As a skincare enthusiast, I’m always trying new products in search of the best of the best. In recent years, clean skincare and makeup has gained immense popularity thanks to an increased awareness of the potential toxicity hiding inside many conventional products. Ilia Beauty, a high-end clean beauty brand, has been on my radar for quite some time, and this provided me with the perfect opportunity for an Ilia Beauty review. For the past year I’ve tried out a few of their products while testing different solutions for my no makeup, makeup looks.
With promises of all-natural ingredients, thoughtfully sourced packaging, and effectively nourishing formulations, I’ve been curious to see if more of their cosmetics stand up to their reputation. So, in this non-sponsored, unbiased review, I will break down what sets this luxury line of beauty products apart from its competitors, share my top 3 products that stood out, and which products didn’t necessarily work for me.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full disclaimer here.
Contents
What is Ilia Beauty?
Ilia Beauty is more than just a name on a pretty package; it’s a testament to the vision of one woman, Sasha Plavsic. Sasha, a branding expert with a love for design and a passion for organic living, founded Ilia Beauty in 2011. She was inspired by her mother’s health-conscious lifestyle and her own quest for a lip balm made with safe, natural ingredients. Sasha’s journey led her to create a brand that marries pure elements with the latest cosmetic technology.
Ilia Beauty is all about transparency, sustainability, and inclusivity. They’re continually working on reducing plastic in their packaging, showing their commitment to the environment. The brand’s mission is to challenge the conventions of clean beauty and make it the norm, not the exception. They believe in skin that looks like skin and radiance that comes naturally. Their products are filled with active levels of skincare ingredients that shield skin from environmental stressors, all while giving you a natural, radiant glow. With a range of products that cater to diverse skin tones and types, Ilia Beauty is committed to inclusivity in the beauty industry.
Ilia Beauty has come a long way since its inception. From Sasha’s kitchen table to being acquired by the Courtin-Clarins family in 2022, the brand has grown while staying true to its core values. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good about what you’re putting on your skin.
What Makes Ilia Beauty A Clean Brand
When we talk about clean beauty, we’re referring to products that are mindfully created and produced without any proven or suspected toxic ingredients. Clean beauty brands, like Ilia, commit to health and safety over long-lasting shelf life or unnaturally bright colors. They believe in the power of nature and strive to harness it in their products without causing harm to our bodies or the environment.
Ilia Beauty takes clean beauty a step further by infusing their products with skincare benefits. They use a combination of natural, organic ingredients and safe synthetics to create their formulas. For instance, their lipsticks aren’t just about providing color; they’re packed with a blend of hydrating oils like jojoba and castor to nourish your lips.
Ilia’s commitment to clean beauty doesn’t stop at ingredients. They’re also dedicated to transparency. They believe you have the right to know what’s in your products and why it’s there. Every ingredient used in their products is listed on their packaging, and they’re always available to answer any questions about their formulations.
In a nutshell, Ilia Beauty’s clean beauty standards are about more than just creating safe, effective products. They’re about promoting a healthier lifestyle, a more sustainable world, and a beauty industry that values transparency and inclusivity.
Ilia Beauty Review – Is It Worth It?
If you are trying to go for an inexpensive, clean beauty product, Ilia probably shouldn’t sit at the top of your budget must-have list. But, I think they have some standouts that are definitely worth trying. Here are a few pros and cons before I jump into my top 3:
Pros:
- Great for sensitive skin.
- Wonderful clean alternative to luxury brands who are just jumping on the “clean” bandwagon, but may be your everyday favorites.
- Their dedication to sustainability is not something to sleep on. Their partnership with Pact Collective to break down hard to recycle packaged items responsibly showcases their brand values and commitment to clean from start to finish.
- They offer an exchange or refund on gently used items within 60 days of purchase.
- Their website is intuitive, easy to navigate, and offers a wealth of more options for shades than you will find in Sephora (what’s that about?). Plus there is a “find my shade” shade finder tool for their skin tint and foundation.
- You can set up recurring shipments for your faves that range from monthly shipments to every 5 months.
- They are Leaping Bunny Certified, which means they don’t test their products on animals.
- They have vegan and certified gluten free makeup options.
Cons:
- If you are looking for a heavy pigment, you may be disappointed. Their makeup tends not to be as pigmented as other brands, especially if you are going for a bolder look.
- They do have a couple of questionable ingredients like phenoxyethanol and artificial dyes in their products if you are looking for products that have zero traces of these types of synthetic ingredients.
My Favorite Ilia Beauty Products
I shot a no makeup, makeup look video on Balanced Beauty Lover’s YouTube showing these products in action. Though I have used their Multi-stick and Eye-Tint for a while, I was pleasantly surprised by a few other products that have made it into rotation. Check it out below:
Ilia Beauty Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy this super serum skin tint with SPF until I wore it at night and again during the day. In the summer, I prefer wearing tint rather than foundation because it’s lighter and doesn’t feel like it sits on top of my skin. This serum did that, plus more. Shortly before testing, I had been having an eczema flare-up on my neck, which extended to extremely dry and flaky skin on my face. The light coverage, oil-based serum absorbed into my skin and acted as a dual moisturizer that lasted throughout the day. With squalane, shea butter, niacinamide, aloe leaf juice powder, and hyaluronic acid, it’s unsurprising that it left my skin soft throughout the day and into the evening. The SPF 40 sun protection is an added benefit. If you have dry skin, this one is the one to try. Water-based foundations/serums are usually better for those with oily skin.
Because it’s sheer, so don’t expect a large amount of coverage. The point of it is to enhance and even out the skin slightly, so if you are someone with some imperfections, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation, the coverage may be disappointing.
Quick Tip:
The shades can throw you off slightly. The initial expectation when you first put it on is not the same as the result. Oxidation causes it to blend more into the undertones of your skin. Though Ilia has a shade tool on their website, I would recommend trying it in-store first, especially for my Black and Brown girls. You may want to check out a few shades first just to be sure you are getting what you envision.
Ilia Beauty Multi-Stick
This is a go-to for me. It applies easily, it’s buildable, it’s my personal favorite no makeup look favorite. For my skin tone, I wear both Lady Bird and Dreamer. I’ve mostly used it on my cheeks on top of a tint or just to help my cheeks look a little flushed on clean prepped skin. It’s enriched with castor seed oil, cacao seed butter (the fat often used in chocolate), beeswax, and shea butter. Another winner if you have dry and sensitive skin because of its hydrating qualities and is certified Gluten-free.
Quick Tip:
The shades are in variations of pinks, rose, red, and have a lighter pigment. You are not going to get a big color with these, and it’s possible to go overboard if you are looking for more color than less. Also make sure to compare shades if you are trying it on in store. One shade can seem like it may be darker when you see the stick vs seeing it on your skin compared to another stick shade.
Ilia Beauty DayLite Highlighting Powder
As much as I wanted to include Ilia’s Liquid Powder Matte Eye Tint in my top 3, after trying the highlighting powder, it squeaked past my year long obsession with the eye tint. I have been looking for a light bronzer to include in my day and night looks, and this buttery powder finally checked that box. It has this soft application that has just enough pigment to satisfy an enhanced natural look. It also had some staying power, going from day to night without feeling like I had lost my entire face after a full day of being out and about. Free of talc, fragrance, and gluten, this cruelty-free and vegan bronzer integrated well into my dry skin and includes jojoba seed oil for a lovely hydration boost. If you are going for more of a matte look with your bronzer, Ilia Beauty’s NightLite Bronzing Powder provides the same buttery appeal without a metallic shimmer.
Quick Tip:
This also works great if you are applying it to your lids. Its texture sticks to the lids well and offers a wonderful brightening effect to your eyes.
Final Thoughts
Are Ilia Beauty products worth it? I would say yes, they are worth the splurge if you want to add more clean beauty products to your makeup kit. There are a few I’m on the fence about, like Ilia’s True Skin Serum Concealer and Blue Light Mist (you can see why in my no makeup, makeup look video), but overall they are a daily addition to my makeup routine, and easy for me to drop into my purse when I’m on the go.
As a clean beauty brand, they live up to their brand mission. The marketing helps, but I appreciate that they are living clean beauty daily with continuous sustainability, cruelty-free, and allergy-focused initiatives to improve their products. In some ways, all the hype is worth it if the hype is authentic. But that’s capitalism, baby!
