From getting hold of one of the world’s first mainstream BB creams by Korean skincare company and BB pioneer BRTC, to dashing through duty-free to bag myself Clinique’s travel-retail exclusive BB, I love them and feel I’m quite the Blemish/Beauty Balm connoisseur.
Late to the BB game
Kiehl’s have arrived very late to the BB game and over the last four weeks I’ve been living with their latest creation. Needless to say, it was worth the wait, and it has obviously been the case for many, as it stands at around 10% of the Kiehl’s mix of business (at time of research). My skin is incredibly white, almost blue at times, so I’ve been using the ‘fair’ shade. There’s also light and natural, although natural, in all honesty, is relatively dark.
The first thing I love is the broad-spectrum sun protection: PA+++, SPF50. This is an incredibly high level of sun protection, particularly when it comes to BB creams, so it’s perfect for anyone with any anti-ageing protection concerns.
The BB cream has a gorgeous smell of SPF and really reminds me of being abroad in hot, sunny weather, with that almost medicated smell in the air of sun protection.
Applying it
When applying, you need only the tiniest amount, a little goes a long way. The texture is light and the coverage is good, although Kiehl’s say it’s not so much a case of coverage, but more correction, perfection and protection. On the skin, marks, discolouration and unevenness in skin tone are completely balanced and erased, but you would never guess in a million years that you have a drop of colour on the skin.
My top tip for application is to add a small amount to your finger ends, gently rub them together and then pat firmly all over the skin. This ensures even application and complete undetectability without a powdery finish.
What’s in it
As well as being a product to hide imperfections, it has also been created to deliver treatment benefits and some of the benefits of a normal moisturiser. It isn’t oil-free as many BB creams are, but the composition is perfectly suited for combination and oily skin types and it won’t leave a shine, more of a natural, dewy finish. Again, it’s all about being undetectable.
Vitamin C, the feature ingredient, helps to break down hyper-pigmentation on the surface skin-cell layers through micro-exfoliation, works as a powerfully protecting anti-oxidant, and helps to encourage the production of collagen.
Silica has been added to smooth the skin, refining the appearance and size of pores and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Shades, packaging and where to buy
There are six shades available in the US and I’ve been told that these will likely be coming over to the UK, but I wouldn’t be able to tell you when. The packaging is excellent as it’s a handy size and the lid locks in very tightly.
If you want to accompany the Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream and boost your skincare regime through brightening and skin-tone correction, look at Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, with a 10.5% concentrate of Vitamin C.
You can pick up the Kiehl’s Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream from John Lewis for £23.50. This is a great product for everyday use, as you should never be outside without an SPF, but for going abroad this summer it’s the perfect travel companion.
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