Colour me thick, but what's the point of BB cream?

[elQuintoConyo]

Just that really!

It it meant to be used like a tinted moisturiser?

I bought some the other day as it says SPF30, but after wearing it in the sun for not very long (walking from bus to work, mostly in the shade!) I found I had a rather red nose! I don't get this with my usual Rimmel stay matte factor 20-something.

The BB says it can be used alone - pah - or as a base under foundation. Well, when I put foundation on top I looked like I'd just crushed up some beige slacks, added some glue and slapped it on my face. Awful awful awful.

Can anyone enlighten me without laughing at a 40yo using Rimmel ?

It can be used alone, since most BB creams have sun protection factor. However, I still use sunblock underneath because for BB creams to look nice, it should be spread thinly. And that's really not enough sun protection.

Basically how I do it is I get a pea-sized drop, spread it on the inner side of my forearm, and from there I get cream to pat on my face. It tends to be cake-y when spread directly due to the thickness.

I still have to use moisturiser under mine and if I'm going to be out all day in the sun I use sunblock underneath it instead. Kind of defeats the object really. I prefer it to foundation though as it gives a more natural look. I'm using the l'occitane one atm, really like it.

I use it most days but I use suncream underneath too. I do that with foundation as well, as I use them both pretty sparingly.

I really like a BB cream for when you don't need as much coverage. They are much lighter and fresher for me- and quicker to apply!

When applying I use a foundation brush, start on my cheeks and work outwards.

I use it really sparingly as it is lighter than foundation. Not in place of sun cream though, but I would also but sun cream on under foundation because I don't think I wear it thick enough to be proper sun protection.

To be fair, the Rimmel one wasn't much good when I tried it, ive got one, the garner one I think, and never use it cos I'm a foundation junkie and it's just "ok". Apparently they were originally designed by the Japanese for after plastic surgery as they has stuff in them normal foundations didn't, but I could be completely making that up.

So, you put suncream on under BB cream as you would foundation anyway? Or am I missing something? Is it advertising at its best?

My friend who is a makeup artist (not that this makes her God or anything! It's just I don't wear any makeup and so I believe her as I know no different ) won't touch this BB cream stuff. I asked her about it as its popping up everywhere but she thinks it's awful pointless stuff.
She specialises in very natural pared down makeup and doesn't rate it at all.
Just my two penny's worth :)

I've tried a few but they all seemed a bit thick and gloopy and made me feel like I had too much on. The Loreal Nude magique one is really nice though. They do an anti fatigue one which does brighten your skin up.
I'm never sure if its all a gimmick though - if you wear SPF cream, then foundation then BB cream and the mineral powder stuff your face would feel like a cake!!

Exactly hoobygalooby it feels awful, looks awful, takes 3 washes to get off I think I shall just go back to my usual regime that hasn't changed since I was 19

Thanks CakeNinja seems like sound advice.

Thanks everyone

I just always put suncream on my face as standard, regardless of what else is going on it! I don't use any form of powder on top of either bb cream or foundation though, I hate the look and feel of powder.

It is VERY, VERY handy as a parent!! DD 14 looks awful with the full on foundation look... and gets very blotchy at certain times of the month - and wants to cover it up without looking "made up"

a little BB cream evens out hormonal blotchiness, moisturises her skin and gives a bit of sun protection. No7 lady in boots showed her how...

I'm in love with Asian BB creams and no they are not like a tinted moisturizer! You can get full coverage, medium coverage or sheer coverage and also very pale shades. I used to be a full-coverage liquid foundation devotee - the best BB creams cover just as well but somehow they 'breathe' more. My Chanel foundation melts and goes patchy in hot weather, BB creams are more sweatproof and they don't break me out. I add some sunscreen under them because I am in the Mediterranean, but probably wouldn't bother somewhere else! The Asian BBs have migrated to cushion compacts that are even quicker to apply, interested in seeing whether we will start getting more of those here too!

Frugal could you recommend one? I am fair but have a yellow undertone to my skin which is unusual - think I inherited it from my mum who has olive skin and every single bb cream I've tried just looks like foundation but pink or orange on me! I'd love to wear something lighter than foundation as I actually feel now I'm getting older I'd like something less cakes on my face. I used to hate my freckles and cover them up with foundation but I'm quite find of them now, just need something light to even out blemishes but cannot find any bb creams with a truly yellow undertone. I wear l'oreal foundation which is great for my skin tone but their bb creams are all very pink.

*less cakey

I've just started using the Bobbi Brown BB cream and I really like it. I usually wear Laura mercier tinted moisturiser +/- mineral foundation but fancied a change so asked at Bobbi Brown counter. The make-up artist explained that a BB cream gives a light finish with more coverage than a tinted moisturiser. I apply it with a foundation brush, it's really quick and if you get the right shade blends in perfectly. Like someone else up thread I have pale skin with a yellow/olive tone and I've found a great match for my skin - can't remember the shade now but will check later. I apply moisturiser 5 minutes before BB cream and it can be finished off with powder if necessary.

Princess olive is perhaps the trickiest skin tone to match, I'd try the Bobbi Brown first and if that does not work, google swatches (here are some), that's how I found my shade. I'm cool/neutral, Missha (grayish/pink) works really well on me. Dr Jart Water-Fuse (green tube, at Boots?) might work too, it does not match my skin tone exactly but goes on very sheer so it sort of just blurs out uneven pigmentation.

more swatches including the green Dr Jart

That's great Frugal, thank you - and Root if you get a chance to post the shade you use I'd be really grateful.

I have clinique cc cream, is it similar?

The Bobbi Brown shade I use is 'Extra Light'. If you've got a Bobbi Brown counter near you I would get them to match your skin tone for you as they're pretty good.

Another vote for the Asian ones - I use Dr Bart and it's fab. Makes skin look great but not made up.

DYAC - that should be Dr Jart.

I'm surprised to be saying this, as I'm very picky about bases, but I'm very impressed with the Rimmel Matte BB Cream in Light. I apply it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, pat a little bit of Rimmel Lasting Finish Concealer (which I like just as much as the Benefit Boi-ing I was using before) onto blemishes afterwards, set it with translucent powder, and the result is a good level of coverage with a much more natural-looking finish. It's also a lot more comfortable to wear in the heat.

I'm a bit of a make-up snob so I was really sceptical when I bought the Rimmel BB cream and pot of concealer, but I'm really pleased to have been proven wrong! I'll definitely continue to buy the concealer from now on for everyday use, and I'll use the BB cream throughout the summer and probably also for "indoor days" during winter.

The freelance Make Up artist I use swears By MAC's BB cream.
I have started using it and now love it for day wear.