Honestly, there are so many different types of face makeup that it’s hard to know which to choose. Should you opt for a foundation, a BB cream, or a CC cream? It’s genuinely confusing, particularly when each sounds incredible on paper. To help you decide once and for all which face makeup formula you should go for, I enlisted Helen Dagdag, Sephora Collection national makeup artist, to give me the lowdown.
"The main difference between foundation, BB cream, and CC cream is the amount of coverage they provide, the shade range offered, and skin concerns they are targeting,” Dagdag explains. "BB and CC creams usually have skincare ingredients and a limited shade range because they typically offer less coverage.”
Below, find a deep dive into each option, who they’re best suited for, and a few standouts to choose from, including Dagdag’s personal favorites. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to all things face makeup.
Foundation
"Foundation comes in a wide variety of shades, coverages, and finishes," says Dagdag. "Foundations are great for buildable coverage, and some even have skincare ingredients too. Ideally, you’d go for a foundation if you want an exact skin tone match. Since there are so many formulas out there, you can tailor your coverage and finish preferences to find one that works for you."
Dagdag's pick:
If you want a foundation with customizable coverage, Dagdag recommends this one. "It's super affordable, comes in 50 shades, has medium-buildable coverage, and a natural finish," she says. "I love it because it plays well with others. It easily flexes to less coverage or a different finish if you add something in."
A favorite among beauty editors, celebrities, and likely everyone you've ever met with flawless makeup, this foundation from Armani Beauty is one of the all-time bests. It has extremely buildable natural-looking coverage and gives you a dreamy glow.
It's part of Dior's Backstage line for a reason—this foundation gives you an airbrushed effect that would look at home on a runway. It's waterproof and sweat-resistant, so you can be sure it'll stay on through anything.
I honestly can't say enough good things about this foundation. It goes on so smoothly, is easy to blend and build, and gives you a skin-like finish. It's essentially the ultimate daily foundation. Plus, it comes in 40 shades.
If you love the coverage of a foundation but want the skincare benefits of a BB or CC cream, opt for this serum-infused formula from Ilia. It has buildable coverage and contains allantoin, aloe, and niacinamide for major skin-softening benefits.
BB Cream
"BB stands for beauty balm," says Dagdag. "They aim to be sheer but corrective. BB [creams] usually have skincare benefits, are hydrating, and have a dewy to natural finish. They are usually best applied with fingers and have a flexible, but very limited shade range. BB's are also great for anyone who has normal to dry skin and wants a tiny bit of tint with added skincare benefits."
Dagdag's picks:
Since this is minimal coverage, it only comes in three sheer shades that will work for most skin tones, but it's super hydrating and has SPF.
For just $16, this lightweight tone-up cream is a steal. Dagdag recommends it if you're looking for just a hint of skin-evening coverage.
Packed with skin-friendly actives like sunscreen, shea butter, and antioxidants, this BB cream also offers sheer coverage to blur your skin.
If you have oily skin, this is the BB cream for you. Often, BB creams skew dewy, which can spell disaster for people with excess oil. This one evens and perfects skin tone while keeping shine at bay.
Formulated specifically with darker skin tones in mind, this tinted moisturizer from Black Radiance does a superb job at evening skin tone. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, it also plumps and hydrates skin.
CC Creams
"CC stands for color correcting," says Dagdag. "They target evening out skin tone. Generally, CC [creams] provide more coverage than a BB cream or tinted moisturizer and have a natural to matte finish. The difference between CC [creams] and foundation is that CC creams have extra skincare benefits and a flexible, limited shade range. CCs are great for anyone who wants to apply with fingers and would like more coverage for concerns like dark spots, redness, or discoloration. The ingredients typically help to even out skin over time."
Dagdag's picks:
For color correcting, Dagdag recommends this CC cream from It Cosmetics. "It is a full coverage, matte finish CC cream with great ingredients like collagen and charcoal," she says.
Okay, this isn't technically a CC cream, but it's pretty close. "It is a unique formula that is moisturizing but matte, so it offers more coverage than most tinted moisturizers out there and comes in 16 shades," says Dagdag.
This unique cushion compact helps give your skin the perfect wash of color while evening out your skin tone. It deeply nourishes and hydrates while it color-corrects.
If you want brighter, more even skin, reach for this CC cream from Clinique. It corrects everything from redness to sallow skin for a filter-like effect.
If you want a full-coverage color corrector with tons of skin-friendly ingredients, this $15 cream from E.l.f. is the one for you. You can build coverage to whatever you want it to be.
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