Beauty News: CC Creams Are the New Must-Have

It's safe to claim 2012 as the year of the BB Cream.  The first one I received to test out was from Dr. Jart, followed by Garnier, Clinique, Stila and the list goes on... Skeptical at first, like the rest of America, I quickly fell in love and so did my skin.  My first post on the ultimate multi-tasker was back in January, and I knew it wouldn't be my last.  Well, allow me to inform you that your beloved BB Cream is so yesterday as 2013 will be the year of the CC Cream! Again, we can thank Asia for this breakthrough, CC Creams, or Color Correcting Creams, are a better version of the BB Cream offering more skincare benefits for a wider range of skin tones with a mousse-like finish.  The skincare benefits in CC creams work to rid hyperpigmentation and age spots by brightening and lightening the skin and are fully equiped with SPF 35.  After all, age spots are the new wrinkle!

A brand called Wei East, from Japan, has been using natural lighteners like licorice in their creams for years.  They're one of the first to come out with a CC Cream, along with  Olay, who just launched Total Effects CC Tone Correcting UV Moisturizer, $22, in the US.  It only comes in three shades, but don't let that fool you.  The coverage is minimal so they really do work on many skin tones.  Chanel is launching one in the US shortly as well.

Now don't get me wrong, there is still a complete need for the BB Cream.  It's a personal preference!  BB... CC... DD?  Sorry, I had to!

The Scoop on BB Creams and Why You'll Love Them

For the past few months I've been receiving samples of BB Creams to test out. Unfamiliar at first, I became an instant fan. I'm sure you're seeing them pop up everywhere now too so let me fill you in on why you need to get involved. Beauty Balms (BB Creams) were first created in Germany have been popular in Asia for years and have just started becoming a United States staple.  If you're anything like me you've always wished for a product that can do it all.  Well, this can.  At first, I thought it was just a fancy name for a tinted moisturizer until I explored it further.  It's the ultimate multi-tasker! In general, they typically even out your skin tone, rid shine, conceal, protect from UV rays and give you a nice, added glow.

Here are two worth exploring:

Dr. Jart Water Fuse Beauty Balms, $32

The first BB Cream I was sent was Dr. Jart's Water Fuse Beauty Balm with SPF 25.  Creamy in texture, the one step product opened my eyes to a brand new category.  It acts as a moisturizer and serum and gave my skin a dewey glow evening out my skin tone.  It felt weird at first not to do my normal four steps in the morning, but I got used to it, for a little while anyway. Eventually I ended up adding this product into a daily regimen of products anyway.  I couldn't help it!

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector, $12.99

I was so excited to get this in the mail this week!  The coverage is really light, making it perfect for day time and offers a beautiful glow. Even though I'm pretty pale I use the medium/deep one and make sure to blend it well with my fingers.  My skin appears even and feels moisturized.  As an added bonus, it has an SPF 15 with UVA/UVB defense.

*Available at drugstores in February.