Prepping your skin in the morning, before an important meeting or date brings a struggle of its own. You want your skin to appear natural, glowy, and healthy, and your makeup smooth and suited to your skin complexion. Wondering the differences between BB Cream vs Foundation is that one question that everyone asks when starting out with a makeup routine.
If you are having trouble with choosing the right set of makeup products to choose from, you need to know that the key role of the beautification process often lies in the hands of setting skin cream. These creams are generally BB cream or Foundation.
You will see both BB creams and Foundation displayed in the front of beauty stores along with other products with their shiny, glossy packaging tempting you to reach for them. One of the integral makeup tips to abide by is to know when to use BB cream and when to use Foundation.
Both of these makeup products cater differently to your skin. So we are going to be telling you the differences between BB cream and Foundation to make it easier for you to pick the one you need for the occasion.
Let us start with getting to know the basic features of both Foundation and BB cream before we jump ahead and differentiate them according to their uses and benefits.
What is BB Cream?
BB cream stems from the widely popular Korean beauty trend of glassy, glowing skin with minimum flaws and maximum even skin complexion. The BB stands for Beauty Balm, some even say it stands for Blemish Balm. Well, it does the job and pertains to both the names, so call it whatever you like, you can not talk enough about its benefits.
The BB cream normally can be used as a stand-alone product. Apply it on your face and you are ready to walk out of the door and face the world. BB cream is not typically a makeup product only, it is a skincare product too. You do not require a moisturizer before applying BB cream to your face because it does the job. Moreover, it evens out your facial complexion, hides blemishes, and presents flawless skin to the world.
What is Foundation?
Like the name says, Foundation creams act as the base of your skin and makeup. It smooths uneven skin and gives your face an even glow that hides all irregularities. If you are recovering from an acne situation or have marks on your face that you want to dim then reach for the Foundation when doing your makeup.
It is a miracle product that has been around for years and is revered for its qualities that gives your face a new, flawless appearance.
Foundation is an integral part of the classic makeup steps while BB cream is relatively new into the market. Both of these products have similar hype surrounding them and it is not an uncommon sight to see someone reaching for both of them at the same time at the beauty store.
But when you are applying makeup, you need to be careful which one to opt for the day and occasion. This is where knowing the difference between BB cream and Foundation helps a lot to make the right decision.
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Differences Between BB Cream and Foundation:
Let us highlight some of the points that will help you differentiate between a BB cream and a Foundation.
Coverage:
When the question of ‘who provides more coverage’ comes to the forefront, the Foundation is the clear winner. A Foundation is thicker in comparison while a BB cream is lighter.
Suitability for Skin Types:
When it comes to the texture of the skin, a well-thought-out decision has to be made. This is because both BB cream and Foundation have their plus points.
If you are someone who has dry and sensitive skin, BB cream is the best choice out of the two for you. A BB cream will not only provide skin benefits but also moisturize your skin enough. You do not need the help of a primer to prepare your skin for the application of a BB cream.
If you are someone who has oily skin, BB cream is also the best choice for you. Foundation is the best choice when you need more coverage and only plan to wear makeup for a short while, such as for a party or a special occasion that does not elongate through the day.
Skin Tone:
When it comes to the suitability of BB cream and Foundation to the complexion, Foundations have a lot more shades to offer in the market, while the stocks of BB cream in different shades are relatively low in comparison.
A BB cream prevents the growth of unwanted breakouts and keeps your skin healthy. But you need to keep in mind that as your skin becomes oily and greasy with time through the day, the BB cream may create a cast of your skin so you need to be careful when you are applying it.
When to Use a BB Cream and Foundation?
Use a BB cream when your skin is acting out, or feeling too sensitive. If your skin feels too itchy, or uncomfortable, do not use Foundation. A BB cream is the right choice to opt for in scenarios such as this.
It provides you with sufficient coverage without making your skin angrier. Also, when you are late for a meeting or generally in a rush and do not have the time to go through the whole ordeal of applying multiple makeup products, BB cream is there to help.
Reach out to the Foundation when you have to make a statement or you want more coverage in your makeup. For a wedding reception or an important meeting, open the Foundation and apply it to your skin with your fingertips or with a wet sponge so that it smoothes nicely with your skin.
Be sure to clean your makeup tools like a sponge regularly. You can also use Foundation when you want more coverage and a thicker layer to makeup hiding anything you want to remain hidden underneath the layers such as highly uneven or discolored skin after days in the sun.
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How to Pick Between BB Cream and Foundation?
This guide will help you to choose when to reach for the BB cream and when to pick the Foundation from your makeup supplies. Word of advice from us that always works the best for your skin will be to opt for cruelty-free, vegan brands that do not contain harmful chemicals in their ingredients.
Take into consideration the price, ingredient list, and coverage the makeup product provides along with SPF. Nowadays, every Foundation and BB cream comes with SPF included. It is always best to opt for SPF 30+ if you live in subtropical or tropical climates where the sun glares remain through most of morning and afternoon.
Another important rule of makeup to consider is to choose your BB cream and foundation a shade lighter than your actual skin color shade. This will help in making your skin look blemish-free and flawless while making your skin look radiant as ever.
In the end, it depends upon you and your need of the hour, whether you need the blessings of BB cream to shine on your face or the miracles of Foundation.
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FAQs on BB Cream vs Foundation:
Which is better, BB cream or Foundation?
Both are equally good. It is completely up to you whether you want to apply BB cream or Foundation for any occasion. The above article will help you to be the best-case scenario.
Can BB cream be used as Foundation?
Foundation is thicker and offers more coverage. Though in time of need, when you have run out of Foundation, you can use BB cream. Make sure to apply even throughout your face.
Why shouldn’t you use BB cream?
There is absolutely nothing harmful in using a BB cream. It is lightweight and has skincare benefits such as moisturization and hydration. Be wary of BB creams without SPF, it is always best to pick the BB cream with SPF included in the market.
What comes first: Foundation or BB cream?
If you are applying either, you do not need the other one. But for maximum result, you can mix Foundation and BB cream and apply that on to your face.
Do you put powder over BB cream?
You do not need to put powder over BB cream as the texture of the cream is light and applies evenly on your skin. So you do not need to dab setting powder on top.
