When the Ilia Beauty team reached out to me asking me if I would be willing to try a few of their products, I was over the moon! I have been intrigued by the brand for a long time and am so thankful to the Ilia team for generously sending over their line.
The package of goods arrived quickly and were housed in a large plastic bag; truth be told, I wasn’t thrilled about receiving a PVC bag, as I have a person goal of reducing my plastic consumption. With that said, the bag is sturdy and has a well-made zip top. It’s a little too big for the airport, but I’m certain I’ll be able to reuse it around the house.
In this package came several beautiful items including two foundations, two concealers, matte pigment, eyeliner, highlighter, and priming serum. Inspired by the luxe packaging and thoughtful formulation of each product, I knew I had write a detailed blog post of the brand.
As I say with all my reviews, take this post as a source of information—not a source of truth—and decide what is best for you/what falls under your definition of green beauty. All ingredients listed below are from the Ilia website; ingredients in bold represent a 3 or higher on the EWG rating scale. I’ve chosen to use EWG as a reference for this post, but I freely admit that it can be a polarizing reference that admittedly has a number of gaps with their data. I’m not a chemist, toxicologist, or other medical professional—just a curious skincare and beauty enthusiast. With that said, Ilia accommodates my definition of green beauty but I encourage you to do your own research. Let’s get to it!
True Skin Radiant Priming Serum
Performance: This primer, as opposed to other primers I’ve tried, has a light and aqueous texture and is quick to sink into the skin. It’s slightly tacky upon initial application but the stickiness subsides when layered with foundation. The verdict is still out on whether it provides discernible improvements to foundation longevity and wear—time will tell!
Scent Profile: The aroma of this product is a very delicate floral, likely from the formulation’s inclusion of hibiscus.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard packaging and recyclable glass bottle. The dropper can be disposed of via a service like Terracycle.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Maltose, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Propanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Mica, Calcium Gluconate, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Beta- Glucan, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzoic Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
*Organic Ingredient
Price: $52.00 USD
True Skin Serum Foundation
Shade Match: Ilia generously sent two shades of foundations: Bonaire and Martinique. Bonaire was a perfect match! This foundation oxidizes on my skin, so it starts out a bit lighter and dries down to an ideal match. I imagine this would work well for me in the upcoming winter months but may be a shade too light for the summer. The shade Martinique was far too deep for my complexion. I might donate it or use it to contour.
Performance: While the shade Bonaire fit me to a tee, I’m not sure this formulation works on my combo-oily skin. Overall, it was far too oily for me, even with setting powder. It provides a light to medium coverage, which, unfortunately, doesn’t cover my PIH. The foundation that seems to work best with my oily-combo skin is Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation. With that said, if you have drier skin with fewer imperfections, this might be for you. The foundation lasts for about 5-6 hours, but I did see slight separation by the end of the day. Lastly, I’m usually sensitive to coconut oil in products (it tends to be comedogenic on my skin), but this foundation didn’t seem to induce acne flare ups.
Scent Profile: This foundation smells ‘oily,’ which is likely informed by the melange of oils in its formula. The scent is not overwhelming and dissipates quickly.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard outer packaging. Glass jar with plastic pump and lid that can be recycled through Terracycle or similar.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Coconut Alkanes, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinloleate, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil*, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Squalane, Tocopherol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Pentylene Glycol, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Bisabolol. May Contain/Peut Contenir [+/-: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)]
*Organic Ingredients
Price: $54.00 USD
True Skin Serum Concealer
Shade Match: Both shades that Ilia (Nutmeg and Mesquite) sent were far too light for me. I’d be curious to try their deeper shades to see if I have any luck.
Performance: This concealer is super creamy and smooth. The doe foot applicator makes using this product a breeze. Unfortunately, it settled into my lines, and like the foundation, it just didn’t provide enough coverage for my dark circles and PIH. In terms of longevity, the concealer lasted about 4-5 hours on my oily-combo skin when set with a powder.
Scent Profile: No discernible scent.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard outer packaging. Plastic tube with metal cap will need to be disposed of via Terracycle or similar.
Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Tetradecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Decyl Isostearate, Isostearyl Isostearate, Isostearic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Gluconolactone, Lauroyl Lysine, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Dodecane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hexadecane, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Calcium Gluconate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Darutoside, Phenethyl Alcohol. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides)
*Organic Ingredients
Price: $30.00 USD
Color Haze Multi-Matte Pigment
Performance: As a multi-use product, I tried Color Haze on my cheeks, lips, and eyes. The color Waking Up is beautiful on my deeper skin tone, and the pigment is subtle and buildable. The formula is creamy upon application but dries down matte. I typically don’t use blush (I feel like it highlights my dark circles) and anticipate using this on my eyes and lips. As mentioned above with the foundation, coconut oil in products is usually irritating to my skin, but surprisingly, my skin seems to be ok with this product.
Scent Profile: Holy vanilla-scented dream, Batman! This product smells like a delicious cupcake.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard packaging and plastic tube with metal applicator tip. While I applaud the packaging for functionality, it will be difficult to recycle.
Ingredients: Undecane, Tridecane, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Mica, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Silica, Kaolin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Balanites Roxburghii Seed Oil*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Vanillin, Hectorite, Candelilla Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Cire de Candelilla, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Tocopherol, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Alumina, Magnesium Oxide. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake)
I would like to point out that this product contains palm oil. I still have a lot to learn about the environmental implications of palm oil farming but am attempting to avoid products with this ingredient during this learning process.
Price: $32.00 USD
Limitless Lash Mascara
Performance: I’m pleasantly surprised by this product! Drier mascara formulations tend to work better on me, since I have exceedingly oily lids and lashes. I was a little apprehensive with this applicator, as silicone wands don’t do me any favors. With that said, this mascara lasts all day, doesn’t smudge or flake, and is very lengthening. It’s not as volumizing I would like and doesn’t hold my curl as well as other mascaras. It’s very easy to remove with cleanser, as well. Overall, I’m satisfied with this mascara’s performance and know that it will be my go-to for an everyday look.
Scent Profile: No discernable scent.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard packaging and metal mascara tube. I donate my mascara wands to Wands for Wildlife.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire D’Abeille*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Cera Carnauba/Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire De Carnauba*, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, Phenethyl Alcohol, Biotin, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Benzoic Acid, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxide)
*Organic Ingredients
Price: $28.00 USD
Illuminator
Performance: I usually have some gripe with cream highlighters: they separate, they are too glittery, or they smell funky. This beauty ticks all my boxes: it’s creamy, subtle, and smooth. It blends and wears beautifully, and smells sweet like berries, too. I wanted to find something wrong with this, but I just couldn’t! I was sent the color Stella by Starlight, and it it just stunning on my deeper skin tone. Kudos to the Ilia team for taking the time and care to send a color that would work with my skin.
Scent Profile: While there aren’t any berry-like ingredients in this formulation, I get a strong scent of berries—it’s lovely!
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard outer packaging and plastic tube with plastic lid. This product will be a challenge to recycle.
Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide (CI77499, CI77492, CI77491), Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140
*Certified Organic Ingredients
Price: $34.00 USD
Clean Line Liquid Liner
Performance: To say I have greasy eyelids is in understatement. I’ve been on the hunt for a quick-drying formula that will stay put all day—this ticks all the boxes. Its firm yet flexible tip makes drawing cat eyes a joy! I think Ilia Beauty’s clean line liquid liner will be my new favorite.
Scent Profile: No discernable scent.
Packaging: Recyclable cardboard outer packaging and metal and plastic eyeliner wand.
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Charcoal Powder, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Diglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin
I know that phenoxyethanol is a hot topic in the beauty community, so I encourage you to do your research if you’re curious to learn more.
Price: $28.00 USD
Did you make it to the end of that novel? If you did, thanks for joining me on that review ride! Overall, I have really enjoyed using the products from this brand and will likely purchase from them in the future. My current lifestyle allows me to be lax with makeup use, so these products will last for the next year. The only other product on my wishlist from Ilia is their eyeshadow palette; I’ve heard so many good things, and it looks beautiful. Want to read my thoughts on why their Super Serum Skin Tint isn’t for me? Have you tried Ilia? What do you think of their products?
FTC: This is NOT a sponsored post. These products were gifted by Ilia. There are affiliate links in this post.
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