Ilia Beauty has carved a significant niche in the competitive beauty landscape, lauded for its commitment to "clean" formulations that blend potent skincare ingredients with high-performance makeup. This philosophy resonates deeply with consumers seeking products that not only enhance their appearance but also nourish and protect their skin. The brand’s dedication to transparency and authenticity, as emphasized by founder Sasha Plasvic, has cemented its status as a favorite among beauty enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. Allure editors, in particular, have consistently championed Ilia’s offerings, recognizing their ability to deliver on both efficacy and ethical sourcing. This curated list highlights the top Ilia products that have earned a permanent place in the routines of Allure’s discerning team, celebrated for their lightweight feel, radiant finish, and skin-loving formulations.
The success of Ilia can be partly attributed to its strategic focus on core values: protection and revival of the skin. This mission translates into products that are packed with beneficial ingredients such as niacinamide, shea butter, and peptides. These components work synergistically to provide nourishment, comfort, and significant color payoff, demonstrating a holistic approach to beauty. The brand’s consistent recognition through prestigious awards, including the Allure Readers’ Choice and Best of Beauty Awards, underscores its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
Pocket Protection: Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
In the realm of daily sun protection, Ilia’s Sun Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 stands out as a pioneering product. This innovative formula addresses common concerns associated with mineral sunscreens, such as a heavy texture and a noticeable white cast. The serum-like consistency allows it to melt seamlessly into the skin, offering broad-spectrum protection with 10.5% zinc oxide. Its efficacy is further enhanced by a blend of seven molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which provides deep hydration, while extracts from coneflower and arctic root work to soothe the skin and regulate oil production.
The thoughtful formulation of the Sun Serum is particularly noteworthy for its ability to counteract the chalky residue often left by zinc oxide. Available in two adaptable shades, light-medium and medium-deep, the product offers a surprisingly flexible color match across a range of skin tones. Testers found that these shades could even be mixed to achieve a warmer undertone, demonstrating the brand’s attention to nuanced application needs. This product represents a significant advancement in mineral sunscreens, making daily SPF application a more pleasant and effective experience.
Senior Commerce Director Shanna Shipin shared her enthusiastic endorsement: "When Ilia named it ‘Sun Serum,’ I didn’t realize that on top of the SPF, it meant you’d have the kind of radiance found at the center of our solar system. I am a longtime user of mineral sunscreen, and I have never experienced anything like this. This is such an elegant formula that is so lightweight, it performs like a chemical sunscreen—I can hardly believe that there are mineral blockers in it. It’s not milky, runny, or watery, which is a problem I have with most mineral facial sunscreens out on the market. I sit between the two shades available; I was concerned about the limited selection, but the sunscreen is so sheer that I can wear either one. I’ll be switching from light-medium to medium-deep as my skin tans throughout the year. It’s the kind of product that flips your mentality and makes you want to use it not just because it gives you SPF 50, but because it makes your skin look absolutely brilliant." This sentiment highlights the product’s dual function as a highly effective sunscreen and a skin-enhancing cosmetic.
Sky-High Drama: Limitless Lash Mascara
Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara has achieved a near-cult status within the beauty community, earning multiple Allure Readers’ Choice and Best of Beauty Awards. Its success is largely attributed to its innovative dual-sided wand, designed to cater to all lash needs. One side features shorter, denser bristles that expertly build volume, while the other, a fine-toothed comb, lengthens and separates each lash, preventing clumping and creating a clean, fanned-out effect. This versatile design makes it a go-to for achieving a polished, everyday look.
The mascara’s formula is equally impressive, enriched with conditioning ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax, and keratin. These components ensure that lashes remain soft, flexible, and free from the brittle, spidery appearance that can plague other formulas. Available in both a soft black and a rich brown, the Limitless Lash Mascara provides definition and lift without compromising lash health. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its consistent performance and its ability to deliver dramatic yet natural-looking results.
Senior Commerce Editor Sarah Felbin remarked on the mascara’s exceptional wand: "The key to this mascara is the wand, in my opinion. The shorter-bristled side is excellent at applying an even coat of mascara from root to tip, and even does a great job of reaching my inner corners without smudging mascara all over my nose. But my favorite part is using the longer-bristled side to comb through each lash, removing clumps in seconds. My lashes look way longer and lusher with just a few swipes. As someone with oily eyelids, I’m also impressed by its staying power—no smudging or flaking." This detailed account showcases the practical benefits and remarkable longevity of the product.
Easy Glides It: Eye Stylus Shadow Stick
The Ilia Eye Stylus Shadow Stick has garnered significant acclaim, including a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty Award, for its unique texture and versatile application. This innovative product combines the glide of a cream shadow with the blendability of a powder, creating a seamlessly blurred finish on the eyelids. The formula is crafted with beeswax, which ensures a smooth application, and upcycled grape extract, a potent antioxidant that contributes to skin health over time.
With 20 shades inspired by Renaissance oil paintings, the Eye Stylus Shadow Stick offers a spectrum of finishes, from bright shimmers to sophisticated mattes. This allows for a wide range of creative expression, whether one desires subtle definition or a bold, artistic statement. Shades like Faun (a matte camel brown) are ideal for natural contouring, while Oscuro (a deep midnight black) and Patina (a shimmering golden-olive) provide options for more dramatic looks. The angled tip of the stick is designed for efficient application across the lid, while the finer edge allows for precise lining and definition. Furthermore, its waterproof formula ensures long-lasting wear, even for those with watery eyes.
Commerce Editor Sarah Han provided a detailed user perspective: "I’m full of beauty contradictions. I love nothing more than taking an hour to put on my makeup before I go out for a special event, but most mornings, I go without makeup simply because I can’t wake up early enough before I jet off to the office. Ilia’s Eye Stylus Shadow Sticks are game-changers because they take 10 seconds to apply and blend out with my ring finger (incredible!), and there’s a mix of my usual gold/pearl shimmers and fun colors, like this matte lilac called Nymph, that brighten my eyes with almost no effort. I love the shade variety, though I do wish they ventured out into more brights. One day? I remember when they first launched, and the product was falling out of its packaging, but Ilia has since fixed that, and now the sticks stay wholly in place. I do like to warm up the pigments on the back of my hands because otherwise they tug on my lids a bit, but nothing crazy. Once on the lids, there’s a small window to blend and blur, and once they set, they don’t crease throughout the day. They’re so handy, compact, and cute!" Han’s feedback highlights the product’s evolution and its practical appeal for busy individuals.
Chapped No More: Lip Mask
Ilia’s Lip Mask is a transformative overnight treatment designed to combat severely dry and chapped lips. This intensive formula works while you sleep, delivering profound hydration and gentle exfoliation to reveal soft, supple lips by morning. The key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, sea succulents, and mango butter, which collectively drench the lips in moisture. Papaya enzymes provide a mild exfoliating action, effectively sloughing away dry skin and crustiness without irritation.
The result is a perfectly prepped canvas for lipstick, lip oil, or gloss. While designed for nighttime use, its nourishing properties make it suitable for daytime touch-ups, as demonstrated by editors who keep it at their desks. For a lighter, daytime option, Ilia also offers the Lip Wrap Reviving Balm, which provides similar benefits with a less intensive feel. The Lip Mask’s ability to restore lip health and comfort makes it an indispensable part of many skincare routines.
Beauty Director Sarah Kinonen praised its overnight efficacy: "Just like my weighted blanket, I can’t go to sleep without a lip mask. My perpetually chapped lips need moisture 24/7, even when I’m deep in my REM cycle. One of my favorites is the Ilia Lip Wrap Overnight Mask, which is made with papaya enzymes to lightly exfoliate while it hydrates with mango and shea butters, and hyaluronic acid to lock everything in. Texture-wise, it feels like a traditional lip balm, but when layered, it gets nice and goopy—just how I like it—and lasts long into the night and early morning. I always wake up with most of it still intact!" Kinonen’s personal account emphasizes the product’s substantial and lasting moisturizing effects.
Serving Up Radiant Skin: True Skin Serum Foundation
The True Skin Serum Foundation by Ilia is a testament to the brand’s commitment to creating complexion products that enhance rather than mask the skin. This foundation is celebrated for its incredibly lightweight, sheer-to-medium coverage that allows the skin’s natural texture and radiance to shine through. Its formula is a sophisticated blend of skincare and makeup, featuring ingredients like allantoin, aloe, and niacinamide. These components work to smooth, calm, and hydrate the skin, providing a finish that looks and feels like a second skin.
Makeup artists, such as Los Angeles-based Aaron Barry, have lauded this foundation for its versatility across different skin types and ages. Barry notes its "life-like, glowy finish" and its exceptional blendability, making it an ideal base for other complexion products like cream blushes and contours. The serum-like consistency ensures that it doesn’t settle into fine lines or dry patches, making it particularly suitable for mature skin. The foundation is available in a wide range of shades, ensuring that a natural-looking match can be found for most skin tones.
Contributing Commerce Writer Christa Joanna Lee shared her experience: "I’ll admit, I picked the wrong shade at first (I’m bad at that), but because it’s a serum foundation with lighter pigment, it ended up blending in surprisingly well. The texture is silky and easy to work with, and there’s none of that obvious demarcation at the jaw you can get with fuller-coverage formulas. It’s so lightweight I barely noticed I was wearing it by the end of the day and almost (almost!) slept in it." Lee’s feedback underscores the foundation’s forgiving nature and its comfortable, barely-there feel.
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Glazed Donut Energy: Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss
Ilia’s Overglaze Hydrating Lip Gloss offers a luxurious, non-sticky sheen that elevates any lip look. The gloss is formulated with moisturizing and plumping ingredients like fenugreek seed extract and seaweed extract, which contribute to a smooth, hydrated finish. Despite its lightweight feel, the gloss provides impressive color payoff, delivering opaque shades that can be worn alone or layered over lipstick.
The unique applicator, a doe-foot wand, allows for precise and mess-free application, avoiding the common inconvenience of sticky fingers. The gloss is available in 12 shades, ranging from soft pinks and berries to rich reds and browns, catering to a wide array of preferences and occasions. Its ability to maintain color integrity without bleeding or migrating makes it a reliable choice for long-lasting wear. The gloss’s comfortable texture and high-shine finish have made it a favorite for achieving that coveted "glazed donut" look.
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Managing Editor Alessandra Foresto highlighted its unique qualities: "I’m a fan of Ilia’s Lip Gloss mainly because it has a ton of color payoff (more like a stain would) without feeling drying. The applicator gives you a pretty precise application, though I do find that the color can be a little patchy on the first coat, so I like to go back over a couple of times to even out the color. I skip lip liner almost always, and even without it, this gloss doesn’t bleed and stays on pretty well through the day—without needing to reapply it every five seconds. I’m often skeptical of products that say they keep your lips moisturized long after you’ve worn them, but I do find that my lips are much less flaky and smoother after wearing this gloss. I like the two red shades in the range Studio (more of a raspberry) and Flambé (a classic red). It’s basically flavorless, and in a world in which everything seems to taste like vanilla or chocolate, I’m so glad that’s the case! I like that it’s vegan, too!" Foresto’s review emphasizes the gloss’s impressive color payoff, longevity, and its beneficial effect on lip hydration.
Undereye Magic: Skin Blur Serum Concealer
The Ilia Skin Blur Serum Concealer is a multifunctional powerhouse designed to address common undereye concerns while delivering impeccable coverage. Its silky texture is a standout feature, providing a smooth application that seamlessly blends into the skin. The formula is enriched with caffeine, known for its ability to reduce puffiness, and a potent blend of peptides (Matrixyl 3000 Glyx) and sea fennel extract. This sea fennel extract acts as a gentle, plant-derived alternative to retinol, stimulating collagen production and promoting a firmer, bouncier appearance around the eyes.
The inclusion of these skincare-focused ingredients means the concealer actively works to improve the skin’s texture and elasticity, thereby minimizing creasing and ensuring a long-lasting, natural finish. The innovative teardrop-shaped applicator is meticulously designed to reach the delicate inner corners of the eyes with precision, allowing for targeted application and effective coverage of dark circles and imperfections. This concealer’s ability to combine makeup efficacy with significant skincare benefits makes it a valuable addition to any beauty routine.
Commerce Editor Sarah Han offered her expert opinion: "There’s no better concealer than a serum one—at least, as far as my preferences go. While I have redness, dark spots, and eye bags I’d like to cover, I still like my skin to peek through, and that’s exactly what one layer of the Skin Blur Serum Concealer does. It’s the ideal fusion of skin care and makeup for my everyday look but it can be built up if I’m going out for a special occasion. I like to use a dense concealer brush to apply this formula, and thanks to the self-setting, natural-finish formula, I don’t need to apply setting powder on top—a game-changer, because my oily T-zone almost always needs some mattifying." Han’s assessment highlights the concealer’s buildable coverage and its suitability for various skin types, particularly those prone to oiliness.
The Complexion Can-Do: Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 has rapidly become a staple for those seeking a minimalist approach to complexion makeup that doubles as skincare. This award-winning product is a unique hybrid, offering lightweight coverage while delivering substantial sun protection. The formula is infused with key skincare ingredients such as hydrating squalane, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and tone-evening niacinamide. These elements work together to plump the skin, blur texture, and provide a healthy, radiant finish.
The Super Serum Skin Tint is available in 30 diverse shades, ensuring a broad spectrum of users can find their perfect match. Its luminous finish is particularly well-suited for individuals with normal to dry skin types, imparting a dewy glow. For those with oilier complexions, the brand suggests that setting the tint with a powder can effectively control shine while still benefiting from the product’s coverage and SPF properties. The combination of skincare benefits, sun protection, and natural-looking coverage makes this skin tint a highly sought-after product for daily wear.
Senior Commerce Director Shanna Shipin shared her enthusiasm: "The Ilia skin tint is one of my most-used complexion formulas because not only does it provide beautiful, glowing, and even coverage, but it also comes with an amazing level of SPF 40. I have a lot of discoloration and reddish-purple hues in my skin—all leading to a very uneven tone that this formula does so well at concealing, while also allowing my skin to breathe. Caveat: It is quite thick and can be a little bit messy (it can slightly bleed out of the bottle), so it is not a product that I take on the go with me. That being said, it’s still very versatile, and whether I blend in with my fingers or my preferred brush, it leaves me with a radiant, healthy glow." Shipin’s detailed feedback emphasizes the product’s efficacy in providing coverage and SPF, while also noting practical aspects of its use.
Are You Blushing?: Multi-Stick
Ilia’s Multi-Stick exemplifies the brand’s commitment to versatile, multi-purpose beauty products. This award-winning cream blush is designed for effortless application on both cheeks and lips, allowing for a cohesive, monochromatic look. The formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, cocoa butter, and vitamin E, ensuring a smooth, blendable application that feels comfortable on the skin.
The Multi-Stick is available in twelve flattering shades, ranging from soft nudes and peaches to vibrant berries and deep roses. These colors offer a buildable wash of color, providing a natural flush or a more intense statement, depending on application. The product’s creamy texture allows it to be easily blended with fingertips, a brush, or a sponge, adapting to different application preferences. Its convenient twist-up packaging makes it ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, further enhancing its appeal as a go-to beauty essential.
Former Associate Special Projects Manager Talia Gutierrez highlighted its versatility: "This tiny but mighty twist-up Ilia Multi-Stick is called that for a reason. Acting as a three-in-one, I start my application with one swipe of product on my cheekbones before dabbing a tint of color onto my eyelids and lips for an illuminating, glow-from-within flush of color that can easily be thrown in my purse for on-the-go touch-ups when necessary," says associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. "Lately, I’ve been using Dreamer, a warm nude that gives a post-vacation illusion while I’m here, sitting in the office." Gutierrez’s testimony showcases the product’s efficiency and its ability to create a polished look with minimal effort.
Sketch N’ Stay: Lip Sketch Crayon
The Ilia Lip Sketch Crayon has re-energized the lip crayon category, quickly becoming an editor favorite. Despite its matte finish, the formula is surprisingly hydrating, incorporating moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil. This blend ensures that the crayon glides on smoothly, providing comfortable wear throughout the day without causing dryness.
Available in 15 soft-matte shades, the Lip Sketch Crayon is versatile enough for precise lip lining or for creating an all-over wash of color. Its long-wearing formula is designed to last for hours, resisting feathering and patchiness from morning coffee to afternoon snacks. The crayon’s ability to deliver both definition and comfortable color makes it a practical and effective choice for everyday wear.
Former Senior News Editor Nicola Dall’Asen expressed her satisfaction: "My ideal red lipstick—deep but not dark, matte but not drying, just barely on the cool-toned side—is hard to come by, but Ilia’s Case Study lip crayon lives up to my picky standard. It reaches full opacity in a single swipe, leaving behind a velvety look and feel that lasts for hours so long as you blot it." Dall’Asen’s preference for the “Case Study” shade and its lasting power underscores the crayon’s ability to meet specific and demanding beauty criteria.
Eye See Results: Bright Start Activated Eye Cream
Beyond its makeup range, Ilia’s skincare offerings are equally impressive, with the Bright Start Activated Eye Cream standing out as a particularly effective product. This award-winning eye cream is a sophisticated blend of skincare actives designed to brighten, hydrate, and firm the delicate undereye area. It features a potent combination of peptides, caffeine to combat puffiness, and antioxidant-rich extracts like sea fennel and avocado extract. These ingredients work in synergy to provide a gentler yet effective alternative to retinol, minimizing the risk of irritation often associated with traditional retinol products.
A key feature of this eye cream is its innovative metal applicator. This applicator not only facilitates precise product delivery but also provides a cooling sensation to the undereye area, offering immediate depuffing and soothing benefits. The combination of topical skincare ingredients and the cooling massage effect makes this eye cream a comprehensive treatment for tired and stressed undereyes, contributing to a more rested and rejuvenated appearance.
Features Director Dianna Mazzone highlighted its dual benefits: "There are very few eye creams with results enticing enough for me to remember to use them—and Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Eye Cream is one of them," says associate features director Dianna Mazzone. "The creamy formula brightens dark circles over time, while the cooling applicator helps depuff immediately." Mazzone’s endorsement speaks to the product’s immediate and long-term positive effects.
Brush, Blur, Repeat: Soft Focus Blurring Blush
Ilia’s Soft Focus Blurring Blush is a reimagining of powder blush, offering a modern, dimensional finish that combats the chalky textures of the past. This innovative formula features light-filtering powders that effectively diffuse the appearance of pores and smooth skin texture, creating a soft-focus effect. Beyond its cosmetic benefits, the blush is enriched with beneficial skincare ingredients, including antioxidant-rich edelweiss and firming kelp extract, alongside hydrating squalane. These components provide lightweight, non-comedogenic moisture with each application.
The blush’s ability to stay put throughout the day without caking or fading has been noted by editors. It layers beautifully, allowing for customizable intensity. The shade range is thoughtfully curated to complement various skin tones: Magnetic, a rich berry, is ideal for deeper complexions, while Closer, a soft baby pink, is a perfect choice for fairer skin. The blendability and sophisticated finish of this blush make it a standout product for achieving a natural yet polished look.
Senior Commerce Director Shanna Shipin offered her perspective on its aesthetic and functional qualities: "I love a dimensional blush, and the Soft Focus line from Ilia has to be one of the most stunning you can buy right now. The pigments are rich (and unique—especially in the pink arena!), and you get such a lovely glow without any speckles or flecks of glitter. The color payoff gives you wiggle room to try out a range of looks: a natural, diffused ‘watercolor blush’ vibe, or build up to a very bold look (hello, Pulse!). I love how dynamic this blush is—there’s so much depth and interest depending on the lighting—and perhaps best of all? No acne!" Shipin’s detailed feedback emphasizes the blush’s flattering finish and its skin-friendly formulation.
How We Test and Review Products
At Allure, our product testing and review process is rigorous and multifaceted, designed to provide consumers with reliable and trustworthy recommendations. Before any product is considered for review, we meticulously examine its ingredient list, considering the efficacy and safety of each component, particularly for those with sensitive skin or other specific concerns. We also evaluate the brand’s commitment to ethical practices, such as sustainability in packaging and inclusivity in shade ranges.
Our testing panel comprises a diverse group of individuals, including editors, writers, contributors, and external testers, representing a wide array of skin tones, genders, ages, and dermatological conditions. This diversity ensures that our assessments are comprehensive and relevant to a broad audience. Each product is evaluated across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. This holistic approach allows us to understand a product’s performance in real-world conditions and to identify its strengths and weaknesses comprehensively.
Our Staff and Testers
Allure prides itself on a team whose diversity reflects the varied needs and concerns of our readership. We believe that a product can only be truly deemed "the best" if it has been tested and validated by individuals who represent the full spectrum of beauty consumers. Our staff members span different age groups, skin tones, hair textures, and gender identities, enabling us to conduct fair and accurate assessments of all beauty products. This commitment to inclusivity extends to our selection of outside testers and industry experts, who bring specialized knowledge and diverse experiences to our review process.
Whether the goal is to find a potent face cream for persistent dryness, a new nail product for a self-care ritual, or the latest fragrance, our diverse team ensures that every recommendation is thoroughly vetted. For instance, we cannot credibly claim a skincare product is ideal for individuals over 50 if our testing pool consists solely of those under 30. Similarly, recommending a high-end product without considering its performance on different hair types would be incomplete. We are proud of our team’s broad representation, which allows us to fairly evaluate every beauty product that comes through our beauty closet.
