Wondering if you should try ILIA Beauty? Sharing my honest review here, including my very faves as well as a few products that miss for me.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: ILIA Beauty
If you’ve spent any time exploring clean beauty, chances are you’ve come across ILIA Beauty. The brand was founded by Sasha Plavsic, whose search for cleaner, high-performing alternatives to conventional makeup inspired her to create a line that bridges the gap between skincare and cosmetics (fun fact: her mom was the one to challenge her to create a nontoxic version of her favorite lip balm, and thus the journey began!).
Since launching in 2011, the brand has earned a loyal following by creating makeup that not only delivers beautiful results but also incorporates skincare-focused ingredients. With a philosophy centered on thoughtful formulations, transparency, and effortless beauty, ILIA has become known for products that enhance your natural complexion instead of covering it up. And if you know me, you know that’s exactly my kind of makeup.
Needless to say, ILIA was one of the first clean brands I purchased when I converted my stash to clean (I can remember the launch of their mascara, truly the first nontoxic mascara that could hold its own against conventional options IMHO). And while the brand doesn’t dominate my stash, I’ve always had a few of their lip products in rotation for many years now. They’ve very recently re-impressed me with with one of their cult favorites that I never tried because I figured I wouldn’t like it (more on that below!), as well as a couple of their brand-new items! I’ll share my current favorites below, as well as a few products that just didn’t work for me.
Here’s why I’ll always try an ILIA Beauty product
ILIA’s philosophy on ingredients perfectly aligns with my own approach to life—finding the happy medium: “…not every natural ingredient is good for the skin, nor is every synthetic bad.” They create products choosing ingredients with sensitive skin in mind (and if this is your first time here, my skin is super sensitive), so I never feel I’m taking a big risk when I’m trying one of their products for the first time.
ILIA takes a thoughtful approach to formulating its products, choosing ingredients based on safety and effectiveness rather than whether they’re natural or synthetic. The brand believes that the best formulas often rely on a combination of both to deliver real results without compromising skin health. I also appreciate ILIA’s commitment to transparency — they disclose every ingredient in their formulas, are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified and they avoid using fragrance in most products since it can be irritating for many skin types (and if they do use it they disclose it…no hidden fragrance). It’s a practical, science-backed approach that feels refreshingly honest in a space where ingredient marketing can sometimes be misleading (ye olde greenwashing).
Where you can find ILIA Beauty products
ILIA is carried at several online and brick-and-mortar stores (including Sephora, Ulta and Credo), but there are a lot of benefits to ordering from their own website:
- If you do the email signup you’ll receive 15% off your first order
- Or get $20 off your first order by clicking here (they’ll provide you with your own discount code, good for purchases over $75)
- They ALWAYS have promotions going on that you can find here — from free items with purchase, to additional discounts
- Students and teachers get 15% off EVERY MONTH!
- ILIA has a terrific rewards program, make sure and sign up to receive all the perks!
- ILIA also offers a Subscribe & Save option that gets you 10% off + free US shipping
- US orders over $50 ship free
And no matter where you get your ILIA products from, they participate in a recycling program…you can print out a free mailing label and ship up to 10 empties at a time!
Ok enough of the blah blah that you can read on any other beauty blog…let’s get into the fun stuff…the products!
My current top picks from ILIA Beauty:
Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon
$27
Since ILIA lippies have long been in my stash, let’s kick it all off with pretty much their entire lip line!
Not gonna lie, this is one I didn’t try until recently…I felt like my liner stash was pretty full, and frankly I get lazy and most times do some sort of one-and-done lippie product. But this is not your average liner. One, it’s truly hydrating — this is not going to dry you out — especially important when you have an aging lip area (or just happen to have dry lips)! And two, it’s easily used as an all-over lippie (BIG plus for me) — it gives a gorgeous soft-matte finish without feeling (or looking) like your lips have been to the desert. So good! And while the product isn’t new to the line, the shade Untitled IS…and it’s gorgeous! It’s that perfect Adele mauvey-nude lip shade that I’m always trying to replicate. A new Ilia go-to in my bag!!
Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm
$29
This has spent several years as my #1 pick for a clean tinted lip balm! As mentioned above I love a one-and-done lippie, and a great tinted lip balm is the sweet spot IMHO — you get the moisture of a balm, a bit of shine but not too much, AND some color but again not too much. Kind of that bouche mordue (just-bitten lips) look? But so many tinted lip balms I’ve tried are not usually very…tinted. Then Ilia’s Balmy Tint walked into the room! It feels like a creamy, buttery lippie that shows as a sheer lipstick. Color is definitely buildable though! And the vanilla scent is DIVINE. I love the shade Memoir which is a warm mauve, and Faded for that 90’s-style brown lip…too good. This is the only tinted balm I’ve bought multiple times.
Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss
$26
Are we seeing a pattern here? ILIA knows that with lips, it’s all about hydration.
This little gem is brand-new to the line. Thanks to Ilia I was given the opportunity to try this, and I can hardly wait to try other shades…it’s AWESOME. Moisture factor lasts for ages and it just feels SO good on the lips — it’s kind of difficult to describe the texture, but it’s somehow cushiony and glossy without being sticky. I don’t know what sort of innovative magic they put into this, but it truly makes your lips feel like you’ve used a lip treatment, but it just so happens to have exceptional color in it too?! Crystalline is a lovely every day neutral, but also fab as a topper over a liner. I can hardly wait to get ahold of Clay…love me a brown lippie!
Color Block Lipstick
$29
So while this one doesn’t have ‘Hydrating’ in the name, it’s in the first sentence of the product description! And it is that — a creamy, hydrating liptick that isn’t drying, but stays put. What makes this extremely awesome is that it also hits my one-and-done sweet spot, as I don’t need a liner to keep it from feathering. Of course I love the iconic and ever-loved Amberlight shade…such a great ‘dark’ nude! It’s one of my particular summer favorites, but also works on me when my skin is paler.
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
$48
This might be one of the finds of the year for me (though this has been available for a few years). I’d kind of given up on venturing into tinted moisturizers with SPF because typically the coverage isn’t ideal for me — either too shiny/glowy, too much coverage (settles into line/pores), or not enough coverage. Honestly I just found that using one of my fave facial sunscreens and a bit of concealer (to cover redness and even me out a wee bit in the t-zone) looks best on my skin. Plus, I’d thought this slotted firmly into the foundation class rather than tinted moisturizer. But this Super Serum Skin Tint is TRULY super! Not only does it have a higher SPF than most, the finish is satin-y perfection…my favorite kind. It definitely provides a blurred appearance to my pores, and my skin feels so bouncy and moisturized. Incredible! And obviously no irritation on my uber sensitive self. This is light to medium coverage for those looking for more of a foundation, but for me it’s wonderful as it evens me out but doesn’t age me by settling in lines, etc. like a foundation does. It’s definitely more of a (very) tinted moisturizer in my book. I need only the lightest amount of concealer on broken capillaries on my nose, but that’s it! Such a great product, HIGHLY recommend, and top of my list for nontoxic tinted moisturizer with SPF!!!
Soft Focus Blurring Blush
$36
Another new product to the line! And it’s a fantastic addition – a talc-free powder blush that is actually hydrating (on theme!). It provides that beautiful, subtle, natural glow I’ve been looking for (FAR more natural than the RMS blush…that was waaaay to shimmery for my pores). It’s feather-light but color lasts all day. I love the shade Glimpse – a universal mauve rose. Can’t wait to try the shades Flutter and Breathless. Thanks again to ILIA for the opportunity to get a sneak peek at this, it’s now in regular rotation and a blush favorite for me!
Finishing Powder Brush
$43
Rarely do I spotlight a beauty tool, but this magical brush deserves a spotlight. This is the softest, fluffiest brush I have ever used! It’s like taking a wee bunch of the softest, downiest feathers and brushing them lightly over your face. It picks up product well, but because it has such a light touch, I prefer this for powder bronzer instead of finishing powder. BUT, I’m also a little heavy handed with my favorite pressed finishing powder (as it’s so lightweight itself), so I prefer a brush that’s a bit denser for that application — if you use a loose powder, or just prefer a light dusting of powder, this is absolutely going to be your best friend. But for powder bronzer, for me it’s PERFECTION. Places product perfectly, blends it seamlessly, and provides a fully natural finish.
A few things that didn’t work for me
For the most part, ILIA products have been good to me! But I have had a few misses:
- Fullest Volumizing Mascara – I was a big fan of the OG (more on that below), but this one didn’t work for me at all…didn’t hold curl, messy to apply.
- Multi-Stick – Love me a good multi-purpose product, and this one surprised me when I didn’t love it. As hydrating as many of their products are, I found this to feel drying.
- Liquid Powder Eye Tint – This was initially a grand love affair, but sadly I ended up having a reaction to it. If your eyes aren’t super sensitive, it does give a great finish, colors are beautiful, and lasts all day.
I will also mention that their concealer was not my favorite, however it’s been reformulated since I tried it and it does seem to be well-loved so far…I’ll need to give it another shot!
Final thoughts on ILIA Beauty, and their SWISH score
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention ILIA’s cult favorite, Limitless Lash Mascara. When this launched in 2018, the choices for clean mascara were very few, and none of them would hold a curl for me nor were they very lengthening. Then Ilia dropped Limitless Lash, and we all shouted “hallelujah”! Lengthening AND volumizing, easily buildable to be as dramatic as you’d like and holds curl like a champ. It was my go-to for 2 years, when suddenly ye olde flaking started to happen. But this continues to win numerous awards and work well for many, so I again blame my oily eyelids (insert sad face). They just recently launched a beautiful chocolate brown shade in it as well! While it’s not a current favorite of mine personally, with all of the kudos and all of the friends that love it, it remains on my list of best nontoxic mascaras.
At the end of the day, what keeps me coming back to ILIA isn’t just the products—it’s the brand’s balanced approach to beauty. I appreciate that they don’t rely on fear-based marketing or unrealistic promises. Instead, they focus on creating thoughtfully formulated products that perform well and support healthy, hydrated skin, keeping us sensitive types in mind.
Whether you’re new to clean beauty or simply looking to switch up your routine, ILIA has several standout products that are worth adding to your wishlist. And while every product won’t be a perfect fit for every person, I’ve found several that have earned a permanent spot in my routine — and I’m excited to keep discovering more from the line!
I’m currently testing out their new Soft Focus Finishing Powder, but am curious about a few other things in the line (like their Eye Stylus Shadow Sticks!). What have you loved from ILIA Beauty? Comment below and as I’d love to know your thoughts!
ILIA Beauty : Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon review, Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm review, Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss review, Color Block Lipstick review, Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 review, Soft Focus Blurring Blush review, Finishing Powder Brush review, Limitless Lash Mascara review
Disclaimer: This page includes some affiliate links (including Amazon – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases), and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies and brands I trust and have tried myself. There is no additional cost to you.
Tracey is the founder and writer of Life in the Happy Medium. She’s also a freelance graphic designer, Mom to 2 college kids, Wife, and Friend to a tribe she holds dear, who’s prone to some fairly serious car singing and dancing much to her family’s chagrin (old school R&B is where it’s at!).
From cleaner beauty to healthy-ish eating, she’s blogging here to share favorite finds that keep her happy in the middle.
