Hey all. I hope you’re all having a great new year so far! As requested, I will be reviewing Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream.

I’ve been getting into BB creams lately, and I’ve been trying different brands and experimenting with different methods of application to see how well they work with me. I didn’t like Smashbox’s BB cream much and it was hard for me to try another BB cream that felt too much like a foundation.

I was looking for the “in-between” of a foundation and a tinted moisturizer because I needed a product I could easily apply if I was in a rush. And, I also needed more coverage than what a tinted moisturizer was offering.

Standard Bobbi Brown packaging and design. Very clean and professional.

Here is the back portion of the BB cream.

Packaging: I’ve always been a fan of very professional-looking cosmetics. It’s either extremely ornate or simplistic for me. I’m not sure how serious you can be taken if you pull out your lipstick and it has a cartoon monkey plastered on it. Bobbi Brown sticks to her blacks and whites and the result is a universal packaging design that doesn’t exactly embarrass the user. The only thing I do not like about this particular packaging is that it has a shiny finish to the tube and it does tend to look dirty or used because it catches all of the smears and fingerprints. NARS packaging would be ideal with the black satiny container decorated with white lettering although it does get dirty at times as well but not as much.

Shades: Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream comes in five shades: Extra Light, Light, Fair, Medium, and Medium to Dark. I fall between Fair and Medium but I find Medium suits me best at the moment (until I get my broken capillaries zapped off!). Even though there are only five shades to choose from, I think the shades blend in seamlessly and are quite versatile when it comes to catering clients of different ethnicities. Bobbi Brown’s BB cream does not include any “whitening” ingredients that Asian BB cream manufacturers use. However, I have been told that this is the same formulation that is sold in Asian countries.

Formulation/Consistency: I really like this particular BB cream because it’s easy to work with. It is slightly thicker than her tinted moisturizer and it doesn’t have a paste-like texture that is found with Smashbox’s version of a BB cream. It’s not runny like a liquid foundation although you should be cautious when squeezing this BB cream out of the tube; you can easily squeeze out too much. It’s perfect for on-the-go application (your hands!) and it goes on smoothly. Although I use brushes most of the time, I prefer to use my fingers with this product. Bobbi Brown’s BB cream is a lot more moisturizing than the other BB creams I’ve tried and having dry skin, I find that it doesn’t particularly emphasize my fine lines and dry patches although you should moisturize well before application.

If you have normal skin, combination skin, or oily skin, I think this BB cream holds up well because it controls oil (where needed) while keeping your skin looking “fresh” and hydrated. This BB cream sets but when it does, it is hardly noticeable. Your complexion should mattify just a little bit, but you’ll still retain a pleasant sheen. With this BB cream, I’d say less is more. You can see how far the tiny swatch of the BB cream went in the following photos.

Coverage: This BB cream provides medium coverage. I have “problem” skin and even though I do not suffer from acne, I have an uneven skintone, redness, sensitive skin, dry skin, broken capillaries, and some scarring. I think this BB cream does a great job at tackling all of these issues with a one-layer application with one or two spot applications where needed. I didn’t have to layer on multiple layers so one was enough. If you have normal or great skin, I can’t imagine the wonders this product will do for you! You get a combination finish with this BB cream … something along the lines of being luminous and natural at once. This BB cream does look VERY NATURAL despite being pretty pigmented. I think that there is some flashback but nothing a little powder can’t fix if you’re into the matte look.

Another thing about coverage is if you want fuller coverage, I’d recommend using a sponge, layering the product on, or using this before your applying your foundation. Using the BB cream first will conceal most of your problem areas and a good foundation can finish the job if you want a flawless complexion.

Note: I didn’t apply the BB cream to all of my hand so wherever the product was in the earlier photos, is where the product is in the latter. Sorry for the lighting, I just wanted to get this review out as soon as possible and I ended up taking these photos in the late afternoon.

Last thoughts: At $42 a 1.35 fl. oz. tube, this is well worth the money. When it comes to making natural and simple face make up, I think Bobbi Brown is one of the top brands to consider. With an SPF 35 protecting you from UVA and UVB rays, your skin will thank you when you’re fifty. You essentially skip the step of applying sunscreen separately, and you can still have a polished look of a foundation without sparing any extra time.

I carry it in my purse wherever I go and it has easily become one of my “must carry faves”. You can purchase it at a variety of places but I do recommend purchasing from the Bobbi Brown website or at Sephora. I hope you’ve enjoyed this review and that this product works for you, too!