How to Apply BB Cream the Right Way — And Find Your Perfect Shade
By Sarah Fendrich · May 21, 2026
BB cream is one of the most asked-about products I carry — and the two questions I get most are always the same: Am I applying it correctly? and How do I pick the right shade?
Both are completely fair questions. BB cream looks simple, but there are a couple of technique details that make a real difference in how it looks on your skin. And shade selection online is genuinely tricky — you can't swatch it in person. This post answers both, with the same technique I teach in private lessons.
Video: Watch Sarah apply BB Cream at the 4:28 mark YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/cAYQAap4pGw?t=268
BB Cream vs. foundation — what's the actual difference?
BB cream gives you the same coverage as a light to medium foundation, but in a lighter, more skin-like formula. It's not "less" makeup — it's smarter makeup. Mine has Vitamin B3, Cucumber, Chamomile, and Ginseng Aloe Vera built in, so it's actively hydrating and brightening your skin while it evens out your complexion.
The finish is natural and dewy — not flat or powdery. It looks like your skin, just more even. If you've ever worn a full foundation and felt like you were wearing a mask, BB cream is the fix for that.
One pump covers your whole face. That's it.
The one thing most people get wrong: the brush
Before we get to the steps — this is important.
Use a flat foundation brush. Never a sponge.
Sponges are porous. When you press a sponge into BB cream, it absorbs a significant amount of the product into the sponge itself before it ever touches your skin. You end up using more product than you need, getting uneven coverage, and wasting a $52 tube faster than you should.
A flat brush keeps the product on your skin, gives you precise control over where it goes, and delivers a smooth, even finish every time. If you don't have one, my Foundation Vegan Brush is made specifically for this.
How to apply BB Cream — step by step
- Start at the inner cheek Begin at the inner part of your cheek (closest to your nose) and work the brush in an upward stroke, then sweep back down toward your jaw. Everything goes upward — this lifts the face instead of dragging it down.
- Work your way across Move from the inner cheek outward, blending in upward strokes across both cheeks. Use light, even pressure — you're not scrubbing, just gliding.
- . The nose Use short downward strokes along the bridge of the nose, with a tapping motion right around the nostrils. The tapping gives you precise coverage around curves and edges without overloading the area.
- The forehead Work one side of the forehead at a time, blending downward. Don't try to cover the whole forehead in one sweep — you'll lose control of the coverage.
- Blend into the neck This is the step most people skip — and it's the one that makes the biggest difference. Take whatever product is left on the brush and blend it down into your neck. No line at the jaw. This is what makes makeup look like skin.
Watch me do this at the 4:28 mark → https://youtu.be/cAYQAap4pGw?t=268
Shade Guide — all 8 shades
Picking a shade online comes down to two things: your depth (how light or dark your skin is) and your undertone (the subtle color underneath).
How to identify your undertone:
- Look at the veins on your inner wrist in natural light
- Blue or purple veins → cool undertone (look for shades with "Cool" in the name)
- Green veins → warm undertone (look for shades without "Cool")
- Blue-green, hard to tell → neutral undertone (Neutral is a good starting point)
How to test your shade: Always swatch on your jawline — not your hand or wrist. Your jaw is where the product will actually sit, and it's where the blend-into-the-neck test matters most. Check it in natural light, not store lighting.
| Shade | Depth | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fair | Very light | Very fair skin, warm or neutral undertones |
| Fair Cool | Very light | Very fair skin, cool/pink undertones |
| Light | Light | Light skin, warm or neutral undertones |
| Light Cool | Light | Light skin, cool/pink undertones |
| Neutral | Light-medium | Light to medium skin, neutral undertones — a great middle-ground shade |
| Medium | Medium | Medium skin, warm or neutral undertones |
| Medium Cool | Medium | Medium skin, cool/pink undertones |
| Dark | Deep | Deeper skin tones |
Between two shades? Go one shade lighter. BB cream oxidizes slightly as it wears — meaning it can darken a touch after the first 10–15 minutes — so starting a shade lighter gives you the most natural result.
Not sure which shade is right for you?
Call or text me directly — I'm happy to help you find your match. I do this every day with private lesson clients, and it takes about two minutes when I know your skin tone and undertone.
→ Shop BB Cream — all 8 shades
What to do after BB Cream
Set it with Dual Powder — tap (never rub) to lock in the coverage and extend wear. If you're doing a full face, follow with bronzer, blush, and setting spray. The full routine is in my step-by-step tutorial →
Want to learn this on your own face, with your own products? A private makeup lesson — in person in Danville or online via Zoom — walks you through BB Cream application personalized to your skin tone, face shape, and lighting at home.
→ Book a Makeup Lesson with Sarah
Have a question about a shade or technique? Call or text Sarah directly.
