With Less, You Are More With New lilah b. Luxury Makeup

Full-on glam makeup is all over Instagram — brows so sculpted that they could cut glass, contoured everything, elaborate eye looks with false lashes and winged liner. And I love some of that. I love the artistry, and I appreciate the effort that goes into it, but there’s also a part of me that can’t wait for the tide to turn, ya know? Part of me can’t wait for makeup minimalism to come back in style with a vengeance, and when that day comes, lilah b. cosmetics will be there with bells on.

It’s a new luxury line out of Sausalito, California, which is a quaint, picturesque town just north of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco on 101 (not “the 101,” just “101”). They have a website, and you can also find them at Space NK stores.

Their philosophy has a nice ring to it: “With less, you are more.” Think streamlined creams that double as blushes and lipsticks, sheer powder foundation, creamy concealers and easy-to-wear eyeshadow combos — that kind of thing.

The products are all paraben-, pthalate- and sulfate-free, and they don’t have any synthetic fragrances. Plus, they aren’t tested on animals.

The pieces come in glossy white packaging (I think it’s gorgeous) that feels hefty and valuable. It kinda looks like polished river rocks or shells.

Boy, oh, boy, though — the products are pricey. You probably won’t bat an eyelash if you’re used to Chanel, Hourglass and Guerlain prices, but we’re talking $44 for a concealer, $34 for a lip balm, $48 for a powder foundation, $46 for a lip and cheek cream, and $58 for an eye quad.

The lilah b. look is like a super chill version of Bobbi Brown — dressed down, sheer coverage with a hint of natural-looking color. When I wear the powder foundation, concealer, eyeshadow and lip and cheek cream, I look like I’m wearing a full face, and like I’m polished and totally together, but it doesn’t look like I’m wearing cake frosting.

I wore the eyeshadow and the lip and cheek cream to the beach yesterday, and I felt like it was a perfect amount of color.

I’m totally into it. In terms of quality, the powders are silky, and the creams feel super smooth. Everything applies nicely, too.

I think it’s beautiful minimalist makeup, but I wish the products lasted a little longer on my skin. Even with primers (both face and eye) and a long-wearing makeup setting spray, I only get about six hours from the eyeshadows and powder foundation, three or four hours from the lip and cheek creams, and two hours from the concealer. By the end of the day, the colors have all but disappeared…

I still love the lilah b. look and their whole philosophy, and I’m always pulling for Bay Area makeup brands. I hope they keep fine-tuning their formulas and thinking of ways to help the products last longer, because I like where they’re headed.

When babies “throw shade”

Connor and I took this pic at the Marin Headlands the other day on our way to the beach.

That side eye, the raised brow, the pursed lips — it makes me laugh! I have no idea why she was throwing so much shade, but I’m living for it. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen