BB Cream Overview

Before I went to Korea in early November, I stumbled upon BB creams in my research of stuff to buy. Apparently I'm late on joining the craze for these Blemish Balm creams which claim to do more than just cover imperfections compared to regular foundations or tinted moisturizers - extra ingredients are included to fight acne, whiten, tighten, provide sunscreen, diminish wrinkles... and the list goes on. However, they're mostly for fair or light skin tones as most brands only come in one shade. From what I've read online and discussion with other ladies, the most famous brands are:

1) BRTC - This is the brand that sparked the BB cream phenomenon when Korean celebrities started using it. Surprisingly, I couldn't find this line at drugstores while I was in Korea, although they do have an English website: http://www.skinami.co.kr/en_site/brtc_main_perline.aspHowever, I LOVE hunting down products in drugstores and I struck the jackpot when I was in Singapore! Watson's and Guardian (the sign looks EXACTLY like the Mannings sign in Hong Kong) each carried different BRTC products and had accompanying brochures.

Most popular products: Perfect recover, Perfect protect, Whitening & wrinkle repair

Prices:
SGD 49 for Whitening & wrinkle repair, Jasmine water (new), Glossy, Glossy shining
SGD 55 for Gold caviar
SGD 59 for Protect multiplex balm (new - contains almost everything you could want in a BB cream)

2) Dr. Jart - This is more popular than BRTC probably partly to its greater availability as they sell it at Watson's in Korea. Lo and behold, I found this in a shop 2 days after returning to Hong Kong from Korea! I don't remember the name of the shop, but it was at Tsuen Wan's Citywalk shopping centre. So any HKers, you can check it out and the price was about the same as in Korea - yippee! You can also check out: http://www.lunabeauty.comMost popular products: Repairing blemish base SPF35 whitening (silver label) - oily/combo skin, Detox healing blemish base SPF25 whitening & anti-wrinkle (black label) - dry skin

Prices:
KRW 29,400
HKD 236 (it was on sale when I saw it at Citywalk)

3) Hanskin - This is widely available as there were Hanskin stores pretty much everywhere in Korea (there are two in Myeong Dong alone). I think it was selling at Watson's as well.
Most popular products: Super magic SPF30 (premium)

Prices: I think there were two sizes, 30/50ml. I don't remember the exact prices, but at Watson's, you got a free gift from the same line for around the same price as if you bought it at the store. IIRC, it was around KRW32,000...

4) Skinfood - This brand is widely available at standalone stores in HK, Korea and Singapore. I've read pretty good reviews on this brand, and the price is reasonable if you want to try BB creams before splurging on other brands. Compared to other BB creams which have one universal shade, they come in 2 shades.
Most popular products: Gingko, Aloe Sun SPF20, Mushroom

Prices: Around KRW12,900 (Mushroom was a few thousand Won more than Gingko/Aloe). I didn't check the price of these in HK.

I will do a more in-depth review of Dr Jart black label and BRTC gold caviar BB creams later. (I haven't opened the Whitening & wrinkle repair or Protect multiplex balm yet.) Hope this info was helpful!