Review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Fair

Do you follow makeup trends?  To me, they're interesting to read about, but I rarely go out and buy on-trend products for the sole fact they're trendy.  However, sometimes trends bring you products inspired from other beauty markets that you didn't have access to before.  Case in point: BB Creams.  If you're scratching your head right now, a BB Cream (or Blemish Balm, as it's sometimes known) was a product that was formulated in 1960s Germany for patients of facial laser treatments.  The product not only had excellent coverage, but also skin soothing and regenerative properties, and it later found popularity in the Asian beauty market., where its popularity continues today.

There are other blogs I follow that have reviewed various Asian-brand BB creams, and I've been tempted by these awesome full coverage products (some even with acne-fighting and scar healing properties) but I was always afraid to take the purchase plunge for fear of not being able to get a shade that matches my skin tone. (From what I've read, most Asian-brand BB creams only come in 1 or 2 shades, and those shades usually all have warm/yellow undertones) So color me excited when the Smashbox Camera ready BB Cream came to Sephora earlier this year.

  

This is Sephora's description of the product:

"What it does:

This multitasking tinted cream formula with SPF 35 moisturizes, primes, perfects, controls oil, and protects for flawless skin on set and beyond. Formulated with emollients and optical pearl pigments, this BB Cream gives skin a glowing, ethereal look and provides a hydrating veil for the complexion to maintain moisture on the surface of the skin. With its ultra-smoothing finish, it instantly re-texturizes to create a smooth canvas. Especially when worn under foundation, it enhances the wear of makeup."

Yes, this is basically a tinted face primer-- nothing like like the awesome Asian BB Creams I've read so much about.  Here's the breakdown of the Camera Ready "BB Cream":

PIGMENTATION: This only has slightly more coverage than a tinted moisturizer, so I definitely still need something else to cover my problem areas.  It does, however, even out my redder areas (around the nose; etc) so if you only have minor redness, the coverage would be perfect.  As for the color, I bought this in "fair" and the color matches my skintone perfectly (this comes in 4 other colors to suit a range of skintones).

On my face is only Camera Ready BB cream-- no concealers or powders (but I think that's obvious since you can see blemishes and such).

PRODUCT: Considering its moisturizing claims, I tried to wear this without a separate moisturizer-- BIG mistake.  This emphasized some flaky spots i had on my face like no one's business, and was extremely difficult to blend in (I initially used my hands to apply this).  I definitely don't notice any sort of "glowing" quality to my skin when I wear this, nor do I notice any effect (shimmer/glitter/whatever) from the pearl pigments that are allegedly in here. Not sure if the "re-texturizing" claim specifically pertains to if one wears regular foundation over this-- I've never worn foundation over Camera Ready, but alone I definitely don't notice a "smooth canvas." The only claim that I've discovered was true was the oil-control aspect; however I still do need blotting papers after a few hours of wear.

PRICE: $39 for 1oz of product.

OVERALL: I will DEFINITELY not be re-purchasing this one.  The only occasion I reach for it is when I'm going outside to run an errand in my neighborhood and don't want to put on a full face of makeup (and it's a much better match to my skin than my Urban Defense tinted moisturizer).  For the price/size comparison, I would hope that it would live up to more than one of the claims that is made for it.

You don't have to take my word for it, Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream is available now at Sephora.

Have you tried this and had a different experience? Do you have a favorite BB Cream? Let me know in the comments!