To BB or not to BB?

One of the things I've always struggled with was foundation...


In my teens it was extremely orange and now in my 20's, I'm just not finding that I'm getting that 'glowing' finish that the adverts promise me. (I later learnt that those models on TV get it thanks to air brushing!)

So for us minions who don't have time to photoshop our faces on every single photo, there seems to be a new cure for our foundation woes...BB cream.


Now, I'm sure you've seen the adverts promising us beautiful, radiant skin. It's a craze that appears to have taken over Asia with the women there are buying BB cream by the bulk load! 


So what's so special about BB cream? Well, BB stands for blemish balm. It's basically a liquid product you put on your face before you put any make up on. For someone like myself who's only recently dabbled into the world of primers and bases, I'm interested in this magical cream.


Originally designed for patients who have undergone facial laser surgery, the effects of the cream were so impressive that it's now gone global. Before I recommend a product to you guys, I wanted to test it out. I spent the past week using Boots No7 BB cream in normal/oily. Every single time I applied make up and here is what I've found.


How much is the product?


- £12.95. For me this is expensive for a drugstore brand. I would expect to pay something along the lines of this for a MAC primer so it was a little pricey. Especially given the fact it's only 40ml.






What does the product promise?


- An all in one foundation, moisturiser, primer, plus 5* UVA & SPF 15 protection.


Does it meet it's promise?


- Firstly, it doesn't feel like a foundation. It's quite an oily based product and a little goes a long way. It definitely felt more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation. I like the idea of it having SPF 15 in it but to be honest, so does a lot of foundation products on the market.


Would you recommend using this product?


- This is where I'm not sure. I like using it and have found that by mixing it with my MAC studio sculpt foundation in NC25 that it gives me a good, fresh finish. However, if I didn't mix it with a foundation, it would look patchy, wouldn't cover any blemishes and would feel very shiny. So I do not feel this is a product I would recommend.




Overall I would give this a 3.5 out of 5. 


My hunt for the perfect foundation continues. I have receieved a sample of the new Chanel perfection Lumiere (in 20) which I adore however at £36 a bottle, it's a rather large investment! 


Any recommendations? 


Love Marissa xoxo