I had been doing really well on a no-buy period, but when I saw about a million reviews from other bloggers who had been sent IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Compact, my resolve weakened and then finally crumbled. I had to try it for myself. Ulta had a coupon in February, so that put me over the edge.
IT Cosmetics CC+ Creme has been my primary go-to foundation for a few years. I’ve also tried IT powder foundation that is good for a powder foundation but not something I use very often with my dry skin. It tried the IT Cushion that I found too sheer, and the shade I chose was too dark. There was something about Confidence In A Compact that intrigued me – it was the solid serum in a compact. I thought it might have a similar consistency to a stick foundation, and I wanted to find out.
In addition, Confidence In A Compact is actually a hybrid: skincare meets foundation makeup. IT Cosmetics says “it has all of the skincare benefits of…Confidence In A Cream”. It contains great anti-aging skincare ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, squalane, antioxidants, and ceramics. IT goes on to say: “a proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate™ that is activated upon contact to immerse your skin in moisture, restore visible radiance, reduce the look of pores, discoloration, lines and wrinkles, and improve the look of firmness.” As if that didn’t sound good enough, it has SPF 50. That alone would have been enough to get my attention.
So I stood in front of the IT display for a good twenty minutes, going back and forth between the shades Fair and Light. Unfortunately, that is my major problem with IT Cosmetics foundations. I am in between Fair and Light. I sampled it on my neck, on my chest, on the inside of my arm, and I’m admitting it, I put some on my cheek. I looked at the shades under different lighting conditions: the fluorescent store lights, the natural light outside. Light was definitely too dark for me for now (winter/spring), but Fair is slightly too light and a bit yellow. But Fair is closer to my skin tone than Light. I almost walked away, but I decided to buy Fair.
It comes with a spongey puff like their cushion does. I tried using the puff with the cushion foundation when I owned that, and it was a real mess. Also there was no way to adequately clean the puff. So I passed on using the puff with this new compact. Instead I use an angled kabuki brush or a blending sponge. I like both methods and sometimes I use them in tandem: I bounce it on with the blending sponge and then I use the angled kabuki to apply a second layer to get more coverage or just to conceal my dark spots. One issue that I noticed over the time I’ve owned it is that I think I’ll finish up this foundation faster than other types. There’s a nice dip in the pan already.
I’ve owned Confidence In A Compact for a little more than a month. I do not use it every day, so I can’t comment on any longer-term skin benefits. But I can say:
- it is definitely hydrating
- it doesn’t emphasize my lines and wrinkles, and most of the time I don’t bother with a primer when I wear it
- it looks dewy
- it feels velvety on my skin
- it provides medium coverage with one application and it is buildable to full coverage.
My assessment of IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Compact is that I like it! I would use it more often if the shade match was better for me. I think it’s most appropriate for those with normal to dry skin or mature skin. I think it would be too heavy for those with oily skin and maybe even for those with combination skin. It’s fine for my sensitive skin. It is “comforting” to wear it. But I think it could be too heavy to wear on a hot humid day, which is too bad because it has that wonderful SPF 50.
Confidence In A Compact comes in 7 shades from Fair to Deep. Net Wt. 0.63 oz./18 g, $38 Widely available on IT Cosmetics website, Ulta Beauty, Sephora and department stores
Have you tried Confidence In A Compact? What did you think?
Ingredients: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: TITANIUM DIOXIDE 9.0% ZINC OXIDE 6.3% INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: DIMETHICONE, AQUA/WATER/EAU, SNAIL SECRETION FILTRATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CANDELILLA CERA/EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA, OZOKERITE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, ARBUTIN, CERESIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, SORBITAN OLIVATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, HEXYL LAURATE, STEARIC ACID, SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, GLYCERIN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SQUALANE, ADENOSINE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CURCUMA LONGA (TURMERIC) ROOT EXTRACT, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT, POLYSORBATE 20, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, CERAMIDE NP, MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (TEA TREE) LEAF OIL, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, CHOLESTEROL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, CERAMIDE AP, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, CARBOMER, XANTHAN GUM, BETA-SITOSTEROL, GLYCERYL LINOLEATE, CHOLETH-24, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, CETETH-24, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, GLYCERYL LINOLENATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, NIACINAMIDE, GLYCERYL ARACHIDONATE, PANTHENOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, SODIUM LACTATE, LECITHIN, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, UBIQUINONE, VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL, PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL, COLLOIDAL OATMEAL, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER WATER, PERFLUOROHEXANE, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, PALMITOYL HEXAPEPTIDE-12, POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE, OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA EXTRACT, CORNUS OFFICINALIS FRUIT EXTRACT, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER WATER, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, MAGNOLIA KOBUS BARK EXTRACT, LACTOBACILLUS/HONEYSUCKLE FLOWER/LICORICE ROOT/MORUS ALBA ROOT/PUERARIA LOBATA ROOT/SCHIZANDRA CHINENSIS FRUIT/SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT/SOPHORA JAPONICA FLOWER EXTRACT FERMENT FILTRATE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SPROUT EXTRACT, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF EXTRACT, PENTAFLUOROPROPANE, BIOTIN, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER EXTRACT, STEARETH-20, CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM FLOWER EXTRACT, PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-1, HYDROLYZED SILK, CERAMIDE EOP, PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-7, MORUS ALBA FRUIT EXTRACT, PUERARIA LOBATA ROOT EXTRACT, CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK EXTRACT, ARTEMISIA PRINCEPS LEAF EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, DIOSPYROS KAKI LEAF EXTRACT, POTASSIUM SORBATE, N-HYDROXYSUCCINIMIDE, PALMITOYL PENTAPEPTIDE-4, COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, CAPRYLHYDROXAMIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID, NIACIN, TOCOPHEROL, PANTOTHENIC ACID, THIAMINE HCL, CHRYSIN, CARNITINE HCL, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, CYCLOMETHICONE, CITRIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, PERFLUORODECALIN, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) PEEL OIL, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS LEAF OIL, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL, CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (LIME) OIL, PINUS SYLVESTRIS LEAF OIL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) PEEL OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, CITRUS AURANTIUM BERGAMIA (BERGAMOT) FRUIT OIL, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/ MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, ALCOHOL, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE, [+/-: IRON OXIDES (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499)].”
So glad to see your review on this, as I’ve been intrigued since the product came out! I also use It CC Creme and love the coverage, but I’m between shades too, and I usually mix it with another foundation to get the right color for me 🙁 I’m not sure I could do that with this product, but it’s worth checking the shades out at the store. As my skin gets drier, I’m loving these hydrating foundations!
It’s worth taking a look, Kim. I’m guessing you might be closer to Fair too. You’re right that the solid foundations aren’t mixable, boo hoo. My other faves are Make Up For Ever Cover Stick Foundation, and in a liquid, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. I agree. I seek out all the hydrating foundations!
I swear I am the last person in the beauty world who hasn’t bought a cushion foundation. Well, I tried one a long time ago but never reached for it and never got back into it. This sounds really lovely and I love that it has SPF50!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Introducing The New SIGMA Highlight Expert Set
LOL, Shireen, this isn’t a cushion foundation! It’s a solid serum foundation – basically a stick foundation in compact form. Definitely worth a look!
It looks like a cushion foundation though! Damn, I could have sworn I read cushion foundation. LOL!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Introducing The New SIGMA Highlight Expert Set
Yes, you did! I mentioned all the different foundations I’ve used from IT and cushion was in the list. This solid serum foundation, Confidence In A Compact, is sooooooo much better than the cushion foundation that’s messy and lighter coverage IMO xoxo
Thank you so much for this review, Allison. I think that I might have a little trouble with the color match as well, but more importantly I think that it might not be the best formula for my normal/combination skin.
Lola Seicento recently posted…Empties Post Volume LIII: March 2017
I think you’re right, Helen, you might find the formula a bit too heavy especially in the warm climate you live in
My problem with this foundation is that it doesn’t last long enough on me. I like it when I’m just going out for a few hours but if I have a full day ahead of me then I’ll use the CC+ cream instead.
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That’s so surprising and it must be annoying to watch it disappear. Fortunately, it stays put on me.
Agree with you about the cushion. I haven’t used mine much because of the minimal coverage. This one sounds great! I wish they would expand their shade range, though. I’m between Medium and Tan and there isn’t such a shade; buying both and mixing them doesn’t make sense to me.
CosmetopiaDigest recently posted…TheBalm Appetit Eyeshadow Palette Review, Swatches, EOTDs
Yeah, you can’t really mix this solid foundation very easily. Since it’s a foundation, they need more than 7 shades IMHO
I LOVE this compact. It is super great coverage and I like the consistency.
Laura Gallaway recently posted…My Favorite Brushes from Real Techniques
I’m glad to hear it especially since, if I remember correctly, you don’t have dry skin
Hmm, Light may be an okay match for me. I’ll test it this week when I’m n Ulta.
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It’s definitely worth a look. Although 7 shades is OK, I wish there were more in-betweens since it’s a foundation and a really good one
Oh Allison, I woke up yesterday and saw you reviewed the Confidence in a compact and was so excited(I’ve been waiting since you mentioned it).I read it and just as I was finishing up life intruded,my day got crazy and I forgot to come back and comment,lol. I’m so glad to hear you like it and now I will wait for a sale and give it a go.I’m really hoping QVC will feature it with a brush as a TSV on easy pay(it could happen,lol).I have been keeping my eyes open for sales on it and now that you aw well as so many others endorse it I will be getting this as my next foundation and I can’t wait.I’m sure I’ll love it, I adore all of my IT cosmetics.Thanks for reviewing it,helps me make my decision. 🙂 xo
Oh heavens, no worries Laura! I hope everything is OK. I definitely think you’re smart to see if it shows up on QVC! The thing that I wanted to get across is that the color match can be a challenge so if you decide to take the plunge at some point, make sure you go into a store first and swatch it. I like this foundation as well as a couple of others from IT but I wish there was an option between Fair and Light. With the CC+ Cream, I can mix the two shades (tho I hate to have to buy both shades), but with this solid foundation I can’t do that.
Have a good weekend!
I love this color, it looks so natural!
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I agree! I wish there was a shade that was a better match for me, but I guess this is close enough
Too bad the IT website doesn’t offer many discounts,they actually have a light-medium shade that I think would be interesting to try.I am generally a light with it although in the summer I can go medium(with the CC cream).So there are times when light is too light and medium too dark.Fair is almost always too light for me but I can get away with it in a pinch.I always get excited about IT foundations,they’re CC cream and celebration foundation are my go to’s and I love them.I wish I could say the same for their skincare but it doesn’t seem to work well for me.
IT Cosmetics does have a friends and family discount that’s either 20 or 25% off from time to time. I believe there’s one in September and I think there’s one at another time. But it would be awesome if there was a TSV in April featuring Confidence In A Compact. I guess we’ll see. I find that she shades vary according to the IT foundation product, I can wear Light in some but in others like this one, it is way too dark. That’s why I think you need to swatch it! I haven’t tried any of their skincare products, but I’d like to get a sample of Confidence In A Cream. Sorry they don’t work for you!
I have Always wanted to try IT Cosmetics and PUR Cosmetics!
Norah, they are both fabulous cruelty-free brands. I adore them both. IT Cosmetics often has TSV on HSN and/or QVC that are terrific values, and they have occasional sales. PUR has occasional good sales as well. In fact, in the sidebar of my homepage on my blog, there’s a text link for a discount. Are there any particular products that have gotten your eye?