BB creams have been around for a while now, and they’re still a popular makeup choice because of the lightweight coverage and bonus skincare benefits. I prefer a BB cream or tinted moisturizer over full-on foundation for everyday wear, and I’ve been wearing my favorite BB cream for 10 years.
BB creams (aka beauty balms) provide coverage and have good-for-the-skin ingredients that can take care of the skin, protect against the sun, and brighten. “A beauty balm should feel light upon touch and spread with a feeling of a balm,” explains makeup artist Mia Jones, whose clients include Amal Clooney, Rosario Dawson, and Mariah Carey. “Applied to the high points of the face where the sun touches, it provides a luminous glow and sun protection.”
When it comes to shade-matching BB creams, it can be a little bit easier than with foundations. “There’s a smaller area for error because one shade in a BB cream matches a large array of skin tones because it sheers out,” says Vincent Oquendo, whose clients include Janelle Monáe and Lily Collins. “Most BB creams that are out there will adapt to your skin.”
And while the process is a bit simpler, it still helps to keep a few things in mind when choosing a shade, especially with darker, deeper skin tones, as you don’t want the product to appear gray or ashy.