Have you ever heard that saying that goes, “It’s not the tool; it’s how you use it”? Well, that certainly applies to beauty products. For example, it doesn’t matter how soothing an exfoliating product claims to be. If you overuse it, it will likely cause dryness and irritation. Similarly, it doesn’t matter how expensive a hair dryer is. If you’re using it incorrectly, you probably won’t get the fluffy ’90s blowout of your dreams. The same thing goes for BB cream. It might be known for providing a fresh-faced, natural-looking complexion, but if you don’t know the best way to apply it, it might not give you the exact results you’re looking for. That’s where the professionals come in. We asked makeup artist Courtney Hart to share her best tips. “A BB cream can be applied to the skin in different ways depending on the final look you want,” she says. Ahead, learn everything you need to now about how to apply BB cream. Plus, shop the 10 best BB creams on the market.
First, let’s distinguish BB cream from other complexion products like CC cream and traditional foundation. “BB cream, short for ‘beauty balm,’ is a multipurpose product that combines skincare benefits, such as moisturizing and sun protection, with light coverage,” Hart says. “Compared to foundation, BB cream has lighter coverage and provides additional skincare benefits. A CC cream, short for ‘color correcting,’ is a type of makeup that is specifically designed to correct skin discoloration and provide more coverage than BB cream but less coverage than foundation.” The best part? Hart says BB creams are suitable for all skin types. “BB creams are suitable for most skin types, including dry, oily, combination, and normal skin. However, the ideal BB cream for each skin type will vary depending on the formula’s specific ingredients and texture.”
Since BB cream has such light coverage, Hart says it’s best for people who want a very natural or minimal makeup look. However, if you want to get the most out of the product and achieve the fullest coverage you can, Hart says you should use a makeup sponge to press the product into the skin. Be careful not to rub it, though, as this could lift some of the product and disturb what would be an otherwise even application.
On the flip side, if you want the lightest, most natural coverage, use a beauty tool you already have—your fingers. “If you want to get the most natural application possible I recommend applying with your fingers as you would a moisturizer,” she says.
If you’re not someone who likes to use their fingers to apply makeup, Hart says there’s a third option: a makeup brush. However, make sure you’re using a soft, fluffy foundation brush, as this will help you buff the BB cream into the skin for an airbrushed effect.
Hart names this luxury BB cream as one of her favorites. “YSL’s BB cream has a beautiful, radiant finish,” she says. “It has an SPF 23 and is really hydrating to the skin.”
This BB cream was formulated specifically for oily skin, so it won’t look too dewy throughout the day. Plus, it’s oil-free and won’t clog pores.
This antioxidant-rich formula provides light coverage while protecting skin from free radicals.
This budget-friendly BB cream brightens the skin, hydrates, and protects it with SPF 31.
With hyaluronic acid, pansy flower extract, and licorice root, this BB cream is incredibly hydrating and brightening. If you have dry or uneven skin, this is the one for you.
This BB cream contains salicylic acid, which means it doubles as an acne treatment while you wear it. Pretty genius, right?
The star ingredient in this BB cream is niacinamide, which helps improve the natural skin barrier over time.
This BB cream looks so seamless on the skin, and we love that it offers SPF 30 to give our sunscreen a little extra support.
We love the blurring quality that this gives to our skin. We also love the expansive shade range.
This gives us the most coverage out of all the BB creams we’ve tried. It’s still on the lighter side, but it helps us on days when redness or breakouts are more apparent.
