First formulated in Germany, the BB (blemish balm) cream became a must-have for K-beauty fans to get gorgeous and glowing skin.
In recent years, South Korean cosmetic companies have competitively marketed the product, and Western brands followed by offering complexion correctors, which are more convenient than using a make-up base followed by a foundation.
"The BB cream may replace the foundation in many women's beauty bag because it's easier to apply for an even coverage and a natural look," said Samita Prungvanichsiri, brand manager of Laneige, a premium South Korean brand.
The latest trend from Seoul is the vibrating BB launched this month in Thailand.
Laneige Perfect Pro BB Kit partners Snow BB Cream with a vibrating applicator that works at 8,500 taps per minute and at a lower vibration for delicate areas of the face.
"The vibrating applicator helps create an impeccable complexion in a way that hands cannot do," she said. "In addition, no messy fingers, as you pump out the Snow BB Cream from the tube onto the puff of the applicator, which also helps stimulate the skin and its blood circulation while enhancing absorption of anti-ageing and skin brightening ingredients."
Another South Korean brand, Bisous Bisous, has three types of BB Cream, one claiming to contain caviar extract. The latest beauty trick is to mix the BB cream with Crystal Aura Super Star Volumer to pump up the moisture and luminosity.
French brands have also been working on the next big BB.
Vichy claims that Aera Mineral BB is a skin-breathing formula whereas Chanel went to the next level in introducing a CC (complete correction) Cream, which provides skincare benefits, make-up coverage as well as a fruity scent for pleasurable application.
Both French formulae feature mineral pigments to even skin tone and cover imperfections. Other corrective make-up containing minerals includes La Roche-Posay Toleriane Teint Mineral Complexion Corrector and Bobbi Brown Skin Perfecting Retouching Powder.
Ageing skin however requires more than a BB cream, and so the Chanel CC Cream contains an anti-ageing ingredient derived from a marine microorganism while Dior's latest foundations feature a key ingredient as in Capture Totale Creme for a youth-enhancing make-up.
Plum springs eternal
An elaborate pattern of plum blossoms adorns the elegant ShineClassic powder compact, which has been a tradition at Sulwhasoo since 2003.
Each year the luxurious cosmetic brand releases a limited edition powder with the compact inspired by traditional Korean art presented in paintings, drawings on ceramics, motifs on fabrics and women's hair accessories.
Nature is the biggest inspiration for Korean artistic expression, and the plum blossom marks the arrival of spring.
Sulwhasoo arrived in Thailand in the latter half of last year, with counters at Central Chidlom and Lardprao. Its skincare products are formulated based on Korean herbal medicine and the "sang-seng" principle (the harmony of opposing energies and the balance of the five elements: wood, water, earth, metal and fire).The ShineClassic powder was also made of medicinal herbs based on sang-seng, and the limited edition set (4,700 baht) comes with a refill of the powder as well as a pouch to keep the precious compact.
