LYS Beauty: Products, Ingredients, Reviews, and Is It Worth It
Clean beauty has historically come with two major asterisks. One, you might have to sacrifice serious pigment for “natural” formulas. And two, the shade range often felt like an afterthought (looking at you, brands that launch with twelve beige-y shades and call it a day).
Enter LYS Beauty.
If you haven’t stumbled across the LYS beauty products yet during your late-night Sephora scrolling sessions, you’re in for a treat. I’ve dug into everything – from the founder’s story to the best-selling products, and even how it stacks up against other heavy hitters. Let’s get into it.
LYS Beauty Overview
What Is LYS Beauty
LYS Beauty is a clean color cosmetics brand built on a surprisingly simple premise: your makeup should be just as good for your skin as your skincare routine. The name itself – LYS – is an acronym for Love Your Self, and that mission shines through in everything they do.
Launched in 2021, LYS made history as the first Black-owned clean makeup brand to launch at Sephora – a major milestone for LYS Beauty Sephora partnerships – effectively shattering the myth that clean formulas can’t deliver rich pigment, performance, and affordability all at once.
Founder and Brand Background
The woman behind the magic is Tisha Thompson, and her story is honestly pretty inspiring. Thompson didn’t just wake up one day and decide to start a beauty brand – she’s been in the trenches for over 25 years. She started as a makeup artist at MAC, then ran marketing at Pür Cosmetics, and even handled finances at Astral Brands (the parent company of Butter London).
So what sparked the clean beauty brand LYS? While developing a 100-shade foundation range at Pür, Thompson noticed a glaring problem: the clean beauty industry was largely ignoring women of color. Brands were marketing to older white women at premium price points, and nobody was addressing the specific skin concerns of melanin-rich complexions. After her father passed away in 2019, she decided life was too short to wait.
What Makes LYS Beauty Different
Here’s the thing – there are plenty of clean beauty brands out there. What makes LYS Beauty stand out? Three things, really. First, every single product is priced under $30, which is practically unheard of in the clean beauty world, where a single foundation can easily run you $45+.
Second, Thompson formulates specifically for the skin concerns that matter most to women of color – blemishes, hyperpigmentation, excess oil, and uneven texture – without ignoring everyone else.
And third, the clean beauty brand LYS is skincare-first, meaning every product is packed with active LYS beauty ingredients that actually do something for your complexion beyond just covering it up.
LYS Beauty Brand Philosophy and Values
Clean Beauty and Ingredient Transparency
LYS Beauty doesn’t mess around when it comes to ingredient standards. The brand adheres to the rigorous Sephora Clean + Credo Clean standards, which means you won’t find any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, or a host of other nasties in their formulas. They’re also completely fragrance-free, talc-free, gluten-free, and SLS-free – so if you have sensitivities, this is a brand worth paying attention to.
Inclusivity and Shade Range
Remember when “inclusive” meant maybe 15 shades if you were lucky? LYS Beauty came out swinging with 35 shades of their Triple Fix Serum Foundation, spanning a truly diverse range of undertones and depths. The concealer line follows suit with 25 shades.
Vegan and Cruelty-Free Approach
Yes to both. LYS Beauty is 100% vegan and completely cruelty-free – one of the rare vegan makeup brands that’s also Leaping Bunny certified. No animal-derived ingredients, no animal testing, period. Shop with a clean conscience.
LYS Beauty Products Overview
Face Makeup Products
The brand’s core lineup focuses on complexion essentials – foundations, concealers, setting powders, bronzers, blushes, highlighters, and primers. Everything is designed to work together seamlessly, and the formulas are buildable. If you’re on the hunt for cruelty free makeup that doesn’t compromise on performance, LYS delivers – no animals harmed, no patchy results.
Skincare-Infused Cosmetics
This is where LYS really shines. Every product doubles as skincare. The foundation hydrates while it covers. The setting powder blurs while it nourishes. The bronzer contours while it soothes. It’s makeup that works with your skin, not against it.
Bestselling LYS Beauty Products
According to Sephora and customer data, the absolute fan favorites include:
- Triple Fix Serum Foundation ($24) – lightweight, buildable coverage with 35 shades
- No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick ($21) – creamy, blendable, and impossible to mess up
- Higher Standards Satin Matte Cream Blush ($16) – sells out constantly for good reason
- Triple Fix Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($22) – talc-free and blurs like a dream
LYS Beauty Foundation and Complexion Products
Triple Fix Serum Foundation Review
Okay, let’s talk about the star of the show. The LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation is hands-down the product that put this brand on the map. It’s a serum foundation, which means it’s thinner and more fluid than a traditional foundation, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it lacks coverage.
In practice, the LYS beauty foundation glides onto the skin like a dream. It offers light-to-medium coverage that’s completely buildable, so you can layer it up in areas where you need a little extra love without it ever looking cakey. The finish is natural – not dewy, not matte, just skin. One reviewer called it their “winter holy grail foundation,” noting how creamy and comfortable it feels on application.
Shade Range and Coverage Options
With 35 shades spanning fair to deep, with neutral, cool, and warm undertones across the spectrum, LYS Beauty has done their homework. The foundation also comes in a stick format – the Triple Fix Blurring Skin Tint Foundation Stick ($25) – which offers a similar finish in a more portable, swipe-and-go package.
Finish, Wear, and Skin Benefits
Here’s what you really want to know: how does it wear? The LYS beauty foundation holds up surprisingly well throughout the day. It doesn’t oxidize (major win), and while it’s not marketed as waterproof or transfer-proof, it stays put through a normal 8-10 hour day without breaking apart.
LYS Beauty Ingredients and Formulation
Key Ingredients Used in Products
LYS Beauty loads their products with seriously impressive ingredients:
- Ashwagandha – an adaptogenic herb that helps combat skin stress and signs of aging
- Turmeric – antioxidant-rich, brightens, evens skin tone, and soothes inflammation
- Hyaluronic Acid – attracts and retains moisture for plump, hydrated skin
- Avocado Oil – deeply nourishing and rich in fatty acids
- Green Tea Extract – antioxidant powerhouse that soothes and protects
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – reduces pore appearance and controls excess shine
One LYS Beauty review on Sephora noted that the ashwagandha “handles stress and aging, while the turmeric boosts radiance and evens things out”.
Benefits for Different Skin Types
Dry skin? The hyaluronic acid and avocado oil will be your best friends. Oily or combo skin? Niacinamide helps control shine, and the formulas are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Sensitive skin? No fragrance, no essential oils, no harsh alcohols means less chance of irritation. Acne-prone? The LYS beauty ingredients are anti-inflammatory and non-irritating.
Clean and Non-Toxic Claims Explained
When LYS says “clean,” they mean it. Their formulas are free from over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients according to Credo Clean Standard criteria. They also avoid silicones (in many products), parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
LYS Beauty Reviews and Customer Feedback
Positive Reviews and Results
Overall, the LYS Beauty review is overwhelmingly positive. Customers consistently rave about the cream bronzer and blush sticks, with one reviewer calling the blush “smooth, blendable, natural looking, pigmented but not overly pigmented”. Another noted that the formula “glides on super smoothly and gives a rich, opaque color in just one swipe” and praised how lightweight the matte formulas feel – “not one of those drying formulas that crack after an hour”.
Common Complaints
No brand is perfect. Some customers have reported that the mascara was clumpy and prone to flaking, so that might be one to skip. A few users with very oily skin mentioned that the LYS beauty foundation required setting powder to last all day.
Overall Brand Reputation
LYS Beauty has built a reputation as a reliable, affordable clean beauty brand that delivers on its promises. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel – it’s just making a really, really good wheel that works for more people. One thorough review gave the brand an 8.8/10 overall, praising the pigmentation (9.5), application (9), and affordability.
LYS Beauty Pros and Cons
Key Advantages of LYS Beauty
- Affordable clean beauty – everything under $30
- Truly inclusive shade ranges (35 LYS beauty foundation shades)
- Skincare-infused formulas with proven active LYS beauty ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free with certifications
- Fragrance-free and talc-free – great for sensitive skin
- Widely available at Sephora, Credo, and Kohl’s
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
- Smaller product range compared to established brands (no eyeshadow palettes, limited lip options)
- Some products (like the mascara) get mixed reviews
- Cream formulas may require a bit of practice to apply perfectly
- Not all products are silicone-free if that’s a concern for you
LYS Beauty vs Other Clean Beauty Brands
LYS Beauty vs Rare Beauty
| Feature | LYS Beauty | Rare Beauty |
| Price point | $16–$27 | $14–$29 |
| Clean beauty standards | Sephora Clean + Credo Clean | Sephora Clean |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes |
| Cruelty-free | Yes | Yes |
| Shade range (foundation) | 35 shades | 48 shades |
| Skincare ingredients | Ashwagandha, turmeric, HA | Niacinamide, squalane |
| Best for | Skincare-first coverage | Soft matte, blendable color |
LYS Beauty vs Fenty Beauty
| Feature | LYS Beauty | Fenty Beauty |
| Price point | $16–$27 | $20–$40+ |
| Clean beauty | Clean certified | Not primarily clean |
| Vegan | 100% vegan | Mostly vegan, not all |
| Finish preference | Natural, skin-like | Matte, long-wear |
| Skincare benefits | High (ingredients infused) | Low (focus on wear) |
| Accessibility | Sephora, Credo | Sephora, Ulta, widespread |
LYS Beauty vs Ilia Beauty
| Feature | LYS Beauty | Ilia Beauty |
| Price point | $16–$27 | $28–$54 |
| Clean beauty | Sephora Clean + Credo | Clean, natural-focused |
| Vegan | 100% vegan | Not fully vegan |
| Coverage style | Buildable medium | Sheer to light |
| Key ingredients | Ashwagandha, turmeric | Mastic, aloe, rosehip |
| Best for | Affordability + coverage | Natural “no-makeup” look |
LYS Beauty: How to Choose the Right Products
Selecting Products for Your Skin Type
- Dry skin: Start with the Triple Fix Serum Foundation, then set lightly with powder only where needed. The cream blush and bronzer sticks will add glow without emphasizing texture.
- Oily skin: Use the Triple Fix Translucent Setting Powder to control shine. The matte bronzer and powder products will be your friends.
- Combination skin: Mix and match! Use cream products on drier areas and powder where you tend to get shiny.
- Sensitive skin: Stick to the fragrance-free, talc-free formulas. The LYS Beauty Foundation and concealer are both gentle enough for daily wear.
Finding the Right Shade Match
LYS Beauty offers an impressive range, but here’s a pro tip: don’t just match to your jawline. Swatch a few shades on your cheek and blend down your neck to see what disappears into your skin. The brand organizes shades by depth (fair, light, medium, tan, deep) and undertone (cool, neutral, warm), so start there and adjust as needed.
Building a Simple Makeup Routine
Want to build a full face with the clean beauty brand LYS? Try this:
- Prime (optional): Think Bright Glow + Hydrate Serum adds radiance
- Foundation: Triple Fix Serum Foundation for everyday, or the stick for touch-ups on the go
- Concealer: Triple Fix Brightening Concealer for under-eyes and spots
- Bronzer: No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick to add dimension
- Blush: Higher Standards Cream Blush for a healthy flush
- Set: Triple Fix Translucent Loose Setting Powder to lock everything in
LYS Beauty Price and Value
Are LYS Beauty Products Affordable
Everything in the LYS Beauty lineup is priced under $30, with most products falling between $16 and $25. When you factor in that you’re getting clean, vegan, skincare-infused formulas from one of the most genuinely inclusive makeup brands on the market right now, the value proposition becomes even stronger.
Comparing Price to Quality
The real test is whether the quality matches the price. According to customer reviews and hands-on testing, LYS Beauty punches well above its weight class. The foundation feels and performs like a $40+ product, and the cream blushes have been compared favorably to formulas that cost twice as much. One review calculated that the Higher Standards Satin Matte Cream Blush costs just $2.46 per gram, compared to $3.50–$5 per gram for comparable products.
Where to Buy LYS Beauty
You can find LYS Beauty Sephora locations across the US, Canada, and Australia. The brand is also available at Credo Beauty, Sephora at Kohl’s (over 800 locations as of April 2025), and directly on the LYS Beauty website. With the recent Series A funding, expansion into more retailers is likely on the horizon.
LYS Beauty FAQs
Yes, absolutely. LYS Beauty adheres to both Sephora Clean standards and Credo Clean Standard, meaning their formulas are free from over 2,700 potentially harmful ingredients, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, and synthetic fragrances. They’re also talc-free, gluten-free, and fragrance-free.
Generally, yes. Because LYS Beauty products are fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and free from common irritants, they’re a solid choice for sensitive skin types. The formulas are non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) and many contain soothing LYS beauty ingredients like green tea extract and niacinamide. However, as with any new brand, it’s always wise to patch-test first, especially if you have known allergies.
You can purchase LYS Beauty products at Sephora (in-store and online), Credo Beauty, Sephora at Kohl’s, and directly from the brand’s official website. The brand is available in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, with continued global expansion underway.
Yes on both counts. LYS Beauty is 100% one of the vegan makeup brands, meaning no animal-derived ingredients are used in any of their products. They are also completely cruelty-free and do not test on animals at any stage of production. The brand holds Leaping Bunny certification, so you can trust their commitment.
