After an exciting week of nails, we are back to makeup and skincare basics. In today’s column, Vidya Tikari talks about two 2 summer essentials: BB and CC creams.
Basics:
The difference between BB and CC cream is very subtle: CC generally stands for colour correcting creams and BB creams are better known as beauty balms. They are lighter foundations with a few skin care benefits. BB creams have all the properties of a serum /moisturizer/primer/foundation and sun protection in one.
The lowdown:
We are not as hardworking as the Koreans or the Japanese. Their skincare and makeup routine includes 9 steps (if not more). Indian girls, like me, like as FEWER steps but just the SAME results if not BETTER. Enter: BB and CC Creams. They hydrate your skin, conceal imperfections, even out skin. So if you want to use one product to do the job, we suggest you get these on your dresser.
Their properties
While BB cream is ideal for those with great skin, or a go-to, it works great when you want to keep makeup to a minimum. Dab some on your face; go for it a second time to cover darker areas on face and neck.CC creams have similar properties as BB cream, but also come with corrective formulas. This means anti-ageing ingredients and higher SPF. This in turn, makes the texture slightly heavier than a BB cream.
Be For Beauty suggests you opt for a CC cream with a concealer for perfect summer skin!
More info
They were a rage last year so you will find a BB-CC cream from anywhere between Rs 150- Rs 4,000. Or more if you go into luxury brands. We suggest you go to the store and find a shade closest to your skintone. There are enough choices in the market: moisture inducing, hypoallergenic creams, reducing dark spots, pore minimizers, tinted or slightly bronzed–even camera ready. So take a look at our favourite choices for more!
How To Use
- Start with a face cream and apply BB/CC cream in a dot method on face and neck. Blend it in with a sponge. Swipe translucent powder.
- Use a BB cream as a primer; prep and hydrate it and then apply your foundation. BB/CC creams can even be mixed with your regular foundation for more opaque effect without caking the skin too much and providing that flawless finish.
- If BB/CC creams are not covering your scars or spots on your face, use a little bit of concealer wherever required.
- Remember you are your own artist and you can always mix and match your products to attain your desired look.
Manavi Siddhanti is a lifestyle journalist and ex-magazine editor based in New Delhi, India. She writes about beauty and lifestyle. Pragati Siddhanti is an IT manager who is based in Basel,Switzerland. She writes on travel, expat life and motherhood.
