Image compliments of the Wall Street Journal

By Patricia McGill Boland

When it comes to summertime beauty everyone knows that less is more.  After all, why spend all that extra time slathering on countless products when there is a pool and margarita calling your name?  But how do you decide which product to give up?  Is it the primer or foundation?  SPF or moisturizer?  Fear not, for now you can get all of these beauty benefits in only one essential product.  Behold…the BB Cream, a one-step wonder that delivers multiple benefits faster than you can say “cabana boy!”

BB Cream (short for “Beauty/Blemish Balm”) is the hottest new item to hit makeup counters in the US.  A hybrid of skincare and makeup, they’ve been a secret of women in Asia for years.  About 10 years ago, they learned how to condense their beauty routine without sacrificing any of the benefits.  I was overwhelmed last year during my trip to Hong Kong by the number of BB Creams in their market.  Whether I went to a small corner store (like our CVS) or a major shopping mall, BB Creams were abundant and everyone had a favorite.  Thankfully, US companies have caught on to the trend and are eager to offer their own version to American women. Read the rest of this entry »