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How to Use BB Cream With Foundation: Can They Be Mixed Together?

Published Categorized as Makeup Tips

Do you love all the moisturizing and protective benefits that BB cream offers to the skin, but desire the full-coverage look that only foundation can really offer? Would you like to be able to use both BB cream and foundation together but aren’t sure if it is really a good idea? We’ve put together some tips on how to use BB cream with foundation and whether combining these two products is something you’ll want to add to your makeup routine.

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Table of Contents

smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 Medium

BB Cream and Foundation Together

Before we talk about using BB cream and foundation together, let’s get a quick recap of what each makeup product is and why it is useful.

What is BB cream?

BB cream stands for beauty balm or blemish balmBB creams first gained popularity in Korea due to all the benefits they offer.  They can hydrate skin, even complexions, smooth the texture of skin, and protect skin from damage. 

One of the benefits of BB cream is that in addition to the hydration they can bring to skin and the SPF protection they offer they can also work as a sheer foundation by providing sheer coverage.

What Is Foundation?

Foundation is designed to even the skin’s texture and pigmentation to create an ideal base for applying the rest of your makeup.  Foundation comes in a variety of shades to match different skin tones. It’s available in liquid, cream, and powdered forms.  Different foundations offer different levels of coverage ranging from sheer to full. Others offer buildable coverage to let users customize their look.  Foundations may also provide a matte, dewy, or more natural finish for the face.

As you can see, BB cream and foundation share some similar benefits, but there are a lot of differences between BB cream vs foundation.  This may be why you’re interested in using BB cream and foundation together. You want the all-day, full-coverage offered by foundation while also enjoying the hydration, moisturize, and SPF-protection offered by BB cream.

So, can you use BB cream and foundation together?  The answer to this question isn’t a simple yes or no.  Rather, it can depend on a few different factors.

First, if you want to enjoy the natural, ‘makeup-free’ look offered by a BB cream, adding foundation over top is not going to help you maintain that more natural look.  Likewise, adding foundation over a BB cream that makes your skin glow with pearlescent ingredients will also remove that intended effect.

If you want to use BB cream and foundation together, you will need to be careful to make sure the two products you choose will work well with each other and with your skin type.  If you have oily skin, choose a BB cream and a foundation that work with oily skin, otherwise one will cancel out the benefits of the other. 

The Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream and Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation are two options for individuals with oily skin to try together.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup, Natural Beige, 1 fl; oz; Oil-Free Foundation

How to Use BB Cream With Foundation

If you want to use BB cream with foundation, use the steps below to help you apply both products to your skin.

  • Pick a BB cream and foundation that are both a good fit for your skin
  • Mix a small amount of BB cream and foundation together; use more BB cream than foundation
  • Apply the mixture starting at the middle of your face
  • Work it out towards your ears and to your neck, applying it evenly
  • Choose the right application tool based on the coverage you desire (fingers for lighter coverage, nylon brush for medium coverage, and foundation brush or sponge for full coverage)

Be prepared to spend some time experimenting with applying foundation and BB cream together.  It may take you some time to arrive at the right ratio in the mix that will offer you the coverage you’re after.

Do You Put BB Cream on Before Foundation?

Should BB cream be applied before foundation? 

If you’re using a BB cream, such as Maybelline Dream Fresh Skin Hydrating BB Cream, with a foundation, such as Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation, you will want to put the BB cream on before applying the foundation. 

Putting BB cream under foundation will help you get more of the skin-nourishing and protective benefits of the BB cream since it will be able to sink into your skin.  It will also help ensure you can achieve the coverage you desire with the foundation you use.

Covergirl + Olay Simply Ageless 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation, Creamy Natural

Can You Mix BB Cream and Foundation Together?

Yes, you can mix BB cream with foundation as an alternative option to applying BB cream before foundation. 

Mixing the two can help you get the amount of coverage you want. You will also be helping your skin benefit from the SPF protection and moisturizing properties of the BB cream.

When mixing BB cream and foundation together, be prepared to spend some time discovering the right ratio for the mixture.  In most cases, you’ll want to use more BB cream than foundation.

But the ideal ratio for you may different from what’s right for someone else.  Prepare yourself to spend some time working with different ratios. Observe not only the way the mixture looks on your face, but how long the coverage holds up as you go about your days.

BB Cream and Foundation: A Perfect Pair?

BB cream and foundation can be great by themselves in many circumstances. But there are also times where you’ll want to be able to enjoy the benefits of both makeup products together. Hopefully, you’ve gained some great tips to help you use BB cream and foundation together. 

Share your results with us!  Did you apply BB cream first followed by foundation, or did you mix your BB cream with your foundation?

Check out these related posts on our blog for more information about using BB cream:

FAQs

Do you put BB cream on before foundation?

You will want to put the BB cream on before applying the foundation. Putting BB cream under foundation will help you get more of the skin-nourishing and protective benefits of the BB cream since it will be able to sink into your skin. It will also help ensure you can achieve the coverage you desire with the foundation you use.

Can you mix BB cream and foundation together?

Yes, you can mix BB cream with foundation as an alternative option to applying BB cream before foundation. Mixing the two can help you get the amount of coverage you want. You will also be helping your skin benefit from the SPF protection and moisturizing properties of the BB cream.

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