ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara in Brown: Our Honest Review.
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Finding the perfect mascara can feel like the impossible dream, but there seems to be consensus among fans that the the Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara comes close. The mascara has been a cult favorite for years, but last month, the clean-beauty brand released Before Dawnâa universally flattering brown shadeâthat promises to tint, lengthen, lift, and separate your lashes. The formula also pledges to last for 12 hours without clumping, flaking, or smudging.
Too good to be true? For the next installment of 5 People Try, five Glamour editors put the new brown iteration of Iliaâs Limitless Lash Mascara to the test. Keep reading for a detailed review with our honest thoughts.
The Product: Ilia Limitless Lash Lengthening Clean Mascara in Before DawnIlia Limitless Lash Mascara
Stephanie McNeal, senior editor
Iâd actually never tried brown mascara before this one from Ilia, and I was pleasantly surprised. While it didnât make my lashes pop like some black mascaras, it gave me subtle color and lift with a breezy âno-makeupâ makeup look. I think itâs perfect for weekend summer days when you want to look put together but not overly made up, pairing perfectly with your favorite skin tint and a light cheek color.
Rating: 7/10
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, commerce writer
Iâm a mascara girl through and through, and Iâve always been a fan of Ilia. I was curious to try the chocolate brown shade because I usually gravitate toward black mascara, as it typically defines my eyes better (after all, your girl always wears a black eyeliner wing). When I first opened it, I was immediately enamored by the brushâit has thin bristles that allow you to get into every nook and cranny of your lashes and after combing it through a few times, it does a great job of separating them.
The second thing I noticed was how much I liked the dark brown color. It didnât feel too stark or contrast with my other eye makeup. Rather, it complemented it nicely and also made my brown eyes pop. It definitely takes a few coats (and wiggles of the brush) to fully saturate the lash fringe, but it leaves behind a natural soft-focus finish. While I wouldnât reach for this one if I was looking for a highly voluminous falsies look, it gets the job done as an everyday reliable mascara for the right amount of length, dimension, and color.
Rating: 7.5/10
Lauren Brown, associate visuals director
At first, I wasnât blown away. The applicator didnât apply the solution to my lashes in smooth strokes. I had to reapply multiple times, when normally I like minimal effort with my makeup. But once I figured out what works, I must say that my lashes did appear fuller and longer. The brown was a new shade for me that surprisingly looked equally as dramatic as black.
Rating: 7.5/10
Anna Moeslein, deputy digital director
Iâd consider this Ilia mascara a good everyday mascara. If you want something highly dramatic, Iâd look elsewhere. But for a natural, you-but-better look, this is a solid option. I like that it goes on smoothly without any clumping and is so lightweight it doesnât feel like you have any product on, in the best way. I think the rich brown color is especially good with brown, green, or hazel eyes.
Rating: 8/10
Ariana Yaptangco, senior beauty editor
Iâve always thought that I couldnât wear brown mascara, but this one has changed the game for me. My coloring is fairly dark (I have black hair and tan skin), so I assumed it wouldnât do much for my lashes. But this mascara proved me wrong and then some. Not only does it have a perfectly bristled brush that coats and separates all my lashes, but the deep brown color adds just the right amount of pop to my eyes without being overwhelming like some black mascaras can be. I prefer the subtle dimension it gives me. Best of all, it doesnât budge an inch during the day, but comes off fairly easy at night.
Rating: 10/10
