Table of Contents
About Il Makiage
Online shopping has never been more necessary, but finding the perfect foundation shade can feel like playing Russian roulette.
Using the wrong foundation shade can cause a range of issues, including an unnatural appearance, uneven skin tone, and irritation or breakouts.
Additionally, using a foundation that does not match your skin tone can lead to the appearance of a “mask” or an ashy, grayish cast on the skin, which can be particularly problematic for those with darker skin tones.
One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that wearing a foundation that matched the participant’s skin tone led to a significant improvement in their self-perception and overall appearance. The study concluded that finding the right foundation shade is a critical aspect of cosmetic self-care.
Enter Il Makiage, a company who aims to make online shopping for foundations easy and painless.
As a tech-led brand, they use the PowerMatch algorithm to help you find your right shade out of their 50 options. All you need to do is fill out the 90 second Il Makiage foundation match quiz. No more trial and error, I’ve seen this the algorithm at work—it’s spot on.
Besides their signature foundation, the brand also has a wide range of eye, lip, and other face products.
Before I jump into all the juicy details about the brand in this Il Makiage foundation review, let’s first take a look at their pros and cons, followed by some ingredients and their benefits.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide range of products: Il Makiage offers a wide range of makeup products, including foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, and more, which can be convenient for consumers who want to purchase multiple products from a single brand.
- Inclusivity: Il Makiage places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, offering a broad range of foundation shades that cater to a diverse range of skin tones.
- High-quality formulations: Many consumers have praised Il Makiage’s products for their high quality and effectiveness, which can be a pro for those looking for reliable makeup.
- Customer service: Il Makiage has a reputation for excellent customer service, with helpful representatives available to assist with questions or concerns.
Cons
- Higher price point: Il Makiage’s products are generally more expensive than some other makeup brands, which can be a con for consumers on a budget.
- Limited availability: Il Makiage products are primarily sold online or through select stores, which can be a con for consumers who prefer to purchase products in person or have limited access to online shopping.
- Irritating to some skin types: While many consumers have praised Il Makiage’s products, some users have reported experiencing irritation or allergic reactions, which can be a con for those with sensitive skin.
- Packaging: Some consumers have expressed concerns about the packaging of Il Makiage products, which they feel can be bulky or difficult to use, especially for travel or on-the-go application.
Ingredients & Benefits
Il Makiage products are formulated with useful ingredients that can help improve the appearance and health of your skin. Here are a few common ingredients that are present in their products:
- Hyaluronic acid: A hydrating ingredient that can help plump and moisturize the skin. It can also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Retinoids: A derivative of vitamin A, retinoids can help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin texture. They can also help reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne.
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that can help brighten the skin and even out skin tone. It can also help stimulate collagen production, which can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Salicylic acid: An exfoliating ingredient that can help unclog pores and prevent acne breakouts. It can also help improve the appearance of uneven skin texture.
The specific benefits of these ingredients can vary based on their concentration in a product and how they are formulated with other ingredients. It’s always important to check the ingredient list and do a patch test before trying any new products, especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions!
Il Makiage Face Makeup Review
While getting to know the brand, I learned that the beauty company is best known for their foundations, such as the Il Makiage Foundation BFF, but I was stoked to find they actually have a variety of stunning face products.
I’ll focus on their 4 main bestsellers so you can see what they’re all about.
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation Review
It’s Monday morning and you’ve already snoozed your alarm 5 times. I speak from experience. While I might not be feeling glamorous and filled with motivation as I drag myself out of my cozy nest, I like to still look the part.
The Woke Up Like This Foundation provides an evenness to the skin throughout the rockiest of days. It’s all about giving you a natural look. And since it comes in 50 Il Makiage shades, you can easily find your match in a 30 mL bottle after taking the brand’s quiz.
At $44, it is definitely more expensive than drug store foundations, but the promise of a perfect match is something I’m willing to pay extra for—I’ve been burned too many times.
Pro tip: If you want to wear the foundation for a long time, remember to pair it with a primer or setting spray. The lightweight texture is comfortable on the skin but it won’t last as long without a bit of extra help.
Il Makiage F*ck I’m Flawless Multi-Use Perfecting Concealer Review
I’ll let you in on a little secret in this Il Makiage foundation review: “Fake it ‘til you make it” is one of my favorite mottos. When I’m not feeling my best, sometimes all I need is a reminder. The perfect tool? The F*ck I’m Flawless Multi-Use Perfecting Concealer to let me know I’m still badass—and you are too!
This lightweight and long-wear Il Makiage concealer can easily cover eye circles, blemishes, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. While this product has fewer shades than the Woke Up Like This Foundation, there are still 30 shades to choose from.
For only $28, you can purchase a 7mL tube of this effective concealer. And here’s more: this product is oil-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free, and even includes ingredients with hydrating and moisturizing properties.
Il Marriage Concealer Palette Review
What if you could find a product that has it all? To that, my friends, I say take a look at the Concealer Palette. It’s your one-stop-shop corrective concealer and palette that blends with a wide range of skin tones and covers blemishes in a velvety cream.
Each palette includes 20 shades with 3 color correctors to find your ideal tone. This product comes in 3 varieties (light, medium, and dark) that Il Makiage says should cover any skin tone.
At $48, this item is only a bit more costly than the foundation, but since it includes more shades, I think it can be used more often to justify the increased price.
While reading up this product for my Il Makiage foundation review, I was happy to find out that creams in the Concealer Palette is also waterproof, sweat-resistant, and crease-free with a natural matte finish.
Il Makiage Transparent Loose Powder Review
I’ve found the right shade, now, how do I make it last all day? If you’re worried that your makeup won’t stay on through day dates and special events, try the Il Makiage Transparent Loose Powder. With an anti-sheen finish, this product keeps your makeup looking perfect while also minimizing blemishes.
The powder is available in 1 shade, but I’ve read that this versatile product adapts to all skin tones when applied over makeup.
I saw that it is also particularly effective for oily skin because its ingredients have sebum-absorbing properties. You can purchase 11g of product for $33 and let your makeup do its thing without worrying about smearing.
Il Makiage Makeup Review
Not only does Il Makiage provide you with the products to prepare your makeup base, but they also have eye, lip, and brow products to complete your looks. If these are anything like their foundations, I may have just found my new favorite cosmetics brand.
Up ahead in this Il Makiage foundation review, I’ll fill you in on all the customer favorites when it comes to glitz and glam.
Il Makiage Glitter Eyeliner Review
Glitter is coming back in a BIG way. It’s no longer a 2000s’ regret, I’m seeing the trend pop up in place of plain black liner everywhere.
Make those eyes pop with the Il Makiage Glitter Eyeliner. Available in 9 different shades, this product is ideal for those who don’t even know the meaning of understated. Pick your glamorous poison and apply it effortlessly with this easy-to-use pencil.
Unlike many other pencil eyeliners, this item includes jojoba seed oil and Vitamin E to rejuvenate your eyelids. Get fabulous for only $21.
Il Makiage Lip Slip Review
Just the name makes this lipstick sound so luxurious. So what’s it all about? The Il Makiage Lip Slip is a popular lipstick in 84 different shades and 3 different finishes. You can choose if you want a pure matte finish, a creamy silky satin finish, or a light and lustrous sheer finish. Variety is the name of the game when it comes to this product.
Made with sunflower oil, olive oil, and jojoba seed extract, the lipstick is non-drying and never sticky. Chalky lips are my worst enemy, so I value the peace that these dreamy lipsticks bring.
Not only is the Lip Slip 100% cruelty-free, but it is also made in sunny Italy. You can purchase one of these luxurious lipsticks for $20.
Il Makiage Color Master Lip Palette Review
The next product I’m obsessing over in this Il Makiage foundation review? The Il Makiage Color Master Lip Palette. It’s perfect for folks like me who can’t decide on just one lip color. Each palette includes 5 satiny matte finishes and 1 light, sheer moisturizing shade.
There are 6 striking options to choose from, and each costs $39. With names like “striptease,” “violet affair,” and “chocolate addiction,” you know these lip palettes mean business.
Il Makiage South Star (Trio Set) Review
Finally, the darling of the Il Makiage Carli Bybel collection, the South Star (Trio Set) includes the namesake’s favorite makeup shades. I’m a big fan of the variety packed inside as well as the numerous color options.
This set comes with a face-shaping palette, libra lip color, and a luna lip liner. You can choose from a light, medium, or deep palette, but the nude matte lipstick and nude waterproof lip liner are included in all options.
While this set seems more expensive at $79, it contains 3 individual and full-size items. Also, the South Star (Trio Set) is currently on sale from the original price of $93.
Il Makiage Shade & Blend Eyeshadow Brush Review
Besides makeup products, Il Makiage also sells brushes and applicators. That’s helpful because many of its products require brushes and while I’m totally crushing on this richly pigmented line, my makeup bag isn’t exactly stocked with the right tools.
The Shade & Blend Eyeshadow Brush is double-sided and includes a flat dome-shaped brush head and an oval brush head. Both sides work together for optimal pigment application and blending.
Made from 100% cruelty-free synthetic bristles, the Shade & Blend Eyeshadow Brush costs a cool $22.
Is Il Makiage Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, I didn’t come across any hypoallergenic products in the brand’s collection, and you should also keep in mind that not all of them are gluten-free.
On the bright side, you can readily contact Il Makiage for a full list of their gluten-free products.
Il Makiage Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Il Makiage foundation has hundreds of thousands of reviews and counting. And with it’s immense Instagram following, it is clear that the brand has a large following of loyal customers.
In this section of my Il Makiage foundation review, I’ll give you the inside scoop as I explore a range of feedback.
Roberta Shroeder of Cosmopolitan reviewed Il Makiage in 2021 and found that despite her initial skepticism, she ended up enjoying the product.
She wrote, “The coverage is indeed major, yet it doesn’t feel like a heavy-duty foundation at all: in fact, I completely forget I’m wearing it during the day. The finish is a little more matte than I’d normally go for, but it doesn’t feel dry or cakey, even after a full day’s wear.”
Gabriela Garcia from the Editorial List agrees. She found a perfect match and full coverage, writing: “For the first few hours, my complexion looked pretty fabulous under different lighting conditions—indoor lights, natural sunlight, the bright lights of my bathroom vanity.”
The author went on to write that this changed throughout the day and the product was not as long-lasting as she would have liked: I think this foundation would work great for short-term events, like a photo shoot or after-dinner drinks with friends.” If you’re looking for all-day wear, try finishing your look with the Loose Powder.
The professionals seem mostly delighted, but what do the everyday customers think? Overall, the brand’s products are well-rated on the company website:
- Woke Up Like This Foundation: 4.5/5 stars out of nearly 345k ratings
- F*ck I’m Flawless: 4.5/5 stars out of over 136k ratings
- No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer: 4.4/5 stars out of 45k+ ratings
- Icon High Volume & Intense Curl Mascara: 4.4/5 stars out of close to 7.6k ratings
So…345k reviews for the foundation? That’s a pretty good sign people love it.
Heading off of the brand’s website, I saw some customers reflect on issues with the 14-day free trial. One unhappy buyer details her experience on Reddit citing wrongful charges despite sending the products back.
There are multiple claims online of issues with billing and customer service. The Better Business Bureau alone holds nearly 965 complaints, earning the brand a rank of F. That’s something I don’t take lightly but the 4.63/5 star score from 6,692 shoppers tells me a different story.
So, is Il Makiage actually good? While aggregate review sites are quick to praise the individual products for their high quality and effectiveness, the company as a whole seems to be lacking when it comes to taking care of their customers.
My take? It’s products are indeed good but with such a wide customer base, they’re struggling to satisfy everyone.
Is Il Makiage Worth It?
At the end of the day, if you are buying foundation online and you struggle with finding your shade, often wasting your money playing a guessing game, I think that the brand is worth the price.
Skeptical? Just watch the video transformations on the brand’s site. It totally blew me away to see how well its foundation covered discoloration and redness.
I’m personally fed up with trying new foundations, then loving one only for it to be discontinued. For me, it would be worth investing in an Il Makiage foundation since it’s backed by their fantastic matching technology and quiz.
If you have sensitive skin and a limited budget, Il Makiage might not be the best choice for you. I’m a fan of the brand’s Try Before You Buy option, and if you’re interested in seeing how game-changing its foundation can be, I’d recommend opting for this 14-day trial.
Il Makiage Promotions & Discounts
Il Makiage currently offers 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for their mailing list. I consider the 14-trial a pretty great deal too.
Where to Buy Il Makiage
Besides ilmakiage.com, you can purchase the brand’s products from a variety of stores. For instance, you can buy Il Makiage at Sephora, as well as their own brick-and-mortar stores.
Fortunately, all the Il Makiage Sephora products are the same as the ones you would find in their in-person boutiques.
FAQ
Who is Il Makiage owned by?
While Il Makiage was founded by Ilana Harkavi, it was relaunched in 2018 by the brother and sister duo Oran Holtzman and Shiran Holtzman-Erel.
L Catterton also purchased a minority stake in June 2017 for $29 million, and since launching, they have increased their investment to $44 million—a number that shows me just how popular this brand has become. At present, Oran Holtzman is the CEO.
Does Il Makiage have bad ingredients?
While scoping things out for this Il Makiage foundation review, I found that their Woke Up Like This Foundation contains alcohol denat, a common and often-debated skincare ingredient.
While it has benefits as a solvent, penetration enhancer, and antimicrobial solution, it can also be very drying since it is an alcohol. The foundation also has perfume and fragrance, ingredients that can be detrimental to your skin.
Overall, there are no extremely hazardous ingredients present in their formulations, but it may irritate sensitive skin.
Is Il Makiage toxic?
The ingredients in Il Makiage are not toxic, but they can negatively affect individuals with damaged or sensitive skin. Also, their ingredients are not hypoallergenic.
Il Makiage formulas are not irritant-free, so the foundations are not safe for teens, babies, eyelids, or lips.
Does Il Makiage have parabens?
I’m happy to report in this Il Makiage foundation review that the Woke Up Like This Foundation is paraben-free. Most of their products are paraben-free but there is no guarantee for their entire line of skincare.
How long does it take for Il Makiage to ship?
Il Makiage provides free shipping for all U.S orders, as well as first-class shipping for orders less than one pound, and priority mail for orders above one pound.
The brand says that your order will be delivered within 1-3 business days and to allow for 1-2 business days for Il Makiage to process the order.
If your order is shipped to a P.O box, it may take 14 business days from the shipment day to arrive.
Orders for APO/FPO/DPO are delivered within 14 to 21 business days and delivery for Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico may take up to 14 business days.
If you need your order in a hurry, you can choose the overnight delivery option for a flat rate of $3. Orders received by 3:00 pm EST will arrive in 1-2 business days.
There is no overnight shipping available to P.O boxes, APO/FPO/DPO addresses, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.
International shipping is available at a flat rate of $20.
Does Il Makiage pay for returns?
Yes! Il Makiage promises a 100% money-back guarantee and free returns if you do not love your product.
After you submit your Il Makiage returns or exchange request, you can download your free shipping label. For Try Before You Buy orders, you must return or exchange your product within 14 days of the delivery date.
How to Contact Il Makiage Customer Service
You can contact Il Makiage by emailing [email protected]. You can also fill out the online form available on their website.
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