Ilia Beauty Cosmetics Review: Why This Clean Beauty Brand Has Become My Go-To
Hey there, beauty lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for makeup that not only looks amazing but also treats your skin with the love and nourishment it deserves. That‘s why I‘m thrilled to share my experience with Ilia Beauty, a clean cosmetics brand that has absolutely stolen my heart (and a permanent spot in my makeup bag).
In this in-depth Ilia Beauty cosmetics review, I‘ll be diving into what makes this brand so special, from their high standards for ingredient safety to their top-selling products that have become staples in my routine. Plus, I‘ll share some insights from other Ilia fans and provide helpful tips for choosing your perfect products. Let‘s get glowing!
What Sets Ilia Beauty Apart
Ilia Beauty was founded by Sasha Plavsic in 2011 with a simple but powerful mission: to create clean, safe, and effective cosmetics that never compromise on performance or luxury. As someone who has struggled with skin sensitivities, Sasha knew firsthand how important it was to find makeup that not only looked beautiful but also nourished the skin from within.
What I love most about Ilia is their unwavering commitment to clean, ethically-sourced ingredients. They go above and beyond to ensure that every product is packed with skin-loving nutrients while being free from any potential toxins or irritants. In fact, Ilia has some of the strictest ingredient standards in the industry:
| Ilia‘s Clean Beauty Commitment |
|---|
| • Over 85% organic or natural ingredients |
| • Certified cruelty-free by PETA and Leaping Bunny |
| • Gluten-free and EWG Verified for ingredient safety |
| • Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and over 50 other potentially harmful chemicals |
But Ilia doesn‘t stop at clean ingredients – they also prioritize sustainability in every aspect of their business. From their recyclable packaging to their partnerships with environmental nonprofits, Ilia is truly a brand you can feel good about supporting. They‘re even a certified B Corporation, meeting rigorous standards for social and environmental responsibility.
My Favorite Ilia Beauty Products (and What Makes Them So Special)
As a self-proclaimed makeup junkie, I‘ve tried my fair share of products from Ilia‘s line. While I‘ve honestly loved everything I‘ve tested, there are a few standout products that have become my ride-or-die staples.
1. Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Where has this been all my life? The Super Serum Skin Tint is my go-to for everyday light coverage that leaves my skin looking like its best, most radiant self. It‘s a true multitasker, combining skincare, makeup, and SPF into one dreamy formula.
The texture is incredibly lightweight and serum-like, melting into the skin for a natural, your-skin-but-better finish. It‘s infused with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide to plump, hydrate, and even skin tone over time.
I love that it comes in 30 flexible shades to suit a wide range of skin tones and undertones. For reference, I wear shade ST7 Tulum, a light-medium with neutral olive undertones. The semi-sheer coverage is perfect for my good skin days, but it also layers beautifully with concealer on areas where I need a bit more help.
2. Limitless Lash Mascara
I‘ve tried my fair share of clean mascaras, and I can confidently say that the Limitless Lash Mascara is one of the best I‘ve ever used (clean or not). The dual-sided brush has quickly become my secret weapon for fluttery, long-lasting lashes that rival any conventional mascara.
One side of the brush features shorter bristles to curl and define, while the longer side lengthens and separates for a fanned-out effect. The formula is enriched with organic shea butter and keratin to condition lashes while you wear it.
I love how buildable this mascara is – one coat gives me natural, fluttery lashes, while two or three coats amp up the drama for a night out. It holds curl impressively well and doesn‘t smudge, flake, or irritate my sensitive eyes. Plus, it washes off easily with my normal cleanser at the end of the day.
3. Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment
If you‘re a fan of a monochromatic makeup look, the Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment is about to become your new best friend. These little pots of creamy, blendable color can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks for a sheer wash of pigment that ties your whole look together effortlessly.
The formula is infused with skin-loving ingredients like jojoba oil and lemon peel oil to hydrate and nourish wherever you apply it. I love how the shades can be built up or sheered out depending on the look I‘m going for. For a natural flush, I‘ll dab a bit of the shade "Before Today" on the apples of my cheeks and blend out with my fingertips. For a more defined eye look, I‘ll use my finger or a dense brush to apply "Temptation" all over my eyelids.
The Color Haze shades are some of the most unique and stunning I‘ve seen. They have a glossy, slightly iridescent finish that catches the light beautifully. Some of my favorite shades are "Waking Up," a soft champagne, and "Stutter," a warm terracotta.
What Customers Are Saying About Ilia Beauty
I‘m not the only one obsessed with Ilia Beauty – this clean cosmetics brand has earned an impressive reputation and loyal following. Here‘s what other customers are raving about:
On Ilia‘s website, the Super Serum Skin Tint has nearly 5,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.6/5 stars. Customers especially love how it blends seamlessly into the skin for a healthy, radiant finish.
"The amount of times I‘ve been asked what I‘ve done to my skin when wearing this…it‘s unbelievable. This product is skincare, sunscreen, and foundation all-in-one. My skin looks like it‘s glowing from within, and it feels so comfortable on my skin." – Lauren G.
The Limitless Lash Mascara has over 3,000 reviews on Sephora with a 4.4/5 star rating. Many customers say it‘s their new holy grail mascara for achieving length, volume, and definition without any smudging or flaking.
"I have tried so many ‘clean‘ mascaras over the past few years…This one is the best one, hands down. I like my lashes to look full and long, and this delivers. I also appreciate that it does not leave marks under my lashes as the day goes on." – Bethany331
Across the web, Ilia‘s products are frequently included in "best of" lists and praised by beauty editors. The Super Serum Skin Tint was recently featured in Allure‘s "Best of Beauty" awards, while the Limitless Lash Mascara was named "Best Clean Mascara" by Harper‘s Bazaar.
Sustainability and Giving Back: Ilia‘s Commitment to People and Planet
I‘ve touched on Ilia‘s impressive sustainability initiatives throughout this review, but I want to take a moment to emphasize just how much this brand prioritizes ethics and eco-consciousness at every level of their business. Not only are their products clean and safe for your skin, but they‘re also housed in beautiful, sustainable packaging.
All Ilia products come in recycled aluminum, glass, and post-consumer recycled plastic whenever possible. The secondary packaging (like boxes and mailers) is made from recycled paper and is recyclable or compostable. In 2021, Ilia even launched a packaging recycling program called "Reuse, Reinvent, Revive" so customers can send back their empties to be properly recycled.
Ilia‘s commitment to sustainability extends beyond packaging, too. They partner with several nonprofits to reduce their carbon emissions and support reforestation efforts. Through their partnership with Ecologi, they‘ve already planted over 300,000 trees!
But Ilia‘s impact goes beyond the environment – they‘re also dedicated to giving back to communities and supporting important causes. They regularly donate to organizations like Black Women‘s Health Imperative, The Solutions Project, and Feeding America. As a certified B Corp, they meet high standards of transparency, accountability, and social and environmental performance.
How to Choose Your Perfect Ilia Products (and Where to Buy Them)
If you‘re new to Ilia Beauty, I know the range of products and shade options can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Here are my top tips for finding your perfect match:
- Start with the basics: If you‘re unsure where to start, you can‘t go wrong with one of Ilia‘s base products like the Super Serum Skin Tint or True Skin Serum Foundation. These complexion products come in an impressive range of 30-40 shades to suit a wide variety of skin tones and undertones.
- Use Ilia‘s Shade Finder tool: On each product page, you‘ll find a helpful quiz that asks about your skin type, skin tone, and undertones to recommend the best shades for you. It‘s a great starting point if you‘re unsure which colors to choose.
- Read reviews and look for swatches: Ilia has an active community of fans who love to share their thoughts and photos. Browse reviews on Ilia‘s site or on retailer sites like Sephora and Credo to see real-life photos and find your shade twins.
- Sample before you commit: If you‘re still unsure, Ilia offers a sampling program where you can try up to 3 shades of any complexion product for just $5 (redeemable towards a full size!). They also have several minis and discovery sets that allow you to test products before investing in the full size.
As for where to buy, Ilia is available on their own website as well as at several clean beauty retailers like Sephora, Credo, and Detox Market. They offer free shipping on orders over $50 and a generous 60-day return policy (even if you‘ve opened the product!).
Final Thoughts: Is Ilia Beauty Worth the Hype?
In case it wasn‘t obvious from my gushing throughout this review, I‘m a huge fan of Ilia Beauty. As someone who values clean, safe ingredients but also wants makeup that delivers on performance and luxury, Ilia ticks all the boxes.
From their radiant, skin-like complexion products to their nourishing lip and cheek formulas, Ilia proves that clean makeup can be just as high-performing (if not more so) than conventional alternatives. I love that they prioritize sustainability and philanthropy alongside crafting products that make me look and feel my best.
While Ilia‘s products are definitely pricier than drugstore alternatives, I believe they‘re worth the investment for the quality of ingredients and the exceptional performance. Plus, with their generous return policy and sampling program, you can feel confident finding the perfect products for your unique preferences.
I truly believe that Ilia has something for everyone. Whether you‘re a clean beauty devotee or a makeup lover looking to clean up your routine, Ilia‘s luxurious formulas and extensive shade ranges are sure to impress.
My final piece of advice? Start with a couple staples like the Super Serum Skin Tint and Limitless Lash Mascara, then explore the rest of the line as you fall in love with the brand like I have. Trust me, your skin (and your vanity) will thank you.
