How I Switched to Clean Makeup and Why: Ilia Beauty Review

Sharing my NEW (mostly) clean makeup routine! And it looks just as good, maybe even better than my old makeup look. 

I have been using the @yuka_app for a while now and I sadly (but fortunately) found out that all my makeup products (that I have been using consistently for at least 5 years) have harmful ingredients that are causing infertility and cancer. So, I quickly did some research and switched out most of my face products.

A French non-profit runs Yuka and shares what chemicals are in household and beauty products. All you must do is download the free app, open up the app and scan a barcode on whatever beauty or household product you are curious about and if the app knows the product/it has been submitted, the ingredients will pop up. You can click on the ingredients and get a plain-non-scientific explanation of what the ingredient is and what health risks are associated with it. The app also gives you the scientific sources it uses to gather this information.

 

Here is a breakdown of what products I was using (and still love) but decided to switch because of their toxic chemicals. I am also sharing my thoughts on the new products that I have been using for over two months now (contains affiliate links):

Foundation:

-Old: Lancôme Tient Idole Ultra Wear foundation

         -Why the switch: This foundation has BHT which is hazardous. BHT has demonstrated endocrine disruptive effects, according to the Yuka app.

-New: Ilia True Skin Tint Serum Foundation

         -Why the switch: On the Yuka app, this foundation is rated excellent with a 90/100 score because all the ingredients have either low or no health risks.

         -Thoughts: This foundation is very light weight, and very thin in consistency. I was skeptical at first that it wouldn’t cover the discoloration on my face, but all I need is one pump, with a damp beauty blender and it covers everything up.

Under eyes:

-Not changing: Tarte CC Under-eye Color Corrector

         -On Yuka this is given a poor score with 43/100 because this product has some ingredients linked to a moderate risk of cancer. But sadly, I have really dark under eye circles and this is the ONLY thing that works to cover them up. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

-Old: YSL Touche Éclat

         -Why the switch: A blogger I follow (I forget who) uses a different app than Yuka, and she said that on that app, Touche Éclat is very hazardous.

-New: Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer

         -Why: Rated Excellent by Yuka.

         -Thoughts: I bought this concealer in a lighter shade than my foundation, so it has a brightening effect, just like the YSL concealer does. This concealer is a thicker consistency than the foundation and feels really nice on my skin. I like the applicator and the glass bottle. It doesn’t crease. I put two to three dots under my eyes after I use the CC corrector and then I set with powder.

Setting powder:

-Old: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

         -Why the switch: This powder is rating 13/100 by Yuka because it has Proplparaben and Butylparaben which are both hazardous endocrine disrupters. I was so sad to see that this product is toxic, because it gives the best blurring effect.

-New: Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder

         - Why the switch: I didn’t scan the packaging, but I trusted the Ilia website and the claims: “Talc-Free, vegan, cruelty-free, certified gluten-free.” I also read the ingredients and the two listed above in the Laura Mercier powder were not in this one. The ingredients are: “Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Mica, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Bambusa Arundinacea (Bamboo) Stem Extract, Silica Silylate, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aqua/Water, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Passiflora Incarnata (Passionflower) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Powder*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). *Organic Ingredients.”

         -Thoughts: I have oily skin and I never feel the urge to touch up my makeup throughout the day when I use this powder. I think it locks in shine BETTER than the Laura Mercier power (that’s a bold statement right there, because the Laura Mercier powder is a cult favorite). I put this powder all over my face and under my eyes. My concealers don’t crease, and my foundation lasts all day! You should see my makeup wipe when I go to the gym after work, so much makeup comes off, because the makeup stays on my skin for 10+ hours.

Bronzer/Contour:

-Old: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

         - Why the switch: Rated 42/100 by Yuka. This isn’t the worst rating, but not the best. I thought if I was getting rid of most of my makeup for cleaner options, I might as well switch this one too. 

-New: Ilia Nightlight Bronzing Powder

         - Why the switch: This is another talc-free product. Although it doesn’t smell like chocolate like the Too Faced one, this one is way better for you. The ingredients are: Mica, Zinc Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ethyl Macadamiate, Tocopherol, Malic Acid. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).

         -Thoughts: I got the shade Novelty and it is practically identical in shade and tone to the medium Chocolate Soleil. I love it. It’s beautiful. It lasts all day an it gives me the perfect contour.

 

Blush:

-Not changing: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

         - Why the switch: The rating is 43/100 by Yuka. I love this blush. I have all the different colors because it really lasts on my skin. I feel with a liquid foundation and setting powder it is weird to put a cream or liquid blush on top. I feel like it would mix everything around on my face. Does that make sense? I know Ilia makes a highly rated cream blush that is clean, but I am not interested in cream. If someone has a highly rated (on the Yuka App) powder blush, please let me know.

 

Highlight:

-Old: Becca Champagne Pop (which is now discontinued)

         - Why the switch: On Yuka, the rating is 29/100 with moderate risks of carcinogens and endocrine disrupter. Also, this highlight and brand got discontinued, so this was the perfect time to switch.

-New: Ilia Daylight Highlighting Powder in Decades (soft gold)

         - Why the switch: Again, this is a talc-free product. Yuka ranks it as 90/100.

         -Thoughts: AMAZING, STUNNING, GORGEOUS! The most beautiful gold shimmer EVER! Honestly, I think it’s better than Becca. It also comes in a rose gold shade.

 

Mascara:

-Not changing: Maybelline the Rocket Mascara

         - Why the switch: This is my holy grail makeup product. If I find out this product is getting discontinued, you bet, I will be running to every CVS, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid and drug store around and buying every single one off the shelves. It’s my favorite. It gives my lashes the best length and volume! The ratings are very bad on Yuka (32/100… yikes). But, I can’t part with it! I guess I will take my chances of getting cancer for this amazing $8 tube. I also can’t justify purchasing $35-45 mascara. Face makeup, yes, because it lasts a whole lot longer than mascara. 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and I hope you learned more about clean beauty products and the ultimate app: Yuka. I really enjoyed writing it for you.

 

Obviously, I am not perfect, nor am I a scientist, so take what you want away from this, but I hope you follow along with me into this cleaner/healthier beauty journey.

 

Here is a link for an Ilia discount: https://fbuy.io/ilia/xc6g3a22 (not sponsored).