Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty: An Honest Review

I’ve been waiting months for Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty to launch, a natural cosmetics and skincare line with chic packaging and great prices (nothing is more than $34.) I was so optimistic I would love it that I bought 8 things that I can’t wait to share my thoughts on now that I’ve had a chance to use them throughout the week.

The ordering process ordeal

I know the site is new and they’ll work out the glitches, but I wanted to do a ‘bundle’ order which means you can order any 3 things and they’ll only charge you $50 no matter the iindividual prices, then any additional items are 25% off. It’s a great deal but the catch is that it automatically enrolls you in their monthly subscription service where you receive 3 products for $50 every month. You can cancel after the first order (as I will) but it’s the best deal should you want at least 3 things. I was trying to do it all from my phone, but every time I’d fill my bundle my cart would clear out and I’d have to start over. It took over an hour before finally completing the order from my IPad, and then I received a confirmation letting me know that only the first 3 products were sent through so I emailed (then tweeted when I didn’t hear back) to add on the 5. And then I got a confirmation 3 days later that my shipment had been mailed out, but again it was only for those first 3 products. So I emailed (then tweeted when I didn’t hear back!) to let them know that nothing was actually fixed so they just shipped another box with those 5 separately. It was actually really time consuming and annoying, but I received it all about 5 days after ordering and it was all correct and in tact.

The Products

Even Brighter Everyday Moisturizer $34

I took a gamble on this light lotion hoping that it wouldn’t break me out (nothing did actually!) and I do like it. It’s packed with ingredients designed to lighten pigment and get skin glowing which I really need right now, but it’s too early to know if that’s what it will deliver. I’ve been using it at night after a serum and it feels light yet hydrating leaving behind a nice slip that’s still there in the morning. If you’re dry though, it won’t be enough moisture for you. I typically favor a cream at night but I’m in it for the  benefits so if my skin doesn’t look brighter by the end of the bottle, I’ll go back to a cream.

Everything Primer $27

So the first thing I noticed was that it’s a small 1oz bottle so the $27 price tag isn’t really such a bargain considering that, but if you’re trying to keep prices low without sacrificing on ingredients, that’s a way to do it. (And really, how fast do you typically just burn through primer?) But the weirdest thing is that it  stinks faintly of new plastic which is strange. Luckily that smell doesn’t stick around, but it’s worth noting. That said, the primer itself is really good. It has a glowy bronzed sort of tint to it so you could wear it solo on no makeup days and still have some sort of coverage on your skin, and as far as priming it does what it’s supposed to do. It left my face feeling glassy smooth so my foundation slid well over top and it’s light enough to not compete with your moisturizer which can make that added step feel too heavy on the skin. It doesn’t at all feel like those heavy silicone-based primers (although it does contain some Dimethicone) and it makes my skin look great after using it so it’s  something I would buy again (I’m just hoping they get the scent figured out soon.)

Everything Cream Foundation $30

I didn’t want to buy another tinted moisturizer, I wanted something with more coverage which is exactly what this cream foundation delivers. I ordered it in ‘Linen’ which matches my skin, but it could benefit by having a little more of a yellow in it. It’s a very creamy, neutral shade that could possibly look pinky on some skin tones but it’s fine on mine. I apply it with a brush and then press it in using a damp Beauty Blender which is the usual way I apply my foundation. It covers well like a cream should and disappears quickly leaving only the look of great skin behind. I can build it in areas where I need more coverage too and it never looks heavy. Cream foundations are hard to get right and I feel like this one is spot on. It’s something I’d definitely buy again.

Concealer Duo $20

I got the fairest shade (Vanilla) which matches well, I use the lighter side under my eyes and the darker on my face. Like the foundation, I’d like to see it with a bit more of a yellow tone, but it does blend into my skin well. It creases slightly under my eyes as the day wears on even when I set it with the Luminizing Powder, but it’s slight and I actually use quite a bit so it’s understandable. I had been using a Jane Iredale duo concealer but I like this one much better because it’s thick aand not drying which I think is tough to accomplish with a heavier consistency like this.

Luminizing Face Powder $25

I didn’t understand if this was a setting powder or highlighter because their site it says you can use it for either, but now I know that it’s best suited as a light, glowy finishing powder (kinda like La Mer’s) to set without getting a powdery dullness. If you’re thinking of buying it to use as a highlight- don’t, there isn’t enough of a sheen to it to create that look. I wish they would’ve made 4 skin tone shades (and one translucent) to use only as setting powders instead of suggesting it might highlight the skin because it’s so incredible- lighter than a mineral powder with only slight coverage and a really pretty finish that isn’t matte or heavy. I’d suggest it for this purpose only and but not at all to highlight (at least with the lightest shade which is what I have.)

Truly Lush Mascara + Lash Primer $22

I took one look at the brush and instantly regretted buying it. It’s that rubbery, short bristled sort of wand that I all out avoid in mascaras because I don’t think they build enough. Oddly though, it might be one of the better mascaras I’ve ever used. There’s a primer on one side which I don’t like (even though I use a primer) because I feel like it eats into valuable mascara space in the dual-ended tube. It took just 1 coat to fatten up my lashes and also hold the curl. It’s not as bulletproof as mainstream mascaras so if you’re running around and sweating you might get slight smudging, but as far as natural formulas go it’s one of the few to offer a thick, rich glossy black that builds well and gives tons of volume.

Truly Kissable Lip Crayon Demi Matte $18

I love this crayon, it’s actually inspiring me to wear color on my lips which I so rarely do these days. Melon Kiss is a deep pink that I lighten with a ballet pink gloss over top and it turns into the prettiest lip color I’ve ever used. Even with the gloss it lasted through 5 hours and a chai before it started to fade out. The formula feels like a lip balm and it’s not quite a true matte which keeps the look more casual. The other 3 shades looked just sort of meh otherwise I’d order more.

Créme Blush $22

I was really impressed by this formula which has a good amount of pigment, but blends easily so you can make it as sheer as you’d like. I apply it with a brush and buff it into my cheeks for an even coverage and it wears all day long without fading. It’s really one of the better cream blushes I’ve tried which I tend to favor because they look so much more natural on the skin than a powder. I chose Truly Flirting and will probably grab Truly Teasing (how awful are these names?) next time just so I have a more beige option as well.

I might do the $6 skincare set next

You can choose a 3 piece skincare set based on your skin type for just $6 (again it enrolls you into their monthly subscription that you can cancel) but the samples are a deluxe size so it’s worth it to check out before making the investment. 

All in all I really liked everything I ordered and would completely reccomend the line to those who are looking for chemical-free makeup without breaking the bank.