When it comes to BB creams, it can be a bit hard to decide which one is right for you.  I have tried a variety of different ones from a bunch of brands at different price points and no particular one is the same.

For those of you still living under a rock, BB creams came in with a bang a couple years ago.  Standing for Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm, BB creams are packed full of benefits for your skin, they contain an SPF, blurs imperfection, brightens, evens skin tone, moisturizes, hydrates, and much more.  I would say that pretty much every brand on the market has dipped their toes into the BB cream market.

For me, BB creams are best worn in the summertime because they are so light on the skin and they pack that extra SPF to protect your face against the sun.  I also sport one on a lazy Sunday when I want a little bit of coverage but not something too heavy.

I have tried a gamut of different BB creams from both drugstore and department store brands, including Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Dior, Garnier, and Covergirl.  No doubt the most popular BB cream in the drugstore market is the Garnier Skin Renew, which I believe was one of the first brands to introduce it to the Western market.  Now just because I say that it’s drugstore, doesn’t mean it comes cheap.  The cheapest I have seen the Garnier one for is like $12.99, but often it sells closer to $17.99 (in Canada).  The Covergirl version retails for almost $10. Department store brands on the other hand, will run you closer to $50.

$15 compared to $50, is it worth it?

Like I said, I’ve tried a gamut of different brands and I have to say that there really is a difference between the drugstore and department store BB creams.  I would think that most of them offer the same benefits, but the wear on them is different.  For the most part, I find the drugstore versions to be a little greasy on the skin compared to their department store counterparts.

My favourite department store BB creams are by Smashbox and Dior, both provide amazing coverage and dry matte on the face.  You don’t have to set these and you could honestly just wear these as a foundation, whereas the drugstore versions are more of a tinted moisturizer.

So, should you save or splurge?  It depends what you want. If you are a sheer coverage kinda gal, then I would splurge on a BB cream because these aren’t as full coverage as a foundation, but they offer a better coverage than their inexpensive counterparts.   I am a full coverage foundation girl, but I still love the way that Diorskin Nude BB cream makes my face look.

If you would rather just have something sheer that provides a bit of coverage while providing SPF benefits, then stick with drugstore.  I have heard that Marcelle BB cream (only in Canada I believe) is amazing, but it retails for more than your typical drugstore version ($20+).

Let me know in the comments which BB cream is your favourite and if you think spending the extra cash is worth the money.

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