Oxygenate your face: It Cosmetics It-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen foundation

packaging When I have lazy days I still always try to apply foundation so my face appears flawless.  I have a few different go-to favourites, but I always like trying new products as well.

I recently heard about IT Cosmetic’s new liquid foundation, It-02 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen foundation and had to try it.  The foundation is marketed as a “facial in a bottle” and is formulated to deliver oxygen to the skin and is clinically proven to increase skin hydration by 71 per cent after just 10 minutes of wear.  Infused with anti-aging technology and ingredients, including peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, niacin, hyaluronic acid, grapeseed oil, vitamins A, C, & E, and special IT Cosmetics Drops of Light reflecting pigments to optically blur away the appearance of imperfections.  The foundation also contains light-diffusing properties that evens skin tone for flawless airbrushed skin without settling into lines and winkles, providing sheer to buildable full coverage which leaves your skin with a dewy glow.  It also has anti-aging benefits.

sponge

Alright, enough PR talk, does it actually work?  IT Cosmetics is no stranger to this blog, I have tried a number of their products and have loved most of them.  When I saw that this foundation is meant to be applied with their own version of the Beauty Blender, the Hydra Sponge, I was uber excited to try it out (you can actually purchase the duo together on QVC).

bottle pump top

Fair on top, Light on bottom.

Fair on top, Light on bottom.

blended foundation

Fair on top, Light on bottom

I received the colours Light and Fair (there are five shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Rich) and tried the Fair colour first, as I thought it would be perfect for my winter skin (aka ghostly pale).   I wanted an extra bit of colour so I ended up layering Light over top.

I started off with a foundation primer, then with two pumps of the foundation, I dotted it all over my face.  With the wet Hydra Sponge (make sure this is wet so it doesn’t absorb the product), I blotted and stippled the colour all over my face until it was well blended.

No foundation.

No foundation.

 

Fair foundation applied.

Fair foundation applied.

Light foundation layered over Fair.

Light foundation layered over Fair.

Alright, so first impressions on the foundation was that I didn’t like it.  It didn’t really provide me with the coverage I’m used to and the Fair just seemed to wash me out.  When I layered the Light over top and actually waited until the colour set, I seemed to enjoy the product more.  As for the Hydra Sponge, I think it’s at least twice the size of the Beauty Blender and it’s not as soft and bouncy.  The Beauty Blender seems to be made with a light-weight sponge, whereas the IT Cosmetics one seems to be a bit heavier, thicker, and much larger.  Truthfully, I would skip the Hydra Sponge and just pick up the original Beauty Blender and use that if you wanted to apply it with a sponge.

Hydra Sponge dry

Hydra Sponge dry

 

Hydra Sponge wet.  Notice the size difference; it expands when it's wet.

Hydra Sponge wet. Notice the size difference; it expands when it’s wet.

Overall, I thought this foundation is alright.  It’s more of a medium coverage, rather than full, which is what I prefer.  I also found that it doesn’t last all day. I would apply it at 8 a.m. and then when I would get home I found that some of it was gone.

It does have anti-aging properties in it (like most of the products from IT Cosmetics), so I would say that it would probably be better for more mature skin (my mom tried it and she liked it).  It is supposed to provide hydration, however, my face is pretty hydrated to begin with, so I didn’t really notice much of a difference.

Would I recommend this foundation?  It depends.  I like to layer Make Up For Ever Pro Finish powder over top to provide me with that extra bit of coverage (I don’t have bad skin, I just like a flawless face).  If you like medium-coverage foundation, then yes, I would try this out.  Also, if you have older, more mature skin, I think this would be right for you.  There are foundation I enjoy more, but this one is alright and I have been using it constantly.  I do want to say that if your skin is the same shade as mine (NC 15 in MAC), then I would go with the Light colour, not fair.

With makeup applied.

With makeup applied.  I used IT Cosmetics Brow Power on my brows, Brow Power Lift underneath and on top of my brows. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Bronzer to contour, IT Cosmetics No Tug eyeliner in navy along my waterline.  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye concealer under my eyes, and their Hello Light Powder Illuminizer as my highlight.  I used a Lancome quad for my eyeshadow, Hypnose Star mascara, and Art Liner eyeliner.

As for the Hydra Sponge, I have continued to use it most days when I apply this, but if it was between this and the Beauty Blender, I would go with the latter.  If you got the sponge as a set, try it out, you may like it, especially if you have never used the Beauty Blender, so you may not have anything to compare it to.  It does give you a better application than with a brush.

The IT Cosmetics It-02 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen foundation can be found in Canada at The Shopping Channel for C$38, or on QVC for $39.56 USD (this includes the Hydra Sponge).

Have you tried IT Cosmetics It-02 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen foundation?  If so, what were your thoughts?

Please note, I was sent these products for review purposes.  All opinions are my own.

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Obsession of the moment: Lancome kohl liner in 501 Jade Crush

underneath

I have never been a huge Lancome fan.

I’m not sure what it is about the brand, but when it comes to buying new products, Lancome doesn’t really come to mind.  Don’t get me wrong, I love everything from them I have tried, whether it’s their fabulous mascara, or eye makeup remover, but they aren’t usually a counter I frequent too often (maybe because I associate them more with skincare, or because I have this notion that they are for more mature women; I don’t know).

I was browsing the Internet a couple weeks back and taking a look at the upcoming spring 2013 collections from different brands, and there it was.  Love at first sight, the Lancome Kohl Liner in 501 Jade Crush.

tip of pencil

You may have seen the promo images for the In Love collection with Emma Watson, and in it she is sporting this gorgeous aqua blue eyeliner.  Now I probably wouldn’t have even thought twice about the liner, however, Jessica from Beautezine swatched the product and I thought it was the most beautiful aqua blue liner I have ever seen.  I had to have it.

I knew the collection was coming out in February so I frequented the Lancome counters at Sears, The Bay, and Shopper’s Drug Mart like a stalker a few times in the end of January.  I ended up finding the collection at a Beauty Boutique in a Shopper’s at my local mall.  They had the collection, but the department stores didn’t.  I like buying my cosmetics from Sears, so I swatched the product at Shopper’s, fell in love, and then put my name on a list at Sears for when they got it in.

pencil

It was the next week when I got to pick up my beloved eyeliner and since Sears was having a gift with purchase event happening I also picked up their Art Liner in black (I needed a new liquid eyeliner anyways and I’ve always wanted to try that one).

501 Jade Crush is like any other liner I have ever used.  Aside from the gorgeous colour, the consistency of this product is so impressive.  It literally just glides on your skin and then sets shortly, providing you with hours and hours of wear.  The colour is also as vibrant at the end of the day as it was when I first applied it.  This liner also comes in a navy blue and a brown, but the stand out is definitely this one.

liner2

Rocking aqua blue liner may be a bit premature right now because it’s still winter, however, when spring and summer rolls around this will be the colour to sport.  And, since it’s waterproof, you can wear this to the beach, the pool, tanning, you name it.  I have been wearing it layered over black eyeliner (my new fave- Art Liner), so it’s bit more wearable to rock.  When the weather gets warmer, I will definitely be sporting this along my lower lash line.

If you can find it, I would pick this product up.  I’m obsessed, and now I know why they named this collection “In Love”. Bravo, Lancome, I’m sorry I had my doubts in the past, but now you won’t be seeing the last of me.

Have you tried Lancome’s Kohl Liner in 501 Jade Crush?  What are your thoughts?
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Smooth and natural: eos Everyday Hand Lotions

hand lotions copy One of the perks (or nightmares) of living in Canada is the fact that we get all four seasons.  Usually I’m all for winter wonderland, but with the extreme cold we have been getting in Central Canada recently (-42 degrees Celsius with the windchill – yup, you read that right), my skin has been taking a beating.

Moisturized skin is a must for this time of the year.  I have had a number of those cute little eos lip balms and love every one that I’ve tried (my fave is the mint one, I find it also gives you nice breath), however, I have never ventured into the Everyday Hand Lotions that they also sell.

The eos Everyday Hand Lotions are packaged in a chic little ergonomic sphere that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.  You can throw it in your pocket, purse, or anywhere else handy because of the small, smooth, and thin bottle.  It actually reminds me of a giant stone.  I believe that the lotion comes in three scents, the everyday scent (not sure what this smells like, but it comes in a blue bottle), the cucumber scent (in a green bottle), and the berry blossom (in a pink bottle).

hand with lotion

Now what is so special about these?  Well, aside from the fact that they provide moisture to chapped or dry hands (not to mention the irresistible packaging), they are 97 per cent natural and paraben-free, meaning that they won’t interfere with your hormones.  Parabens are preservatives designed to make products last longer; however, when absorbed through the skin (as they often are) are bad for you.

The eos hand lotions are enriched with nourishing shea butter, aloe, and oat extract.  They are also hypoallergenic and gluten-free.

open lotion

I’ve been keeping the berry blossom scented one (which is new to Canada as of January 2013) in my work bag and found that it’s a quick fix to dry hands.  Because of the extreme cold happening right now where I live, my hands and cuticles have been dry, cracking, and sore, so therefore I love the portability of this product; I can take it everywhere.

As for the scent, I prefer the berry blossom one more than cucumber (which smells like honey dew, of which I am not a fan), however, that is more personal preference.  I have noticed that, although they do smell delightful, they aren’t overpowering like the Bath and Body Works body lotions. The scent is very subtle.

I have been enjoying these lotions and although I don’t think they would help your hands in the long run, they are a quick fix (just like the eos lip balms).  Plus, the ergonomic design of the packaging is just so cute, so I love carrying this around everywhere I go.

The eos hand lotions retails for C$3.99 (a steal!) and are available at Rexall, Loblaw’s, John Coutu, London Drug, and Indigo.

Have you tried the eos hand lotions?  What are your thoughts?

Please note I was sent these products for review purchases, however, all opinions are my own.

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