July 2, 2013

Five of the Best BB Creams Available in the US

Five of the Best BB Creams

Which are the five best BB Creams available right here in the US? That’s one of the most commonly asked questions on Musings of a Muse. Folks are curious which brands are putting out solid BB Creams formulas and which I’ve actually liked that are readily available here in the US. I’ve tried plenty that much is true but many don’t always impressed me so I made a list of five BB Creams I actually love and think are the very best of the best. BB Creams I personally use daily and enjoy the formula of.

So here’s five you might not have tried. Five that are readily available on counters now that you can purchase right here in the US without running around hunting out online stores, dealing with airmail fees, etc…

Take a look!

Surprise! CVS (also available at Ulta and other locations) has the BB Cream you’ve been waiting for. It’s creamy, it’s pigmented, it brightens (and promises to whiten with Vitamin C) and it includes anti-aging benefits with an SPF 20 to protect skin. It’s Lumene’s new BB Cream. Available in two shade selections Lumene’s BB Cream is probably one of the better BB Creams I’ve run across that’s available at local drugstores. The creamy consistency, ease of blending, and brightening formula creates a beautiful, flawless finish on skin.

Possibly one of the worst BB Cream offenders in the US but still the best I’ve tried…irony! It’s sheer, it contains absolutely no SPF, and is only available in a single shade but the creamy consistency, lightweight texture, easy to apply formula and beautiful finish makes this one of my very favorite BB Creams. Since it’s so sheer it’s ideal for many skin tones as it offers only the minimal coverage but it manages to perfect skin and add such a perfect flawlessness to skin that I can’t but mark it as a favorite even with so many things against it!

Crazy expensive but worth every single less dime, 3LAB’s BB Cream is rich, creamy, and pigmented. Available in three self adjusting shades it protects skin with an SPF 40 while treating fine lines, minimizing discolorations, and brightening skin with a perfect, flawless finish. The creaminess of the product is spot for traditional Korean BB Creams now only if the price was as similar.

I call it the beginners guide to BB Creams but Clinique’s BB Cream is anything but. It isn’t as pigmented as a true BB Cream should be but it is a beautiful gel-like consistency that absorbs easily and eases most minor problems like redness, darkness, dullness, and lackluster skin. I’d call it more of a tinted moisturizer with BB Cream benefits.

They say save the best for last and Diorsnow BB Cream is the best. With a whopping SPF 50 and a creamy, rich texture that not only brightens skin and conceals both major and minor issues with a pigmented color pay off this cream also treats dark spots over time and enhances your skin’s overall radiance so skin is brighter and more beautiful with each use. I love this stuff and can’t recommend it enough!

The best part about this round up?

Every single one of these BB Creams are available at your local counters or favorite stores like Sephora, Ulta, and even CVS. No online shopping, no airmail shipping fees, just get in your car, swatch to your heart’s content, even try them on, pay, and go home to apply and look beautiful!

What are some of your favorite BB Creams that are easy to find right here in the US?

Tired any of these?

Do share!

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‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Cat G

    I haven’t seen you make many posts like this featuring more than one product / brand, but I love it! Super helpful, thanks!

  • Malinda Jane

    I had a hard time finding one that was both pale enough for me and suitable for my oily skin, but I’ve been using the Bobbi Brown bb cream and I really like it. It’s great for summer, as I don’t feel suffocated under foundation and it keeps oil at bay.

  • Jen

    The only one I’ve tried is Lumene and I love it! But I’ve heard that the single ingredient sunscreen is not “broad spectrum”, which is disappointing. I’ll save it for the winter months when the sun is not as strong. And you can’t beat the price – about $12 at Ulta if you use a $3.50 off $10 coupon!

  • Cindy Ramirez

    I really appreciate this post! I suppose (because of you) I have high standards for a BB cream, and never really fell in love. I’d like to give a few of these a try before I shun them off completely.

  • Audrey

    Mine is definitely Bobbi Brown’s. The coverage (and overall effect) is the best!

  • Jess

    The Lumene one looks super nice! I might have to consider picking it up sometime… Oh, this post reminded me of something; have you seen the new maybelline bb cream (“dream pure”)? So far it’s only out in Europe, but it’s for oily skin and contains salicylic acid (and from what I hear, it has a lot more coverage than the original). It sounded so appealing that I ended up purchasing it on ebay earlier, haha.

    • the Muse

      yes 🙂 you’ll have to tell me how it is Jess as I can’t use it :-/ not meant for my skin type unfortunately!

  • charlotte

    I think it really depends on your skin type… and the only “bb” I’ve found that does not turn me into an oil slick is the Loreal skin beautifying bb. While it does not have a lot of pigment it gives a lovely, smooth, non- greasy finish. It also makes a fantastic primer. If it only had SPF…

    I can also wear the new Garnier for oily skin, which has spf and more pigmentation, but only if I put the Loreal on as primer first. If not I get a few hours out of it but before my day is over I’ve got a bad case of the greasies.

    You dry girls have it made… it would be so nice to just slap on one product and go.

  • Allison

    Definitely the best I’ve found is Jane Iredale BB. So full coverage you only need a pea size amount. I liked the clinique BB too but it wasn’t enough coverage for me.

  • Christina

    I love the Diorsnow BB Creme!! I want to try the 3LAB but just can’t bring myself to shell out $95…

  • Eraser

    For me the best of the lot is Lumene. It’s close to my favorite Korean BBs but not quite there in terms of coverage & lasting power. However, it’s good enough that I would buy it again.

  • Cj

    Too dark
    Too dark
    Too dark
    Too dark
    Too dark

    🙁 The perils of being fair.

  • alys

    I live in Finland, where Lumene is from, and I sure as hell would not touch their bb cream, or anything else made by Lumene. Very cheap quality and cheap ingredients.

  • Katie

    Which of these are non comedogenic? I have problems with acne and an trying to find a bb cream that won’t clog my pores.

    • Cindy

      Unfortunately, Lumene caused a pretty nasty breakout after I used it two days in a row. It was the only thing I did differently during that time, so I’m almost certain it was the culprit. That’s the only BB cream I’ve ever tried and I was so hoping it would work for me. It’s really too bad, because otherwise I loved it.

  • JoElla

    I have samples of the Lumene BB cream, now I am really excited to try them!

  • hb13

    Stila is now available in South Africa for the 1st time and since I have a new kick ass aunscreen I use under makeup I am going to check it out! I hope I am not too fair…

    • Bridgette

      I’m having success with Smashbox BB cream. But now the Dior has caught my eye!!

  • Joy

    Musey thank you, I <3 this post and I <3 you for writing it! I've only tried the Lumene, the finish of which I totally love. So much so that I'm willing to experiment with the 2 shades available to come up with the right proportion that would match my skin tone. It absolutely looks like skin! Yes, the sun protection is insufficient but I'm applying it over a primer with sunscreen so I figure I'm fine.

    Soooo excited to try your other faves!!! My personal testing of BB creams has been long, complicated and frustrating so your post certainly helps!

    • the Muse

      aw thanks joy 🙂 glad it was helpful! they have a new CC Cream now too!!!!!!!!!!!! which I’m excited to try ;-D I think BB Creams are def a personal experience of testing, trying, and retesting to get the perfect one for your skin type and tone ;-D

  • Xail

    I like Lumene’s BB cream, but the lightest shade is a bit too dark for me, sadly.

  • Cat G

    I noticed my local Dillards has a Shiseido counter, but are you saying they don’t sell BB cream? I hope they do, I was going to go back just for one!

  • Ayman

    Which one is for oily acne prone skin? and what about Marcelle’s BB Cream??? Can you give a review on it?

    • Jenny14

      I have been using tge Marvelled BBC cream and it is fabulous!! Great coverage all day and leaves me looking refreshed and it is very natural looking. If it contained sunscreen, it would be one of the best. I am currently looking for a different brand bc I sun protection is a must. Hope this helps!

  • charlotte

    Got talked into a sample of the Smashbox BB at Sephora on my last trip. The rep swore it was good on oily skin.. and to my amazement she was right. Wearing it today and it has a nice natural finish, satin but not shiny, not sticky or greasy. Very comfortable to wear. No transfer. Medium pigmentation. Very weird going on though, thick whipped consistency and quite tacky, did not want to move much but blended fine… my first thought when I put it on was that it was going to grab and not blend at all, but it just kind of melted in. I would not suggest a brush, I do not think it would play well at all. I am using MOM and oil control powder.. but I do every day so that is standard for me. SPF 35.. we shall see if it breaks me out. Has a substantial amount of chemical sunscreens which my skin hates.. but also a lot of fruit extracts which my skin loves so it could go either way. Also contains caffeine which is a plus for me, I tolerate it well and find it very firming.