Hype Hound: Is The It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Worth Its Rave Reviews?

As someone who's no stranger to wearing a full face of makeup even on the most casual occasions and scenarios, I can attest to the saying that the secret to a good makeup look is a great base. No matter how hard you blend that eyeshadow or work on those brows to make sure they're on fleek, everything goes down the drain when your foundation looks dry, cakey and patchy. So on my quest to finding a trusty face base that can handle the highs and lows of my day without crumbling, I turned to a beauty vlogger favourite: the It Cosmetics CC+ Oil Free Matte Pore Minimising Full Coverage Cream. 

The name's a mouthful, for sure, but it's quite justifiable considering its many claims. It is said to have SPF 40, brightening, colour correcting, hydrating, pore minimising and concealing properties — results that every makeup wearer wishes for when it comes to their base. But with all of its promises, does it really live up to the hype? 

Packaging, texture, and scent

Let's start with the basics. It has 1.08 fluid ounces of product, which is a standard for most bases and comes in a travel-friendly tube packaging complete with a pump. It also includes most of its claims and usage instructions in its packaging so no objections in this area. I've always liked tubes more than bottles because it's easier to squeeze products out of them especially when they're on the brink of being used up.

I'm using the It Cosmetics CC+ Oil Free Matte Pore Minimising Full Coverage Cream in the shade Medium Tan

Moving on to the product's texture, it has a very thick consistency that is almost mousse-like, which is common among full coverage bases. It doesn't have a distinct smell, so if you're sensitive about scents, this will definitely be a plus.

Application, buildability, and longtime wear

Depending on the product, I usually apply my base using either a brush or a sponge. But for this one, its thickness makes it a bit hard to stipple and blend with a brush so I find that tapping it on with a sponge provides a better finish. After testing this out for a couple of months already, I can say that this can work as a full coverage base if you have little to no scarring because it easily covers hyperpigmentation and redness. But if you're like me, who has some dark spots and unevenness to cover up, this delivers medium to medium-high coverage only. Upon application, it proves to be buildable and not cakey, even giving a nice skin-like glow to it even if it claims to be matte. I've worn this on a shoot and my skin really looked smooth and filtered on both the monitor and the photos. 

Left: Product has a thick, mousse-like consistency; Right: Product was blended with a damp beauty sponge and gives an almost airbrushed, filtered finish

However, it's not exactly as much of a dream as I hoped it would be. I find that after hours of wear, it doesn't really melt into the skin but rather stay on top of it like a mask, which is kind of disappointing. It also settles into my skin's lines and dry patches, which doesn't look pretty especially under the eyes and around the chin. Setting it or adding powder products on top of it doesn't help its case either. I tried several methods to remedy this, like mixing it in with moisturiser or putting on a hydrating primer but I still get the same results. 

After a couple of hours, the product is still very much visible on the skin and has settled into the lines, emphasising texture

Our Sub-Editor Jorj shares the same sentiment. "At first it seemed too good to be true," she says. "It had great coverage that really evened out my skin tone and covered spots (even the most stubborn ones). The finish was matte but not flat; it actually still is.

We've all wondered how makeup YouTubers must look like in person when they look flawless on video. This CC cream makes me believe that there are base products that are only good for photography. After several hours, it wears off in such a way that I resort to just wiping it all off because it doesn't seem to be salvageable by a touch-up. If I were to stay in an air-conditioned room all day long and I have it on, I think it would fare really well. In hot and humid Philippine weather outside, not so much."

Overall thoughts

After months using the It Cosmetics CC+ Cream, I'd say it's a product that really has its highs and lows. On photoshoots or videos, your skin would look flawless and filtered with this as your base, but it may not look as smooth and faultless in real life. I can't say for sure if the skincare properties it claimed to have helped me at all, but as someone who has sensitive skin, it didn't cause me to have allergies or breakouts so that's a good sign. Still, for SGD65/~USD38 and all the things it claimed to be, I was left feeling so-so for this product. At the end of the day, my money's on other foundations that delivered better results. While I might reach for this occasionally, I don't see this as a product that would have a mainstay spot on my daily makeup routine. 

Next, here's what we have to say about the K-beauty favourite Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.