Starting off with the best foundation 

Q: What are the differences between BB and CC cream and how do you know which ones to use? Should I just use foundation? Or cream under my normal foundation?

Katie: If you have set foot in a Sephora, drugstore or department store anywhere or near a cosmetics counter lately, chances are you have been overwhelmed by the alphabet formulations of BB and CC creams. These creams have joined tinted moisturizers and foundations as skin perfecting options. What in the heck do they do, and which one is right for you?!!

Let me break it down for you.

Tinted Moisturizers – Sheer and give a touch of color with moisturizing benefits. Laura Mercier by far is the No. 1 selling tinted moisturizer in the world and always after working for her corporately for eight years always a “go to” in my makeup kit.

BB Creams – These are an Asian import that have become super popular. They provide a hint more coverage than tinted moisturizer and offer skincare benefits like SPF and antioxidants. The list goes on depending on the brand. I recently had a conversation with my dear friend and mentor Alisha Gallagher who is the Global VP for Cover FX. She said BB’s were from the start targeted for blemishes and often called Blemish Balms. Cover FX makes a BB Gel I am in love with that treats and heals blemish-prone skin. ALL BB creams are not created equal depending on the brand. Alisha suggests looking for a BB or CC cream that has the benefits you want along with coverage and shade best for you.

CC Creams – These are colorcorrecting and address issues like redness or sallowness. They have light diffusing particles and have more of a whipped texture. CC creams give a bit more coverage than a BB creams in most brands.