The ABCs of BB & CC creams
MANILA, Philippines - Who says you can’t learn a new language on a drop of a beauty cream? Think again. The ABCs of beauty aren’t highfalutin because they only entail doing a double-take.
Now for the sake of quirky continuity, let’s start it off with AA: Only the tiniest bra cup none of us grown women wish to be bestowed with. Oh dear.
Now let’s move on to today’s lesson, staring off with BB Cream, a.k.a. Blemish Balm. Just like ramen, bubble tea and NBA star, Yao Ming, the BB cream is an Asian import that has struck gold in the global scene.
Here’s BB 101:
1. Originating from Korea, its main purpose was medicinal, primarily for post-surgery patients and burn victims.
2. It’s pretty much a glorified tinted moisturizer.
3. It can be used alone or as a primer, underneath foundation.
4. It is makeup and skincare in one because it provides coverage with benefits like SPF, whitening, age-spot reducer, primer, etc. (depending on the brand you buy as each offers a myriad of skincare perks).
5. Unlike traditional foundation, it is only available in a few shades.
6. Available in oil-free and oil-based formulations.
(Try Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit with SPF 30/PA++, Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine-Free BB Stick with SPF 21, Colour Collection Age Defying BB Cream with SPF 45, Pond’s Flawless White BB Cream with SPF 30/ PA++ or EB Advanced Anti-Wrinkle BB Cream.)
Here’s CC 101:
1. CC stands for Color Correcting, Color Control or Complexion Correcting.
2. Also originated from Korea.
3. It can be worn alone as a “luminizer,†highlighter or under foundation leaving your skin with a dewy finish, due to its light-reflecting particles.
4. It comes in one shade: appears as white but blends into natural skin tone once applied.
5. Lighter in formulation as it is water-based.
6. It is a “luminizing†type of primer, which brightens the skin but offers no concealing properties unlike the BB Cream.
(Try Tony Moly Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream with SPF 30/PA++, Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream with SPF 30 or Etude House Correct & Care CC Cream Silky with SPF 30/PA++.)
