Patrick Starrr didn't just drop another face product when he launched the One Size BBB Cream. He basically threw a wrench into the whole "clean girl" aesthetic that's been dominating our feeds for years. We’ve all been told that if you want to look natural, you have to settle for a watery skin tint that covers absolutely nothing. It’s frustrating. You apply a tint, and five minutes later, your redness is peaking through like it never left. That’s where this "Beauty Blur Balm" changes the conversation. It isn’t trying to be a foundation, but it sure as hell isn't a moisturizer either.
It’s thick.
If you’re used to the liquidy consistency of something like the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint or even the Fenty Eaze Drop, the texture of the One Size BBB Cream is going to catch you off guard. It feels like a whipped mousse. Honestly, when I first squeezed it out, I thought it was going to be way too heavy for a balm. But that’s the trick—the "blur" part of the name is literal.
The Reality of the "Triple B" Formula
Most people hear "BBB" and think it’s just a marketing gimmick to iterate on the old BB cream trend from 2012. It’s not. One Size marketed this specifically as a Beauty Blur Balm because it relies heavily on medical-grade ingredients and high-performance silicones to fill in texture. We aren't just talking about pigment here.
The formula contains something called White Star Grass.
Why does that matter? Because it’s an ingredient known for brightening, which helps the "blur" effect look like actual skin rather than a layer of spackle. When you look at the ingredient deck, you’ll also find Niacinamide. It’s become a bit of a buzzword lately, but in this specific suspension, it helps control the oil production that usually makes cream products slide off your face by 3 PM.
Most "balms" are grease traps. This one isn't.
Why the Finish is Controversial
I’ve seen a lot of debate online about whether this is actually matte or radiant. The truth is, it’s neither. It’s a true natural matte. If you have very dry skin, you might actually hate this if you don’t prep like a pro. You’ve got to hydrate first. If you don’t, the balm will cling to dry patches because it’s designed to grip the skin and stay put for the 12-hour wear time it promises.
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On the flip side, if you’re oily? This is your holy grail.
It manages to bridge the gap between "I’m wearing makeup" and "I just have really good pores." It’s rare to find a product that offers medium coverage while still letting a few freckles peek through. Most foundations that cover redness this well end up looking like a mask. The One Size BBB Cream somehow avoids that, provided you don't use too much. A pea-sized amount is literally all you need for your entire face. Use more than that, and you’ll start to see it sitting on top of the skin.
Let’s Talk About the Shade Range and Performance
Patrick Starrr has always been vocal about inclusivity, so it’s no surprise there are 30 shades. But it’s the undertones that actually impress me. Often, brands forget that "deep" doesn't just mean "orange." This range has genuine olives, cool roses, and neutral ruddiness covered.
How it Holds Up in the Real World
I’ve worn this through a humid afternoon and an evening out. Here is what actually happens:
- Hour 1: You look filtered. Like a blurring tool was dragged across your cheeks.
- Hour 4: The natural oils of your skin start to mix with the balm. This is the "sweet spot" where it looks the most like skin.
- Hour 8: Most tints would be gone. The BBB cream is still there, though you might see a little bit of settling in the smile lines if you didn't set it with a light powder.
- Hour 12: It’s fading, but it fades gracefully. It doesn't break apart in patches.
It’s a performance product.
One Size is a brand built on the "Turn Up the Base" philosophy. They don't do subtle well, and yet, the One Size BBB Cream is their most subtle face product to date. It’s a paradox. It’s high-coverage for a balm, but low-coverage for Patrick Starrr. For the average person who just wants to hide some acne scarring or evening out their skin tone before heading to work, it’s a massive time-saver.
What Most People Get Wrong About Application
Stop using a soaking wet sponge. Seriously.
If you use a damp Beautyblender with this product, you're diluting the very thing that makes it great—the density. Because it's a "blur balm," it needs tension to work into the skin. A dense buffing brush is the way to go. Or, honestly? Use your fingers. The heat from your hands breaks down the whipped texture and helps it melt into the epidermis.
I’ve seen people complain that it looks "cakey."
Nine times out of ten, they’re using a primer that’s too heavy under it. Since this balm already has blurring properties, you don't need a silicone-heavy primer underneath. You’re just layering silicone on silicone at that point, which leads to pilling. Use a simple water-based moisturizer, let it sink in for five minutes, then apply the BBB cream.
The Comparison Game
How does it stack up against the competition?
If you compare it to the Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF 30, the Tower 28 is much dewier. It’s for the person who wants to look "wet." The One Size is for the person who wants to look "smooth." Compared to the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream, One Size feels significantly lighter. IT Cosmetics can feel like a heavy blanket on the face; this feels more like a light veil.
It’s a middle-ground product.
It occupies this specific niche for people who are tired of the "no-makeup makeup" trend being synonymous with "no-coverage makeup." We want coverage. We just don't want the weight.
Is it Actually Good for Your Skin?
The marketing claims it's "skincare-infused." While it does have Niacinamide and Star Grass, let's be real: it's makeup. You shouldn't swap your serum for this. However, it is non-comedogenic. For those of us prone to cystic breakouts, that’s the only stat that really matters. It doesn't clog. It doesn't cause those tiny white bumps by the end of the day.
It’s also fragrance-free.
That’s a huge win. A lot of high-performance brands cram perfumes into their base products to mask the chemical smell of the pigments, but One Size kept it clean here. It smells like... well, nothing. Which is exactly what you want when you're rubbing something into your pores.
Real Steps for a Flawless Finish
To get the most out of the One Size BBB Cream, you need a specific workflow. It’s not a "slap it on and go" product if you want it to last until dinner.
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- Prep with a lightweight humectant. Think something like a hyaluronic acid serum. You want the skin plump but not oily.
- Dot, don't smear. Put small dots on your forehead, cheeks, and chin.
- Buff from the center outward. Use a flat-top kabuki brush. This pushes the balm into the pores rather than just sliding it over them.
- Spot conceal only if necessary. Most people find they don't even need concealer for redness, only for very dark under-eye circles.
- Set the T-zone. Even though it’s a matte-leaning balm, the nose and forehead will always get shiny. A quick dust of translucent powder (like the One Size Ultimate Setting Powder) locks the "blur" in place.
It’s a solid, dependable base. It isn't a miracle in a tube, but it’s a massive upgrade for anyone who feels like their current skin tint is doing absolutely nothing for their confidence. If you have texture, large pores, or lingering acne marks, this is the version of "natural skin" you’ve actually been looking for.
Check your undertone carefully before buying—the "Neutral" shades in this range tend to run slightly warm, so if you're truly fair-cool, look at the "R" (Rosy) shades instead. Testing a sample on your jawline in natural light is still the only way to be 100% sure, as the pigment does oxidize slightly as it sets into its matte finish.