Earlier in January, two major cosmetic houses, Chanel and Lancome, rolled out a new exciting alternative to our beloved BB Cream – each came up with its own version of the highly anticipated CC Cream, AKA Colour Correction Cream.
What is a CC Cream?
Touted as a one-up on the BB, CC Creams give better coverage, yet remain light on the skin. It also disguises blemishes, spots and corrects your skin tone (it can help mask redness and sallowness). CC Creams are also considered an all-in-one makeup and skincare product loaded with anti-aging, moisturising and sun protection properties. Some even target specific concerns like fine lines and work to improve skin texture. In comparison, the BB is a thinner formula although both can be used alone or as a primer before your base (foundation or powder).
The concept certainly is not new (there’s the Rachel K version from 2011), and I wonder what took the bigwigs so long to jump on the bandwagon. But hey, better late than never I suppose. I got my hands on these two babies in February and have been using them for slightly over three weeks each. Here’s my take.
Chanel CC Cream, $82 (30ml), Chanel counters
First of all, how apt is it for Chanel to have a CC Cream? Totally goes with the logo… hehh. To be honest, I wasn’t very sure of this in the beginning and decided to try some samples before putting my money down (which is a cheaper $62 if you’re passing through DFS at Changi). It has a stronger floral scent than Lancome’s and the shade (the only one available for now) applies a tad yellowish but surprisingly, it still looks natural on my face.
Being creamy and thicker in consistency, it requires a bit more blending out and couple of minutes to dry. To me, this is more like a foundation, due to its higher coverage and if you’re dealing with minor blemishes or have darker eye circles (like me) you need to conceal, this is a good choice. I wear it alone and it still looks good after a day’s work in the office.
Available only in shade 20 Beige currently.
Lancome Renergie CC Multi-Lift*, $100 (40ml), Lancome counters
I am a long-time fan of Lancome’s foundations so naturally, I was very excited to receive this for review consideration. Housed in a purple (signature of the Renergie range) tube with a pump dispenser, the formula is a tad more watery than the brand’s usual and spreads very well. A single layer provides sheer coverage and a very natural finish, which can be worn alone. It is also easily buildable if you need more coverage.
On my combi-skin, it lasted well throughout the day in an air-conditioned office with just a touch of shine at the T-zone at 7pm, which is normal for me. My favourite time to wear this is over the weekend, when I need to brighten up just a bit without painting on a full face.
Available in shades 01 and 02 (shown above).
Verdict
If you have pretty good skin and want to achieve a natural bare face, go with Lancome. The formula is thin but gives just enough coverage for a healthy glow. But if you’re battling some spots and blemishes, then Chanel is for you. The thicker consistency doubles up as a concealer to disguise slight imperfections. I’ve worn both CC Creams alone and found that they last well over six hours but patting on a layer of powder will extend their wearability to a full day.
Have you tried other CC Creams? Tell me what’s good and worth a try!
Images via: Main Products (Press Information)
a dose of pretty | Singapore Beauty & Lifestyle Blog by Jazmin Kelly Six 
Very well written and informative benefits of CC cream. Love it!