By Emily Mongan
I have a love/hate relationship with foundation. It’s my go-to to cover up whatever skin imperfections I’m dealing with that day, whether it be redness, dark eye circles or a dreaded acne breakout. But during the summer months, it seems almost detrimental to my skin to apply foundation in the morning that I know will just disappear or make my face look oily by mid-day. Plus who wants to blob on a thick foundation that suffocates your skin when the weather gets hot?
That’s why for the past few summers I’ve been swapping out my regular foundation for Garnier’s Skin Perfector All-In-One B.B. Cream (£9.99). I saw the commercials that promised a whole host of beauty benefits including 24-hour hydration, a boost of vitamin C, minimized pores and a healthy glow. I was skeptical, but the simple promise that it would provide more coverage than a tinted moisturizer with a lighter, less oily feel than a foundation had me curious.
When I first purchased the Garnier B.B. cream there was only one option, the original cream that came in two color options: light and medium. My Midwestern location and mix of Scandinavian ancestry mean I’m pretty pale most of the time, so I opted for the light color. I dotted on a slightly larger than pea-sized amount of cream, and smoothed it on like I would a foundation. The cream covered well as it promised; it covered the problem spots without looking too heavy. The cream goes on slightly shiny and tacky at first, but after some online digging I found it’s recommended to let it sit for a minute or so before going on with your makeup routine. After a brief moment, the shine dries to an even matte look.
Garnier’s B.B. cream line now includes options for anti-aging, oily/combination skin, sensitive skin, and a smaller eye-roller version.With the expansion of the line, I’ve now moved on to the oily/combination variety to ensure my ‘glowy’ situation is under control during those hot summer days. An occasional touch-up with powder on the nose and forehead is all I need to stay looking fresh throughout the day! I love that this B.B. cream is also has S.P.F. 15, which saves me an extra step in my morning routine. It’s the perfect product for a low-maintenance summer makeup looking with staying power for the days when the temperatures soar, and a great summer foundation alternative.