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The infamous IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream aka the IT CC cream : A cult makeup product that has featured in many a’ beauty pages in glossy magazines, adorned beauty editor’s dressing tables, slathered on by makeup artist’s everywhere and raved about on beauty blogs for years.
It has a big reputation to live up to ; I was a little late to the game, having only tried it for the first time just last year, but I’m bring you my full thoughts and review on ALL 3 formulas of the IT CC+ cream. I’m going to try and give you an really in-depth review and hopefully a little help if you are stuck at which one to go for. They aren’t cheap, and definitely a premium product coming in at £32 for 32ml.
O V E R V I E W
IT Cosmetics CC+ Illumination (SPF50)
Colour-correcting, anti-ageing, hydrating, illuminating, SPF protection in one. Infused with hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins
Contains micronised light-reflecting pigments to give you instant radiance. This is the first one that I opted to try. I LOVE, LOVE a dewy glow on my skin and knew this was going to be my fit. Instantly got on with this formula and it was as good as expected. I used it pretty much anytime I want my skin to look it’s best and it’s one of my go-to bases which you will know if you follow me…..anywhere!
IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream Original (SPF50)
Anti-ageing, hydrating, colour correcting, full coverage cream with SPF. Infused with hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins.
I was always told that this was the best. This is the OG and the one that *everyone* and their mother fell in love with. I was already sold on the illuminating formula (plus….pink packaging) so wasn’t sure I would love this as much but actually, I think it’s on a par. I was worried it wouldn’t give me enough radiance, but it truly has that perfect balance of coverage and glow. I can see why it’s their best-seller.
It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte (SPF40)
Pore-refining, colour correcting, full coverage, anti-ageing with SPF. This has the biggest difference in formula than the other two ; aside from being oil-free and having a lower SPF, It’s also infused with charcoal to detoxify, colloidal clay and tea tree extract, plus hydrolysed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and vitamins.
This has the biggest difference in terms of feel, formula and ingredients, the other two are kind of similar aside from the light reflection in the illuminating. This formula is definitely more mattifying, it has a higher coverage, it is very cooling in feel when you apply it and it’s a lot more perfecting and smoothing than the others. Just check out the below pictures of them all on to see for yourself!
However, although the finish seems a lot more flawless, this formula is my least favourite. I like my skin to show through a bit more and to have a lighter feel and coverage. I can feel this one on my skin more and it feels a little too heavy for my preference. This would be really for holidays, humid conditions or if you are used to full coverage.
C O V E R A G E + F I N I S H
The finish and coverage of the IT CC cream is pretty flawless. I would say and always have done that it’s definitely in the foundation territory. I always pocket CC creams, BB creams in with tinted moisturisers but these seem to have more coverage than that.
I feel like they graduate slightly in the coverage with illuminating being the ‘lightest’ (still covers like a light foundation for me) and the oil-free being slightly heavier in coverage. you’ll find as well the textures will get slightly thicker as oil is removed so the illuminating is the most ‘ fluid’ in texture (although still very much a cream) and the oil-free has that thicker texture.
I noticed a definite difference with the oil-free/matte VS the other two in terms of smoothness on the skin. It is more pore-refining and I think a noticeable difference in how the texture of my skin looked when it’s on.
A P P L I C A T I O N
I always like fingertips and a foundation brush to finish and perfect with lighter foundations/ CC creams. However, apply it how TF you like. Fingertips, brush, sponge ; you know what works for you. With the oil-free I definitely found the use of a brush a lot easier as it has that thicker texture and needs pressing and finishing into the skin more to make it look flawless.
It’s an easy pump applicator so no dipping or pipetting. I find with all three, that one full pump is all I need for the finish I like : I like my base as light as possible so if you like it really ‘on’ then go for 1.5- 2 pumps. I don’t wear primer with these as I haven’t needed it.
W E A R
This will be SO very dependant on the individual ; how the products will wear. FOR ME, and I am oily-combination, I find the illuminating one absolutely great for an all day wear with a little tough up of powder half way through. I know some people with combination skin who find this too shiny and doesn’t stay on that well so it’s really something you need to try out.
If you have problems with foundation staying on your skin in general / like it to look flawless all day, always opt for the original (dry skin) or the oil-free (combination-oily skins).
S W A T C H E S
The shade selection is *ok* for a CC cream, HOWEVER, like I’ve said before, this product for me is definitely in foundation territory. Yes you can blend it down and sheer it up to suit, but not *that* much. All formulas have 12 shades.
In all 3 formulas, I have the same shade which is ‘Medium’. This is bang on for me in the illuminating which is the first one I ever tried, so I got the same in the others. I found the original formula to be very good but the oil-free, which I thought would be a little darker, is actually a little more yellow in tone. That being said, whichever match you are in one, I would say stick with it for the others, they are pretty good across the 3. In the Laura Mercier tinted moisturisers, I am totally different shade in the oil-free than I am in the normal formula!
M Y F A V O U R I T E
I’m very much loving both the illuminating and the original formula. To be honest the illuminating was the first one I tried and I was very set on it as I loved it so much and didn’t think I would be that into either of the other two but actually the original is really lovely on my skin also. It’s a toss up between the two and I still find with the original formula, you still get that much-needed instant bit of a glow on your skin.
W H I C H O N E I S F O R Y O U?
Like I have said I would hate to pigeon hole and say if you have ‘XY’ skin opt for this one as it simply doesn’t work like that ; think about the finish you like, the coverage you like, personal preference and also if you usually have problems with foundations staying on.
If in doubt : go with the original ; it 100% ticks all the boxes. If radiance and a light texture is your most important requirement, or you are very dry ; go illuminating. If you know you are super oily-open-pored-need that extra coverage then go oil-free.
If you don’t know and none of the below makes any sense = Original.
Phew, that took a long time. I hope you found it helpful and if you’ve been toying with the idea of buying this cream, and it gives you the information you needed whether it’s right for you or which one is more-suited to your needs. I think it 100% lives up to the hype and is worth the £32 splurge!
Would love to know your thoughts on the IT CC cream!
*press samples
*I use affiliate links. For further information please see my disclaimer.
