Clinique CC Cream: The new BB Cream?

If you've only just gotten your head around BB Creams (read my BB Cream 101 here) then I'm sorry to bring you the news that there's a new kid in town, going by the name of CC Cream. A CC Cream, or Color Control Cream, is an improved and refined BB Cream. While BB creams offer predominantly skincare benefits, CC creams were developed to retain all the skincare benefits of BB cream with added nourishing ingredients and additional makeup properties. CC Creams supposedly provide better coverage and a foundation-like finish so there's no compromise on the end result. (Are you still with me?) Clinique are one of the first to release their version of a CC Cream, claiming that its 'smart colour correcting technology' helps to conceal skin undertones that can make our complexion red, sallow, dull or ashy. The formula also contains SPF and is oil-free, meaning you get all the concealing benefits with added skincare protection. I've been trying the CC Cream in Light, but I have to admit I'm not entirely convinced that CCs are better than BBs. The formula is creamy and applies perfectly well to the skin, helping to blend away imperfections and create a more unified tone, but the coverage is quite light. This would be the kind of product I use on Sundays or for a low-key day in the office, needing a touch of concealer and a little blusher to make me look refreshed. It doesn't give me the completely unified tone I get from a foundation or the radiance I've found BB Creams provide, making me think that this CC Cream isn't really providing anything above and beyond what's already in my makeup bag. It does subtly change the tone of your skin, but I felt I was missing the radiance quality I so love from BB Creams and lacked the obvious colour result you get from a foundation. Although this is perfect for people that don't like wearing heavy makeup on a day-to-day basis, for my slap-loving face this is a little too light. I'm extremely interested to try out some other CC Creams and to see how this product evolves in the market though - will the CC be better than BB in the long term? Who knows. I'm just waiting for DD and EE.





Clinique CC Cream available in six shades for £28.00, exclusively in John Lewis until May.