You Asked, Kelly Answered: The Vision Behind Ilios Lighting

You asked, Kelly answered. Our founder, Kelly Mondora, sits down to answer one of the most frequently asked questions from the Ilios community: How did her background in professional lighting lead to the creation of the Beauty Ring Mirror?

A Career Shaped by Professional Lighting

Before founding Ilios, Kelly spent 25 years in the photo and film lighting industry. She began as a data clerk and advanced through customer service and operations before becoming Vice President and, ultimately, President.

During her tenure, Kelly helped grow the company twentyfold. The experience gave her an extensive understanding of professional lighting and the important role it plays in creative work.

After decades in the industry, Kelly began considering what she wanted to create next. The inspiration came from a conversation with her daughter.

Recognizing a Need in the Beauty Industry

At 14, Kelly’s daughter asked for a ring light so she could apply her makeup like the beauty influencers she followed online. However, she still needed the functionality of a traditional makeup mirror. Her request raised a simple question: Why was there not one product that offered both?

Kelly began researching the lighted makeup mirrors available at the time. After purchasing and testing the leading options, she found that the quality of the lighting fell well below the professional standards she knew were possible.

There was a clear opportunity to bring more accurate, professional-quality lighting to the beauty industry.

Designing the Ilios Beauty Ring

Kelly began developing an all-in-one ring light and makeup mirror designed to deliver the clarity and color accuracy of professional lighting. The concept eventually became the patented design behind the Ilios Beauty Ring Mirror.

To ensure the product also met the needs of makeup professionals, Kelly sought the perspective of an experienced artist. That search led to renowned makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic.

Before their first meeting, Kelly sent Mario a video outlining her vision. The initial three-dimensional sample arrived shortly before the meeting, giving Kelly her first opportunity to experience the lighting design.

Although the prototype itself was not yet exactly what Kelly had envisioned, the lighting was. Mario and his team immediately recognized the quality of the light and the potential of the concept.

Where Lighting Expertise Met Makeup Artistry

The collaboration brought together Kelly’s decades of professional lighting experience and Mario’s expertise in makeup artistry. Together, they created a lighted makeup mirror designed around the way beauty professionals and makeup enthusiasts actually work.

For Kelly, that first presentation remains one of the proudest moments of her career. The Beauty Ring represents the culmination of her professional experience, her commitment to quality, and her vision for a higher standard of beauty lighting.

Setting the Standard for Ilios

The Beauty Ring established the foundation for every Ilios product that followed. Each design reflects the same commitment to creating products that complement a space beautifully while delivering exceptional, professional-quality light.

Today, Ilios continues to bring thoughtful design and industry-leading lighting together, giving beauty professionals and everyday users the clarity and confidence to see themselves in the best possible light.