Thinking about trying Il Makiage ‘Woke Up Like This’ foundation? I’ve lost count of how many foundations I’ve bought online that turned out the wrong shade or broke me out or made my oily skin worse. Hopefully, this review saves you the hassle.
TL;DR (summary)
★★★★☆The cons are mostly brand-related, not the product itself
Pros: Long-lasting; great for all skin types; bottle lasts a while; can be used with a brush or sponge; lots of shades to choose from; online tool to help you shade-match; vegan and cruelty-free; includes vitamin E & hyaluronic acid for hydration; paraben, sulfate & oil-free
Cons: Like all foundations, skin needs proper prep to make the foundation last; high price for a relatively unknown brand; some customers have been caught out with the subscription; unpleasant, aggressive social ad retargeting; some social posts look airbrushed (I’m looking at you, Jan)
My article contains:
- Why I tried Il Makiage foundation
- Il Makiage shade range and undertones (including shade 35)
- How it performs on oily/combination and sensitive areas
- Finish – is Il Makiage dewy or matte?
- How I apply Il Makiage foundation (brush vs damp sponge)
- Il Makiage foundation coverage guide
- Does Il Makiage foundation stay on after a workout?
- My verdict (pros, cons, wear test)
- Powermatch shade matcher – does it work?
- Price and where to buy
- FAQs
- How I prep my skin so foundation isn't textured and doesn't separate
- Is Il Makiage cruelty-free?
- Which Il Makiage products are vegan?
- About Il Makiage (are they legit?)
- Is Il Makiage foundation good for mature skin?
Why I tried Il Makiage foundation
I was looking for a new foundation because I didn’t feel the one I was using was the best colour match. I’ve used Estee Lauder Double Wear for years because it’s one of the best ones going but wanted to move towards more cruelty-free brands (which Il Makiage is).
When I compare the shade I got with my current Estee Lauder, I think you can agree that the new shade is bob on and a much better colour for me. This is no shade (ha!) to Estee Lauder because I chose their colour myself without help.
Estee Lauder’s is far too yellow for me. Il Makiage’s is more neutral which suits my skin tone better. Il Makiage have a shade matcher tool and suggested 35, which is my perfect shade.
Il Makiage shade range and undertones (including shade 35)
I wear 35 which is ‘neutral light’. They have 50 shades to choose from across 4 categories: light, medium, tan and deep – 12 shades each.
They have shades that match certain skin tones: neutral, pink, yellow and olive.
The shade matcher tool “power match” accurately helps you find the best shade. I got 35 the first time I tried it, which is perfect for me.
Shade 35 is perfect for me. I have a light skin tone, with neutral undertones. Shade 35 is actually listed under ‘pink’, which isn’t accurate (at least for me).
How it performs on oily/combination and sensitive areas
It’s for all skin types.
I have an oily T zone, normal cheeks and sensitive & dry around my nose and mouth. As long as I wear primer, the foundation stays on all day, doesn’t go cakey, greasy, flaky or anything else. If you read the reviews on their product page, lots of customers are saying it’s good with oily skin (this was really important to me).
Finish – is Il Makiage dewy or matte?
The foundation applies easily, melts into the skin and has a matte finish. It isn’t thick, so I can move it around my skin quickly and easily without pulling it.
You can easily add a dewy look with a setting spray.
How I apply Il Makiage foundation (brush vs damp sponge)
It doesn’t say on the Il Makiage website how they’d recommend applying the foundation, but they promote the foundation brush on the page so I’m guessing that’s what they recommend! I’ve got their foundation brush and it works really nicely with the foundation. The brush is dense so you can target places easily, but very smooth and soft.
I use a brush if I want a quick application but mostly use a damp beauty sponge to get a smoother look. I created a YT video on me doing just that if you’re interested.
I bought a pack of 4 sponges from Amazon for £5. Don’t forget to dampen the sponge first for the best coverage. The Il Makiage foundation brush, 100, is £38, so pretty steep as an upfront cost, but it’s showing no signs of wear & tear and I’ve had it for years. It’s gone through sometimes multiple weekly cleans, too.
What about combination skin?
I have an oily forehead & chin, normal cheeks and dry/sensitive bits around my nose. I prep my skin with moisturiser, SPF and primer to give the foundation the best chance of staying on all day without it worsening the oil or going cakey/separating.
Even after wearing it for 8+ hrs, it doesn’t make my skin feel horrid. The foundation stays on well and in place, even after a rainy walk.
Il Makiage foundation coverage guide
I like a light foundation coverage. Too much makes my fine lines look worse. ‘Woke up like this’ is buildable, so you can add more in places. I put slightly more on my forehead which needs more to cover my melasma.
One pump gives a light coverage
One pump is all I need when I want a light but smooth coverage.
The redness on my nose and small forehead spots are still visible but this is a pretty good coverage with just one pump. This is my daily go-to.
2 pumps for a medium finish
This coverage is with two pumps. You can quite easily see my skin is more smooth and the redness on my nose has been reduced even more. This is my look for a longer day when I want to feel more put together, or I have more skin issues to hide.
Does Il Makiage foundation stay on after a workout?
I worked out and got sweaty. I don’t know about you but my skin looks better. Dewy but not greasy (although slightly shiny). The foundation didn’t go clumpy, separate or melt.
My verdict (pros, cons, wear test)
I want a foundation that:
- doesn’t make my oily/dry skin worse
- I can wear all day (8hr+) and looks as good as when I first put it on
- stays on after a workout or if I get sweaty/rained on
- doesn’t break me out
Il Makiage lives up to that above. I’m pleased (for once) that I was targeted on Instagram. I would recommend this foundation. It works well on my skin.
I’m not dying to take my makeup off by the end of the day because it doesn’t worsen my oily skin. After wearing it for 10+ hours, my skin still looks fresh with uneven skin tone & imperfections still covered – not as good as the morning but still impressive.
What I also like is that it contains vitamin E, which helps repair the skin and prepare it against pollution. Vitamin E moisturises the skin, which helps mature skin too. It stops my dry bits from becoming flaky throughout the day (although using a primer helps this further).
Powermatch shade matcher – does it work?
The shade matcher tool “power match” accurately determines the best shade for you. I got 35 the first time I tried it, which is perfect for me.
The shade matcher asks you several questions about skin tone and colour, and then at the end (once you’ve sacrificed your email!) you get your shade match.
It takes a few minutes.
If the shade doesn’t match, you can return it. If you go through the shade matcher, you get even longer to return the product! This was one of the biggest green flags for me.
Price and where to buy
It’s £39. Get 10% off using code ‘welcome10’ using the link below.
- Buy from their website, https://www.ilmakiage.com
If you buy a monthly subscription you get 10% off, 20% off future deliveries and a free foundation brush (worth £38 which I’ve bought and use!).
FAQs
Does Il Makiage foundation oxidise?
On my skin, shade 35 stayed true to colour throughout the day. I’ve had foundations in the past that darken slightly, but this one didn’t, even after 17 hours of wear. Always make sure to prep your skin properly based on your skin type – with primer, setting spray, powder – whatever works for you.
Is Il Makiage foundation good for oily skin?
Yes, it’s one of the better ones I’ve tried. I have an oily forehead and chin, and the foundation didn’t slide off, even on long days. On my oily parts like my chin, the texture wasn’t as soon at the end of the day but it didn’t look a mess. I’d recommend using a primer underneath if you get very shiny; I use Il Makiage’s Poreless Base which helps the foundation grip better. Any primer will do though – this one is quite expensive but as it’s the same brand, I feel like it works the best.
How many pumps of Il Makiage foundation should I use?
It depends on the coverage you want. One pump gives a light, natural finish. Two pumps covers redness and blemishes well. Three pumps is proper full coverage; it hides my hyperpigmentation and dark circles completely. I usually go for two but as I work from home a lot, I find one helps me look alive!
How accurate is Il Makiage’s PowerMatch shade finder?
Surprisingly accurate. It matched me to shade 35, which looked good on my light skin tone, as you can see from the photos. The site lists it as a pink undertone, but it still worked for me. You do have to answer a lot of questions (and give your email), but it’s a useful starting point.
Can I return Il Makiage foundation if the shade is wrong?
Yes, Il Makiage has a “try before you buy” policy. You can test the foundation for 14 days and send it back if the shade isn’t right. Just keep the original packaging. This takes some of the risk out of buying foundation online. I personally haven’t needed to do this though so I’m not sure how easy it is to return a product.
How I prep my skin so foundation isn’t textured and doesn’t separate
I dermaplane my skin to smooth it out as much as possible by getting rid of all the hairs and dry skin.
I do this once every few weeks and it makes SUCH a difference. ‘Dermaplaning’ is a fancy way of saying you ‘shave your face’ but it also removes the dead skin cells, making your skin super-smooth. I can confirm after years of doing this, hair does NOT return thicker or darker. See my blog on how easy it is to dermaplane.
Leave time after moisturising
Make sure to give time (at least 10 mins) for your moisturiser/SPF/primer to sink in before putting on make-up. This lets your skin soak up the moisturiser instead of the make-up. I alternate between using Il Makiage Primer and Embryolisse (Amazon).
I still prefer to wear light coverage, as I work from home most days and have hyperpigmentation to cover – you can see it on my forehead in the middle, and to the sides of my cheeks. I’m working on getting rid of it using my Dermatica melasma subscription but until then, I’m covering it.
I’ve dabbled in using my fingers to transfer and smooth foundation into my skin, but nowadays I tend to use a damp beauty sponge. Here’s a link to the cheap but really good sponges I use from Amazon (remember to use them damp) https://amzn.to/3K4mdai). I still have my Il Makiage foundation brush I use if I’m in a rush.
I *always* use a primer
Before foundation, I moisturise and use SPF. After a few minutes I add primer. I leave this to set for 10 minutes before putting make-up on to allow it to dry.
Primer goes everywhere on your face, and it’s exceptionally good at filling in blackhead holes and fine lines. This is why make-up goes on and looks better with primer – it primes your face by filling in anything rough.
I used Revolution Ultra Face Primer which is a cheap alternative, but I mostly use Il Makiage’s Primer as I wanted to use the same brand as the foundation.
Here’s my Il Makiage Primer review on Il Makiage’s Primer – I’ve recently tried it after repurchasing the foundation. It’s brilliant and they work well together – as you’d expect.
Other Il Makiage products I’ve tried
So far I’ve tried the foundation, F*ck I’m Flawless concealer and No Filter Poreless Base primer and several brushes. I’m very impressed with the make-up and would recommend them (especially the concealer; it’s so thick and glides on but doesn’t stick in my fine lines). As I mentioned in the primer post, I don’t normally use primer but on those 10hr+ days, I’ve started to use it to keep my foundation looking good for as long as possible.
I’ve used a few of their brushes, including the foundation and concealer brush. I like them both. The Il Makiage foundation ‘100’ brush is dense but very soft, really allowing you to smooth the foundation deep into the skin without being harsh or making your skin red. The Il Makiage concealer ‘140’ brush is thick and doesn’t pull skin, which makes putting undereye concealer on a treat (especially as my skin is thinning around this area).
Il Makiage products – are they non-comedogenic? I’ve recently looked at the ingredients of Il Makiage’s most popular products – the foundation ‘woke up like this’, the ‘f**k I’m flawless concealer and the Il Makiage primer. Check out the results here.
Is Il Makiage cruelty-free?
Yes, Il Makiage is cruelty-free. They’re certified by PETA, which means they don’t test on animals at any stage – neither do their suppliers or any third parties. They’re also not owned by a parent company that tests on animals, and they don’t sell in places where animal testing is required (like mainland China).
- Peta recommend Il Makiage foundation for mature skin
- Consciousbunny’s Il Makiage review
- Peta’s Il Makiage review
Which Il Makiage products are vegan?
As for being vegan, not all of their products are. They do have some vegan options, but not everything is free from animal-derived ingredients. For example, their “F*ck I’m Flawless” concealer is both vegan and cruelty-free, but you’ll want to check each product to be sure.
So, if you’re only buying vegan beauty products, it’s best to double-check the ingredients because a vegan label isn’t always listed on the product page (for whatever wild reason!).
Here are some vegan Il Makiage products:
- Woke Up Like This Foundation
- F*ck I’m Flawless Concealer: This concealer is labeled as both vegan and cruelty-free.
- Power Lift Plumping Cream: An anti-aging cream formulated with vegan collagen, retinol, and adenosine.
- Infinity Matte Lip Cream: A long-wear matte lip color available in various shades.
- No-Filter Primer
- Power Redo Wrinkle Fix
About Il Makiage (are they legit?)
Il Makiage is a New York-based beauty brand founded in 1972 & relaunched in 2018 to cater more to modern consumers seeking high-quality beauty products. They are cruelty-free and most of their products are vegan (more on that below).
Il Makiage has over 450k 5* reviews, but I wasn’t initially sold. I’d never heard of them before I saw them on Instagram. I was sceptical, especially after always using the very popular brand Estee Lauder. I’ve used Estee Lauder’s Double Wear for years. It’s a fantastic foundation but I wanted to try foundation that’s cruelty-free.
They are all over social media, which is how I came across the brand. I did a lot of research before I bought from them including going down a few reddit rabbit holes, as well as reading the negative stuff. The negative stuff are things like customers not liking the foundation colour or it not sitting right on their skin. I’ve read about other issues such as customers forgetting or not realising they’d signed up to a subscription, then thinking they have been scammed when the next payment goes out.
Unpleasant social media ads
As I mentioned in my review at the very top, I’m not a fan of how hard their social targeting is. I visited their website, and then I was inundated with ads no matter where I went. I work in marketing, so I appreciate the importance, but it was very aggressive.
I’ve seen a tiktok post of Jan from ‘The US Office’ (the actual actress!) doing a promotion – the before and after videos/photos are different, with the ‘after’ looking like a very poor airbrushed job. Had I not already tested the product and liked it, this would have 100% put me off from buying because it doesn’t come across as authentic.
4 reasons Melora Hardin says this foundation is a must:
— IL MAKIAGE (@ilmakiage) December 29, 2023
1️⃣ Undetectable natural finish
2️⃣ Buildable coverage
3️⃣ Weightless feel
4️⃣ Skin-plumping Hyaluronic Acid
Take the quiz to get your match: https://t.co/hzJmzBHSBT
Customer reviews with different skin types
Here are what some customers say (reviews taken from the Il Makiage foundation product page). Some reviewers mention it hasn’t made their oily skin worse (like me) and some say it works well with dry skin:
I like how lightweight and full coverage. It lasts all day. I like how it helps with oil control.
Judy E 9/7/23
Previous foundations have always worn off during the day or night – even the 24 hour types and I have normal skin – not greasy, not dry. Il Makiage is so light, I feel like I’m not wearing make up, but it stays on – all day through work (14 hours).
Bev H 2/14/15
I have oily skin and always struggle to find a foundation that wont separate. This lasts me a good 11-12 hours at least. Yes my oil still comes through, BUT it doesnt separate on my skin and I can just remove it with a blotting paper.
Brittany E 2/13/23
At first I didn’t think this was the foundation that I was looking for as some parts of my skin was flaky and dry. I then wanted to give another chance as I realised I was actually not preparing my skin correctly as I realised this was happening moth other foundations.
Sabir Y 4/28/25
I have always used full coverage foundation but it’s never been perfect. It’s either not the right match or level of coverage I truly need with my skin being very dry. I gave this foundation a try and my husband said it’s the best matching and natural foundation I’ve used. After 5 minutes it sets and it really blends perfectly to my skin.
Dana F 1/20/25
Is Il Makiage foundation good for mature skin?
I’m 35, nearly 38, and it doesn’t sit in my fine lines or wrinkles. It contains Vitamin E which is good for skin, and hyaluronic acid which hydrates skin by plumping it up. It doesn’t dry out my skin at all.
Have you decided to try it?
It’s £39 + delivery £3.95. Delivery is free over £50.
Get 10% off using code ‘welcome10’ using the link below.
Buy from their website, https://www.ilmakiage.com.