BB Cream: Fad or Actually a Good Product?

L'Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator, $17, drugstore.com
L'Oréal Paris Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator, $17, drugstore.com

Jean Godfrey-June, Lucky magazine
Q: Is BB cream a fad or actually a good product? -Leigh

Read More: 9 Ways to Get a Summer Glow

A:
Dear Leigh,

A fad does not mean a product isn't good-and in the case of BB creams, some of them are fantastic. I think people love a BB cream because it is essentially foundation, but it is not called foundation. "Foundation" and "base" have got to be among the ugliest words, and beauty products are supposed to make you feel pretty. "BB cream" at the very least sounds intriguing and cool.

Read more: 8 Outfits Men Love on Women

The BB idea is, treatment ingredients and often sunscreen, along with "some coverage." The "some coverage" part varies as widely as the amount of coverage you get with … foundation. In either case, there is simply some trial and error that has to be endured; you do have to try the individual formula. The shades tend to be a little more universal-"medium" covers a wide range of skin tones. This one comes in a super-high-tech, non-flesh-tone (another hated foundation aspect, the depressing flesh tones) tube; it is made with SPF15 and youthifying skincare ingredients and blends like a sort of serumy tinted moisturizer.

More from Lucky magazine:
5 Drastic Ways to Change Up Your Look
15 Secrets from Top Dermatologists
Best Dresses For Your Body
The 40 Best Drugstore Beauty Products