The Garnier B.B. cream was the first beauty balm that I came across that was available in the states as a drug store brand. I hadn't read any reviews on it myself and thought I'd just take the plunge and see what all this B.B. cream fuss was about. First let me tell you, my skin type is combination to oily depending on the season (I tried this in the spring/summer but in winter I tend to get a bit dry). My complexion is usually quite light though it can range from fair to beige, again dependent upon the season. I purchased the Garnier B.B. cream in the 'Light/Medium' color and I believe it is only available in one other shade, 'Medium/Dark'. It was around $12 (USD) at Target and comes in a 2.5 fluid ounce bottle (75ml). It has an SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreen built into it and claims to 'hydrate, protect, and perfect' your skin. The packaging is typical for a drugstore brand and falls in line with the standard design of most Garnier products.
When I first tried this product, I was not certain how to go about applying it so I sort of had to fly by the seat of my pants for a while until I figured out a way to make it work for me. This formulation is quite oily and leaves a dewy finish on the skin. Since I have combination to oily skin, this didn't sit well with me at first and made me look quite wet as the day wore on. Thankfully, I decided to give it another go and this is the routine that I found works best for me.
How I apply the product
To apply the Garnier B.B. cream, I start with just a pea-sized amount on the tip of my finger. I typically blend the cream into my skin with my finger tips and find that I can slowly build up coverage if I need it or go back over places where I have blemishes or redness. On the skin, the cream feels quite nice and is easy to blend. I would best describe it as a heavier tinted moisturizer. The coverage is nice for me because it is not too heavy and I can usually put it on light enough to achieve a 'natural' makeup look.
As I mentioned, the finish is rather dewy and can leave my skin looking quite oily although it tends to feel much better than it looks. In order to have the cream sit nicely on my skin, I will give it about 5 to 10 minutes to set onto my skin. I will usually go about some morning chores or watch a quick vlog on YouTube while I wait. Eventually, the cream sets very nicely and does not look or feel heavy. I always follow up with a setting powder as I enjoy a more mat finish, especially in my T-zone area.
Okay, so that's just how I apply it.. now let's get to the actual review, shall we?
While I have not tried other B.B. creams, I will have to say that I was not entirely impressed with this one. I use it on a daily basis, but figuring out a routine that worked for me did take some time as well as some shoddy trial-and-error. Again, I will stress that I have a skin type that can range more on the oily side and so this cream may work better for those with normal to dry skin (let me know in the comments if you have this skin type and tried the Garnier B.B. cream).
For the price and availability, this is a nice product that could have a happy place in your daily makeup routine. I have had my bottle for several months now and haven't even come close to finishing. I enjoyed the overall effect that the cream had on my skin as well. With most heavier foundations I will often have breakouts in my T-zone (mostly chin) after a few consecutive days of use. However, this cream has not had a negative effect on my skin. It actually keeps it quite fresh and youthful-looking throughout the day.
I look forward to trying some more drugstore B.B. creams and may be able to sneak a few high-end ones under my husband's nose if I can find the time and money. So far, I have seen that CoverGirl, Maybelline, and L'Oreal have all come out with formulas that may be worth trying. If you've tried any of them, let me know in the comments and maybe I will get around to trying them all.
Whew, that was my first review. Hope you've enjoyed the read, let me know what I can do to improve!
:: katie golightly x
everything is my own including opinions, photographs, and rambles alike. this is not sponsored.
