It Cosmetics

What I Wore Wednesday, Vol. 1: Copper With a Splash of Gold and Natural-Looking Skin

February 1st, 2017 by Karen 11 Comments

tarte happy girls shine brighter palette — My Wednesday makeup ensemble

Here’s the makeup I wore today! It was a pretty chill Wednesday overall… I got up, wrote for a bit, took Connor out for a morning walk (yes, our Coywolf is walking now!), worked and went to an appointment to see my therapist (just a regularly scheduled thing I’ve been doing once a month; it’s been very helpful).

And that’s what I did! I didn’t want to wear anything too elaborate or heavy, but I was in the mood for a little spice, which is why the gold glitter liner was up in the mix. 🙂

All about that base: Tarte’s version of MAC Strobe Cream, and a new IT Cosmetics cream foundation

I started with an old fave, Make Up For Ever Face Smoothing Primer (THE BEST!), then patted Tarte Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer ($32), a face moisturizer with pink pearl that looks a lot like a slightly thicker MAC Strobe Cream, all over my skin, because I wanted a little bit of glow to show through my foundation.

Then I buffed new $38 IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Compact Solid Serum Foundation in Tan all over my face (it’s a cream foundation).

The compact says that it’s full coverage, which I think is totally possible because it’s pretty opaque, but I sheered it out because I wanted my skin to look as natural as possible. Plus, I wanted the glow from Brighter Days to show through.

Anyway, it’s very lightweight and so, SO creamy, and my skin, which was feeling extra dry today, likes it a lot.

Happy Girls Shine Brighter

I grabbed this cute new $29 Double Duty Beauty palette from Tarte with the most adorable name ever for my eyes and cheeks. It’s called Happy Girls Shine Brighter.

See? Isn’t that sweet!?

tarte happy girls shine brighter — The Tarte Double Duty Beauty Happy Girls Shine Brighter Palette ($29)

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The It Cosmetics Holiday 2016 Collection

October 25th, 2016 by Karen 12 Comments

it cosmetics holiday 2016 city chic top — The It Cosmetics Holiday 2016 Collection

I’m wearing the It Cosmetics Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Palette this afternoon, and when I opened the palette earlier today, I thought, “Ooh! Look at all the warm tones…”

I got super excited. Then I got even MORE excited when I saw that one of the pans, the warm-looking bronzer, is called Sunshine in a Compact.

Ah… I was all mentally prepared for a warm-toned experience, like the makeup equivalent of a week on Kauai — you know, coconut in one hand, camera in the other, because, seriously, who goes to the beach lugging around a massive camera?

This girl. 🙂

Anywho, when I actually put on the bronzer, I quickly realized that it isn’t as warm as I thought. It’s actually pretty cool-toned and sheer, so I think that lighter lasses who are cool-toned will appreciate it more.

I mean, I know that I talk about wearing cool-toned colors all the time, like the other day, when I was talking about cool-toned red lipsticks and how I like to wear them even though I’m warm-toned. I do like the contrast of a cool-toned lip on warm skin, and sometimes I like wearing cool-toned eyeshadows for the same reason. I think that because of the contrast, my lips look more…structured, and the colors don’t get lost as easily on my skin.

But I feel like some cool-toned blushes and highlighters look jarring on my skin tone, especially on large patches of skin, like my cheeks and upper cheekbones.

Something about it doesn’t look quite right to my eye.

There are some other things in the collection as well, like a couple of ornaments and two cute brush kits.

(Side note: How cool would that be? A Christmas tree covered in makeup ornaments?)

One of the brush sets has elegant rosy gold handles, while the other one’s handles are sparkly silver. All of the brushes in both sets are full size.

If I were a Mariah Carey drag queen, I would totally want the sparkly brushes on my makeup vanité.

Yes, I just said “vanité.”

By the way, the glitter on the handles doesn’t come off, which is nice to know, because if it did that would be a bummer.

City Chic 5-Piece Ultra Luxe Skin-Loving Brush Set + Exclusive Case ($68) — New, limited edition

All That Glitters 5-Piece Brush Set + Exclusive Shimmering Case ($58) — New, limited edition (Ulta exclusive)

Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Palette ($42) — New, permanent

Confidence in a Cream Transforming Moisturizing Super Cream Ornament ($16) — New, limited edition

Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara Ornament ($12) — New, limited edition

it cosmetics holiday 2016 je ne sais quoi complexion perfection — Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Palette

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The It Cosmetics Superhero Palette Has a Smoooooth Superpower

July 21st, 2016 by Karen 21 Comments

The new $42 It Cosmetics Superhero Palette should just put on a cape and soar across the sky already.

Like the next summer superhero movie…it’s coming soon! — to the It Cosmetics website (August) and Ulta (September), and its superhero power is allegedly that it has the ability to help lids look as though they’ve turned back time.

it cosmetics superhero palette 1 — What’s your superhero power?

In addition to the nine incredibly smooth powder eyeshadows in the main row, which are divided among Nudes, Neutrals and Liners, the palette also has three larger Eye Foundation shades, which are good base colors for your entire eyelid.

I think my lids look really smooth with these shadows, and the formula is also supposed to help lids long term, thanks to anti-aging collagen, silk, peptides and antioxidants.

it cosmetics superhero palette k2 — Wearing Pow! all over my lid, Superstar from my lash line into the crease, and Superhero along the lash line

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My Favorite Products for Winding Down After a Long Day

June 7th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 12 Comments

Hi, I’m Nicole, and I’m a workaholic.

I spend most of my days running my raw cat food shop in Oakland called RAWR and most of my nights designing product packaging, photographing shows, or photographing/writing here. I have a deep passion for everything on my plate and hold a high standard for work that goes out into the world with my name on it. While realistic perfection within my work is important to me, running on 3-4 hours of sleep night after night is not sustainable.

So I’ve been making a lot of adjustments.

It starts with my surroundings. I schedule my phone to go on Do Not Disturb everyday from 9pm-7am, and I generally stop working around 10pm, unless I have no other choice. After that, no screen time is allowed unless its media on the tv with the backlight lowered almost all the way. I switched the bulb out of my lamp to a blue one mainly because I thought it would look neat, but it turned out to be much more useful than a cool look.

I like winding down with media on Netflix, but I don’t like sitting in the dark while watching television, unless I’m in a theater. The contrast between the brightness of the TV and the darkness of the room hurts my eyes. Since switching the bulb to blue, I’ve found that being immersed in blue light totally relaxes me, which makes falling asleep happen 40% faster.

Even when I’m relaxing, I’m all about efficiency.

My go-to makeup remover is the Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm from It Cosmetics. I like it because it gets all of my makeup off quickly, even glitter and waterproof mascara. It’s easy to wash off and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, but not oily. I like to follow up with a gentle cleansing milk like this one from Vichy or this one from Bioderma, just to make sure my skin is happy and clean.

My favorite skincare product to reach for ever is the Aromessence Neroli Hydrating Night Balm from Decléor. Scents relax me more than anything, and this balm really makes me stop and unwind. It sends a signal to my brain that’s like “now entering Low Power Mode”. Just like clockwork, my eyes get all droopy, and I smile a sleepy grin.

Decléor Aromessence Neroil Hydrating Night Balm, 0.5oz for $42 — Decléor Aromessence Neroil Hydrating Night Balm, 0.5oz. for $42

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Say “Bye Bye Pores” With It Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakthroughs

May 27th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 16 Comments

Sometimes I just want to be a poreless alien babe… A couple weeks ago I was at a drag show, and a queen named Kylie Minono was passing shots of vodka to the people seated behind me. She apologized for reaching over me and told me that vodka can sink into your pores. “But wait, do you even have any? Girl, what do you use and where can I get it?”

Well, you can get it at Ulta! It’s a $29 pressed translucent powder aptly named Bye Bye Pores (which you’ve probably heard of by now) from It Cosmetics.

_MG_2527_web — See? Exactly. You can’t because there’s nothing there. I’m wearing NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Terre Nueve as my base.

Let’s backtrack for a second.

I don’t have large pores, but they can get clogged pretty easily, so I try to let my skin breathe as much as I can. Luckily, I’m a workaholic who barely has time for breakfast, let alone fierce wings before work. I wish I did, but I also like sleep.

When I have dry patches, healing spots, or just want the smoothest finish possible, I reach for a silicone-based primer. If I’m getting ready during the day, I reach for Murad’s Invisiblur Perfecting Shield. It stands out to me because it’s a primer with SPF 30. Since I can’t step outside without sun protection, it’s a godsend. While I wear it on light makeup days too, I usually wear it all on its own. I like that it offers protection without making me look shiny. I also love products that let you know exactly how much you have left, because running out of a staple without even knowing it was close to empty is not a great way to start the day.

_MG_3164_web — Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 / PA+++ (1oz) $65

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It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body: I Sculpt, You Sculpt, We Can All Sculpt With It Cosmetics

May 20th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 24 Comments

Sometimes the best beauty days are the ones where you don’t really try at all. Today I wanted to play with the new It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body ($40), but I didn’t want to spend more than 30 seconds on each eye. I also decided to channel my inner Pebbles Flintstone. Days like these are made for bold lips. It’s called deflecting!

Anyway, while It Cosmetics has created quite a lovely palette, I find the brand’s marketing description kind of off putting. The mention of plastic surgery and fillers sets the wrong tone for me and makes me feel like the goal with contouring should be to actually change your features instead of enhance them. Of course, there are times when the goal is to change facial features, but I think for your average cosmetic consumer (not makeup artist), that’s not what it’s about.

From It Cosmetics:

“Developed with plastic surgeons, the leading experts in contouring and aesthetics, each powder shade is formulated with proprietary Perfect Lighting™ Technology to mimic real facial contouring and provide a foolproof alternative to fillers. While the four contour shades absorb light and minimize the areas to which you apply them, the two highlighters enhance features you want to pull forward, creating the appearance of more volume. Talc-free, and perfect for all skin types and skin tones, these shades are infused with anti-aging collagen, silk and peptides to blend effortlessly and deliver smooth, natural-looking coverage that lasts all day.”

I just don’t want to be made to think that there’s something wrong with my face. I have to look at this mug every day! Makeup is heaps of fun and makes me happy, but I really try to only wear it to express myself, not cover up my insecurities. Also, I’m pretty sure that Perfect Lighting™ Technology is, like, matte vs. shimmer powders.

_MG_3176_web — It Cosmetics Universal Contouring Palette for Face and Body ($40)

Apart from my philosophical grievances with this palette, the formula is soft, pigmented, and soo easy to blend. I’ve been using it with this Contour & Highlighting Brush ($34.50 and also from It Cosmetics), and it does pretty much all the work for me. There is some dust that kicks up when loading up your brush, and the packaging is silver cardboard. It gets messy; I got contour powder in the highlighter pans more than once.

_MG_3122_web — Top: Soft Contour, Light Contour, Matte Highlight Bottom: Medium Contour, Deep Contour, Radiance Highlight

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It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette: Mastering the Matte Eye With It Cosmetics

May 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 5 Comments

If you find matte eyeshadows to be a tricky thing, you are not alone. The blending is more crucial, and the texture is less forgiving. And it really separates the pros from the amateurs. But despite any level of makeup skill, a solid matte eyeshadow formula can do wonders.

I’ve been using a new palette by It Cosmetics called the Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette ($28), and it has an easy, soft formula that may agree with you.

itcosmetics-4 — A pretty pink palette. The top of the outer packaging has a pillowed cushion feel.

itcosmetics-5 — It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

itcosmetics-face — Wearing the collection along with Too Faced Le Matte Lipstick in Hey Gurrl with a clear gloss on top

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My Foundation Routine (A Collaboration With Adia)

April 18th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 3 Comments

My go to: Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Makeup in Linen ($24 for 1 oz.)

Hey, everyone! Today I’m collaborating with the lovely Adia to show you how I wear my foundation (she’ll be sharing her post later tonight), and also try out a new brush I haven’t gotten a chance to work with yet, the Heavenly Luxe Complexion Master, No. 16, from It Cosmetics ($58).

Now, I don’t often wear foundation (I typically go for a lighter coverage BB cream), but when I do want heavier coverage, these are the products I like to use.

First, I start with a moisturized and primed face, and for primer, I go for e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer. It’s a good dupe for Smashbox in my opinion, although the formula seems to have changed recently, because the smell isn’t quite as pleasant as it once was…

Heavenly Luxe Complexion Master No. 16 brush ($58)

This brush has a lot of plusses, but on my first run through with it doing my normal routine, I noticed that I was really dry and cakey.

Then I remembered something Adia recommends sometimes, which is to wet the brush. So, while doing my look for this post, I made sure to spray some rosewater on the brush before buffing it into my makeup.

I could have used setting spray, but the scent and the whole effect of using rosewater are just so much more appealing to me.

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