My Favourite ILIA Products That Give You That ‘I Barely Tried’ French-Girl Look
Main image – Courtesy of writer
Few beauty aesthetics endure quite like French-girl makeup. You know the look: dewy skin, flushed cheeks, a quick swipe of mascara and, of course, a (slightly undone) red lip. The kind of makeup that feels thoughtless but still somehow intentional. Instinctively applied in 10 minutes or less. Worn the same every day but somehow always feels fresh.
Of course, the irony of looking like you haven’t spent much time on your makeup is that it can take quite a lot of effort to get right. The secret isn’t necessarily wearing less makeup, but choosing products that let your skin still look like skin. Enter ILIA.
Image – Courtesy of writer
It’s an ethos the brand ILIA has built its beauty offering around. Known for its skin-first approach, it creates makeup designed to enhance rather than mask, pairing skincare ingredients with buildable pigments and natural-looking finishes.
From lightweight skin tints to creamy, finger-friendly balm sticks, its products lend themselves particularly well to that slightly undone, rushing-out-the-door look. The kind of makeup that doesn’t necessarily look like makeup at all. (Very French, indeed.)
Limitless Lash Mascara
This mascara is one of the standout products from the ILIA range, and a personal holy grail of mine. Available in black and brown (the latter lending itself perfectly to softer daytime looks), it strikes that elusive balance between length and volume, thanks to its clever dual-sided wand.
It’s worth noting that the full-size tube contains 8g of product, and the formula is designed to last for up to 12 hours without flaking or smudging. It’s also ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, and washes off with warm water – a small detail, but one I very much appreciate at the end of the day.
The formula contains natural beeswax to nourish and condition the lashes, while staying clump- and flake-free throughout the day. It’s also one of the few mascaras I’ve tried that doesn’t drop or smudge on me. For that reason alone, it’s earned permanent residence in my makeup bag.
SHOP THE LIMITLESS LASH MASCARA
£29 from ILIA UK
$29 from ILIA US
Multi-stick
This multi-use stick is by far one of the most versatile offerings from the ILIA range. Swipe it across cheeks, lips or even eyelids for a fresh, dewy flush of colour that instantly makes you look a little more put together.
Formulated with a blend of nourishing ingredients, including castor seed oil, beeswax and shea butter, it brings a skincare element to your makeup routine, hydrating as you swipe. Choose from 12 shades, each delivering buildable pigment that can be blended with fingers, a brush or a sponge. In other words, the definition of five-minute makeup.
Each stick contains 4g of product and comes in both natural and more luminous finishes, so there’s scope to go as subtle or glowy as you like. The twist-up format also means there are no brushes (or sharpeners) required, making it particularly handy for throwing in your bag and applying on the go.
SHOP THE MULTI-STICK
£36 from ILIA UK
$36 from ILIA US
Eye Stylus Shadow Stick
I’ve always been a fan of cream eyeshadow sticks for just how effortless they make a makeup routine. A quick swipe, a little blending, and you’re good to go, without everything looking too perfect. (I like to keep my eye makeup minimal and time-friendly, if you hadn’t already gathered.)
These shadow sticks do exactly that. The clever slanted tip means you can sweep the flat edge across the lid for a wash of colour, or use the finer point to define the lash line. Available in 20 matte and shimmer shades, there’s everything from understated taupes and warm browns to golds, lilacs and greens.
The 1.5g sticks are waterproof, sweatproof and crease-resistant, with the colour designed to stay put for up to 12 hours. Better still, there’s no need for an eye primer underneath – useful if, like me, the entire point of reaching for an eyeshadow stick is to remove as many steps as possible.
SHOP THE EYE STYLUS SHADOW STICK
£32 from ILIA UK
$33 from ILIA US
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 30
Rarely will you find me (or French girls, for that matter) wearing a full face of foundation. If a few dots of concealer won’t quite cut it, a tinted base is usually the next course of action. The key is making sure your skin still looks like skin, with a fresh, almost post-facial glow.
And that’s exactly where ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint comes in. Sitting somewhere between makeup and skincare, the lightweight, serum-like formula offers light-to-medium coverage, evening out the complexion while still allowing freckles and natural skin texture to peek through.
Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin hydrated throughout the day, while squalane locks in moisture and supports the skin barrier. There’s even mineral SPF 30 thrown into the mix.
A little goes a long way. I prefer to apply it with my fingers for a sheer, lived-in finish, or I’ll reach for a flat-top kabuki brush when I want a little more coverage.
There are 30 shades, spanning light to deep skin tones and including options specifically developed for olive undertones. The formula is also non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free, while the SPF comes courtesy of 12% zinc oxide – making this a particularly impressive amount of functionality for something that feels so lightweight on the skin.
SHOP THE SUPER SERUM SKIN TINT SPF 30
£42 from ILIA UK
$48 from ILIA US
The takeaway
French-girl beauty isn’t really about following the rules. It’s about doing just enough. And that’s exactly why ILIA works so well. The products are quick, intuitive and designed to enhance what’s already there, rather than cover it up.
Image – Courtesy of writer
A few swipes, a little blending with your fingers, and you’re out the door. Perfectly imperfect. And all the better for it.
