Review: A·TRUE Real Black Tea True Active CC Cushion

(Sponsored)
Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about the A·TRUE Real Black Tea True Active CC Cushion in 01 Light Beige. This product was kindly sponsored by Cosmetic Love!

I was super excited to review this product because I absolutely love cushion compacts, even though the only brand I've ever tried is the Etude House Any Cushion which I adore. It's currently the only foundation/BB Cream I've ever finished up completely (and I plan to clean it and fill it with another foundation now!).

This CC Cushion comes in an elegant cream and peach cardboard box with an absolutely massive pamphlet of information inside!

The CC Cushion is housed in an elegant burgundy/brown compact in the usual cushion compact style. The inside is a cute baby pink colour, even though the colour theme seems to be burgundy/brown and peach rather than pink.

The cushion itself is replaceable, so if you use up all of this cushion you can purchase a refill instead of an entirely new compact!

If you're new to cushion compacts here is a quick overview of what they are and do! Cushion compacts are compacts that have a cushion soaked in a liquid foundation/BB Cream/CC Cream and always includes a makeup sponge for application. Think of it like a portable powder compact, but liquid!

This Cushion comes with a cute white and peach sponge for application, and unfortunately, I absolutely hate it. It feels stiff and rubbery, and makes little gross rubber noises on my face. Ick. However, it does work quite well, I just prefer the soft spongey applicators from my Etude House one more.

"About Black Tea Fermentation
A·TRUE Black Tea fermentation is accomplished through our diligent work and a series of carefully crafted methods. The carefully selected tea leaves are fermented twice, enabling their natural ingredients to be delivered to the skin revitalizing it with the tea's essential nutrients, keeping it healthy.
First fermentation with nature,
 
Plucking: We select the finest tea leaves harvested within the Castleton Tea Gardens which boast of fertile soil, moderate wind, and lots of sunshine. The climate is suitable and the temperatures are excellent, enabling the tea to grow as well as it can.
Withering: The newly chosen leaves are then heated by the hot winds for up to 40 minutes, reducing the moisture content.
Rolling: The purpose of rolling is to achieve a final curved appearance as well as to break the leaf's cell walls. This is essential to release key oils which start the chemical reaction of fermentation.
Fermentation: Oxidization occurs around temperatures of 25~30℃ and humidity levels of 95% for 30~100 minutes.

Second fermentation with scientific precision
Through the core skills and precise fermentation processes of A·TRUE, the Black tea comes to life containing even more nutrients which are active constituents for healthier skin. The tea leaves are reproduced enabling very effective nutritional transfer to the skin.

Blending
By selecting the finest tea leaves only, F.T.G.F.O.P (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe) is harvested within Castleton Tea Garden, placed in Darjeeling, India, at altitudes of 1,500m. This unique environment is home to the F.T.G.F.O.P variety of teas. Such rare selections were once so valued they would be compared to gold. Today, they are harvested for the enjoyment of our customers. We present the precious value of the top grade black tea which holds the first golden buds of spring.

Benefits
[Radiant + Firming + Hydrating + Tone + Brightening + Boosting]
This revolutionary formula benefits from a foundation which holds six multi-functions that help revitalize and illuminate the skin tone maintaining overall skin brightness and transparency. Micro particles of mineral powder completely fill the uneven skin tone. Its color controlling effects help find the individual natural beauty to show a clear and gorgeous look.

A·TRUE tries to minimize harsh chemical ingredients. Formulated without Paraben, Ethanol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone, Triethanolamine, Talc, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum and SLS
 
Ingredients
*Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment(3,840mg), Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Octocrylene, Zinc Oxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Stearic Acid,1,2-Hexanediol,Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides (CI 77499),Saccharide Isomerate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Adenosine, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Maltodextrin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

* Compagnie Coloniale® Black Tea Fermentation

How to Use
Apply by pressing the puffy texture into a moistened sponge and gently pat it onto your face. For touch ups, re-apply as desired." (1)

Colour

I have the colour 01 Light Beige and I'm rather excited to tell you that it is actually quite light! Hallelujah! It leans more towards cool/neutral in tone, and if you're a lover of the Missha BB Creams in no.13 (Perfect Cover Review, Signature Complete Review) then you will like the colour of this CC Cream because it is very similar! It doesn't oxidize darker on my skin either which is just great.

Texture and Coverage

The CC Cream has a thin texture which works well with the cushion packaging. Since this is a CC Cream, I expected very sheer coverage, and was pleasantly surprised with a moderate but buildable formula! This CC Cream won't 100% mask redness and acne scarring, but used in conjunction with a good concealer will be able to do a lovely job. Obviously since I have a few breakouts at the moment no product will disguise bumps, but it does even out my skintone nicely.

Oil Control and Lasting Power

This was the most surprising aspect of this Cushion, the Oil Control and Lasting Power. Since I do have oily skin I had a wee bit of oil peek out after 6 hours, but instead of looking shiny and oily, I get this cute little glow like I have dewy skin and I love it! This works best with a setting powder as I found that if I didn't set the CC Cream, the product is was easily wiped off. The only places this CC Cream smudged off during the day was my chin because I had some itchy acne and can't stop myself itching. Gross.

This CC Cushion is exactly the same size and structure as my Etude House Any Cushion (which is super dirty because I use it regularly).

What I Love

- Easy and quick to apply
- Portable packaging for easy touchups
- I don't need to blot or touch up during the day (YUSS)
- Passable colour for my skin (on par with Missha Signature Cover no.13)
- Skin doesn't look like a gross disco ball after 6 hours

What I Don't Love

- Sponge makes rubbery sounds/feels like rubber

- Ever so slightly too cool toned for my skin

- On the pricier side at $41.80USD

Final Thought

I absolutely love this CC Cushion apart from that little rubber sponge! It's easy to use, a great colour for pale princesses and lasts beautifully on my skin. It is a little pricey, but don't let that put you off this beautiful product, (plus when they're empty you can refill with another cushion or your own product if you're sneaky!).

You can purchase the A·TRUE Real Black Tea True Active CC Cushion here!

Thank you so much to Cosmetic Love for sponsoring this product! ^.^