So I saved Illia and had her follow me around for a while, but then I decided that the blades need a mage to add to the two tanks I already recruited.

Now she can't follow me, not even start dialogue. I read about this bug on the wiki but was wondering if anyone here knows a workaround or something on the 360.

It would be a shame, she's a great mage and the only female mage to reach level 40 and the only one who is nice to have around as eye candy. I have to get her back, too far to reload, plus reloading is a big no no in this playthorughs unless its a major bug.

I only have female mage followers, but Brelyna died, by Wabbajack (was fooling around and turned her into a sweet roll!), I now find Eola repulsive and Aranea is boring, any other magical women in Skyriim that I missed? I'd check the wiki again, but I know I'll keep reading and spoil it. Just tell me if there are any more. I'm level 60 now and explored so much of Skyrim I don't think there are any more.

That made me think of a paraphrased line from Starkist Tuna ads: "Sorry, Charlie. People don't want mages with good taste, they want mages that taste good!"

As for other female mages that can be followers, there aren't any apart from those you listed. Of course, if you are on a PC, you can pretty much select anybody you want for a follower with a few commands.

I am curious. Since the Blades always give the new followers a set of Heavy Armor to wear I just assumed the followers needed to be warriors with HA skills.

What happens when you have a mage join? Do they actually put on a full suit of Blade armor?

Yeah. I sent Brelyna to them, and indeed she wears the uniform. She also expresses amazement at being a Blade.

She didn't respawn and reset?

Oh well, I guess I’ll take Aela back. Her character is the sixiest I think. Brelyna did look tasty and sounded delicious.
Illia has no skill with armor, but it’s just extra protection and I couldn’t leave her at Darklight tower all alone. Some mages have high skills in heavy and light armor though.

If she turned into a crab, rabbit, chicken or dremora then she would respawn and reset, but she was just glow dust.

Damn.