Happy Friday Friends! A few months ago I received this email from Stephanie and I’m finally getting around to answering her.
Here is her question:
“It seems that you do a lot of research on makeup. I am wondering if you can tell me the difference between BB Cream, CC Cream and a Primer. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!!”
I assumed if she wanted to know the difference that some of you might have the same question. So why not write a post about it!
A few years ago, BB cream hit the market. It came from Asia (where the women have beautiful skin!) and it was a huge hit.
I still see it everywhere but like most things, it seems to have died down a little in popularity. Especially since the whole contouring your face has become the “it” thing.
So, let’s tackle BB Creams.
BB (short for Beauty Balm) cream is promoted as an all-in-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation and sunblock.They’re lighter than foundation but heavier than tinted moisturizers.
BB cream is applied to the face either before makeup, or worn alone. It acts like a primer but also includes a tint, sunscreen, and a moisturizer that maintains even skin tone throughout the day.
It does the work of at least 4-5 different products in one tube, but it’s still very lightweight. BB creams can smooth out the skin, contains anti aging elements, even out your skin tone, moisturize, protect against sun damage, and have a light reflecting component that gives your skin a dewy, luminous look.
Most BB creams provide light coverage so if you want more coverage, this might not work for you. This is the only BB cream I have tried.
Now, let’s talk CC cream.
Packed with Vitamin C and E, CC (complexion corrector) cream is similar to BB cream but focuses on color correction.
Lighter than BB cream, CC’s primary purpose is to correct color related skin issues such as sallowness or redness, and it does contain SPF.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but CC cream hasn’t seemed to be as popular as BB cream. If I were going to use this, I would use it under my foundation.
If you have red skin or red patches, this could work well for you!
Finally, what is a Primer?
A lot of women skip this step in their makeup routine, but a foundation primer preps the skin prior to foundation application and facilitates blending and extended wear.
They help hydrate and smooth skin before applying foundation. Many primers help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and pores.
Everything I read says women over 40 NEED to use a primer before applying their foundation. I use Cover Fx anti aging primer (which I realized doesn’t score great for being chemical free).
Speaking of foundation, I have been highlighting and contouring with this. The more I use it, the more I like it!
I hope that answers any questions! Please share what you have tried or what you are using now!
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Beauty For the Heart~~My heart is so heavy this morning for the families that have been affected by the shooting in Oregon yesterday. It seems to be directed specifically at christians.
This verse came to my mind, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.” 1 Peter 3:14
Our hope is in Christ!
Join me as we pray for this community and the families who have lost loved ones.
**There are affiliate links in this post. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find something, so I make a few cents when you purchase it. I so appreciate your support of Grace & Beauty. Thank you!
I have been using Garnier BB Cream for several years now. I love it. I like the fact it has a built in SPF. I have tried several brands of mosturizers with built in SPF and do not care for the way they leave my face looking or feeling. I use a moisturizer and my BB Cream and am happy with the results. (Going to be 45 in just a few days!)
Thanks for your posts, Cindy. I enjoy reading them!
Hello Cyndi,
I have been reading your blog for some time now, but I had never posted before. Your piece was quite informative as well as helpful to me! I am in my late 30’s and even though I am not big on makeup, I love skincare products. I have been using mainly serums and moisturizer creams. I am glad to know of other available options to add to my skincare routine. Thank you for your Beauty For The Heart section; it’s one of my favorites in you blog.
Blessings
Hi Nelsida,
So nice to meet you and thank so much for stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
I use BB cream everyday and I love it. I have had so many compliments on how healthy my skin looks. I put it on after my moisturizer then after all my eye makeup and blush are on, I use a soft brush to finish off with power. The BB cream has enough tint in it, that I don’t need a foundation.
Thanks for this post! Have a great weekend ?
Love the article. Wondering u have researched compared products for age spots. Seems like nothing I’ve tried truly works to fade! Any suggestions?
Our hearts are heavy today for all that is going on in the United States. However we must remember that God is still on the throne. My Hope is in the Lord all the day long. We need to continue to be the salt… and poke holes in this dying world! Be a light in the darkness….
Kim… I went over to Sephora and there is a video showing how to use the Cover FX kit. I didn’t know anything about it either until I watched the video for highlighting and contouring. I love Sephora and their products. May God Bless us all
I only live three hours from Roseburg. This is shocking! I only hope, if I was confronted by someone about my religion, I would stand up and be strong for Christ.
Debbi
I use just BB cream during the summer months. It gives me everything I need in one quick application. During the winter I use a primer and a foundation with a bit more tint.
Can you do a post on contouring?
Your information today is very helpful, so thank you! I have been using No7 Phto Fix Wrinkle Filler and Primer under my foundation for several years, and am very pleased with it. Because I have several brown sun spots on my face, I need to always wear some coverage when I am out and about. I have been told that paying more for your makeup doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better for your skin.
Satan is always going to try and take over, but I know that God is more powerful and in the end He will prevail. I am definitely praying for all of the families impacted from yesterday’s tragedy. God bless!
Breast cancer (and other cancers) is surging at an alarming rate. Many experts point to women’s cosmetics as a big contributor. Did you know that many carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting chemicals are used in the beauty products women use? There are choices that use all natural ingredients, and choices that are much safer for women’s health than the ones listed above. Check out EWG.org for safer alternatives. I only use coconut oil for moisturizer. It works great under makeup and you only need a VERY small amount.
What book in the Bible is your scripture from today??
Praying for those in Oregon as well. God is good and evil will always be here until Jesus comes back!
Love both CC and BB and use both but to me they both seem a little drying for this old lady face. So I apply a little moisturizer underneath.
Many blessings!!
Oops! I didn’t realize I did not include the scripture reference. It’s 1 Peter 3:14. 🙂
Blessings,
Cyndi
Praising name of Jesus this morning only way we can defeat the devil!
Prayers to everyone our loving Savior is our peace !
Also love primer and eye cream for the black circles under my eyes!
I live just about 3 hours from Roseburg and have a high school friend who texted me yesterday to tell me his son was just in a neighboring room at the college from where the shooter was…..he was so scared to know his son was so close to this person, and that we just don’t ever know what a day will bring. I feel so terrible for those who lost a loved one in this horrible incident.
Hey Cyndi!
I know that we read women over 40 HAVE to use primer…so I had been for years. But I did an experiment on myself and couldn’t tell the difference :http://bit.ly/1KQGGML . You should try it and see …I’m not sure if I wasn’t a good judge of it or maybe the foundation I’m using really doesn’t need it? I’d love another woman’s opinion? jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ok, I didn’t even know what a BB cream or CC cream was!! oh boy!! Anyway, I do use a primer… Bare Minerals and their makeup scores a 3 on the chemical free app 😉 yea! I do like using a primer and I think it helps a lot! praying for the families in Oregon…so sad ;-(
I am using It Cosmetics CC+Illumination. I use it under my Bare Minerals makeup. It is a color correcting, anti-aging hydrating serum with 50 SPF UAB/UAB cream. I really like it. You can use it alone which is nice.
Me too! I us the It Cosmetics CC cream and the redness corrector under my bare minerals and TRA-LAAAAA! It is the best my skin has looked in forever. I friend gave me a couple of It cosmetics products and I am phasing over into them.
I have the Dr. Jart BB Cream and the IT Cosmetics CC Cream. I love them both! I use the CC cream more often.
Can you do a post on contouring and highlighting? NOt sure what that means. thanks!
My prayers are with the families of the victims in Oregon. None of this makes sense. Satan is evil and very much at work yet I take comfort in knowing God is the final Victor over all.
Cyndi, there seems to be an unusual amount of ads and videos in your post today and it keeps wanting me to bump me out. I’m using a desktop PC. Is anyone else having this problem?