BB creams, the beauty product we all love to hate. The only thing we love to hate even more is CC cream, and then, of course, DD cream. So what are these products, and why do some women absolutely rave about them?
BB creams are fairly new to North American markets. The product was very popular in many Asian markets (particularly South Korea), but it wasn't until 2011 (in other words, fairly recently) that cosmetics companies starting developing and selling BB creams in the United States and Canada and other Western countries.
The idea of BB creams was to create a product that would be an "all-in-one" cosmetic product: instead of using a moisturizer, and then a primer, and then a foundation, and then a concealer, you could just use a BB cream and be on your way. The product is created to have it all, and it has moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, anti-aging agents like Vitamins A, C, and E, silicon additives that flatten wrinkles and craters, and pigments that create a uniform skin tone.
Concealer
The next item in our introduction to makeup: concealer.
Everybody WANTS perfect skin, but let's be honest: very few people have it. And those people who DO seem like they have perfect skin---well, very often, they're just really good at using concealer.
We haven't done any official studies, but we're willing to bet: if we interviewed 1,000 makeup artists and another 1,000 women who use makeup every day, and we asked them to name their favorite makeup product, we're guessing every single one of them would say "concealer." It's like the makeup version of your best friend: it knows all of your facial flaws but keeps them secret, and helps you look and feel flawless. It hides acne, blemishes, dark circles, scars, rosacea, broken blood vessels, and whatever else you don't want the world to see. It is---and we're not exaggerating---the absolute best thing ever. OK, fine, we’re exaggerating a little bit. But concealer can be very effective.
There are several different types that are available:
• Liquid Concealer. This is perhaps the most common variety, and liquid concealers come in a range of coverage options, from light to medium to full coverage. Use it for normal skin, combination skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and sensitive skin. If you have acne, this is a great option, because it's less likely to lead to further breakouts (whereas a creamier concealer might do so). You can apply with your fingers or a wand or a sponge, and there are options for matte, satin, dewy, and shimmer.
• Cream Concealer. Good for normal skin, dry skin, and combination skin. Cream concealer usually comes in a small pot or palette, and it works really well for dark rings under the eyes, because it usually provides a fuller coverage than liquid concealer. Also good for sensitive skin, but bad for acne-prone skin.
• Cream-to-Powder Concealer. This is less popular than the other types of concealers, because it doesn't offer the same coverage (it's a light-to-normal coverage product) and it's a bad choice for people who are prone to any kind of acne. If you have normal to dry skin and you're looking for light-to-normal coverage, it can be a good choice.
• Stick Concealer. If you have normal to dry skin and you're looking for medium-to-dark coverage, this is your best bet. It's a creamy semi-solid (kind of like a lipstick would be) and it's fantastic for very dark circles and more severe discoloration. If you have acne, be careful using this---people with acne tend to like stick concealer because it can cover just about anything, but using it can be a bad idea, because the thickness of the cosmetic can clog pores and actually create further breakouts.
Contour
Contouring used to be a kind of "secret technique" that was only used by makeup artists on runway models. But, thanks to the internet and hundreds of millions of YouTube instructionals, the secret is out.
Here's how it works: a contour is a powder or liquid or pencil that is (ideally) one shade darker than the skin, and usually matte in finish (in other words, not shiny; flat). It is applied to various areas of the face---usually at the cheekbones, by the jawline, at the top of the forehead, and along the nose---to create the illusion of shadows and depth on the face, and define the facial structure. Skillful use of contouring can create a more "angular" look---that is, high cheekbones and a slimmer nose and chin---and, let's be honest, the "angular" look has been popular for most of recorded history, so contouring is a pretty popular technique.
Highlight
Highlighter is like contour's sister, but she's a little more upbeat, a little more bright, a little more sparkly, and she gets a lot more attention.
Men and women who are new to makeup don't always understand a highlighter's appeal: if you've just made yourself look sleek and angular, why would you want to mess with that look?
When done right, highlighter is makeup that attracts light and creates a warm, glowy look. Using just contour will make you look angular, but it creates a mattified look that can be a little flat.
There are a TON of different highlighters you can buy, and they're available in liquid, cream, and powder. Some have shimmer, some don't (we'd advise against using shimmer---highlighter is supposed to make you glow and look alert; adding sparkle is a little much).

Bronzer
Bronzer, is used to give skin a bit of color by adding a golden or bronze glow. It comes in either matte, semi matte/satin, or shimmer finishes.
A bronzer is a "use every day"-type product that gives a little color and glow to the complexion. It's provides a little highlight for the cheekbones, and makes the wearer look healthy and vital. If you're feeling a little sallow or dull, bronzer can have a nice effect, and it'll provide you with a nice sun-kissed look.
Bronzers aren't too difficult to select; basically, you're looking for something one to two shades darker than your normal skin tone. If you have fair-to-normal skin, try to find a light-honey-colored bronzer. If you've got medium skin, looking for something rose-colored or gold. If you've got dark skin, you'll want to find something amber.
Blush
For a lot of people, blush is their absolute, #1, favorite makeup item. It's simple, it's easy to use, and it's colorful. It's a fan favorite.
There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different blush colors, and they're available in liquid, cream, or powder.
Blushes usually come with a brush, but those brushes are usually, so we recommend tossing that brush and getting your own. Buy something that's not too flat but not too round, sized about the width of your cheeks when you smile, and reasonably soft. Ideally, you'll find a brush that kind of looks like one of those pencil gnomes you get when you were a kid.
Eyebrow Pencils (and Gels and Powders)
We'll start with eyebrow pencils: eyebrow pencils are magical little things that can make thin eyebrows look lush and strong and beautiful. If your arches are a little bit weak, you can sharpen them; if your brows are patchy or run thick-to-thin, you can fill them in; and if you have any kind of scarring from a cut or from acne, you can do a little resurfacing.
We say "pencils," but you can color your eyebrows using gels and powders. Gels are great for creating a brow shape, and powders are great for people who already have a solid brow but want to add some extra density to it.

Eyeshadow
As far as makeup goes, eyeshadow is by far the most emotive. Other types of makeup can be a little bit bland (foundation is vitally important, but it doesn't really razzle dazzle you), but eyeshadow---you can go as subtle or over-the-top and exciting as you want. Eyeshadow can make you glamorous, or seductive, or colorful, or adventurous, or simply joyous. Eyeshadow is IT.

Face powder, is used to set the foundation, giving it a matte finish, and also to conceal small flaws or blemishes.

Rouge, blush or blusher is cheek coloring used to bring out the color in the cheeks and make the cheekbones appear more defined. Rouge comes in powder, cream, and liquid forms.

Contour powder/creams, are used to define the face. They can be used to give the illusion of a slimmer face or to modify a person’s face shape in other desired ways. Usually a few shades darker than one's own skin tone and matte in finish, contour products create the illusion of depth. A darker toned foundation/concealer can be used instead of contour products for a more natural look.

Highlight, used to draw attention to the high points of the face as well as to add glow to the face, comes in liquid, cream, and powder forms. It often contains shimmer, but sometimes does not. A lighter toned foundation/concealer can be used instead of highlight to create a more natural look.

Mascara, is used to darken, lengthen, and thicken the eyelashes. It is available in natural colors such as brown and black, but also comes in bolder colors such as blue, pink, or purple. There are many different formulas, including waterproof versions for those prone to allergies or sudden tears. It is often used after an eyelash curler and mascara primer. Many mascaras now have certain components intended to help lashes to grow longer and thicker.
Let's talk lashes! Mascara is another one of our favorites. It's an eyelash enhancer, and it can be used to lengthen, thicken, darken, or curl. It's available in a range of colors, and it's usually sold as a liquid, a cream, or a cake. And, thank goodness, there are waterproof formulas if you're planning to cry or get stuck in the rain.

Eyelash glue, is used to adhere false lashes to the eyes. It comes in either clear or colored formulas.

Eyebrow pencils, creams, waxes, gels and powders are used to color and define the brows.

Nail polish, is used to color the fingernails and toenails.

Setting Spray, is used to keep applied makeup intact for long periods of time. An alternative to setting spray is setting powder, which may be either pigmented or translucent. Cosmetics can be also described by the physical composition of the product. Cosmetics can be liquid or cream emulsions; powders, both pressed and loose; dispersions; and anhydrous creams or sticks.

Eyeliner, is used to enhance and elongate the size of the eye. Eyeliner is a cosmetic applied across the lash line, which is the area of your eye that grows eyelashes. The cosmetic comes in many colors, and is used to give the eye depth and make it appear more dynamic, and when used with eyeshadow, it makes the eyes appear defined and vibrant. It's available in liquid, powder, gel, wax, and pencil (with pencil being the most popular), and depending on what kind you use, it can be angular and defined, or soft and smudgy. Eyeliner Pencils, Liquid Eyeliner, Gel Eyeliner, Powder / Cake Eyeliner,

Makeup remover, is a product used to remove the makeup products applied on the skin. It is used to clean the skin before other procedures, like applying bedtime lotion.