We Hated Wearing Foundation in the Summer—This Buzzy Complexion Stick Changed Our Minds

Welcome to Internet Famous, a monthly series in which we ask our Instagram followers to vote on a viral beauty product that's taken social media by storm. Then the beauty team will take the winning pick for a spin and share their reviews—pictures included.

Summer isn't officially here yet, but I'm already putting my foundation away for the season. While it collects dust in my medicine cabinet, skin tints, concealers, and tinted sunscreens will get all the love. Don't get me wrong—I'm not a foundation hater, but with summer heat waves, the last thing I want is to feel like my face is melting off the second I step outside. I know I'm not the only one on the WWW team who opts for foundation alternatives during the summertime, so I had to get my colleagues' honest opinions of the viral Ilia Skin Rewind Blurring Foundation and Concealer Complexion Stick ($48).

Before we get into our highly anticipated editor reviews, let's talk product features. This foundation-and-concealer hybrid comes in an easy-to-use stick that you can apply directly to the skin. It comes in a whopping 42 shades, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid to get the wrong shade for my skin tone. But the first swatch glided on so nicely that I couldn't tell if any of the product actually came off on my skin. It blended in that smoothly! The blurring effect is what sold me. Goodbye, redness, pores, and texture! Formulated with a ceramide-peptide complex, winged kelp extract, and a butterfly lavender extract, this makeup product acts more like skincare. These potent anti-aging ingredients make the skin look firmer and smoother while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you want to see what six editors had to say about this new buzzy product, keep scrolling.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @nataliegrayherder)

"I'll be honest: This product was not love at first use for me. I have dry skin, and without the proper prep routine, this product clings to every dry patch. However, prepping my skin with a facial mist changed my entire experience the second time around. I love the buildable medium coverage, I love that I can throw it in my luggage and not worry about it spilling, and I love how it wears naturally throughout the day without getting too shiny." — Natalie Gray Herder, Editor

Natalie is wearing the shade Sycamore.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @annadzhenderson)

"I hate being that pick-me person who's always saying, 'I never wear foundation,' but it's true. I rarely wear foundation. I don't love the way it feels on my skin! But this lightweight foundation stick is it. I put a bit directly on my skin and rubbed it in with my fingers, and it created this natural-looking blurred effect on my face. I was obsessed. I threw on a little bit of Supergoop! Glowscreen sunscreen on top, Kylie Cosmetics concealer, some blush, and I was set. I wore it the whole day, and it never felt or looked cakey!" — Anneliese Henderson, Senior Fashion Editor

Anneliese is wearing the shade Aruba.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @emm.hugh)

"One thing I find oddly satisfying in a complexion product? Being able to apply it in stick form. I don't think this Ilia Complexion Stick could be easier to apply. After swiping the stick directly onto my skin, I gently buffed out the product with a brush and was left with the most impressive lightweight coverage. If you want a complexion product that looks natural for daytime but offers a flawless base for a night out, this is a keeper." — Emma Hughes, Social Media Editor

Emma is wearing the shade Willow.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @aniyahmorinia)

"Lately, I've been reaching for products that don't require excessive blending, mixing, or setting, so I was immediately intrigued based on the user-friendly packaging. The stick even has some intentional indentations where your fingers rest so that you can hold it comfortably. It glided on with ease and was a perfect shade match, which is pretty rare! I blended with a brush and added blush and concealer with no lifting or patchiness. As someone who usually avoids matte finishes, I was a little hesitant to try this, but I didn't mind relying on the other cream and liquid products in my routine to help with the glow. I'll definitely reach for this during the summer." — Aniyah Morinia, Editor

Aniyah is wearing the shade Tineo.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

"To be honest, I didn't expect to love this foundation stick. I tend to gravitate toward products with dewier finishes (usually liquid formulas), so the natural-matte payoff initially gave me some pause. I'm happy to report that I've been proven wrong! This complexion stick makes my skin look plush and cloud-like, not dry and cakey, and it blurs fine lines and discoloration like no other. I like to apply it directly on areas where I want a bit more coverage (like the middle of my forehead and sides of my nose) and use a dense complexion brush to buff it out. The result? A healthy, soft finish that doesn't look like I'm wearing anything at all." — Jamie Schneider, Senior Beauty Editor

Jamie is wearing the shade Holly.

Editors Applying ILIA Complexion Stick

(Image credit: @c__bellamy)

"I love makeup in stick form. The only exception is foundation. I have to give it to Ilia for making me question myself because I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It's super lightweight but still offers impressive coverage. Just make sure your skin is properly prepped and moisturized beforehand to make application smooth." — Caitie Bellamy, Group Executive Director, Branded Content and Beauty

Caitie is wearing the shade Madrone.

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Aniyah Morinia
Associate Branded Content Editor
Aniyah Morinia is an NYC-based associate beauty and fashion editor at Who What Wear. She has worked in fashion media since 2018 and joined WWW's branded content team, where she not only writes for some of her favorite brands but also creates content for them. Aniyah will find any excuse to get a photo of her outfit and absolutely loves taking photos. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2020 with a bachlor's degree in public relations and started post-grad life freelancing for EveryStylishGirl, Riot Swim, and Baby Tress. Since starting at Who What Wear, Aniyah has developed a passion for hosting livestreams, working red carpets, and creating TikToks in addition to writing fashion and beauty stories. When Aniyah's not writing or creating content, you can find her exploring Brooklyn and eating her way through the city. She'll never pass up the opportunity to uncover an NYC hidden gem or mix and mingle with her friends (all while swapping holy-grail products, of course).