IT Cosmetics is a cosmetic brand developed with plastic surgeons - sounds promising. The co-founder and CEO, Jamie, is looking for solutions to 'real' problems. Honestly, I like this girl - if you see her before and after pics, she has serious redness (I can relate). She's putting herself out there, showing off her skin issues and giving us a solution.

This brand was purchased by L'Oréal - The major makeup empire boost has proven to be successful. It Cosmetics is getting great reviews and many of IT Cosmetics products are on Sephora's 'best sellers' list. I had to give this stuff a try..

I call this my 'anti-redness warpaint'. If you have Rosacea or hyper pigmentation, this stuff is going to change your life. I desperately needed a solution to my rosy cheeks and forehead. Although I use medicated creams, my angry skin flares up on the daily. I suppose I could stop eating spicy food and drinking wine - NAH!

In comes Bye Bye Redness by IT Cosmetics.. It's kind of a foundation, primer and cream in one. Bye Bye Redness is thick, has a silky texture and gives you super full-coverage. This product is smooth, goes on like a primer (similar to Colorscience primers), and has a tinge of green (to combat redness). Apply to your cheeks, nose and forehead, and blend outwards. A little goes a long way. The embarrassing redness is gone. GONE! Without a doubt, this is the product find of 2017!

I love Bye Bye Redness, so I thought I'd try a few more products from the IT Cosmetics lineup..

The Confidence in a Cream (the pale yellow pot) is a 'transforming moisturizer in a cream'. The texture is nice, just thick enough and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. It does however take time to absorb (not ideal when applying makeup). I liked the feeling of my skin after applying this cream, but the scent is a bit of a turnoff. I'm sorry Jamie, but this stuff smells like hotel cream. If scent is not an issue for you, I'd say this cream is great for colder seasons. It's super moisturizing.

I didn't like the Bye Bye Under Eye eye cream (the blue pot). It made my under eyes feel super tight and people said I looked tired. Whether or not this eye cream tightens, brightens and depuffs - I'm not sure, cause I only used it for a week. I guess my go-to Neo Cutis eye cream still reigns supreme.

I received a trail-size Super Hero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara (I'm not one to cheat), but thought I'd give it a go. This mascara is great, lengthens your lashes, glides on nicely and no clumping. The oversized, tapered brush makes application easy and coats your lashes evenly. Albeit, my go-to Buxom mascara remains my favorite. It's gonna take a true 'super mascara' to turn me. I intend to try more of the products from It Cosmetics. I'll let ya know my thought..

Size and shape of a mascara brush, and density and flexibility of the bristles are important when choosing a mascara. The formula is relevant, but they're all similar and the brush is what really defines a great mascara. Depending on your needs, eye shape and lash length, the right wand is necessary. 

Buxom Lash mascara is my favorite. The hourglass-shaped brush has long, closely packed plastic bristles that evenly coat your lashes without clumping. Want length and drama? You will love Buxom Lash. For a more natural look, start at the lash line and work your way up (or down), applying layers until you've reached your desired thickness. This will create a curled lash with more definition at the lash line. I focus on my outer lash line and apply less as I move towards the inner corner of my eye. For thick, dramatic lashes, apply one or two coats on the ends first and then apply to the lash line. Love to layer coats of mascara - this is the brush for you. 

The larger your mascara brush, the more difficult it is to reach the outer lash line and coat your bottom lashes. The micro wand is perfect for coating 'every' lash. Before applying my volumizing Buxom Lash mascara, I apply Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara by Bobbi Brown at the outer corner of my eyes. Heavier mascara at the lash line and outer corner creates drama and intensifies your look. 

Want thicker, plumped lashes? Try a large, dense brush. Oversized wands pick up a lot of product and thus allow you to apply more product with every sweep. Wiggle the brush at the roots, so the fibre bristles can wrap around your lashes for 360° coating. This method will seriously plump your lashes and create major volume.

Tapered wands are a two-in-one brush shape. The densely packed fibre bristles and thick base will plump your lashes. The skinny tip allows for more precision and coating those hard to reach lashes.

The curved brush is shaped similar to your lash line and allows for even coverage. This brush is great for curling your lashes. 

A Spiral brush or curved bristles grab onto your lashes, coating every little hair evenly. You can create serious volume with the style wand.

I had never seen a Round brush until Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes mascara. I love this mascara and the brush is excellent for precise application. You can focus on each section individually, rather than the 'all-over sweep' you get with tradition brushes. The round brush is also great for coating the outer corner giving you a more dramatic look.

Dramatically change your look AND simplify your beauty routine with Benefit Gimme Brow volumizing fiber gel, Buxom Lash Mascara and Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme. The 'easy' fresh-faced, summer look is my favorite and I'm a self-proclaimed pro at this 'no makeup, makeup' look. Gimme Brow, Buxom mascara and Extreme lip plumper are my 'I can't live without' makeup products for this simple look. 

If you follow my blog, you know I'm no stranger to lip injections! Unfortunately, filler diminishes and you can only inject so much in a period of time. When your accustom to full lips and awaiting your next visit to the dermatologist, Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme will give you the ultimate pouty lip. The non-sticky gloss will give you an 'extreme' tingly feeling (love that) and your lips will appear much fuller within minutes. I have tried too many lip plumpers to mention and Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme still reigns supreme. 

Of course, when a new 'revolutionary' mascara hits the beauty scene, I'm the first to buy it, but I always go back to Buxom Lash Mascara. This mascara goes on light and builds nicely, without clumping. There's never too much product on the brush and the little bristles do a great job separating your lashes evenly. The brush is big, so getting into the corner can be an issue - Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long Wear Mascara is perfect for the outer corner. I know artists say to let the first coat dry and the aptly the next, but I disagree. Continuously applying Buxom Lash mascara will create longer, voluminous lashes with no mess.

Benefit Gimme Brow volumizing fiber gel is a fairly new product in my makeup routine. Despite its newbie status, this little tube takes priority. I can do without mascara, but not brow gel. Gimme Brow has a thick, creamy texture that allows you to layer the product and build up your eyebrow hairs. Tip: let the first coat dry before applying the next. The short wand and little tapered brush (it's all about the brush) allow for precise application. Using little pressure and short strokes you can transform your brows in little time. The product does claim to adhere to skin allowing you to create artificial hairs. I prefer to keep it natural and avoid 'overdoing' my brows. Penciled-in brows look great in pics, but not so nice up close. Benefit Gimme brow gel is a 'MUST-HAVE'.

I'm packing for Santorini, Greece (YAY!) and thought I'd share with you my summer vacation essential cosmetics list and vacation beauty advise. Rule #1 - keep your makeup natural and your routine simple.

Opt for a natural glow with Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder and Bobbi Brown Blush and Highlighter Cheek Palette - shades of coral brighten your face and accentuate your bronzed skin. Buxom Mascara in black will make your lashes thicker, longer and give you a naturally enhanced look. I'm a lipstick girl, so it's no surprise I have four lip products in my cosmetic bag - Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme for the ultimate pouty lip, YSL Tint-in-Oil lip gloss to nourish my lips, Dior Addict Lip Glow in coral for the perfect summer shade and Bite Beauty BB for lips to hydrate, prime and protect my lips from sun damage.

Where there are tropical temperatures there is usually humidity which = frizzy, unmanageable hair! Don't fuss over a perfect hairstyle and opt for wavy 'I'm on vacation and I don't care' hair. Bumble and Bumble Prêt-à-Powder is a light dry shampoo with a fresh scent (oh and gives great volume when applied to roots). For texture and light hold in your waves use Bumble and Bumble Dryspun Finish.

Protecting your body from sun damage is of the utmost importance. I use Tizo3 sunscreen on my face (day and night, cause it's a great tinted primer), Skin Ceuticals Epidermal Repair for much needed moisturizing after the sun - this cream is used to repair skin after facial procedures and works great on sunburns. After a long day in the sun, the fresh scent of Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (reminds me of blueberries) will leave your skin feeling rejuvenated - this cleanser removes makeup and oil while gently exfoliating your skin. Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash is effective and refreshing.

I have tried more mascara's than I can remember or count and finally I found a lengthening and volumizing mascara in one. Buxom Lash Mascara is my absolute favorite mascara. This mascara thickens your lashes, defines and separates them to perfection. No-clumping and keeps your lashes looking fabulous all day and night.

Buxom Lash Mascara is available in a mini 0.2 oz or a full size 0.37 oz. The mini is great for your purse and travel cosmetic bag. It is available in one color, Blackest Black.

Buxom Lash Mascara is a must have!

As far as lip plumping goes, Buxom plumping lip glosses are superior. I'm a big fan of lip plumping gloss; I like the tingling feeling! Buxom comes in a huge variety of shades, tingling or non-tingle, and smells delicious.

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream is available in 10 matte, creamy shades. 

Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss is also available in 10 shades. This sheer gloss has plumping effects, minus the tingling.  

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish is sheer and available in 100 shades. The Full-On Lip Polish has plumping effects and when applied leaves a tingling feeling in your lips. This is my go-to plumping lip gloss. My favorite shades are Debbie - a coral/pink and Tonya - a bright pink. You can purchase all Buxom glosses at Sephora for $19 each. You can also purchase a mini gloss set with a variety of colors. This is a great way to sample the shades for a fraction of the cost.