How to Apply BB Cream Like a Pro in Just 6 Steps

woman with glowing skin — Natalia Mantini / Refinery29 for Getty Images

For those who like a simple, streamlined beauty routine, hybrid products offer the perfect solutions. In the world of haircare, this can mean a styling product that also nourishes strands. In the world of nail care, it's a lacquer that also strengthens the nail. In the world of complexion products, that means skincare-makeup hybrids. We're here to talk about the latter—specifically BB creams.

The "BB" in BB cream is an abbreviation for "beauty balm," although other variations, like "blemish balm," exist. These products provide less heaviness and coverage than traditional foundations but still give skin a slight tint to even out a complexion while also providing some skincare benefits.

As with all makeup products, though, there are right and wrong ways to apply it. Thankfully, learning how to correctly apply BB cream is simple once you know the right steps. So, we tapped three makeup artists to ask them to give us a step-by-step rundown that'll have us all looking picture-perfect. Their insights, below.

Meet the Expert

Ricky Wilson is a celebrity makeup artist whose client roster includes Nina Dobrev, Emmy Rossum, and Joy Bryant.
Julianne Kaye is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Tia Mowry, Kelly Osbourne, and Toni Collette.
Kendra Richards is a makeup artist and founder of Heir Atelier.

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Prep Your Skin

"I always prepare the skin before applying anything with a tint to it," says makeup artist Ricky Wilson. He says that while BB cream has many skin-improving benefits, they don't provide moisturize the skin as much as a tinted moisturizer would, and as such, he recommends applying your skincare before you begin your makeup routine. "Stick to the rule of always prep before you paint," adds Wilson.

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Choose the Best BB Cream For Your Skin

"Not all BB creams are created equal," warns makeup artist Julianne Kaye. It's understandable to think that a skincare-makeup hybrid will equate to a radiant, glowy finish, but that's not necessarily true. If you have naturally oily skin, BB creams with a matte finish or oil-controlling properties are out there—such as Tarte's BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer. The same goes for particularly dry skin, make sure to use a BB cream with extra hydrating properties that add a natural glow to your complexion, like the Dr. Jart+ BB Premium Beauty Balm. Take these things into account when you are choosing what product to make your next makeup-bag staple.

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Wear it By Itself...

One of the beautiful things about BB creams is their extreme versatility. "BB creams are created to be multiple steps in one product," says makeup artist Kendra Richard. Yes, a BB cream can be a standalone complexion step. Since it shares properties with skincare and we know the best way to work those products in is our hands, try using your fingers to massage the BB cream into your skin, starting in the areas of your face where you want the most help. Give it a couple of minutes to set, apply any other product you like, and you're good to go.

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...Or Use it Before Your Foundation

The other option is to utilize your BB cream with your foundation to get extra coverage by applying it beforehand. Already having perfected skin before you put on your foundation means you use less product to get the same amount of coverage as you normally would. Use the same amount for an extra-flawless finish, no Instagram filter needed.

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Apply Concealer Where It's Needed

BB creams don't deliver super high coverage, so concealer will likely be needed to mask the little extra redness around the nose, sporadic breakouts, or dark under-eye circles. Gently dab your favorite formula over your BB cream, blur it out so it naturally blends into the rest of your skin, and seal it in with a setting spray or powder.

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Lock It In Place

Now that you've gone through the process of prepping your skin, finding the right BB cream formula, applying it, and adding concealer where needed, all you need to do is seal it all in to prevent your makeup from fading throughout the day. Do this by spritzing on a setting spray or gently dabbing a setting powder.

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