Thursday, November 15, 2012

IT Cosmetics Vitality Cheek Stain and a Friends & Family Sale

I'm always excited to discover a new-to-me brand - one that knocks me off my feet. IT Cosmetics did that. They contacted me and sent a few products I might want to feature. The timing is perfect. Their Friends & Family sale starts today! Now, through Monday, November 19, you can take 25% off your purchase. I'll be shopping.

I'd like to start showing you my new It favorites with Vitality Cheek Stain (normally $24, but $18 right now). I have to admit I'm a little confused. My powder cheek color is called "Vitality Cheek Flush" on the compact. At QVC, it's called "Vitality Cheek Flush Powder Blush Stain," and at the It Cosmetics Web site, it's called "Vitality Cheek Stain." Perhaps they are all the same. Maybe they are different incarnations of the same basic cheek color - or simply name changes over time. No matter to me; this cheek color is drop-dead gorgeous.

The shade I have is Pretty in Peony, shown directly above. It's a powder blush, cheek stain, antioxidant defender, and hydrating skin conditioner all in one. The cutting-edge micro-milled, long-wear powder stain never clings to fine lines and wrinkles, but it imparts the glow of a stain with a powder. Pretty cool!

Developed with plastic surgeons, this hydrating, brightening, and anti-aging blush gives the perfect naturally pretty flush of color to the cheeks and is surprisingly long-lasting. The innovative formula contains IT Cosmetics' Hydra-Luxe technology, including ingredients such as plum oil, cherry oil, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, seaweed extract, grape seed, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your skin. Plus, Vitality Cheek Flush is packed with antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E, açaí fruit, green tea, and white tea. They packed all those fabulous ingredients into one blush. What did they leave out? Talc, paraben, sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, and phthalates, making Vitality Cheek Stain a blush for everyone. An extra-added benefit is that is is made in the USA and cruelty-free.

This is Pretty in Peony. Isn't the rose shade exquisite? It reminds me of watermelon when applied to my cheeks. I swatched it at the top of my arm with my usual sponge-tipped applicator (I buy them by the thousand), and I used a kabuki brush to apply the large swatch below. Both were heavy applications for the photos.

Pretty in Peony is a great shade for "normal," medium, or dark complexions. I can wear it on my ultra-pale face, but I have to apply it carefully, using a fan or fluffy brush and barely running it over my cheeks. Do I look good in Pretty in Pink? You bet! The color is so luscious, I stop to admire my cheeks each time I pass a mirror. Now I'd like to have the other two shades, Radiant in Rose and Magical in Mauve, even though I'm sure Magical in Mauve was not created for pale faces.

All of you who have a hard time holding onto your blush for an eight-hour day will love Vitality Cheek Stain. It is seriously long-lasting (as are some other It products I've been trying), and it may be the answer to an issue that has vexed you as long as I've been writing this blog - or longer.

I have to admit I've had my head in the sand. Perhaps I'm too much of a luxury brand snob. Look at this page of stories and wonder (along with me) how I had only a passing knowledge of the brand. I'm almost ashamed to admit that my first try of It Cosmetics was in October. Want to know a little more about IT? Check out this About page on the company's Web site. I'm joining this family. Who doesn't like anti-aging makeup with flair?

You can find IT at QVC (where I don't hang out often), Henri Bendel, and Beauty.com, but you really need to take advantage of the sale right now at the company's Web site. In Canada, you can order from The Shopping Chanel, and in Australia, you can order from PM Studio. Look around online and let us know what rocks you. Next up here will be Vitality Lip Flush. It's the cat's meow.

Photo at top courtesy of IT Cosmetics; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

CG: I bought two It Cosmetics items on The Shopping Channel last week. One item, travel brush set, arrived yesterday and the second, the Naturally Pretty Travel Palette, will arrive in two weeks. It is delayed due to Sandy.

I look forward to seeing the palette in person and trying the products. Your review heightens the anticipation.

Suselew said...

I buy from IT Cosmetics because they are indeed cruelty-free, including their brushes. It's disappointing that so many brands are not cruelty-free and that has drastically reduced my beauty purchases, especially since all the Estee Lauder companies are selling in China which requires animal testing. I boycott them all now. Companies like Shiseido and L'Oreal have always tested on animals and that means another big bunch of companies gone for me. Although, I'm not a huge fan of all IT Cosmetics products, I love their blushes, lip stains and brushes. I admire a company like IT Cosmetics (Urban Decay, Too Faced, Tarte, as well) that don't sacrifice animals for beauty. Unfortunately, most luxury brands are not cruelty-free (except for a couple I know about like Jane Iredale).

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Maureen,

Cool! I'm enjoying the products they sent me for review. I hope you like yours.

Charlestongirl said...

You're right, Suselaw, and that bothers me. There is no reason at all to test on animals.

Vanessa said...

This animal testing of any product is barbaric in our "civilized world." For me, it shows a disregard for all life. As Ghandi said, and I paraphrase here, a measure of a country is how they treat their animals.

I am guilty of being a luxury brand snob. Part of it is growing up and never being able or allowed to buy anything luxe. Secondly, years ago, I was always so disappointed with the results of drug store brands. My dry, sensitive skin broke out and then cracked. I also bought into the advertising; I would have Paulina's come hither eyes if I bought EL. My legs would command attention like the Charlie girl.
( Yes, I am 51!)
It wasn't until I sold Avon and mark for Breast Cancer that I started seeing that competition has forced companies to improve their quality and that you have to pick and choose products. Avon and mark do not animal test, by the way.
When I was a ballerina, I used Ponds cucumber cleanser to remove my make-up. I would pat it on in the shower and let the spray rinse it all away. I never had to rub my skin. Last week, I was away and I forgot my just opened cream remover. Well, I wasn't going to buy another new jar. So, I bought Ponds and it worked just as well as the jar that cost 10 times as much. Given cleanser stay on the skin for 60 seconds, I am now going to buy Ponds and spend the savings on...Well, I am sure I will be inspired here.
Charelston Girl, I like that you try different brands and write concise reviews. Some "luxe" brands are all name, advertising and over the top packaging. Oftentimes, standard companies manufacture some of the products that luxe companies sell.
Thank you for a timely review and I am going to spend some of my savings on this new blush.

All the best, Vanessa

lovethescents said...

It IS exquisite, Charlestongirl!

Ellen said...

Hello CG, will you swatch the lip flush tonight or tomorrow? Sale ends Monday, and I'm intrigued. Thanks!

Ellen said...

HI CG, sale ends Monday! Will you post your swatches of the lip flush? I'm intrigued. Thanks.

Charlestongirl said...

You got it, Ellen. Write me if I forget. Early after I get up.