To BB or CC??-Richmond Makeup Artist Aaron Ellerbrock

 

 

Just when you thought you had it all figured out, enter yet another "wonder" product. The latest surge is coming from CC creams. What is a CC cream? Well to answer that we should first review a BB cream. Here is a quick description from one of our previous posts:

"BB stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm". It really became popular in East and Southeast Asia during the 80's but was originally formulated in the 1950's to be used after surgery or laser procedures. The reason for their popularity in Asia was the fact that the product was a great multi-tasker. There are tons of formulas on the market, many touting anti-inflamatory or soothing properties. The ones that you will find in US stores generally combine the following benefits: a skin prep (think primer), light weight coverage (think tinted moisturizer), hydration (think light weight skincare), and anti-ageing protection (think SPF and antioxidants). Now some of the formulas are heavier on one benefit and lighter on the other, so you need to do a little research to find out which is best for you."

CC stands for "Color Corrector" and in all honesty they are quite similar to BB creams and the above mentioned benefits. The main difference in a CC cream is that they contain ingredients that help to fight against hyperpigmentation. Whether the ingredients are light-diffussing that help to camouflage the discoloration or something more active to help lessen the darkness (such as vitamin A or niacinamide), this added benefit may be something that a more "mature" person, or a sun worshiper might be interested in.

These cream are available in a variety of colors as well as price ranges. As per usual, they are slow to launch in the US. Right now the easiest one to get your hands on is Olay Total Effects at CVS for $22.99. Lorac has one that is launching in the spring and Ulta sells one by Juice Beauty called Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream for $39.00.

In all honesty I have yet to try a CC cream as my clients have seemed to embrace the BB creams. But, since it is out there I guess a trip to the store will be beneficial. In the meantime, if any of you have tried a CC cream please post on our Facebook page what your thoughts are. We would love to hear from you! Be on the look out for our review of CC creams soon!

BB Creams; What is the hype about?-Richmond VA Makeup Artist Aaron

So BB creams have been getting a lot of press lately. With that press seems to come a lot of confusion from the consumer. So let's take a minute to find out what a BB cream is about and if it is worth all the hype.

First, BB stands for "Beauty Balm" or "Blemish Balm". It really became popular in East and Southeast Asia during the 80's but was originally formulated in the 1950's to be used after surgery or laser procedures. The reason for their popularity in Asia was the fact that the product was a great multi-tasker. There are tons of formulas on the market, many touting anti-inflamatory or soothing properties. The ones that you will find in US stores generally combine the following benefits: a skin prep (think primer), light weight coverage (think tinted moisturizer), hydration (think light weight skincare), and anti-ageing protection (think SPF and antioxidants). Now some of the formulas are heavier on one benefit and lighter on the other, so you need to do a little research to find out which is best for you.

Even though BB creams have not been available in the US for many years, they have flooded the market and have people flocking to stores like drag queens to a foam padding sale! Clinique, Smashbox, Stila, Dr. Jart, Garnier, Maybelline, Too Faced, Estee Lauder, and Boscia are just a few of the ones out there now. The price range on these is anywhere from $12 to $40.

Now Dr. Oz raves about the Boscia one and it has a good amount of skin care properties to it. However, it is only one shade, but can read the skin to mimic your tone. I think if you have some olive tone you are OK but otherwise this one is better as a skincare product. Many makeup artists like ones from lines like Smashbox and Too Faced as they have more coverage to them and more shades to choose from. This is why you have to pay attention to ingredients and color options. Do you want one that offers a lot of hydration, or do you want one to give you nice coverage. The best way to find the one that works for you is to try one out. If you love it great! If not, pass it on to a friend or family member and try another one.

In my experience (but note, I have not tried all of them) I really like the products but do think they have some limitations. If you are on the dry side, or it is in the Winter months, I don't think they offer enough moisture and you probably would still need a moisturizer under the BB cream. But, right now (in these crazy warm Summer months) if you are normal or oily, you can probably get by using it without a separate moisturizer.

Secondly, be aware of ones that have an SPF of 50 or more. Most doctors and dermatologists agree that once you get that high of a number, the product is really no more effective (30-45 are great numbers to look for).

Thirdly, many of the BB creams will have ingredients to help make the tone and texture of the skin more even and smooth. This is often done with light reflecting agents. That may translate to "shimmer" or "sparkle". So, if you are putting a bronzer on top, you might want to try a matte bronzer instead of one with more shimmer. Remember "disco balls" are fun but can date you too!

If you are someone who requires a heavier coverage, this may not be the one and only product for you. However, it is a great way to "refresh" your SPF as most BB creams can go on over traditional foundation if you desire.

So in closing, my opinion is I like BB creams, but for the right person and the right time of year. I think they are worth the hype, as long as you are realistic about they payoff. When you need to lighten up a bit, this is a perfect product, but I don't think I would use it alone as we head into late Fall or Winter. I do think you should check one out, especially now as Summer is beating down on us. With this new phenomenon I would love to hear your thoughts. Leave me or Nancy a message on our Facebook pages (BRIDEface Richmond or BRIDEface) if you have tried one. Share your experience so others can benefit!!

Cincinnati Magazine Weddings

We have four brides featured in the current issue; Allison Amrine, Anne Knueven, Allison Langenbahn, and Sarah DuPuy.
In the same issue our Carrie Karibo two page ad (featuring Riana), and a beauty article, "face value", features advice and tips from yours truly.

bridefaces in Cincinnati Magazine Weddings!

We have four-!! of our brideface clients featured in the current issue of Cincinnati Magazine Weddings;

from clockwise: Bridget Hummel, Lauren Hayes,Lindsay Hatfield, Kelsic Grimm.

How cool is that?

Also check out The Bridal Studio's groovy ad.

(photography, from clockwise:Steph Carson, Neysa Ruhl,Bluebird, Michael Bambino)

I have been blogged by Lucky Me!

How lucky am I?? If you don't currently have her blog in your google reader, prepare to be addicted.

Check out Lucky Me today for a groovy post about our makeup lesson; we had such a fun afternoon. Thanks Erin!

flattery will get you everywhere

Jump over to Steph Carson's blog for a very cool shot and blurb. *blushing*

Cincinnati Magazine Weddings, etc.

Look for the new issue on-well, I would say newsstands, but it's probably more likely Kroger's right?-I am quoted in an article about Avoiding Bridal Beauty Pitfalls ("hire me" was not an acceptable answer, according to the interviewer)
The Bridal Studio has a gorgeous ad, our first one. And the brideface ad? Waaaayyyy in the back.
But two of my brides are featured! Zena Srivatsa (by the way, check out Lifetime Video's trailer for Zena. Amazing. http://www.lifetime-video.com/blog/index.php/2008/12/03/zena-bob-two-for-one/) and Melissa Matson.
For all you facebookers out there, both The Bridal Studio and brideface have fan pages now. Hope to see you there. I would add a banner link but I have tried like fifty times and can't make it happen. Technology is not my friend.

Also for you recently marrieds, check out www.weddingwire.com. Review at least five of your vendors and get a $5 Amazon gift certificate.
And not like this blog is really about moi, but the pro pics from my wedding are in and I will post a brief shout out this weekend to the geniuses who helped make it happen. First let me get through this week-we are redesigning the studio and decorating for the holidays so there is a lot of furniture moving in my future.

Cincinnati Magazine Weddings

The new issue is out and it features two of our recent brideface brides; Michelle Boutilette and Megan Birkenshaw Guenther.There is also Q and A article, featuring moi ,regading wedding day beauty. I unfortunately had to miss the launch party last night because I was at The Wedding Mafia event at the Syndicate. It's always a blast seeing some of my favorite vendors there-Matt Pine, Steph Carson (who even let me do her makeup; the lashes made her eyes even more doe-like), Kortnee Miller, Nemar Maize, Michael Bambino, and Steve of GlassEye, just to name a few...
Thank you Mollie for helping me get all those models done!!!The Mitchells team did a beautiful job on the hair too.
And thanks to recently wed Stephanie Wheeler who served as our brideface spokesmodel. She looked gorgeous. I will be posting pics from her wedding later today.

cincinnati magazine weddings

-will hit newstands on Monday and a few brideface brides are featured; Amy Stewart, Kelly Morgan, and Stephanie Zitt. It's a really beautiful issue (as an advertiser I got box of advance copies; aren't I special?)