It Cosmetics CC+ Creme with SPF 50

Dang it, I really didn't want to like this deluxe sample of the It Cosmetics CC+ Creme as much as I did. I've already got new jars/tubes of my favorite two foundations (Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream), and just really do not need anything else. But this is niiiice.

So nice that I even cut it open to scrap out the last bits, which I only do when I really like something. Marketed as a full coverage color correcting cream with SPF 50 that can increase skin's hydration, smooth texture, and enhance brightness, it is chock full of beneficial skincare ingredients such as peptides, niacin, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants to help deliver on it's claims. The CC+ Creme seems to be striving for the standard set by Korean CC creams, which are supposed to not only provide coverage and sunscreen with some added skincare benefits, but also color correct (hence the CC) by reducing skin redness or sallowness.

Shade medium in outside light

The are five available shades and the medium worked well for my fair skin, but this is supposed to adjust to fit your skin tone. Considering my paleness and the mid-range shade is working for me....well, let's just say I doubt there is much here for those with dark skin tones, but maybe these adjust better then I'm giving them credit for.

Fully blended

I'd say the coverage is medium as opposed to full, but the finish is very natural looking. I did set it with powder but I do that will all foundations due to having oily skin. Wear time was a good 8-9 hours before I started noticing breakdown, and I had no problems with the CC+ creme causing breakouts or other irritation, so the formula seems to agree with me.

But ya'll, the price is a bit steep at $38. Yes, it's got skin enhancing ingredients and a high SPF plus you get 1.08 ounces, so there is that. I'm going to put this on a wish list for later in the year, maybe during the Sephora 20% off sale in November. By then I will have made a dent in some of my foundations and if this is still lingering in my mind, then I'll let myself pull the trigger.

Covergirl + Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup in Medium

Disclaimer:  I received this for review from BzzAgent.  All opinions are my own.

Covergirl + Olay Facelift Effect Firming Makeup is supposed to provide flawless coverage with the powerful hydrating effects of a night cream.  Featuring the "exclusive Olay FaceFirm technology", this foundation is infused with a concentrated vitamin complex that hydrates, plumps, and lifts.  Not only that, but after two weeks of continued use, skin firmness is supposed to be improved.

Available in only 4 shades, Fair, Light, Light/Medium, Medium, I've got Medium to show you.  It leans slightly peach in tone, and was actually a pretty good match for my complexion.  I'm surprised at the lack of darker shades, which does seem rather limiting.

Housed in a heavy plastic jar, the foundation has a whipped cream type of consistency that feels dense but light.  Not sure the jar packaging is conducive to maintaining the integrity of the skincare ingredients, although you can minimize possible bacterial contamination by not sticking your fingers in it, regardless of what the instructions say (to apply with your finger to cheeks and then use your fingers or a sponge to blend towards the hairline).  I used my usual foundation brush after transferring a dab via a clean utensil to a makeup tray, which worked fine.  I did notice some initial settling into larger pores, but using a firmer brush on those areas smoothed things out nicely for a medium coverage effect.

Billed as a hydrating foundation, my initial concern is that this would be too dewy for my oily skin.  Indeed, while the initial finish was a nice semi-matte, I had to blot my skin before even completing my morning makeup routine. Not a good sign.  After blotting and setting with a powder, I got about 7 hours of wear before I noticed fading.  Not quite as long as some of my other foundations better suited for oily skin, but given the weather was still hot and humid on my first wear, my hope was the onset of cooler weather would bring better results.   After all, I needed to wear this for 2 weeks solid to see if there really is a firming effect :-

 

So, it's been two weeks, what are my final impressions?  I can't really tell a difference as far as firmness is concerned, but I can say my overall impression is positive.  I like the initial semi-matte finish, although I do have to set it with powder if I want to minimize shine and extend wear.  The finish is natural looking and does not feel heavy, nor did it cause any issues with my break-out prone skin.

I do think it's on the pricey side for a drug store foundation at $18, although I do see that Walmart has it for $14.  While I do appreciate makeup that has skincare enhancing ingredients and am willing to pay more if it's effective, I'm not sure how stable the formula is given the jar packaging limitations of exposure to air and potential contaminates.  The real test for me is if this will stay in my foundation rotation, however, and I do believe it will, so that's a plus!

Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques Creme Foundation: Review and Swatches

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

For some reason, I've been really into trying new foundations recently.  I can remember the days when I had one foundation that I used every day, and now I've got a growing rotation.  Enter Lauren Brooke Creme Foundation, which has earned a spot!

I received three different shades in September's Eco Emi box, which tips you off that this is a natural ingredient based foundation.  With the exception of mineral powders, I really haven't found any cream or liquid foundations that fell into the natural category, until now.  So count me excited :-)

Available in 16 different shades, Cool No. 30 was a pretty good match for my skin, although in looking at their foundation color chart I'm thinking the Neutral No. 30 may be a better choice.  I've been using the Neutral No. 00 as an under eye concealer, and Warm No. 50 as a contour shade.  The consistency of this foundation is on the thicker side, and I use a q-tip to dab the foundation on a mixing tray and then apply with my foundation brush.  I noticed one of the tips on the Lauren Brooke site was to place a few dabs on your face and allow your skin to heat it up prior to blending.

Source:  Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques

Coverage is on the light to medium side but it is buildable, and what I especially like about this foundation is how smooth the finish is.  My pores are not emphasized at all - in fact they seem to be a bit minimized.  The finish is somewhat dewy, which I originally though would rule this out for me, considering my oily skin.  However, using the Mattify! Ultra as my primer and setting powder has solved that problem.  I doubt this foundation would be a good option for me in the hot, humid Mobile summer, but for winter?  I think my skin will be thanking me.

Check out these good for your skin ingredients: Triglycerides, Zinc Oxide, Organic Beeswax, Organic Jojoba, Silica, Radish Root, Organic Argan, Organic Rosehip, Neem, Clay, Organic Green Tea, Organic Passionflower, Organic Raspberry, Natural Vitamin E (+/-, Iron Oxides, Mica, Org Essential Oil Blend).

• Beeswax: Hydrating ingredient that increases the skin's essential moisture.
• Argan Oil: Rich in Fatty Acids. Protects skin against pollution & sun exposure.
• Silica: Creates a soft, finished look reducing appearance of large pores, fine lines & wrinkles.
• Phytolipid Complex: Jojoba, Rosehip, Neem & Vitamin E Oil. Moisturizing, nourishing & regenerative.
• Green Tea: Antioxidant. Phenol & Vitamin C rich.
• Zinc Oxide: Anti-inflammatory, emollient. Reduces and supports the healing of epidermal irritation, protects against UVA rays, soothes the skin.

The full sized version (24 gms) comes in a screw top glass jar, similar to Revlon's Colorstay Whipped Creme foundation.  These two foundations actually remind me of each other, with the distinction being that Lauren Brooke is a bit thicker and may be a better option for dryer complexions.  Lauren Brooke's is also twice as expensive as Revlon's Colorstay Whipped at $27 vs. $13.  So there is that to consider as well.  However, if a natural ingredient foundation appeals to you, I think this is a fantastic contender!  I will be purchasing a full size jar in the near future.