December 27, 2012

Rimmel BB Cream Beauty Balm Review & Swatches

Rimmel’s new BB Cream Beauty Balm has launched in the US. I found displays at Harmons for this new Spring 2013 launch. So far I’ve seen it in four total shades however, the launch in the UK included only two.

Colors include Fair, Light, Light/Medium, and Dark I believe but don’t quote me as some displays were stripped bare.

I hauled both the Light and Medium shades in the hopes one would be a match.

Take a look!

This is a mere 1 oz size with a budget friendly price of around $5-$6 at Harmons. I suspect it’ll be higher once it hits CVS and other mainstream drugstores.

As with most BB Creams released here in the US it does prove disappointing. It’s marketed as a 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Make Up BB Cream with benefits that include lightweight coverage designed to prime, mattify and moisturize, minimize the appearance of pores, conceal blemishes and protect the skin with SPF 25.

If you can get past the “BB Cream” aspect the formula is a lovely, sheer tinted moisturizer at best. Many going into this purchase that have very little experience with Asian BB Creams will likely love how weightless and smooth a texture this has. However, those who have experienced the joys of a true BB Cream will find it disappointing.

I’ve tried to distant myself from the BB Cream aspect when I’m reviewing these products lately as I end up just ranting about them rather than raving some of the benefits they do have.

This is a light, creamy almost gel-like texture with a delicate satiny dry down on skin. It evens out skin tones, blends very easily, and offers a bit of moisture during first application but not throughout the wear. Coverage is very sheer so it’ll perfect skin a little bit, possibly ease some minor redness or dullness, and create an overall even appearance but it won’t hide or conceal major issues such as dark spots, heavy redness on cheeks or face, and acne or acne scarring.

The product seems to settle nicely on my skin and doesn’t accentuate flaky areas. It has a smooth, even appearance and looks like I’m not wearing makeup at all. It eases some of my dullness and perfects skin on a whole creating a very nice overall canvas for my makeup. I’d definitely lean towards calling it a tinted moisturizer versus a BB Cream though due to the lack of coverage among other things.

Unfortunately neither Medium or Light was a good fit for me however, combining the two seemed to work out well. I find Medium too orange and Light was a little too fair. Combining the two created the perfect Light Medium tone for my skin.

On oily skin it should prove a fairly nice wear however, it doesn’t have strong mattifying properties. It might ease some minor oiliness but if you’re an oily skin type a primer prior or a touch of powder after might prove the best way to keep oil at bay.

Overall, Rimmel BB Cream Beauty Balm is a tinted moisturizer at best. Coverage is sheer and other benefits such as the supposed mattifying benefits are weak. The SPF 25 is appreciated but I wouldn’t skip out on sunscreen prior to application if I were you. Active sunscreens include Avobenzone (3%), Octionaxate (4%), Octisalate (4%), and Octocrylene (2%). If you’re looking for weightless barely there coverage that will perfect already good skin this is an excellent way to get that fresh, natural makeup look. However, those seeking anti-aging benefits, high sun protection, and pigmented coverage might feel this missed the mark by a mile in the BB Cream department. Tinted moisturizer yes, BB Cream it is not.

Available now at drugstores.

Tried it?

Do share!

P.S. BBC America’s 2013 Lineup….yes, please, but let’s skip the Nerdist, k, thanks.

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • charlotte

    OOH.. thanks for the BBC preview. Good to see Top Gear is back, I had heard it was cancelled. Have you heard if Misfits is still going?

    • the Muse

      my pleasure ;-D they posted it today on twitter. I’m watching series 4 right now, funny you ask. there’s rumor they are gathering up writers for a potential 5 but not sure yet. It’s sadly gone downhill in a major way ;-D but what can ya do!

    • Annie

      Top Gear isn’t canceled, darling. It just didn’t have a summer series due to the Olympics in London this summer.

  • christi

    Are u sure there is a fair shade? I was at Rite Aid & Walgreen’s earlier today & saw this product at both stores, but I only saw the light, medium, and dark, no fair one. I picked up the light but haven’t tried it yet. If there’s a fair shade, I will prob return it.
    I looove Asian bb creams Muse, and thanks to your blog I have like 10 now LOL. I think my fav is Skin79 Diamond Prestige and the face shop Aqua one. Anyway, I do enjoy tinted moisturizers too, that’s why I am curious about this. I am quite pale tho, so I need a fair shade. XX

    • alina

      i have the same problem as you, my skin is very light and also pinkish and i find it difficult to find my right shade, even if a bb cream is fair enough, it has a yellow/orange tone and makes my face look so tanned/dark and different from the rest of my body. so i would very much appreciate if you’ve tried this bb cream to tell me if it works well on fair skin, as i already purchased a useless bb cream from another drugstore brand(garnier)and i don’t want to waste any more money… thanks 🙂

  • JennySue Makeup

    Haven’t tried it, but I totally would have bc I love Rimmel products. Glad I saw this though, bc I don’t need another tinted moisturizer in my life – I need more coverage!! Great review. What’s up with all these BB creams only coming in minimal shades??

    • the Muse

      le sigh tell me ’bout it…they are ALL tms…nothing introduced in the US at the moment is anything but a beefed tm formula

  • K.

    For just 1 oz of product and with such little properties that would actually be beneficial, I feel I will probably pass on this, especially once the drugstores start charging $7.99 for it! xoxo

    • the Muse

      i think it’ll be abouts that k at cvs and such, in that case, it really isn’t worth it, at a fiver though, def worth it 😀

  • Erin

    THE STIG IS BACK!
    Misfits has gone downhill since Kelly and Simon left in my opinion, I like Rudy but what they did to Curtis this season (I wont say what in case someone is behind)put the last nail in the Misfits coffin in my opinion.
    Love your blog by the way, this is my first comment but I have been lurking for a while lol.

  • LINDARRAGNAR

    I am such a prude!!!! I felt that the promo had too much sex, not enough nerd!!! 😉

  • amy

    Have you tried the Garnier BB Cream? If so, how do these compare? I actually quite like the Garnier one, but then, I haven’t tried a “real” one (I’m too lazy to scour Korea Town or Little Tokyo, LOL).

  • Teresa

    I was afraid of this! I’m so glad I saw your review before I purchased this!

    I think I need to stop holding out hope for an American version of a true BB cream. I’m going to have to suck it up and try an Asian one. I’ll be digging through your archives for recs!

    • the Muse

      teresa same here, I think if I just associate them with tm I’m ok, as some of them are damn good tms but as soon as I think of them as a bb cream I start getting twitchy and irritated they don’t work as such ;-D

  • Jessica

    No comment on the Rimmel BB Cream but I just wanted to say I do LOVE Dr. Who!! Can’t wait for the new season! 🙂

      • Jessica

        For Christmas my husband bought me the Keep Calm and Don’t Blink shirt! I also have another Dr. Who t-shirt w/the Tardis on it and every time I wear it I have someone come up to me and tell me they love the shirt and are a huge fan of the show. It even sometime leads to discussions on our favorite episodes and who our favorite doctor is!

  • Wenz

    Have you tried the new Garnier one for oily/combo skin….. I saw it today @Walgreens… but didnt have time to stop & see… :/

  • blueraccoon

    I almost bought this today but ended up not because it’s too *dark* for me, even in Light. Curse my snow white skin!

  • Amiee

    Man, I wanted to like this product, because I like Rimmel and few BBs claim to mattify (the US ones anyway) but OMG it was horrible. I don’t know if I got a bad batch or what but it did not feel moisturizing at all and wouldn’t sink into my skin so I was left with a kind of dry mess sitting on top of my skin. I guess it does mattify because if my oily skin could cut through that mess, I may as well give up.

  • Madii

    Wow, that light is really dark! I’m not even that dark in the summer.

  • Inez

    I have VERY oily skin and was looking forward to my first BB cream. This Rimmel one is horrible.

  • Diana

    What would you say is your most highly recommended drugstore bb cream? I have pretty good skin as is, just a little redness around the nose so I don’t need too much coverage. I tried garnier’s but the medium shade looked a little orange on my skin. I’d like to invest, this time. in something that is actually good for my skin, as opposed to so much coverage. thanks for your help! love your blog. xo

  • Marcela

    My sister brought this for me in Australia, I find it a bit too sticky and thick for my taste, and quite difficult to distribute. The colour though, fits me perfectly, and lasts quite a lot too. So I’m just getting the hang of it! I really do want to get an asian BB cream though, I’m looking through all your reviews at the mo lol.