Naturally Eccentric

Finding a match for skin color related makeup can be difficult, especially for people with either very pale or very rich complexions. When it comes to BB and CC creams, I’ve found that options become fewer as shades increase.  There seems to be a couple reasons as to why this has been the case, however there are now quite a few options available for people on the higher end of the skin tone spectrum.  I’m going to share some of my favorites here.

Iman BB Creme Skin Tone Evener – Clay Medium Deep

This was my first BB purchase.  For some time, this was only product of its type to work with my skin tone.  My perfect match is the shade Clay Medium Deep.  The coverage is sheer, but there is a noticeable difference once applied.  I have oily skin and it seems as though once I apply anything makeup related, my oil production only increases.  I’ve noticed that is decreased when I wear the Iman BB creme.

Another great thing about this product is the shade selection.  There are two shades beyond Clay Medium Deep.  The only thing I would want to change would be the amount of SPF.  I wish it were a little higher, but who knows, increasing the SPF might cause problems with the color.  I always keep a backup, as I use it regularly as a part of my everyday makeup routine.

Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream – Dark

I almost didn’t try the Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream because the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream didn’t work for me at all.  It was too red based, turned my skin an odd shade of gray-brown and seemed to intensify my skin’s oil production.  I’m glad I gave the CC cream a try because it definitely succeeds where the BB cream failed for me.

My closest match is in shade Dark.  It’s a half shade or so deeper than my skin which is good because Dark is the deepest shade Smashbox created.  I appreciate the neutral base of this shade and I think that makes it easier for people to find a match.  It does have a slight sunscreen scent when first applied but fades fairly quickly.  It doesn’t increase my oil production which is always a plus for oily-skinned individuals.

Covergirl And Olay Tone Rehab 2-n-1 Foundation CC Cream – Tawny

The Covergirl And Olay Tone Rehab 2-n-1 Foundation CC Cream is a new addition to my collection.  I’ve seen this product in drugstores before but never in a shade close to mine.  The name also is somewhat confusing because it’s labeled as both a foundation and a CC cream.  The research I’ve done suggests this is a repackaging of a an existing product with the addition of two new shades.

This product seems more like a light foundation to me. It has a good amount of coverage and it does not have an SPF.  It does have a serum included with the foundation which is to help with skin clarity.  I haven’t used it long enough to be able to comment on any skin benefits.  I’m in the shade Tawny, Soft Sable is the next shade up.  It does have a light scent but if someone is sensitive to fragrance, it could seem obnoxious, as it takes a good hour to fade.

Miracle Skin Transformer – Dark

The Miracle Skin Transformer doesn’t claim to be a BB or CC cream but I felt it belonged in this category.  It is described as a breakthrough 5-in-1 tinted skin enhancer designed to hydrate, prime, enhance, mattify and protect your skin in one simple step.  It does a lot of what it claims to do and you can see it when it’s first applied.

It feels like silk to the touch and skin seems more even, pores look smaller and it makes the skin matte.  The Miracle Skin Transformer also has an SPF of 20.  It has the smallest hint of a scent that fades nearly immediately.  One thing I noticed is a slight white/grey cast when initially applied but it disappears in a couple minutes and does not show in flash photography.  Some more great features of this products include the shade range, there is also a Deep Dark shade and it works nicely as a primer before foundation application as well.

Swatches:

From Left to Right: Miracle Skin Transformer in Dark, Covergirl & Olay Tone Rehab 2-n-1 Foundation CC cream in Tawny, Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream in Dark and Iman BB Creme Skin Tone Evener in Clay Medium Deep.