Western brands are also creating their own versions of the coveted Korean product called the BB Cream

The BB Secret

A E S T H E T I C S

LIFESTYLEASIAMAG.COMO C T O B E R 2 0 1 11 1 8

orean women are known for near-fl awless skin. Studies point to a

balanced diet, daily exercise and skin care. This is true for Song Hye Kyo,

celebrity endorser of Laneige.kBy ROANA CAPAQUE

NUMEROUS WOMEN ARE BECOMING FANS OF THE BB CREAM AS IT INSTANTLY CONCEALS IMPERFECTIONS ON THE FACE

The Blemish Balm cream or simply known as the BB cream is the latest trend in Korean skincare and cosmetics brands. Dr. Jart+, Etude House and Skin Food were the fi rst South Korean cosmetics companies to release this cream. They were commonly used by celebrities as a makeup primer to achieve healthy, fl awless and glowing skin.

Years before it gained popularity in Asia, the formula was originally used by dermatologists as a post-treatment cream. It has ingredients that help soothe

sensitive skin while concealing acne scars, blemishes and evening out skin tone. The BB cream tagged as the “secret behind Korean actresses’ skin” is gaining attention internationally because of its multiple benefi ts. In fact, Western brands are creating their own versions of the BB cream, marrying makeup and skincare benefi ts. American makeup artist and founder of her own cosmetics line Bobbi Brown says, “This cream not only offers amazing ingredients and benefi ts but also comes in three skin tone correct shades

LANEIGE SNOW BB CREAM SPF 41

(P1650) COMES IN A SERUM FORM THAT

DELIVERS MOIST AND NOURISHING

SENSATIONS TO THE SKIN. AN

EXCLUSIVE LIQUID CRYSTAL ESSENCE

INGREDIENT WORKS AS A NATURAL SKIN

BARRIER WHICH SEALS HYDRATION TO THE EPIDERMIS.

ASIAN PERSUASION WESTERN INNOVATION

ETUDE HOUSE BB MAGIC CREAM (P548) IS A LIGHTLY

TINTED CREAM KNOWN FOR PROVIDING LIGHT

COVERAGE WITH A DEWY FINISH. IT COMES IN ONE

SHADE THAT ADJUSTS TO DIFFERENT SKIN TONES.

IT CONTAINS ALOE VERA THAT GIVES MOISTURIZING

BENEFITS, WITCH HAZEL EXTRACT THAT ACTS AS

AN ASTRINGENT SLOWLY ERASING ACNE SCARS AND

CENTELLA ASIATICA, A MEDICINAL HERB, FOR

SCAR LIGHTENING.

DR. JART+ HEALING BB CREAM BLACK LABEL (P1940) FOUNDED BY A TEAM OF KOREAN

MEDICAL SPECIALISTS, THIS CREAM CLAIMS

TO PREVENT SKIN DISCOLORATION, PROVIDE

MOISTURE, PROTECTS SKIN FROM HARMFUL

RAYS, BALANCES THE PH LEVEL AND STIMULATES

CELL REJUVENATION. INGREDIENTS INCLUDE

ALLANTOIN WHICH INCREASES WATER CONTENT IN SKIN,

CHAMOMILE EXTRACT TO REDUCE IRRITATION AND

ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

WHERE TO GET IT:BOBBI BROWN (RUSTAN’S

MAKATI AND TOWER); CLINIQUE (RUSTAN’S MAKATI AND TOWER);

DR. JART+ (LEADING DEPARTMENT STORES); ETUDE HOUSE (LEADING

MALLS NATIONWIDE); LANCÔME (GREENBELT 5, MATRIONNAUD

SM MALL OF ASIA, AND RUSTAN’S MAKATI); LANEIGE (TRINOMA) AND

MAC (POWER PLANT MALL AND RUSTAN’S MAKATI AND TOWER)

that look natural on everyone.” The brand’s version can replace foundation with light tint added to the formula. France formulated Dior Snow White BB Cream boasts of high UVA and UVB protection with SPF 50 injected in the formula. Canadian cosmetics line MAC formulates their variety called the Beauty Balm. Senior Artist Victor Cembellin raves about

cream as he says, “The cream gives the appearance a radiant, fl awless, bright and vibrant skin. By using this product prior to foundation, I fi nd that I have to use much less coverage (because the Balm has already begun to make the skin look so creamy and gorgeous). It’s become one of the secret weapon products those in the industry use.”

MAC PREP + PRIME BEAUTY BALM (P1900) IS LIGHTLY TINTED IN A CLEAR, NEARLY SHEER BEIGE COLOR TO WORK ON ALL KINDS OF COMPLEXIONS. THE CREAM HAS SPF 35, LIGHTLY HYDRATES AND BLURS LINES, AND ADDS ILLUMINATION TO THE SKIN.

CLINIQUE’S AGE DEFENSE BB CREAM SPF 30 (P1850) HELPS PREVENT THE SIGNS OF PREMATURE AGING WHILE CONCEALING IMPERFECTIONS. IT FEATURES MICA, IRON OXIDES, AND SILICA TO CONCEAL AND CORRECT IMPERFECTIONS, MOISTURIZING VITAMIN E, SOOTHING CAFFEINE AND GLYCYRRHENTIC ACID TO REDUCE SKIN IRRITATION.

LANCÔME UV EXPERT BRIGHT EYES SPF 50 PROTECTING AND ILLUMINATING EYE BB BASE (P1850) TARGETS TO CONCEAL AND BRIGHTEN THE SKIN AROUND THE EYES. THE SLIM-LINE TUBE PACKAGING COMES WITH AN APPLICATOR TIP FOR EASIER USE OF THE SPF 50 FORMULA.

BOBBI BROWN BB CREAM SPF 35 (P2100) COMES IN THREE SHADES. THE FORMULATION INCLUDES LIGHT REFLECTIVE PEARLS THAT INSTANTLY BRIGHTEN SKIN, SCUTELLARIA EXTRACT TO REDUCE APPEARANCE OF DISCOLORATIONS, ARGIRELINE MINIMIZES THE APPEARANCE OF LINES AND WRINKLES AND PREVENTS FUTURE SIGNS OF AGING AND CAFFEINE AND SUCROSE PREVENTS REDNESS.

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