Pink Hues by ILIA for Valentine’s Day

ILIA Karma Chameleon and I Put a Spell on You

For me, Valentine’s Day conjures images of chalky conversation hearts and drugstore greeting cards…but above all, THE COLOR PINK.

That’s why I thought it fitting to share two of my recent pink purchases with you: lip and cheek colors from ILIA.

These were my first purchases from ILIA, which is pretty much THE brand for highly pigmented, all-natural lipsticks. True to the brand’s mission and description, I’m pretty sure I could secretly swap out anybody’s lipstick or cream blush with the ILIA, all-natural alternative without them realizing. They may be natural, but they perform just like the high-end, more hazardous products you’d find at any department store beauty counter.

ILIA Multi-Stick, I Put a Spell On You
I’m a self-diagnosed blush addict because my face is all cheeks. I have big ol’, pinch-able cheeks and rely on blush and bronzer to give them dimension. I go through blush compacts faster than I go through milk.

I made a vow to try a natural, chemical-free blush after using up my most recent compact. I’d been eye-ing ILIA’s multi-stick in I Put a Spell On You ($34) for ages and finally pulled the trigger last month. I wear peachy, coral blushes throughout the year, and this shade looked ideal. ILIA describes it as “hot tangerine,” which is spot on.

I love, love, love the I Put a Spell on You multi-stick. This is my first foray into cream blush (geez, I’ve had a lot of firsts on this blog…) after years upon years worth of powder blush compacts and tins. The multi-stick provides highly pigmented, moisturizing color that doesn’t look greasy and has superior staying power. I draw two or three swipes of the multi-stick on each cheek and use my fingers to blend. My only complaint is that as a serial blush applier, I’m moving through this multi-stick very quickly. Hopefully it lasts longer than I’m expecting, but it’d be nice if the multi-sticks included more product or came in a larger size.

Being a “multi-stick” and all, I found myself swiping I Put a Spell on You on my lips, too. Generally, I find the shade is a bit too pale and “art deco Miami” to stand alone as a lip color – however, a few light-handed swipes give lips a nice flush. Just don’t overdo it!

There are a few downfalls in terms of using it as a lip color. For me, the multi-stick is a little too dry and gritty to use as a standalone lip color. I tried the multi-stick over dry lips and ended up with a crease-y, congealed mess after a few minutes of wear. I recommend applying a highly moisturizing lip balm beforehand, and giving it a few minutes to sink in. That will give you a nice, moisturized base over which to apply the multi-stick.

The real redeeming factor of using the multi-stick for lip color is its mixing capabilities. This punchy, orangey-pink lightens up darker shades (I used it for a week in the Bahamas mixed with Karma Chameleon).

ILIA Lipstick Crayon in Karma Chameleon
Let me describe what led me to the Karma Chameleon lip crayon, which is definitely not a traditional winter shade…! I was shopping for a week-long vacation in the Bahamas and wanted a tropical, fruit punch-y shade to brighten up my demure winter makeup bag. ILIA certainly has no shortage of those, but among their many lip products, I decided the lipstick crayons were my best bet. I’ve never been a traditional lipstick girl, preferring glosses, stains and balms, so I figured…why deviate now?

What’s a lipstick crayon, you ask? ILIA’s crayons do not contain beeswax, unlike their other lip color products. According to a Beautylish interview with ILIA founder Sasha Playsic, that means that the lip crayons provide a more matte finish while still moisturizing for the duration of wear. Bonus = they’re just plain fun to apply in crayon form!

Karma Chameleon did not disappoint. This super bright pink was exactly the pop of color I was looking to bring to the Bahamas. As promised by ILIA in the video above, it sets quite matte, doesn’t bleed and is full of moisture. Basically, I’d describe ILIA’s lipstick crayons as “lipstick for low maintenance girls” AKA perfect for me. You really can’t apply these babies wrong. Karma Chameleon as a shade is also super blendable: not only did I mix it with ILIA’s I Put a Spell on You to create an ideal coral shade, but since coming back to snowy Washington, I’ve been blending it with Fat and the Moon’s cranberry colored lip tint to create a dark, wintry pink. Karma Chameleon is so vibrant that it provides a nice pop to any color combo. I look forward to “inventing” many more shades!

Ilia Karma Chameleon and I Put a Spell on You

Ilia Karma Chameleon and I Put a Spell on You

Ilia Karma Chameleon and I Put a Spell on You

ILIA Lipstick Crayon Ingredients
Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Trisostearyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnuaba) Wax*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil*, Carica (Papya) Seed Oil. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red 7 (CI15858), Iron Oxide (CI77499, CI77492, CI77491). *Certified Organic Ingredients

ILIA Multi-Stick 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) Fruit*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Butter, Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Starch, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol Acetate (Natural Vitamin E). May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide (Ci 77499, Ci 77492, Ci 77491), Red 7 Ci15850, Red 28 Ci45410, Yellow 5 Ci19140. *Certified Organic Ingredients

Have you tried ILIA’s products? What are your favorite hues?

  • http://damederose.wordpress.com/ Ashley

    These look lovely! So bright and girly. :) x

    • Jennifer

      Seriously, nothing neutral about these…! Have a great V-day. :)

  • http://smellslikeagreenspirit.blogspot.com/ Liz

    Oh my! These two are absolutely gorgeous! I’ve only tried Ilia lipsticks and tinted lip conditioners so far (Arabian Knight is my favorite), but now I need to try the lip crayons. Great post! :)

    • Jennifer

      Thank you, Liz! So funny that we’ve tried opposite Ilia products…I have yet to try out their lipsticks & conditioners, but they’re on my list. I just looked at your December post on Ilia shades – Shell Shock and your swatch looks lovely. You have a great collection!

  • Katie

    I’ve been waiting so long for Ilia to bring out some vegan friendly products! I adore the Lip Pencils and Karma Chameleon is the first bright lip I’ve ever worn outside my house! I actually prefer the formula of these to my old favourite Nars lip pencils.

    • Jennifer

      I agree, I didn’t feel like I had to sacrifice ANYTHING with the Ilia lip crayon…I was a frequent user of Clinique’s Chubby Sticks and I don’t miss ‘em at all. Ilia’s are more pigmented (all the better) but still really moisturizing! Great call on the crayons being vegan, too – I didn’t even realize (d’oh!). Bonus points.

  • Ana Green (@Anagoesgreen)

    Well Karma Chameleon has been on my to buy list for a long time and I think you have just pushed me over the edge with it! Such a pretty shade and I love the pencil format. Xx

  • http://www.goodforme-goodforyou.co.uk Hephzibah

    They are gorgeous colours! I’ve tried some Ilia and not been completely wowed by them, but I am yet to try any lip colours. x