The BB Buzz

Occasionally a product comes on the market that takes the beauty industry by storm. The recent explosion of the BB cream is a great example of this, with most of the major cosmetic companies launching their own version. All of us here at Euphoric love them!

So where did BB creams come from?

BB creams were developed by a German dermatologist, Dr Christine Schrammek, in the 1950’s. They were created to protect the skin after laser treatments and their primary aim was to nourish the skin. This is reflected in most of the BB creams on the market today.

What exactly is a BB cream?

BB stands for Blemish Balm and although different brands do vary considerably, they tend to be marketed as an ‘all-in-one’ product. A typical BB cream acts as a foundation, moisturiser and sometimes an SPF, although the level of protection does vary considerably between brands. They’re usually only available in one or two shades, self-adjusting to the wearer’s skin tone.

The coverage and finish also varies greatly between brands. Some brands focus mainly on skincare benefits where products offer very little colour or coverage. The majority give skin a dewy luminosity, although some brands are more matte. Generally the finish tends to be sheer and light.

Euphoric’s Glow Time by Jane Iredale offers much fuller coverage than most other BB creams while still looking natural.

What sets BB creams apart from tinted moisturisers and traditional foundations is their array of skincare benefits. They’re enriched with everything from tea extracts and antioxidants to snake venom! Botanical extracts, such as grapefruit and apple, as contained in Jane Iredale’s Glow Time, are particularly effective as they have a firming effect and brighten the complexion.

Professional-only brands of BB cream tend to contain purer, more natural ingredients than those found on the high street.

Mineral BB creams

Historically mineral foundations have generally only been available in powder form, but brands such as Jane Iredale have offered liquid formulations for many years. Mineral BB creams are a natural extension of this. The fact that they’re in liquid form means they’re ideal for more mature skins as the cream won’t settle in fine lines or accentuate wrinkles - in fact it disguises them.

Mineral BB creams have far less chemicals and irritants than non-mineral products, making them an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin. They also have a ‘soft focus’ effect allowing skin to breathe and can be applied directly after treatments to camouflage redness. The skincare benefits mean they won’t clog pores or irritate the skin, so the result achieved through the treatment is not undone!

Who should use BB creams?

As mentioned previously, BB creams are ideal for mature skin but their versatility means they’re also great for younger skins as they give a fresh, natural finish. There are even versions aimed at men, with a matte finish and very light coverage which is virtually undetectable – which is probably just as well!

BB creams are also great if you don’t have time to apply lots of different products.

Tips for achieving flawless skin with BB creams

·         For best results apply a primer first to minimise pores and create the perfect canvas for your BB cream. Apply your primer after your moisturiser, not before.

·         When using full coverage BB creams such as Glow Time, a little goes a long way. Begin with a pea-sized dot, you can always add more if you need to!

·         Tap onto cheeks, forehead, nose, jawline and chin. Blend out with your fingers, a flocked sponge or a foundation brush (for more coverage apply with a sponge or brush).

·         If you prefer a more matte finish, apply a dusting of pressed powder such as Jane Iredale’s Pure Pressed.

Foundations have come a long way in recent years and BB creams, particularly mineral formulations, are the latest innovation. The combination of flawless coverage and skincare ingredients means that despite the hype, these miracle products are not just a fad, they’re here to stay!

Come in and see us so we can match the right Jane Iredale BB cream to your skin, for a bespoke, fresh, luminescent look – just in time for the Christmas party season!