Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner in Arabian Night

Ilia is an indie, organic beauty brand that's available at Sephora and their own site. It has some online presence but primarily in the form of PR reviews. I have no gripe against the whole influester marketing, I just don't really like reading them. Even from my favorite bloggers (no matter how "honest  and unbiased" they are), whenever I see it's something provided by the PR, I just mentally zone out, not really digesting much about actual content. 

When I hop onto a blog post, I expect to read it from a consumer's point of view and it's hard to nit pick when there is a PR-buddy waiting on and expecting that exposure. Even though I didn't remember what's said about Ilia's lipsticks (all bloggers like them) but when I saw and swatched them at Sephora, I thought I could give it a try when there is some good online deal.

It wasn't expensive at $26 and it's perfect when there is that Sephora gift with purchase you want (I think it was a mini Bite lipstick I was aiming for). 

The Ilia tube is a champagne one with matte finish and simple lettering. It snaps close securely and feels solid enough on the hand (maybe just a bit lighter than Fresh Tinted balm). 

Being my boring self, I went straight for the sheer red. Arabian Night is a sheer berry with that looks like it has a tinge of warm brown in the tube. Sadly, the warmth didn't make it to my skin and it actually becomes a little magenta.

The lipstick bullet is firm and deposit a somewhat waxy layer of product that's even and moderately thin. There is no scent or taste that I could detect. For an organic product, the ingredient list looks short and wholesome but it's not something I put much importance in. 

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Oil*. May contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Black Oxide CI77499, Yellow Oxide CI77492, Red Oxide CI77491, Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140. *Certified Organic.

Some (I thought they would be) similar sheer red. Lipstick Queen Medieval is more of a neutral red, YSL Sweet Fig is brownish and more muted while Arabian Night looks quite berry.

Bare lips (after using thick balm overnight)

Ilia Arabian Night leaves a just bitten berry stain with a subtle satin shine. It's a unique finish and lovely look but that's the only thing I like about it. 

 For a lip conditioner, the waxy formula is hardly moisturizing enough. In fact it actually sinks into lips on dry day and creates a bleeding A-hole look in a few minutes. I suppose could wait until summer to wear it but well, I might as well go for Revlon lip butter. 

I don't feel bummed about this purchase but I probably wouldn't want it in another shade. There are simply too many comparable brands that look and wear better for the same price (especially from Bite and Fresh).