ILIA A Fine Romance Multi-Stick ($34.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with subtle, cool undertones and a natural sheen. It had semi-sheer color coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque coverage, which made it one of the more pigmented shades within the range (for those who need or desire higher coverage).
The texture was lightweight, smooth, and moderately emollient but had to be warmed up slightly before really yielding color, so I preferred to apply with fingertips as a result. The product applied evenly to my cheeks and blended out with ease as the more gel-like consistency ensured it spread out well without lifting up base products. It never fully dried down, so while it lasted for seven hours before starting to fade, it wasn’t transfer-proof–something to keep in mind.
As a lip product, it had more medium coverage–applied directly from the tube, which was the easiest way to get an even layer of product–and sat fairly well on my lips; it stayed on for two and a half hours and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING:
Formula Overview
for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
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Formula Overview
$34.00/0.15 oz. – $226.67 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to deliver a “soft wash of color” for cheeks and lips that can be applied with “fingertips or a densely packed brush.” The product is best for someone who is looking primarily for a cream blush over a lip color, as the latter can work but it is short-wearing, thin, and didn’t always sit well on lips (tended to emphasize texture/catch on flakes). It’s by no means an ultra-hydrating lip balm, but it worked well as a cream blush.
These types of multi-tasking products often can be used in more than one way, but so often, they work well for a primary function; in this case, that’s as a blush. The consistency was smooth, dense, and balm-like that had to be warmed up slightly with fingertips or held against the cheek. The finish was dewy without being overly tacky, but it never fully dried down, so those who need something more transfer-resistant will want to look elsewhere.
It was moderately emollient with a gel-cream feel, so it spread well over bare skin and wasn’t prone to lifting up base products. It was easy to apply and diffuse for a “soft wash of color” as described. They were somewhat buildable to medium coverage if desired. The product wore between seven and eight hours before fading visibly.
As a lip product, they applied best from the tube, as this yielded more even coverage and minimized the product catching on imperfections. The coverage varied from sheer to medium and had higher coverage when applied from the tube. They lasted two to three hours as lip products.
Browse all of our ILIA Multi-Stick swatches.
Ingredients
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera/Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Cera/Wax, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch*, Citric Acid, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), [+/-: Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, Ci 77491, Ci 77499), Mica, Red 27 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140)]. *Organic Ingredients. Ingrédients Organiques.
This product is certified Gluten-free.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer)
at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable
to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.