BB/CC/Tinted Moisturizer: My Two Cents

BB and CC creams are all the rave in the makeup world right now.  They've more or less replaced tinted moisturizers, although some brands do still make tinted moisturizers.  What is the difference between the BB, CC, and tinted moisturizer, and which one should you use?

What They Are
BB creams claim to be skin perfecting products (some even use the word miracle!) that can be used as your moisturizer, primer, and foundation in one.  Most of them contain an SPF as well.  In addition to all those things, many claim to be a skin treatment with the implication that continued use of the product will improve the condition of your skin.

CC creams are marketed as products that help with color correction.  They replace foundation but not primer or moisturizer.  Most do contain an SPF like the BB creams.  Though most CC creams don't mention anything about a skin treatment, many promise to even out your skin tone and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and imperfections over time.

Tinted moisturizers have been around forever.  When I first started to wear makeup in middle school, I used the Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer.  A tinted moisturizer is basically a lightweight, light coverage foundation.  It's perfect for those just starting to wear makeup or anyone who wants just a little bit of coverage without the makeup-y look or feel.

Quick Reviews on Products I've Tried
BB Cream:
Garnier BB Cream:  I liked this one--it had pretty decent coverage and left my skin looking fresh and dewy.  It's great for those with dry skin.  It's fine on normal skin too, although I used to always set it with a powder so it wouldn't get too greasy.  They now make a version for oily skin--if that's you, it may be worth checking out.  It has an SPF of 15.
BB Brown BB Cream :  This is my favorite of all the products mentioned in this post.  It has a high SPF of 35.  It doesn't feel greasy at all and glides on effortlessly.  I don't feel the need to use a powder over it.  It has pretty good coverage for a BB cream and makes your skin look beautiful.  I love how Bobbi's skin products are yellow-based since I have warm skin with yellow undertones.  I can't say enough good things about this product!  It has become my new go-to foundation.

CC Cream:
Smashbox CC Cream:  I had a tiny sample of this (I think it was one of the free samples I picked from a Sephora online order).  I only got a few uses out of the sample, but I liked the product.  It didn't make me greasy and has an SPF of 30.  I think this would be good for normal to oily skin.
Clinique CC Cream:  I really like this product!  I am still working through a sample I asked for at Ulta (I've had it since February, and it's lasted me this long!).  It makes my skin look flawless and goes on really smoothly.  My only gripe is that this product doesn't really set.  It feels tacky on my skin for a while after I've applied it, and I have to use a powder with it.  It is a "moisture surge" product, so I think anyone with dry skin would like this.  If you're oily, this may not be for you.  It contains SPF 30.

This large sample of the Clinique CC Cream is lasting me forever!  The lady at Ulta was happy to give me a generous sample. 

Left: Bobbi Brown BB Cream in Medium
Right: Clinique CC Cream in Medium
The Bobbi Brown has a slightly more warm/yellow tone than the Clinique and is a better match for my skin.

Tinted Moisturizer:
Almay Smart Shade Makeup (The original, not the anti-aging one.  I've heard the anti-aging one has subtle shimmer):  This product is marketed as a foundation, but to me, it's a tinted moisturizer.  It comes out of the tube white and contains little beads with color, and when you rub it into your skin, the heat from your fingers breaks open the beads, and it turns into (more or less) the color of your skin.  It has really light coverage, and it feels just like putting on a lotion.  I really like this product.  It gives less coverage than a BB or CC cream, but it evens out your skin in a really natural way.  It doesn't look like you're wearing anything at all but makes your skin look better than it does on its own.  It contains SPF 15.  This is my second favorite of all the products mentioned here behind the Bobbi Brown BB Cream.

Almay Smart Shade in Medium from start to finish.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer:  This product has gotten good reviews, but I didn't like it.  In fact, I returned it!  It didn't glide on very smoothly, plus the product kept drying up in the pump.  Every time I used it, dried up product would come out.
Aveeno BB Cream/Tinted Moisturizer:  When I bought this two years ago, it said "tinted moisturizer."  They now call it a BB cream.  I'm pretty sure it's the exact same product with a different name--the packaging is exactly the same.  I wouldn't recommend this one.  I had the same problems as I did with the Neutrogena one, and the darkest shade they offer wasn't dark enough for me.

My Final Thoughts and Potential Money-Saving Tips
I have to say that after trying all these products, I've decided that BB and CC creams are essentially the same as tinted moisturizers except that they offer slightly more coverage.  The whole BB/CC craze is somewhat gimmicky to me, as I don't believe they can improve your skin over time.  I do think they're better for your skin than a heavy, full-coverage foundation for the simple reason that they're lighter on your skin and allow your pores to breathe a little more.  Though BB creams and tinted moisturizers can be used as foundation and moisturizer in one, I still wear a separate moisturizer underneath.  Experiment both with and without a moisturizer underneath to see what works best for you.  Though I normally use my fingers to apply these products, you can use a brush if you want more coverage.

Many brands, both drugstore and high-end, make BB and/or CC creams.  If you want to try a drugstore brand, I'd suggest buying it from Ulta.  Ulta is great because they accept returns on opened/used cosmetics.  I don't think Target, Wal-Mart, or other drugstores do.  If you want to try a high-end brand, don't be shy about asking for a sample before spending around $40 on something just to find out that you don't like it (even though you should be able to return it to most counters, Sephora, and Ulta).  Not only will you likely get a generous sample that will last you a couple months, but when you buy high-end, the makeup artist will be able to color match you to save you from buying the wrong shade.

Good luck shopping for your favorite BB/CC/tinted moisturizer!  I hope this post helps to steer you in the right direction and find something you and your skin love!