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Since IT Cosmetics was bought by L'Oreal, they've been busy bees marketing their products and selling exclusive items on QVC and at Sephora. Regardless of the retail outlet, IT Cosmetics definitely has a shrewd way of mixing cleverness with some exceptional formularies. Bye Bye Pores Primer falls into the clever exceptional formulary category, but it's just not as glorious as they make it sound.
The notion that this was formulated with some unnamed plastic surgeons sounds impressive, but given plastic surgeons aren't cosmetic chemists, skincare experts, or makeup artists, it's more marketing story than something to base your decision on. Surgeons know surgery, not the intricacies of skincare formulations.
In use, this colorless primer isn't as pore erasing as you might be hoping for, though it does have a decent temporary minimizing effect.
The claims of Moroccan lava clay and Canadian clay having special benefits is certainly over the top. Your skin just can't tell the origin of a clay when you put it on skin; all have an absorbent effect, which can help diminish the look of pores for a while. Clays add a spackle-like, mattifying property to primers but that's about it. Not bad, just not exciting.
Mostly what you're getting is a range of silicone smoothing ingredients along with a bevy of very good anti-aging ingredients and the aforementioned clays. In fact this formula, like most IT Cosmetics skincare products, takes the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach to formularies. But because this is mostly a silky, absorbent primer, there isn't as much of the anti-aging ingredients as you might be expecting. Still, for a primer this one does stand above many others and is recommended for combination, oily, and breakout-prone skin.
Note that the amount of alcohol in this primer is too low to pose a risk of aggravating skin.
- Excellent oil-absorbing properties.
- Does a decent temporary job of blurring pores.
- Contains an impressive array of anti-aging ingredients.
- Fragrance free.
- Claims are over the top.
- The clay ingredients are more anti-hydrating than hydrating.
Strengths: Excellent color products, standout foundation and concealer options, impressive highlighters.
Weaknesses: Can be on the pricey side; has a few makeup products with exaggerated anti-aging claims.
IT Cosmetics (the IT stands for Innovative Technology) is the creation of Jamie Kern Lima, a former Miss USA pageant contestant and TV news anchor. Lima founded IT Cosmetics in 2008, selling her products in boutique stores and on QVC, then expanding into Canada in 2009. Since then, the line has gotten a lot of exposure with featured reports and stories on network television, including prominent mentions on the ABC reality show Dancing With the Stars.
The labels on most IT Cosmetics products reveal a variety of age-defying claims centered around ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, vitamins, and collagen. Those are indeed great additions to any cosmetic product, but unfortunately, the combination of compact or jar packaging among the formulas that include those helpful ingredients isnt a good thing.
Air exposure compromises ingredients like antioxidants and peptides, rendering them useless. While that doesnt affect the quality of the makeup, it is worth noting if you were hoping for an anti-aging edge from IT Cosmetics antioxidant-boosted blush or powders.
Of course, IT Cosmetics does have products that are absolutely worth checking out. The line boasts an excellent range of color products, highlighters, foundations and many more worth consideration. As with any line that has a mix of standouts and caveats, shopping using our reviews to guide you is a great way to ensure youll at least get your moneys worth, and your skin will be the better for it.
For more information on IT Cosmetics, visit www.itcosmetics.com.
About the Experts
The Beautypedia team consists of skin care and makeup experts personally trained by the original Cosmetics Cop and best-selling beauty author, Paula Begoun. We’re fascinated by skin care and makeup products and thrilled when they meet or exceed our expectations, but we’re also disappointed when they fail to perform as claimed, are wildly overpriced, or contain ingredients scientific research has proven can hurt skin.
Our mission has always been to help you find the best products for your skin, no matter your budget or preferences. Beautypedia’s thorough and insightful reviews cut through the hype and provide reliable recommendations for all ages, skin types, and skin tones.
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