LYS Beauty Unpacked: Your Complete Guide to the Affordable Clean Makeup Sensation

If you’re even slightly tuned into the beauty world, you’ve felt the pressure. The push to buy “clean” products, the desire for inclusive shades, the need for a budget that doesn’t break the bank. It can feel like an impossible triangle.

Enter LYS Beauty, a brand that has exploded onto the scene promising to deliver on all three fronts. But with so much hype, it’s natural to wonder: what’s the real story?

As a beauty blogger who has tested countless brands, I was intrigued. I’ve spent the last month putting LYS’s most talked-about products through their paces. This isn’t just a quick first impression; it’s a deep dive into the formulas, the brand’s mission, and whether it truly delivers for UK consumers.

Consider this your ultimate guide to everything LYS Beauty.

The LYS Beauty Ethos: More Than Just a Name

Before we talk about lipstick and foundation, it’s crucial to understand the heart of this brand. LYS stands for “Love Your Self,” and this isn’t just a catchy slogan—it’s the foundation of everything they do.

Founded by Tisha Thompson, a woman of colour with years of experience in the beauty industry, LYS was born from a very clear vision: to create a line of high-performance, clean makeup that is accessible and inclusive from day one.

Their philosophy rests on three core pillars:

1. Clean & Conscious Formulas: All LYS products are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without a long list of potentially irritating ingredients like parabens, talc, and synthetic fragrances. You can see their full “No-No List” on their official website.
2. Radical Inclusivity: This isn’t an afterthought. Their shade ranges are designed from the ground up to cater to a vast spectrum of skin tones. It’s about everyone seeing themselves represented.
3. Accessible Pricing: LYS operates in the “affordable luxury” space, with prices that are comparable to brands like e.l.f. and ColourPop, making clean beauty financially reachable.

In a market often divided between expensive clean brands and affordable conventional ones, LYS is building a bridge.

Also Read: Is KVD Beauty Still a Leader in Bold Makeup?

A Closer Look at the Best-Sellers: In-Depth Reviews

I tested LYS’s hero products in real-world conditions: school runs, long workdays, and everything in between. Here’s my detailed breakdown.

1. The Triple Fix Serum Foundation: The Star Player

This is the product that put LYS on the map for many.

• Shade & Packaging: I tested DN6, a perfect match for my light-medium skin with neutral undertones. The packaging is a sleek, frosted glass bottle with a pump—hygienic and feels more expensive than it is.
• Texture & Application: The texture is a true serum-foundation hybrid. It’s fluid and lightweight, blending seamlessly with a brush, sponge, or fingers. It doesn’t pull or tug on the skin.
• Coverage & Finish: This offers a solid light-to-medium coverage that is buildable without becoming cakey. The finish is the real winner: a stunning, natural “skin-like” glow. It doesn’t look overly dewy or matte; it just looks like incredibly healthy skin.
• Longevity & Wear: On my combination skin, it lasted a full 8-hour workday with minimal fading. It didn’t settle dramatically into fine lines, though I did notice some wear around my nose by the end of the day. It faded gracefully, without patchiness.
• UK Availability: You can find it at Cult Beauty.
• Verdict: 9/10. A phenomenal everyday foundation, especially for those with normal to dry skin. It competes directly with high-end “skin tints” at a fraction of the price.

Also Read: Ulta 21 Days of Beauty 2025

2. The Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush: A Cult Classic

If you only try one product from LYS, make it this one.

• Shade & Packaging: I fell in love with Self-Love, a universally flattering warm rose. It comes in a sturdy, compact pot.
• Texture & Application: The texture is a dream—creamy and emollient without being greasy. It melts into the skin with fingertips or a stippling brush and doesn’t lift foundation underneath.
• Colour & Finish: The “Satin Matte” description is spot-on. It provides a vibrant, healthy flush of colour with zero shimmer or glitter, mimicking a natural blush from within.
• Longevity & Wear: This is where it truly excels. Unlike many cream blushes that disappear after a few hours, this one sets down and stays. I’ve had it last through a 12-hour day with minimal fading. It’s impressively tenacious.
• UK Availability: Also available at Cult Beauty.
• Verdict: 10/10. Arguably one of the best cream blushes on the market, full stop. The performance rivals, and even surpasses, many luxury counterparts.

3. The No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick: Effortless Contour

Bronzer sticks can be intimidating, but LYS has made it simple.

• Shade & Packaging: I used Determined, a neutral brown that doesn’t pull orange. The stick format is perfect for precise application.
• Texture & Application: It’s creamy but has enough grip to prevent slipping. You can draw it directly onto cheekbones and blend effortlessly with a brush or sponge.
• Colour & Finish: It delivers a believable, sun-kissed warmth. The finish is a natural satin, making it ideal for both contouring and all-over warming.
• Longevity & Wear: Like the blush, it has excellent staying power and remains intact throughout the day.
• Verdict: 8.5/10. An incredibly user-friendly and effective bronzer stick that is perfect for makeup novices and experts alike.

4. The Secure Skin Gripping Serum Primer: The Makeup Anchor

A good primer is the secret to long-lasting makeup.

• Texture & Feel: This has a unique, slightly slippery serum consistency that feels intensely hydrating.
• Performance: It creates a smooth, hydrated canvas and provides a subtle “grip” that helps foundation adhere better. It’s not as intensely sticky as some gripping primers (like the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer), which makes it more comfortable for everyday wear, especially for those with normal to dry skin.
• Verdict: 8/10. A fantastic, hydrating primer that effectively extends the wear of your makeup. If you have very oily skin, you may need a more mattifying option, but for most, this is a brilliant choice.

How LYS Stacks Up: The Competition Breakdown

Let’s see how LYS holds its own against established favourites.

The Takeaway: LYS carves out a unique niche as the go-to for affordable, clean, complexion-focused products. It offers a more curated and ethically-minded experience than e.l.f. and is more budget-friendly than Rare or Fenty, while delivering comparable, and in some cases superior, quality in its hero categories.

The UK Buyer’s Guide: Getting Your Hands on LYS

For UK shoppers, accessibility is a key question.

• Where to Buy: The primary UK stockist is currently Cult Beauty. They carry the full range and offer shipping across the UK.
• Returns Policy: As with all makeup, check the retailer’s policy. Cult Beauty allows returns on unused products within 30 days.
• The Swatching Dilemma: Since you can’t swatch in person, rely on online tools. Cult Beauty has a shade finder, and I highly recommend watching YouTube reviews from creators with a similar skin tone to yours to see the products in action.

Final Verdict: Is LYS Beauty Worth the Hype?

After weeks of testing, my conclusion is clear and resounding.

LYS Beauty is not just hype; it’s a benchmark. It proves that you do not have to compromise on ethics, performance, or price. The brand delivers on its promises with impressive consistency.

Who should buy LYS Beauty?

• The conscious consumer on a budget.
• Anyone who loves a natural, “your skin but better” aesthetic.
• Cream makeup enthusiasts looking for long-wearing formulas.
• Individuals who have struggled to find flattering, inclusive shades.

Who might it not be for?

• Those who prefer full-coverage, matte foundations.
• Shoppers who exclusively buy their makeup in physical stores.
• Anyone seeking a vast array of colourful eyeshadows and bold lipsticks.

In a crowded beauty landscape, LYS Beauty stands out by focusing on what truly matters: making you feel confident in your own skin. It’s a brand built on integrity, and its products more than live up to the mission. The Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush alone is worth the exploration.

It’s more than just makeup; it’s a testament to what the future of beauty can and should be.

Frequently Asked Questions: Your LYS Beauty Guide

1. What does “clean” actually mean for LYS Beauty, and is it just a marketing term?

For LYS Beauty, “clean” is a substantive commitment backed by a specific “No-No List” of ingredients they avoid, including parabens, talc, synthetic fragrances, and more. This isn’t a vague marketing claim; it’s a core part of their formulation philosophy. They are also certified by Credo Beauty’s Clean Standard, one of the most rigorous in the industry. This means their products are formulated to exclude ingredients linked to potential health concerns and are always 100% vegan and cruelty-free. You’re getting a product designed with conscious ingredient selection, not just a “free-from” label.

2. I have very oily skin. Will the Triple Fix Serum Foundation last on me?

The Triple Fix Serum Foundation is a hydrating, skin-like formula, so it requires a strategic approach for oily skin. While it may not be the ideal 16-hour, matte-lock foundation for extremely oily types, you can make it work beautifully. The key is prepping and setting. Use a mattifying primer (like the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer) specifically in your T-zone, apply the foundation with a sponge to sheer it out slightly, and then set it thoroughly with a translucent powder (such as the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder). This combination can deliver a fresh, natural finish that lasts a full workday without breaking down dramatically.

3. How does the shade range truly hold up for very deep and very fair skin tones?

LYS Beauty’s shade range is one of its most legitimate and praised features. It was built with inclusivity as a foundation, not an afterthought. For very deep skin tones, they offer rich, complex shades with thoughtful undertones (cool, neutral, golden) that avoid ashy or grey casts. For very fair skin, they have light shades that aren’t overly pink or yellow, providing a true match. The range is consistently expanded and is widely considered to be more thoughtful and successful than many legacy brands that have struggled with inclusivity.

4. Is the Satin Matte Cream Blush really that good, and how does it compare to Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush?

The LYS Satin Matte Cream Blush is a standout product for a reason, but it serves a different purpose than Rare Beauty’s Liquid Blush.

• LYS Cream Blush: Offers a soft, diffused, and skin-like finish. It’s incredibly easy to blend, almost foolproof, and mimics the natural texture of your skin. The “satin-matte” finish gives a healthy flush without a hint of shimmer or dew, making it look like your own blush.
• Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush: Is highly pigmented and potent. It requires a very light hand and blends to a more powdery, velvety finish. It’s known for its intense colour payoff.
  The Verdict: LYS is for an effortless, natural look. Rare Beauty is for a bold, statement cheek. The LYS formula is often praised for its easier blendability and more beginner-friendly application.

5. As a UK customer, where can I buy LYS Beauty and what is the returns policy?

The primary and most reliable UK stockist for the full LYS Beauty range is Cult Beauty. They ship throughout the UK. Regarding returns, it’s crucial to understand the policy: Cult Beauty accepts returns of unused, unopened products in their original packaging within 30 days of delivery for a refund. Due to hygiene reasons, they cannot accept returns on used cosmetics. This makes it essential to research shades thoroughly using online swatches and reviews before purchasing.

6. Can LYS Beauty’s “affordable” price tag be trusted, or is the quality compromised?

The affordability of LYS Beauty is a reflection of their direct-to-consumer and strategic retail model, not a compromise on quality. They avoid the massive marketing budgets and lavish counter spaces of traditional luxury brands, reinvesting in the formula quality and ethical sourcing instead. When you compare the performance—especially the long-wear and blendability of their cream products—to brands at a similar price point (e.g., e.l.f., ColourPop), LYS often surpasses them. When compared to high-end brands, it competes fiercely, offering 90% of the performance for 50% of the price. The value is genuine.

7. What is the learning curve like for their cream products (blush, bronzer)?

The learning curve is virtually non-existent, which is a major part of their appeal. The cream formulas are intentionally designed to be user-friendly and forgiving.

• Texture: They are creamy enough to blend easily but have enough “grip” to not slide around uncontrollably.
• Application: You can use your fingers, a dense stippling brush, or a makeup sponge—all methods work seamlessly. They blend into the skin without patching or lifting foundation underneath. This makes them ideal for makeup beginners or anyone who wants a quick, flawless application.

8. Are there any hidden downsides to the brand’s product range?

The main “downside” is one of focus rather than quality. LYS Beauty excels in complexion and cheek products (foundation, concealer, primer, blush, bronzer). However, their range for eyes and lips is currently more limited. You won’t find the vast array of eyeshadow palettes, colourful liners, or extensive lipstick lines that a brand like Morphe or ColourPop offers. If your primary makeup interest lies in bold eye looks, LYS might not be your one-stop shop. However, for a perfected base and gorgeous cheeks, they are exceptional.

9. How does the brand’s ethical stance compare to others like Fenty or Rare Beauty?

LYS Beauty shares a commitment to inclusivity and mental wellbeing with brands like Fenty and Rare Beauty, but its ethical framework is distinct.

• Fenty Beauty: Pioneered inclusive shade ranges on a massive scale. Their primary ethical focus is on diversity and representation.
• Rare Beauty: Champions mental health and aims to reduce the stigma around it, with a portion of sales supporting the Rare Impact Fund.
• LYS Beauty: Its core ethical pillar is “clean” accessibility. Their mission is to make high-performance, clean formulas financially and shade-inclusively accessible to all. They are the brand for the consumer who prioritizes clean ingredients but has been priced out of the market.

10. What is the single most impressive product that proves LYS can compete?

The undisputed champion is the Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush. This product isn’t just “good for the price”; it is a best-in-class product, period. Its unique ability to combine a creamy, blendable texture with the longevity of a powder blush is a technical achievement that many high-end brands have not mastered. It delivers a flawless, natural-looking flush that lasts all day without fading, settling into pores, or turning patchy. If you try one product to test LYS’s competitive mettle, this is the one. It competes with, and often outperforms, cream blushes from luxury brands.