (They're sticking with their full-on foundations.) The rest of us, however, chose our top picks -- and our reasons have nothing to do with the hype.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector, $12.99
The craze started in Asia, and at least a dozen brands have launched a BB cream in the States over the last year -- with many more to come. BB stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm" depending on the formula, and they're basically tinted moisturizers with skin care ingredients and SPF built in.
Although everyone from salespeople to journalists is touting them as all-in-one miracle creams, we wouldn't go that far. "It's marketing," says Washington D.C.-based dermatologist Elizabeth Tanzi. "There's nothing magical about a BB cream -- but if you're looking for a new tinted moisturizer, why not try one of these?" So that's exactly how we're categorizing them: tinted moisturizers -- with benefits.
Find out which BB creams are our favorites now.
We tried all of the options to decide on our personal favorites. And along the way, a few Total Beauty editors decided that BB creams aren't for them -- some didn't like the texture, which is similar to primer, and others weren't thrilled with the coverage. (They're sticking with their full-on foundations.) The rest of us, however, chose our top picks -- and our reasons have nothing to do with the hype.
SEE NEXT PAGE: Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector, $12.99
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