Spotlight: IT Cosmetics Summer Essentials

Products Sent For Consideration (Press Sample)

IT Cosmetics Summer Essentials

IT Cosmetics is a brand I've written about before. They are always surprising me with new and exciting products that shake up my idea of quality makeup.  IT Cosmetics, which stands for Innovative Technology, creates high performance, problem solving and truly unique products. Every single thing that I have tried from the brand is innovative and different, setting them apart from the overwhelming number of brands on the market. Yes, this brand truly does it like no other, and that's why I am super excited to share with you the latest batch of products I've been testing from them.  

Recently IT Cosmetics sent me six products to try; their No. 50 Serum Collagen Veil Anti-Aging Primer, Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer, YLBB (Your Lips But Better) Waterproof Lip Liner Stain in 2 shades and Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss in 2 shades. Together, these make the perfect additions to my summer arsenal. 

Here is a look at the products I've been testing: 

No. 50 Serum Collagen Veil Anti-Aging Primer: This primer/skincare hybrid is so amazing that it gives my holy grail primer from another brand a real run for it's money. I pretty much stopped trying primers a long time ago because I have one that I'm happy with and I didn't think another brand could make anything better.  This one really made me reconsider. IT Cosmetics says that this can be used as a makeup primer under your foundation, as a serum to seal in your nighttime moisturizer, or as a replacement for your daily moisturizer altogether.  I tried this silky smooth serum in all three ways, and let me tell you I am extremely impressed. The bottle comes with two different applicators; a traditional pump and a medicine dropper. I think those who use it as a makeup primer will prefer the pump, but those used to serums with a dropper style applicator who want to use this primarily as a skincare item will prefer the dropper method. I personally like the pump.  I am not a skincare expert, nor have I been using this product long enough to speak to it's anti-aging benefits. However, I know makeup and one thing is for sure, your makeup will absolutely look better with this underneath than without it. It has a silky silicone feel and just one pump will cover your entire face.  This primer/serum hybrid is jam packed with 50 key ingredients (hence the name of the product) including lipid-rich oils and butters, key vitamins and antioxidants, anti-aging peptides and proteins as well as more than 40 nourishing botanical extracts!  I am in my 30s and very much into anything anti-aging.  I will be writing a follow up post to this after I've been using it longer so we can see if it truly lives up to it's claims. For now, I'm loving the feel of this primer and since I got it, it has been a must have before my foundation every single day. 

 This primer is extremely lightweight making it an ideal choice for the summer

 IT Cosmetics cleverly included two different applicators so everyone is happy

 I prefer the pump method to the dropper (pictured above)

Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer: Speaking of primer, IT Cosmetics is now offering their Tightline Mascara Primer individually!  Originally this was only available in their Hello Beautiful! kit which I reviewed right before it launched as QVC's Today's Special Value.  This product is not new to me, but I was just coming up on needing a new one, so I am super happy that IT Cosmetics sent me a fresh one! I love this product. I have loved it since my original review, and it is a product that I continued to use long after sharing my blog post with you. If you didn't read my original post, I'll link it below. I am happy to say that after using this product for a while now, I still find it innovative, and I still absolutely love it and use it all the time. This game changer mascara primer can be worn alone, or under your favorite mascara.  It's super skinny wand literally tightlines for you without having to bring in any outside eye liner.  It also lengthens your lashes and preps them for mascara if you want to wear one over top.  I think this product holds its own solo and I often wear it without anything else over it.  This product actually made my list of "Top Five New Products I'm Loving" which was a collaboration I did with two other cruelty-free beauty bloggers. That post got a lot of interest, so I am so happy that IT Cosmetics has made this available for purchase separately. This formula not only makes lashes look amazing, but it also contains a lash-enhancing serum that includes peptides, collagen, proteins, biotin, nettle extract, green tea and jojoba. Whenever you are looking at a picture of someone wearing mascara, you always wonder how long her lashes are naturally. So I've been sure to include a picture of my lashes bare so you can see exactly how well this little gem works.  This product is just so easy and effortless, which is what my summer beauty routine is all about. In one swoop, my top lash line is lined, and lashes are longer and more nourished.

Top eye with Tightline Full Lash Line & Length Black Mascara Primer, bottom eye without

To see my original review of this product with pictures, click here:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/03/sneak-peek-it-cosmetics-hello-beautiful.html

   

YLBB (Your Lips But Better) Waterproof Lip Liner Stain: One thing I don't tend to spend a lot of money on is lip liners. Unless, they are of course innovative and special in some way. The two shades I've been testing of YLBB (Your Lips But Better) are just that. They are a combo of lip primer, lip liner and lip stain. Now whenever companies claim a product does multiple things, it is usually lacking in one of those areas. For example, many tinted moisturizers may provide good coverage, but are not as moisturizing as a regular moisturizer. However, these lip liner stains truly do live up to their claims. This product is a mechanical pencil with a built in sharpener, so you don't have to ever worry about a dull tip.  They work like a lip liner, but actually stain the lips, so you can fill in your entire lip with them and use them solo.  They are matte finish, but not drying in any way as they are formulated with peptides, hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, shea butter, aloe and jojoba.  The reason I think these are a summer essential is that they are completely waterproof. I swatched my hand, and without even waiting for them to set, put my hand under the tap.  After getting my hand completely wet, I tried rubbing the liner off and it would not budge!  I had to scrub it off with a makeup remover wipe, and yes I do mean scrub to get it off!  These are available in 7 shades that last all day.  Every woman should have a go-to "your lips but better" shade. I especially love these perfect nudes as a compliment to a really smokey eye.  The two shades I tested are Nude Light/Medium (cool toned) and Nude Tan/Rich (warm toned). If you are a makeup artist, I think these are great for weddings because once set they are pretty much transfer resistant without ever being drying on the lips. I tested both of these solo as well as underneath IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush (lipstick/stain) and under the Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss.  These absolutely will extend the wear time on your lipstick, more so than a traditional lip liner. 

 Top Photo Nude Light/Medium, Bottom Nude Tan/Rich

 Each pencil comes with a built in sharpener on the end

 Pictured Below: YLBB Waterproof Nude Lip Liner Stain in Tan/Rich (sample) under IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush in Damsel (purchased by me)

Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss: Summer is all about effortless beauty. For many of us that means a grab and go gloss. The number one question everyone asks when I review a gloss is, "Is it sticky?"  So many people can't stand a sticky gloss. I am happy to report that these do not have any of that goo factor. They are ultra-moisturizing and feel soft and light on the lips.  Like all IT Cosmetics products, they are infused with skin nourishing ingredients.  These lovely lippies contain skin-loving oils and butters that hydrate and condition the lips.  These glosses are also intended to fill in lines making your lips look more plump and helping to create that bee-stung look.  The two shades I tested are Ruby Slippers and News Anchor Blue.  I love the name Ruby Slippers because it reminds me of The Wizard Of Oz, my favorite movie. I know the thought of a blue gloss may sound scary, but this one is quite sheer, and really just a nice alternative to clear.  The slight blue tint is meant to help your teeth appear whiter, as any lippie with a blue base does.  When applied solo, it looks clear, but my favorite way to wear it is as a topper gloss over another lipstick, liner or gloss. Vitality Lip Flush Butter Gloss is available in 7 shades:  I Believe, Joyful, Naturally Pretty, Perfect Nude, Pretty in Pink, Ruby Slippers and News Anchor Blue.  

 Pictured Above: Ruby Slippers and News Anchor Blue (sent as a lab sample)

 News Anchor Blue (sent as a lab sample) appears clear on the lips, but helps teeth appear whiter

 Ruby Slippers is a sheer red with fine iridescent shimmer

Pictured Above: YLBB Liner Stain in Nude Light/Medium, under Ruby Slippers Butter Gloss, blotted and topped off with just a touch of News Anchor Blue in the center for added fullness 

I hope you enjoyed this look at some summer essentials from IT Cosmetics. A huge "Thank You!"  to IT Cosmetics for sending me these samples to test out.  If you are interested in purchasing any of these products, they are available at qvc.com, itcosmetics.com, and beauty.com 

International shoppers can purchase via The Shopping Channel in Canada or PM Studio in Australia. 

As always, thank you so much for reading.  If you have tried any of these products, I would love to know! Please drop me a comment below. Also, please don't forget to subscribe!  It's free and helps support the site.

Related Posts:

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2013/03/it-cosmetics-heavenly-luxe-powder-brush.html

http://makeupmattersbylnc.blogspot.com/2012/12/spotlight-it-cosmetics-brushes.html

*The products reviewed in this post were sent for consideration by IT Cosmetics. This in no way alters my review. All of my thoughts and opinions are 100% honest, and I only share them with you in hopes of helping you make informed purchasing decisions.  I do not get paid to write reviews, nor do I get compensated if you purchase any of the items seen in this post.

Spotlight: Stila Cosmetics *GIVEAWAY CLOSED* WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN

All Products In This Post Purchased By Me

Spotlight: Stila Cosmetics

Stila Cosmetics is a cruelty-free brand that I use a lot.  I reach for their products the most during the summer months because of their large amount of waterproof choices. It is a brand that has had a place in my makeup stash for a long time.  Many of their products are cult classics in makeup land, and you will be hard pressed to find a makeup artist that doesn't carry at least a couple of these cruelty-free staples in their kit. While Stila is probably most recently known for their palettes, and fun lip products, there are some staples that I've used for a while now that don't get as much press. However, these stellar products are basics that truly stand the test of time.  

Here is a look at some of my favorites from the brand: 

Stila Beauty Balm: Stila's original formula, their Stay All Day 10-in-One HD Beauty Balm with Broad Spectrum SPF 30, is one of the first American BB Creams I tried. If you have oily skin, this is the BB Cream for you.  It applies like a tinted moisturizer, but dries to a powder finish.  This paraben free formula only comes in one shade, but it's one that happens to work for my skin tone.  If you are someone who likes a bit more coverage, this can still work for you as a tinted primer worn underneath your favorite foundation. With a sun protection factor of 30, this offers more protection from the sun than a lot of other makeup products on the market. If you are looking for a BB Cream with a matte finish, this is a good choice.

Stila also makes a more glowy version of this multitasking product called Stila Stay All Day 10-in-One Illuminating HD Beauty Balm with Broad Spectrum SPF 30.  This is a great choice for mature skin, or those with a slightly drier skin.  The illuminating, paraben free formula helps to create that lit from within glow, without leaving you looking overly greasy or shiny. This beauty balm is oil free, so it won't bother those with acne prone skin. Stila's Illuminating Beauty Balm is also water resistant, making it an ideal choice for the summer months. 

 Pictured above: some of the benefits of Stila Illuminating Beauty Balm

 Pictured above: The benefits of the Stila Beauty Balm (original formula)

Above: On the left side is the original beauty balm blended out, on the right, the illuminating version

Stila Convertible Color: This is a makeup artist must-have!  These creamy compacts hold color that can be blended onto eyes, cheeks or lips leaving behind a non-greasy sheer tint.  These are truly mistake proof. If you are looking to try a cream blush, and never have before, these are a good place to start. They are sheer, but the color is buildable so you can blend on a little and then add more as needed to achieve the desired look.  I especially love these for summer. Two of my favorite shades are Peony and Lillium because they work on a multitude of skin tones. I have nearly every shade, because I'm a big fan of the dewy finish these leave on the cheekbones. Peony is a bit more sheer and dewy, while Lillium is more opaque.

 These creamy compacts come with a mirror included (pictured above)

Swatches Above: On the left Lillium, On the right Peony

Primers and Liners: Stila eye products are among some of my favorites in my collection.  I love starting eye looks with their Prime Pots or Smudge Pots, which are creamy little tubs of stay-put waterproof eye base.  Their prime pots are matte finish creams that prime the lids for eyeshadow.  I love Taffy for fair to light skin tones and Caramel for medium to deeper skin tones.  Their Smudge Pots can be used as eye liner, or blended out over the lid as a base.  On day where I wear limited makeup, I may just take a touch of Taffy Prime Pot blended over the lid to cover up any discoloration and create a smooth look. I've been using their Prime Pots for years, and they do not crease or budge once set. The only down side is that if you don't screw your cap on tightly, they will dry out, but I find this to be true of most cream products.  

If you are a fan of the Smudge Pots, but prefer a pencil format, try Stila's Smudge Crayons, which deliver the same waterproof color in an easy to apply stick. These are my favorite for a simple smokey eye. You can just draw along the base of the lash line and blend up with a domed shadow brush.  The precision tip also makes it easy to place color along the lower lash line.  One word of caution, be sure to do one eye at a time, and blend as you go, because once these set, they will not move. These are completely waterproof. I have tested them time and time again, and they absolutely can not be removed without a waterproof eye makeup remover or wipe. Dazzle is my favorite shade, as it really works well solo.  I also love the classic shade Kitten as an inner corner highlight. These also contain vitamin E to protect and nourish the delicate eye area. 

If liquid liner is your thing, Stila's version is a cult classic and with good reason. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner is one of those products that has been around forever because it just works. It's precision tip, makes for super easy application. The felt tip marker like feel of this liner is what makes it an ideal choice for first timers and old pros alike.  Plus, I find that if capped properly, it doesn't dry out. These last me for months so you don't have to worry about wasting your money.  The quick dry formula means no smudging.  These are available in a whole host of colors, but Jet Black is still my favorite.

 Pictured Above: Stila Prime Pot in Taffy, Stila Smudge Pots in Kitten and Bronze

 Swatches from left to right (above): Prime Pot in Taffy, Smudge Pots in Kitten & Bronze 

 Stila Smudge Crayon in Dazzle comes complete with a built in sharpener

Pictured Above: Swatch of Stila Smudge Crayon in Dazzle

 Pictured Above: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Jet Black

Powder Eye Shadow: Stilla eye shadow is a classic! Their formula is so easy to blend, and they offer so many amazing colors and finishes. Kitten is one of the most famous eye shadows ever. While their new "In The..." palettes have gained a lot of attention, I think some of their eyeshadow singles that have been around for a while sometimes go unnoticed.  Three of my favorite shades from the brand are Moonlight (shimmery white), Starlight (very similar to Urban Decay Virgin and Milani Pearl), and Golightly (shimmery bronze, very similar to Urban Decay Smog). Their shadows are pigmented, easy to blend and the shimmery shades are grown up shimmer so they look good on eyes of every age. I really can't ask for more. The performance of these shadows never lets me down, which is why they are a go to brand when I am creating a makeup look on others. 

 From Left to Right: Moonlight, Starlight, Golightly

Moonlight is the perfect white shimmer shade for an inner corner highlight. I'll often use this as an allover lid color as well.  Starlight has the most brightening effect on the eye, and it works great on so many skin tones.  I love Kitten, but admit it does not work for everyone. If Kitten appears slightly off on your skin tone, give Starlight a try.  Golightly has been a favorite contour shade of mine forever. If you like Urban Decay's Smog, but can't deal with the fallout, Golightly is a great pick. 

Mascara: If you've read any of my other posts, you know that Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara is a true favorite of mine. The formula is super volumizing, and the brush is a unique triangle shape, which helps comb and lift the lashes creating separation and definition. This is a paraben free formula so it won't irritate those with sensitive eyes. One word of warning, this is extremely waterproof. You absolutely need a good waterproof eye makeup remover or you will not be able to get this off. 

 Note the unique length of the bristles on the mascara brush

I hope you enjoyed this look at some of my favorites from Stila Cosmetics. If you haven't tried this brand yet, the items mentioned in this post are a good place to start. With summer here, waterproof makeup is important, and this brand does it better than most!  Stila products can be purchased at Sephora or StilaCosmetics.com

If you would like a chance to win some of the products seen here, directions on entering are below:

Giveaway Rules:

1. You must be at least 18 years old to enter 
2. You must subscribe to this blog
3. You must leave a comment below (please be patient, comments are approved individually)
4. By entering you agree to terms and conditions below 
5. Do not leave any personal contact information in the comments. 

 Winner will be chosen on July 15, 2013.  Winner will be chosen at random.  Prize is a selection of Stila products purchased and chosen personally by me. Don't forget to check back on the 15th to see if you are a winner!

Terms & Conditions:
Winner will be notified by email, Twitter or this blog.  Winner must respond within 5 days, or a new winner will be chosen. All federal, state, local or international taxes associated with the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner.  By entering the giveaway through this blog, you release Liza Chung and Makeup Matters by LNC from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action , related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, misdelivery or acceptance of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses and damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, right of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional, whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty or other theory.

 

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED*

*All products pictured in this post were purchased by me. All opinions are my own. I do not get paid to write reviews.  I do not receive any compensation if you purchase any of these products.

Spotlight: Arbonne

Products Sent For Consideration

Arbonne

Last weekend, I applied makeup to someone who has allergies to parabens and gluten. She shared with me that she rarely wears makeup, because she doesn't know which brands are safe for her skin. Parabens are chemicals that are often found in cosmetics for use as a preservative.  As anyone with allergies, or concerns about what potentially harmful chemicals are in our beauty products knows, finding good quality products that are also free of these irritants can sometimes prove challenging.  I recently tested out a gluten-free and paraben-free personal care brand called Arbonne. Not only are they cruelty-free, but all of the skin care, makeup, bath & body, hair and fragrance products from this brand are completely vegan! Intrigued? This brand, which is on PETA's "Companies that do not test on animals" list makes high quality makeup and skincare that are just as beautiful as they are green.  Arbonne's products are available through independent representatives who chose to pursue a home-based business.  If you prefer, you can also shop online by visiting arbonne.com.

Here are some of the products I've tested:

Foundations: Arbonne offers everything from tinted moisturizers to  mineral powder foundation.  

 Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturizer contains broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen, and provides natural-looking coverage while keeping skin hydrated. The coverage is sheer, so it evens out your skin tone, while still allowing your natural skin to show through.

Perfecting Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen is an anti-aging foundation which contains skin-firming properties, and nourishing ingredients to protect, and perfect the skin.  This is ideal for those who need more coverage than a tinted moisturizer alone provides.

Natural Radiance Mineral Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen is ideal for those who prefer a powder foundation, but still love that lit-from-within glow.  This is a lightweight powder that provides buildable coverage.  The light reflecting particles give the skin a radiant luminosity.

Liquids:

 Pictured Above (from left to right): Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Porcelain, Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturizer in Fair, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Soft Blush, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Alabaster, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Earthy Beige, Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturizer in Medium Beige, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Buff, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Deep Beige, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Toffee Bronze, Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Deep Bronze and Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturizer in Dark 

Powders:

Pictured Above (swatch): Natural Radiance Mineral Powder Foundation in Light

Pictured Above (from left to right) Arbonne Natural Radiance Mineral Powder Foundation with SPF 15: Dark, Medium Dark, Golden Tan, Tan, Medium Beige, Medium, Light

For my skin tone, I wore Sheer Finish Tinted Moisturizer in Fair and topped it off with Natural Radiance Mineral Powder Foundation in Light for added coverage.  The mineral foundation has very fine light reflective particles in it, which is great for those who like a dewy, fresh-faced look, but prefer foundation in a powder format.  I really like how the combo worked with my skin, which can be quite sensitive at times. My skin is prone to breakouts, but I didn't experience any problems with these bases at all. 

Blush: Arbonne blush comes in 8 different shades and offers both matte and shimmer finishes. The shade I tested is called Sunset.  It is a beautiful matte peach color that would look great on a variety of skin tones. I am really impressed with the packaging. The compact is a reflective gunmetal gray with a window on top so you can see which color you are reaching for. It has a push button lid, making it easy to open without breaking a nail!

Bronzer: Summer is all about bronzer. While I generally prefer a matte bronzer for contouring, it is also good to have a satin finish bronzer in your makeup stash.  Today's HD cameras often read truly matte makeup as flat rather than matte.  Arbonne bronzer has a satin finish which helps create that sun-kissed look without leaving behind any heavy glitters.  The result is a natural looking tan, that comes across beautiful in photographs and video.  This shade works for a multitude of skin tones and feels very light on the skin. The color lasts all day and applies evenly. I even blended a little through the eye socket to add some definition to my eyes.

Eyeshadow: The eyeshadow I tested was in the shade Moss. It's a matte mossy green shade that applies smoothly and has nice pigmentation. This mineral-infused eyeshadow is easy to blend and includes polypeptides and cucumber extract for added benefit to the eye area.

Mascara:  I personally have not had much luck with vegan mascaras. I've tried a few, and just have not been happy with most of the offerings on the market. I was really pleasantly surprised by Arbonne's It's A Long Story Mascara. The formula is safe for contact lens wearers, and contains polypeptides which help promote the appearance of longer lashes. Those with sensitive eyes will really appreciate this mascara. It adds nice length to your lashes without them sticking together. It also feels really light on the lashes, and I didn't experience any flaking or clumping of any kind.  

Foot Creme: With summer upon us, that means sandals and flip flops by the pool. To keep your feet looking smooth and cared for, Arbonne has created a Cooling Foot Creme with fresh kiwi cell extracts and Moisture Fresh Complex.  This light cooling gel-cream hybrid absorbs into the skin nicely without any greasy after feeling.  It contains AHA and salicylic acid to help exfoliate feet, so your skin looks smooth and clean.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Arbonne.  I am so impressed with the quality of these products. It is really nice to have a vegan makeup brand of this standard available to me that is free of so many irritating ingredients. Again, all Arbonne personal care products are vegan certified (contain no animal products or by-products), contain no parabens, contain no synthetic dyes and are gluten free.  I honestly don't know why I never tried this brand before, but I am so happy I discovered them!

For more information, or to order any of the products seen here call 1-800-ARBONNE or visit their website at arbonne.com

Thank you for reading. Please don't forget to subscribe, it's free and helps support the site!

*This post contains products that were sent for consideration by the company or PR firm. This in no way alters my review. All products are personally tested and I only recommend products in hopes of helping you make good purchasing decisions. All opinions are my own.  I do not get paid to write reviews.  I do not get any commissions or payment if you purchase any of these products.