Overview of Il Makiage
Il Makiage is an online beauty brand offering a wide selection of makeup products including foundations, concealers, lipsticks and more. Launched in 2018, they‘ve quickly become a top seller thanks to their advanced shade matching technology and focus on inclusivity.
The brand is best known for the signature PowerMatch algorithm quiz which analyzes your complexion to find your perfect foundation match from 50 shade options. This takes the guesswork out of shopping for hard-to-match items like foundation online.
Besides the foundations, Il Makiage also carries makeup in just about every category as well as makeup brushes and tools. Their collection now counts over 200 products and counting.
Il Makiage Foundation Review
The hero product is undoubtedly the Woke Up Like This Foundation. It promises medium to full adjustable coverage with a natural matte finish. I tried the foundation myself and here‘s an in-depth review:
Texture & Finish
The lightweight whipped texture blends into skin smoothly without catching on dry patches. It offers buildable medium coverage when applied with a brush or sponge, but can reach full coverage when layered. The matte finish stays put all day on combination skin without caking up or settling into fine lines.
Shade Range
With 50 shade options, Il Makiage foundations range from fair to deep dark skin tones with mixture of warm, neutral and cool undertones. Thanks to such an extensive range, finding an accurate match is much easier.
I‘m impressed that the brand didn‘t just expand the spectrum at the deep end, but filled in more shades in the medium region as well for optimal matching.
Ingredients
The formula uses silicone for a smoothing primer effect, as well as film forming agents for adhere and long wear. It‘s also spiked with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate for a hydrating effect.
Alcohol denat does show up on the ingredients list, which can be drying for some. But it didn‘t cause any irritation or flaking on my combination skin when worn for 8+ hours.
The foundation is also oil-free and non-comedogenic, so less likely to clog pores. But it does contain added fragrance which may bother sensitive skin.
Application
I prefer to use a damp makeup sponge when applying as it provides the most skin-like finish. The formula blends out easily without dragging. You only need a small amount to achieve light to medium coverage.
It can be built up to full coverage by adding thin layers where needed. Using a brush gives a faster application while the sponge makes it look more natural.
Longevity
On my combination skin, this foundation wears extremely well for over 8 hours without fading or transferring. The matte finish stays put with only minimal shine peeking through later in the day.
However, the formula is not waterproof or sweatproof. It may break down prematurely on extra oily skin types without proper setting. Using a primer and setting spray will greatly extend the wear.
Value
With a price tag of $44 for 30ml, the Il Makiage foundation sits at the higher end compared to drugstore options. However, factoring in the high performance, custom shade matching, and free shipping and returns, it offers good value.
It‘s cheaper than premium brands like Armani or YSL, especially considering the expansive shade range. The $44 price tag is very reasonable for the exceptional quality.
Il Makiage Concealer Review
Besides complexion products, I also tested out the viral F*ck I‘m Flawless Multi-Use Perfecting Concealer to hide blemishes and brighten the undereyes.
This lightweight concealer comes in 30 shades catering to fair, medium and deep skin tones. It has a serum-like texture that blends seamlessly without settling into fine lines or pores.
The medium buildable coverage and semi-matte finish effectively conceal discoloration and imperfections for a filtered look. A little goes a long way thanks to the concentrated pigment.
At $28 for a 7ml tube, the concealer is very competitively priced considering the performance and shade range. It wears beautifully for hours once set with powder.
Expert & Consumer Reviews
Il Makiage foundations have won over professionals and everyday users alike thanks to the shade range, effectiveness and value:
Roberta Shroeder from Cosmopolitan loved the full coverage and lightweight feel that was undetectable on skin. She said it was more matte than she prefers but didn‘t feel dry or cakey with all day wear.
Gabriela Garcia at the Editorial List was impressed by the perfect shade match and smooth application. But she noticed some fading after hours of wear and suggests using a setting powder for extended longevity.
The brand has received an average of 4.5 stars out of over 345,000 reviews on their foundations and 136,000 reviews on the viral concealer. Such positive feedback from a wide pool of customers speaks to consistent satisfaction.
However there are also complaints around billing and customer service issues. Il Makiage currently holds an F rating on BBB citing hundreds of grievances. So while the products themselves are well loved, the overall brand operations need work.
Is Il Makiage Hypoallergenic?
Il Makiage products are not hypoallergenic. Their foundations contain fragrance and alcohol denat that may irritate sensitive skin.
Those with allergies or reactive skin should stick to hypoallergenic formulas that exclude common irritants. As Il Makiage products are not allergy tested, perform a patch test before full application.
Price & Discount Codes
As a premium brand, Il Makiage makeup is priced between drugstore and high-end:
- Woke Up Like This Foundation: $44
- F*ck I‘m Flawless Concealer: $28
- Lip Slip Lipstick: $20
- Lash Out Mascara: $24
You can get 10% off your first order by signing up for the email newsletter. Il Makiage also runs sales on holidays and special occasions.
While not the most budget friendly, the exceptional quality and high performance make these products worth the investment. The expansive shade range also minimizes the need to purchase multiple items to find your match.
Where to Buy
Il Makiage is sold on their official website along with select other retailers:
- IlMakiage.com
- Sephora
- Cult Beauty
- Revolve
- Their own brick-and-mortar locations
I recommend buying directly from their site first. This way you can take the Matchmaker quiz to find your precise shade match for foundations and concealers.
Purchased can be easily returned or exchanged if the shade or product doesn‘t work out.
Il Makiage Return Policy
One of the best parts of shopping Il Makiage direct is the 60 day return window. If you don‘t love your products, return them with the postage paid label for a full refund.
This risk free policy makes it easy to try the brand out without worrying about getting stuck with items that don‘t suit you. Even their 14 day Try Before Your Buy trial includes free shipping both ways.
How to Contact Customer Service
You can reach the Il Makiage customer service team via email at [email protected] or by filling out the contact form on their site.
Phone support is also available at 888-706-1712 if you wish to speak to a live representative regarding your order, shipment or returns.
Despite the concerning amount of BBB complaints, I had no issues contacting support via email and found their team to be helpful.
Is Il Makiage Worth Trying?
For those struggling to shade match base makeup and looking for full coverage formulas, Il Makiage checks both boxes exceptionally well.
The value is excellent when factoring in the shade range, effectiveness, free shipping and returns. However the brand still needs work on the operations side based on online complaints.
I would recommend shade matching newbies and full coverage foundation fans try Il Makiage due to the unique PowerMatch technology and convincing product reviews. Use the 60 day returns policy to test risk-free if it works for you.
Overall the foundations and concealers stand out from the crowd while the eyeshadows, lipsticks and other items are more average. Focus your search on the complexion collection.
Have you tried Il Makiage? Share your thoughts in the comments!
