Il Makiage Foundation Review
About Il Makiage
Online shopping has never been more necessary, but finding your right foundation shade can feel like playing Russian roulette. Enter Il Makiage, a company who aims to make online shopping for foundations easy and painless.
As a tech-led brand, they make online shopping for foundation as easy as possible with their PowerMatch algorithm, specially designed 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.
Besides their signature foundation, the brand also has a wide range of eye, lip, and other face products. They also feature collections with influencers like the Il Makiage Carli Bybel collection, providing you with options to purchase makeup sets inspired by different looks.
With 874k followers on Instagram and features in Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Glamour, and many other publications, Il Makiage is a very well-known makeup brand with a wide customer base.
If you are still wondering if this beauty brand is for you, never fear, as this Il Makiage foundation review will take you through all the details of the brand, including best-selling products, customer reviews, FAQs, and so much more.
Overview of Il Makiage
Il Makiage changed greatly from their initial start in 1972 by makeup artist Ilana Harvaki. In 2018, Il Makiage relaunched in the US with a new focus: prioritizing the perfect consumer online shopping experience to maximize online sales.
With their unique Il Makiage PowerMatch algorithm, the brand successfully broke through digital shopping’s greatest challenge when buying makeup: finding the right foundation shade.
Now, the company has expanded to sell in the UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia with plans of further expansion in the future.
Before we jump into all the juicy details about the brand, this Il Makiage foundation review will take a look at their pros and cons:
Pros
- Offers a staggering variety of beauty products, including those for the face, lips, eyes, and brows
- Their unique PowerMatch technology is designed to help you find your best foundation shade
- The Il Makiage quiz can help match your skin tone to one of their shades of foundation
- The brand is popular, reputable, and has a large customer base
- Free shipping via USPS for all US orders
Cons
- Higher price point when compared to other brands
Il Makiage Face Products Review
The beauty company is best known for their foundations, such as the Il Makiage Foundation BFF, but they have a variety of stunning face products.
We’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. While we might not be feeling glamorous and filled with motivation, we can at least look the part. The Woke Up Like This Foundation provides an evenness to the skin throughout the rockiest of days.
With 50 Il Makiage shades to choose from, 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 other foundations, but the promise of a perfect match is factored into the final cost and too tempting to resist.
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 cannot last as long without a bit of extra help.
Il Makiage F*ck I’m Flawless Multi-Use Perfecting Concealer Review
Fake it ‘til you make it is one of this Il Makiage foundation review’s mottos. When we might not be feeling our best, we sometimes need a reminder in the form of the F*ck I’m Flawless Multi-Use Perfecting Concealer to let us know we’re still badass.
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. Better yet, 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? Here comes the Concealer Palette, 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 get that 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 it includes more shades and can be used more often to justify the increased price.
This Il Makiage foundation review was happy to find out that the Concealer Palette is also waterproof, sweat-resistant, and crease-free with a natural matte finish.
Il Makiage Transparent Loose Powder Review
Worried that your makeup won’t stay on? 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 one 1 shade, but this versatile product adapts to all skin tones when applied over makeup.
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.
This Il Makiage foundation review will fill you in on all the customer favorites when it comes to glitz and glam.
Il Makiage Glitter Eyeliner Review
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
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.
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 in this Il Makiage foundation review is the Il Makiage Color Master Lip Palette. This product is perfect for customers 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.
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. 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 clean makeup?
This Il Makiage foundation review found that the brand creates their formulas to be free from animal testing and parabens. Most of the Il Makiage products, like the foundation, are vegan too.
The foundation is also blended with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump your skin. While the ingredients are clean, the foundation may need to oxidize for five minutes before matching your skin tone.
Is Il Makiage hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, the brand does not offer hypoallergenic products, and not all of their products are gluten-free.
On the bright side, you can readily contact Il Makiage for a full list of their gluten-free products.
Is Il Makiage safe for acne?
The lightweight and buff-able texture of the Il Makiage foundation works for any skin, even with acne and spots. Since the formula includes hyaluronic acid, the foundation will also keep your skin hydrated throughout your wear.
This Il Makiage foundation review found that the brand is not named on any guides about recommended acne-safe foundation brands. Their products do not contain ingredients that can help acne, like salicylic acid, and generally, all foundations and makeup will block pores.
Il Makiage is not designed for acne-prone skin; instead, they focus on matching you to the perfect shade.
Il Makiage Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Il Makiage foundation has hundreds of thousands of reviews and counting. And with the immense Instagram following, it is clear that Il Makiage has a large following of loyal customers.
Despite the wide variety of praise, there are also unsatisfied customers. This Il Makiage foundation review will give you the inside scoop as we explore both positive and negative experiences.
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 goes 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.”
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
Customers also reflect on issues with the 14-day free trial. One unhappy buyer details her experience on Reddit: I check my bank statement and guess who randomly charged me $68.47? Il Makiage. I am fuming. I read reviews and this has happened to dozens of other people.”
There are multiple claims online of issues with billing and customer service. The Better Business Bureau alone holds nearly 700 complaints, earning the brand a rank of D.
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.
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, this Il Makiage foundation review found that the brand is worth the expensive price.
Even as stores are opening up, there are still restrictions in place that can make finding the right shade of foundation difficult, so it would be worth it to invest in an Il Makiage foundation, backed by their fantastic matching technology and quiz.
On the other hand, Il Makiage products do not contain the best ingredients. While they are cruelty-free, the products are not hypoallergenic and the alcohol in the ingredients list can counter the hydrating effects of the hyaluronic acid.
All the products are more expensive than ones you can find elsewhere. If you have sensitive skin and a limited budget, Il Makiage might not be the best choice for you. We also note that there have been issues with customer service, so maybe buying in-store is the safest best.
Il Makiage Promotions & Discounts
Il Makiage currently offers 10% off your first purchase when you sign up for their mailing list. Historically, they’ve also offered 14-day free trials, so stay on the lookout!
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. At present, Oran Holtzman is the CEO.
Does Il Makiage have bad ingredients?
This Il Makiage foundation review 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.
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?
This Il Makiage foundation review is happy to report 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, 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 customerservice@ilmakiage.com. You can also fill out the online form available on their website.
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I only wanted to order the foundation not $75 worth of product that was too thick. Didn’t see any shipping return label. Now I’m having trouble canceling any further orders