Watched TV lately? Picked up a magazine? Logged on to Twitter? If you have done at least one of those things you have probably been bombarded with beauty companies promoting their brand new and exciting ‘BB Cream’. Unless you read a million beauty blogs, or you are just some on-trend beauty freak, you probably know very little about what a ‘BB Cream’ is, right? I am with you. I know nothing!

Despite my lack of knowledge on the newest skincare craze, that hasn’t stopped me from being totally wrapped up in it. Let’s just say I have bought more BB Cream than I could possibly use in a lifetime. Each day I use it I fall more and more in love, so I thought it is time I get some answers. This is for my own learning as much as it is for you …. because after all, at The Plastic Diaries, we share journeys.

What Is BB Cream?

To help us out today, I turned to a rather unconventional expert. This lady is one of the most successful and leading beauty bloggers in Australia, and has fans all over the world. Voted amongst her peers as the ’BB Cream’ connoisseur, and has used just about everyone ever made. She is Valerie Chan from Ponikuta.

Valerie Chan – BB Cream Aficionado

TPD: What is a BB cream or Beauty Balm?

Valerie: BB cream originally stands for Blemish Balm Cream and has recently been rebranded by the western culture as Beauty Balm Cream to appeal for a wider market. BB cream is basically a “do it all” bottle of makeup. It usually includes high SPF protection, skin brightening properties to reduce scarring from surgery/acne, skin care ingredients that are anti-acne and anti-ageing, pore minimizing and foundation coverage that evens out skin tone. You can use BB cream as a product after your daily moisturising and sunscreen routine, and skip primer and foundation steps.

TPD: What is the difference between Beauty Balms and Tinted Moisturiser? Is there a difference?

Valerie: BB cream is definitely not the same as the tinted moisturisers available in our Australian market. For starters, BB cream is your moisturiser, sunscreen (usually SPF 30 and above), primer, foundation (medium to high coverage) in one. Consistency wise, BB cream almost always comes in a tube form and requires very little at a time for application (a pea size is often recommended for whole face) as they are usually quite thick and creamy. BB cream usually comes in very little shades to choose from (most only carry 2 shades – light and medium) because BB cream’s philosophy is to better your skin by enhancing it and not masking it.

On the other hand, tinted moisturisers are usually just moisturiser with low SPF and sheer coverage. They are also quite runny in terms of texture and often comes in quite a few shades to choose from. Overall, from ingredients, coverage to texture wise, BB cream and Tinted moisturisers are definitely not the same at all.

TPD: Who and where did the Beauty Balm craze originate?

Valerie: It is believed that BB cream originated from Germany by Dr. Christine Schrammek at least 4 years ago. It was designed for patients post laser skin surgery to help heal, soothe, provide coverage and regenerate sensitive skin cells. With the nature of high demands with plastic surgeries within South Korea, BB cream became huge overnight. Of course with the help of celebrities (both females and males) wearing BB cream in movie sets and swearing by it further helped fuel the craze of BB cream within South Korea. Shortly after, the craze spread across South East Asia and like they say, the rest is history.

Dr Christine Schrammek – The lady that started it all

A big thank-you to Valerie for her brilliant responses. *claps*

My Favourite

The insight from Valerie has cleared up many of my questions. I honestly thought there was no difference between Tinted Moisturisers and BB creams, so it was great to hear the points of distinction.

Now I want to share with you my favourite BB cream. I have been using this for quite a few months and I am still no where near finishing the bottle. Valerie is right, you really need very little of the product to get all the benefits.

Biotherm WHITE D-TOX TRANSLU-CELL BB CREAM

What I Say: It may be the first ever BB cream I had purchased, but after trying a few it really is my favourite. Here is why

• It applies and spreads easily, even though the cream is on the thicker side.
• It is only available in one colour, which scared me at first, but it actually works perfectly.
• It removes all the redness from my face instantly. It even covers my dark under eyes a little bit, which I figured was impossible without a concealer.
• My skin doesn’t dry out, nor does it get any oiler than normal.
• I can barely feel it on.
• It is my go-to day-to-day base because I am lazy and most of the time people think I am wearing foundation anyway … that is how good it works!
• Last but not least, it has a good amount of sun protection which is important to me, even though I wear a separate  sunscreen everyday. In my opinion, you can never have enough sun protection!

What Biotherm Say: For the 1st time, Biotherm biologists have combined a biological action on dyschromia with a “natural skin effect” texture, that makes skin transparent under any light and whatever the season. The BB Cream provides immediate coverage against hyperpigmentation, redness and shine reduction. Also contains SPF 25+ for added sun protection.

Details

AU $49 from Adore Beauty (international shipping available) and Biotherm counters in selected Myer stores

US & UK – Only available from international stockists – AU $49 from Adore Beauty (international shipping available), US $42.80 from Sasa (international shipping available), and US $58.85 from Lipsticknet on Amazon

Have you used a BB cream before? Had you even heard of them? Let me know by commenting below!

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All images are the property of The Plastic Diaries, excluding press release images. Use of these images without written consent is prohibited. If you wish to use them please contact me to request permission. Images are taken in natural light and remain unedited, unless otherwise stated.

This product was purchased by me using my own finaces, in accordance with our Disclosure Policy. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are my own and remain 100% uninfluenced.

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