A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to a make up masterclass on the luxury organic beauty brand Ilia. If you have never come across the brand before, Ilia is a multi-award winning brand founded in Canada by Sasha Plavsic and they are gluten free and up to 85% organic. You are not likely to find them on your high-street in Boots but they are available at places such as Fenwicks and Fortnum & Mason as can be found online.
At the event, we got to see a live demonstration with make-up artist Emma McRae showing those present, how best to use the products and beauty expert, Nikki Taylor, talk about the products in much more detail. During the demonstration, each of the products was passed around to be swatched and played with, which I found fascinating and you might have seen some of the products on my Instagram that evening.
After the demonstration, I jumped at the chance to have a makeover, who wouldn't want their make-up professional applied! This gave me more opportunities to ask for more information about how to correctly apply products, discuss which products I felt suited me and make a note of what was used for future reference.
By the end of the evening, makeup applied and general questions answered, I felt I had come to know a lot more about a brand I had only seen referenced on social media. So having had a nice introduction, it was great to be able to take away some products to try out at home.
Starting with Neon Angel, a beautiful pink lipstick which is described as being a Magenta shade, I was pleased to find it wasn't a hot pink or barbie pink, neither of which I can never pull off. I find it is much more subtle than that (swatches below) and it glides onto the lips so effortlessly, it is a dream.
It has a semi-matte finish and lasts, once applied, for around 4-5 hours before you need to re-apply.
You can apply to cheekbones, brow bones, inner corner of eyes, bridge of nose and pout of lower lip for a fresh, dewy glow.
Shell Shock is a tinted lip conditioner and it combines organic ingredients to soothe and condition the lips. Each shade carries a sheer touch of color that increases in intensity when applied liberally. This shade is a light coral shade, not too dramatic but one which I feel I can wear comfortably.
*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise
All of Me is a Multi Stick and is such a beautiful shade. Described as being a Watermelon shade, this product is designed to be applied to your cheeks, lips and eyes for a sheer blush of color.
It is enriched with cocoa seed butter, shea butter, vitamin E and orange butter to heal, nourish and hydrate the skin.
Polka Dots and Moonbeams is an illuminator which is just absolutely stunning. This one works as a really subtle highlighter, adding dimension and vitality to the skin. I love that it uses organic ingredients with healing properties of Rose Hip Oil to bring out your best features.
Shell Shock is a tinted lip conditioner and it combines organic ingredients to soothe and condition the lips. Each shade carries a sheer touch of color that increases in intensity when applied liberally. This shade is a light coral shade, not too dramatic but one which I feel I can wear comfortably.
These products can be layered with others to make a unique shade, which excites me.
Given that they are organic/green beauty products, they swatch just as well as any other brands I own and are just as their description gives them and swatches below show just how beautiful they are in and out of the sunshine:
From LtoR we have Neon Angel, Shell Shock, Best of Me and Polka Dots & Moonbeams
So it is fair to say I absolutely love my introduction to Ilia and it is a brand I look forward to discovering more about. I love the ethos that whilst you wear a product it works for your skin.
Have you ever tried anything from Ilia?
*this post contains PR samples unless indicated otherwise