The Perfect Ilia Base & How Much I Love Cheekslime

I have to admit, it’s been a while since I’ve been really inspired by makeup. I’ve found the products that never let me down and once you’re in your comfort zone, it’s really hard to leave, especially when you’re as picky as me. But I’ve branched out of my comfort zone to bring you four new products to my makeup bag that I’m super excited about because they’re like really, really good.

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint

This one was a random pick for me that I figured I’d end up returning, not because I don’t like Ilia as a brand, but because it wasn’t something my skin typically gets along with. The name sounds like something I’d love: dewy, light and just a tint of coverage, but I hesitated putting it in my basket when I saw a boatload of reviews praising it for it’s similarity in feel to the Kosas Skin Tint- a product my skin did not get along with. But when I recently re-ordered my beloved Suntegrity 5-In-1 Tinted Moisturizer I accidentally ordered a shade too dark and needed something to at least mix it with until I’m able to get some color. I was relieved when the Ilia Skin Tint arrived that it was a perfect color match for me- I got the shade 4, and even the undertones match. It comes with a dropper, which I like because I’m able to suck any extra back up resulting in less waste of product. I used my Zoeva flat top brush to apply and wow does this stuff look great. A little goes a long way, but once you let it sit for a few minutes while doing your brows and lashes, this stuff melts right in and looks like glowing skin. I can’t wait to mix this with the Suntegrity and get my (probably) perfect base.

Grown Alchemist Anti-Pollution Primer

I received this as a small sample from Credo in my last order and was super keen to try it as I haven’t used any Grown Alchemist products before. Of course the package is beautiful, but I was curious to see how well the actual product held up. While this product has the feel of a silicone primer, it’s actually silicone free and doesn’t mattify the face. It’s meant to hydrate the face while also blurring pores and using peptides to improve the skins natural microbiome and fight off pollution. I’m not much of a primer girl (except for the Ilia Primer, wow do I love that stuff) but I did like this one! If you’re transferring over to clean beauty and can’t seem to find a slicone-like primer to blur pores, this is the one for you. It makes my makeup look lovely and definitely does shrink pores.

Freck CheekSlime in Cuffed

I can’t say that the name was what turned me on to this product, but rather this Instagram photo by one of my major makeup inspiration’s Amy Lawrenson. I had been interested in trying Freck for a while after finding out that they’re a clean, vegan brand and seeing how realistic their freckle makeup looked. So I took the plunge and grabbed a small of their infamous freckle makeup along with the the Cheekslime in Cuffed. You guys know how much I love the Glossier cloud paints, but I think I like this formula even more. Cheekslime is made with plant collagen for a vegan way to get that silky, smoothing texture. Not only is the warm pink a beautiful shade that is completely universal and will work on any skintone, but it’s just as pigmented as the cloud paints while also being a little thicker, making it easier to use. It stains like the cloud paints which means it lasts all day with no problems and blends really easy when you first apply. My only qualm is that Cheekslime only comes in two colors: give me more!

W3LL People Bio Brightener in Universal Glow

I’ve been on the lookout for the perfect highlighter and we’re almost there with this one. This cream formula usually comes in a stick formula- mine’s in a pot because it’s a sample- but a little goes a super long way. I typically use highlighter to add back any sheen that I lose using a powder bronzer or blush and I’ve been struggling to find something that truly looks like a glisten, not a glitter, but this is the one. I just add a quick dab on my brow bone and tip of my nose for a nice refresh of my highlight that doesn’t end up looking greasy or powdery throughout the day.