Beauty Balm, also called BB Cream, is the newest trend within both the cosmetics and skincare worlds. These multi-tasking formulas fuse tinted moisturizer, makeup primer, SPF, skin-nourishing serum, and a powerhouse anti-oxidant complex into a lightweight substitute for traditional tinted moisturizer or foundation. Though just released in the US, Beauty Balms have long been an Asian beauty secret and these original versions pay specific attention to priming, blemish healing/concealing, and offering a high SPF (>45). With about a dozen US brands currently offering a Beauty Balm, it is clear that some are modeling their formulas closer to the Asian standard while others are expanding to suit consumer desires in the States. The following are the five most popular Beauty Balms in Sephora and show a range of textures, weights, shade ranges, etc: For demonstration, if there was a shade range available, I chose the Medium tone (noted below) of the available options.
| [lightbox link="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream1.jpg" thumb="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream1.jpg" width="250" align="left" title="cream1" frame="true" icon="image"] | Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 Price: $37 Shade Used: Shade 2 (Darker) # Shades Available: 2 I like the smooth texture and light-medium coverage of the Clinique Age Defense BB Cream. Excellent anti-aging ingredients and 100% fragrance-free, with the backing of a skincare leader, so long-term benefit expectations are high. I would like to see them expand the shade range as even Shade 2, the ‘darker’ of the options, was bordering on being too light for my medium skin tone. |
| [lightbox link="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream2.jpg" thumb="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream2.jpg" width="350" align="left" title="cream2" frame="true" icon="image"] | Dr Jardt+ Premium BB Beauty Balm SPF 45 Price: $39 Single ShadeThe Premium version of Dr. Jardt’s formulas is meant for normal-dry skin and thus offers more coverage and primer benefits than the Water Fuse version. It offers a medium coverage with an impressive SPF 45. Again, however, the universal single shade is a bit too light and finish a bit matte for me. I do adore the hard shell pump packaging; great for travel as you do not run the risk of an exploding tube in your bag. |
| [lightbox link="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream3.jpg" thumb="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream3.jpg" width="350" align="left" title="cream3" frame="true" icon="image"] | Dr Jardt+ Water Fuse BB Beauty Balm SPF 25 Price: $32 Single ShadeThe Water Fuse version of Dr. Jardt+ is a more lightweight formula, appropriate for summer or oily-skin. It also comes in a single shade, which is also too light to be truly universal, but more flexible than the Premium due to the sheerness of the product. The Water Fuse does not offer as high an SPF, as much coverage or the full priming benefits of the Premium version, but absorbs quickly and offers lightweight moisture. This product has a unique audience; those with light to medium toned skin that is typically oily. |
| [lightbox link="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream4.jpg" thumb="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream4.jpg" width="350" align="left" title="cream4" frame="true" icon="image"] | Smashbox BB Cream SPF 35 Price: $39 Shade Used: Medium # Shades Available: 4I am impressed with the slightly-more-than-medium coverage and poreless finish that I received with the Smashbox product – it is clear that the brand integrated its primer technology into the BB Cream. With an SPF of 35 it falls in the higher tier of competition with regard to sun prevention. This is a difficult line to walk when formulating a color product as a higher SPF often leads to a chalky finish; Smashbox achieved the sought-after SPF without that problem. Also available in 4 shades, making skin tone matching much easier. |
| [lightbox link="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream5.jpg" thumb="http://www.seriousdesigner.com/erinsykes/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cream5.jpg" width="350" align="left" title="cream5" frame="true" icon="image"] | Too Faced Beauty Balm Multi Benefit Skincare Makeup SPF 20 Price: $32 Shade Used: Nude Glow # of Shades Available: 4 The Too Faced Beauty Balm offers the most luminous, lightweight formula with sheer to medium coverage. It absorbs very quickly and is also available in 4 shades to match your skin tone. I am most impressed by the immediate glow that my skin had after applying this product; it offers a radiance boost not present in other Beauty Balms. Its SPF is on the lower end of the spectrum, but is boosted by an impressive antioxidant/ multi-mineral complex. |
Regardless of which Beauty Balms / BB Cream you choose, its apparent that their rise will eliminate the need for traditional tinted moisturizer. Why not use one product and achieve a multitude of immediate and long-term results?