Ilia Beauty's New Lip Crayon Replaced Every Lip Product in My Bag

There are lots of great lip products on the market right now: lip treatments, oils, glosses, lipsticks — the list goes on. And with all these options comes the need to carry a few different products around for touch-ups. It's not unusual for me to throw a lip treatment, liner, lipstick, and gloss in even my smallest bag, but recently I've been getting away with carrying just one. Enter: the new Ilia Beauty Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon ($26).

Ilia Beauty Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon

From

$26

$26 at Ilia

The Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon made its debut on the Met Gala's green-ish carpet when Ayo Edebiri and Laufey wore it ahead of its official launch mid-May. Celebrity stamp of approval aside, I was also intrigued because I hadn't seen anyone use a lip crayon in awhile. The brand describes the Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon as a long-lasting, soft-matte lipstick and lip liner in one — which I hoped would mean fewer touch-ups throughout the day and the possibility of freeing up precious real estate in my bag. With all that in mind, I just knew I had to try it out.

Keep reading for my full review of the Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon and take a look at a few of the different shade options ahead.

I fell in love with the different shades upon application — I tried Banquette, Gala, and Night Bloom — and immediately noticed how smooth and creamy the formula was. I typically prime my lips with a balm or chapstick before using liner or lipstick, but with these crayons I didn't have to. The lip crayon was hydrating and glided on effortlessly.

Another pro of the crayon was how easy it was to use. Applying lipstick can be tricky, especially when maneuvering around the corners of your lips (or if you have a pointy cupid's bow like me), but with this crayon I was able to trace along the edge of my lips precisely. I'm no stranger to getting product on my upper lip after a liner or lipstick application gone wrong, so this was especially important to me.

As far as wear-time goes, I found that the lip crayon had better staying power compared to other lipsticks I own. I was impressed when I drank a hot cup of coffee and could still see remnants of my lip color (Night Bloom) left behind. Of course, a touch-up was needed after eating and drinking, but not as drastically as I would've expected. Finally, I loved the convenience that came with using the Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon. Because it's a two-in-one product, I could leave the house with only the lip crayon for any necessary touch-ups.

Apply the lip crayon like you would your lip liner — outline the edges of your lips then fill in the rest. The brand notes that you can wear Lip Sketch on its own or under a lipstick for more definition, but doesn't recommend pairing it with a lip gloss or oil because it might feather.

Although the lip crayon did a great job of staying in place, it's not 100 percent transfer- or fade-proof. It didn't quite hold up against my cup of coffee — but then again, I haven't run into a lip product that can. That being said, if you love a lip product that won't budge even a bit, you might prefer something with a super matte finish.

This lip crayon is great for anyone who likes the look and feel of a hydrating lipstick and staying power of a lip liner.

The Ilia Beauty Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon is available for purchase at Sephora and Ilia Beauty.

★★★★☆

Alida Araica is a newsletter manager at POPSUGAR, where she oversees and executes editorial and client email strategy and production. Occasionally, she lends her expertise to writing product reviews. Alida has over five years of marketing experience in digital media.