The Neutralizer: Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream

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BB Cream: also known as Blemish Balm, Blemish Base, Beauty Balm – an all-in-one cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunblock. Can be worn alone as a tinted moisturizer, over serum and moisturizer as a regular foundation, and under powder, depending on the desired amount of coverage.

CC Cream: also known as Complexion Correcting Cream, Color Correcting Cream, Color Control Cream – Boasts all of the benefits of BB cream with a few added bonuses. An all-in-one cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunblock. Will also include skincare ingredients to treat and cover uneven skin tone and dark spots.

Ultimately, a CC cream is a primer on steroids. Thinner, and lighter than a BB cream, CC creams are used to brighten, neutralize, reduce dark spots and take out redness. Most of the original CC Creams do not come in a tint or concealer form. They are pigmented white, pink or beige to neutralize skin tone. A CC cream sits more comfortably in the skincare category, than the make-up category – a BB cream straddles the two.

Smashbox‘s Camera Ready CC Cream was created to diminish dark spots, sun spots and post-acne marks while providing flawless facial coverage. Equipped with the same formula as the ever popular Camera Ready BB Cream, the CC Cream is infused with dark spot correcting ingredients.

Camera Ready CC Cream does a great job evening out skintone. The coverage is light to medium and blends beautifully on the skin. I have not used the product long enough to see any lightening effects, but the formula feels nice on the skin – more like skincare than makeup. After trying several ways to wear this product, I feel it works best as a primer with a light dusting of mineral powder/powder on top. Mattifies the skin and lasts all day. Available in five shades, Smashbox’s Camera Ready CC Cream can be worn alone or worn under foundation.

Glow-T & Protect: Face Sunscreen

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Living in California, I am constantly wearing, testing and trying new sunscreens. It is quite a battle sometimes, as my skin is slightly sensitive to Titanium Dioxide.  I loath the “white face” residue certain sunscreens tend to leave behind and am always on the lookout for a product that is light, fresh and feels weightless.

Tocca Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelette: These individually wrapped towelettes make sun-protection a cinch. Enriched with vitamins E, B5 and aloe, this sunscreen protects and moisturizes even the most sensitive skin, on-the-go.

Zinka Face Stick SPF 60: I have used Zinka products ever since I was a little girl. Although, I have matured from the hot pink color to clear, this product is still considerable.  Zinka is a physical sunblock, in which it does not absorb into the skin, but sits on-top.  Zinka products contain 5% zinc oxide which is a mild antimicrobial and wound healing substance. This sunscreen is too chalky and opaque for daily use but it is my go-to sunblock for an active day at the beach.

Colorscience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder Sun Protection SPF 50: This exceptional lightweight mineral powder is sheer and feels invisible on the skin. It is non-irritating with UVA and UVB sun protection. The self-dispensing powder brush makes re-applying simple and the it does not leave a “cakey” finish to the skin.

Kiehls Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+: The featherweight texture of this sunscreen feels like water on the skin. It is oil-free and extremely long-lasting broad-spectrum sunscreen. Kiehl’s Insider Tip: Layer over your moisturizer on clean skin for optimal UV protection and to help prevent skin aging.

Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen: This suncreen is a water-resistant serum that offers a rich does of antioxidants sans the white residue. It elegantly disappears into the skin and is intended for those with problematic skin and is Paraben-free.