Il Makiage foundation is one of those rare makeup products I keep coming back to, even though, as a beauty writer, I’m technically not meant to “play favourites.” But when it comes to my complexion, the legendary Il Makiage Woke Up Like This formula absolutely earns its place in my routine.
Since it launched back in 2020, it’s become a proper staple in makeup bags everywhere. Proof? It’s clocked up well over a million five-star reviews, plus a very convincing 11.1 million views under the “Il Makiage Foundation” search term on TikTok and yes, there’s a reason it keeps going viral.
A big part of the hype comes down to the brand’s online shade-matching quiz, which factors in your skin type, undertone and the finish you actually want. Pair that with an extensive shade range and you’ve got that effortless “second-skin” finish. Add in the blurring, pore-minimising effect and flexible coverage, and it’s the kind of foundation that can do everyday and event makeup without feeling like a full face.
On paper, it sounds like a match made in heaven, but does it really live up to the hype? That’s where I come in. I’ve been testing this formula for three years in basically every situation, from regular office days and sweaty gym sessions to my best friend’s wedding. So, here it is, my BS-free, honest review of what might just be one of the best foundations out there. Thank me later.
Featured in this article:
Il Makiage foundation review: at a glance
- Pros: impressive coverage, features 50 shades, not patchy, lovely skin-like finish.
- Cons: on the more expensive side.
- Price: £39.
- Our verdict: Overall, I found that it was surprisingly long-lasting, hydrating and felt super lightweight throughout the day. For everyday wear, one pump gave me more than enough coverage that carried me through a full day, without sliding off or separating. Plus, the online quiz paired me with the most perfect shade match. Not to be dramatic, but it might just be my new staple.
How I tested the Il Makiage foundation & why you can trust me:
I'm Denise and I'm a die-hard makeup obsessive. Having tested tonnes of products for the countless articles that I've written for GLAMOUR, I believe I know a thing or two about what makes a foundation good.
On a normal day, I tend to finish my makeup by around 7am before heading to the office – after which point, my makeup has to withstand a lot: running when changing platforms on the tube, the windy weather that's so typical for London, reformer pilates classes, press events and countless meetings. As such, my quest for a foundation which can hold its own through all of the above has, until this point, been quite a challenge. Here are a few more nuggets of information about me that might come in handy:
- My skin type: Dry & sensitive.
- My skin tone: Fair.
- My undertone: Neutral (I have both warm and cool undertones).
- My Il Makiage foundation shade: 020.
Il Makiage foundation review: the packaging
To some, packaging may not make the world of a difference, but I, for one, find it difficult to justify investing into a formula if it happens to come in a bottle that leaks or if it features a pump that works half the time. Lucky for me, the Il Makiage foundation ticked off every box. It even earned bonus points for its luxurious feel (courtesy of a chic, frosted bottle and a minimalist design).
Elsewhere, I'd say that the size is quite standard for a foundation bottle. Containing 30ml of product inside, it can easily fit inside most makeup bags and it's small enough to store in your makeup drawer.
Product deep dive: formula, consistency & ingredients
TLDR: I can't tolerate a foundation with a cake-y feel. Naturally, when I discovered just how weightless the Il Makiage formula felt upon application, I was thrilled. Despite its impressive coverage that effortlessly masked my rosacea, it still felt as though I wasn't wearing any makeup to begin with. But before I spill everything about my experience, let's break down the formula.
First thing to note is that it's water-based, oil-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores). A little tip: make sure that you're using a water-based primer or a moisturiser, because otherwise the product might separate or pill. It also features optically-corrective powders, aimed to blur fine lines, redness and blemishes, making it a must for all age groups and skin concerns.
As for the ingredients, the 100% cruelty-free formula is filled to the brim with skin-loving components, such as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, both of which will keep your skin nice and hydrated throughout the day. And as someone who has dry skin, this definitely scored a few extra points in my book.
The consistency is somewhere in-between liquid and cream (not at all watery), which was easy enough to work with when blending it out. Above all, I was on board with the buildable coverage: I love when I have the room to experiment, and having the option to go for a lighter base vs. "full beat" is a must. Personally, I found that one pump is more than enough for everyday wear, and if I was going for an out-out look, I would add a few extra pumps.
Finish-wise, it leans more matte and blurring, which if I'm honest, I wasn't too excited about (given that I usually opt for glow-boosting formulas). But against all odds, I was impressed. Yes, it's a bit more mattifying than I'm used to, but it also helped my skin look super natural in the process.
Il Makiage foundation review: shade matching
It wouldn't exactly be an Il Makiage foundation review without discussing the virtual PowerMatch shade-matching quiz now, would it? In case you're unfamiliar, it starts by asking you what your skin type is (dry, combination, oily skin and so on) and what sort of coverage and finish you're looking for. The foundation match quiz then gets you to select pictures of your nearest skin tone.
Next, it will help you figure out your undertone by getting you to determine the colour of the veins on your wrist, before asking whether you burn or tan easily, how you prep your skin and how often you wear makeup and gets you to select the brand of foundation you're currently using before getting you to select any skin concerns that you may have. After all that (phew), the colour match quiz finally shows you the perfect shade to purchase. See? I told you it was thorough.
That said, despite its elaborate nature, it didn't end up taking too much of my time at all (if anything, it only took a few minutes). Although I wasn't sure about the results, my mind was absolutely blown once I tried to swatch the product for the very first time. It instantly melted into my skin tone while complementing my natural undertones. The result was, without a doubt, the closest shade match I've ever gotten (and that's no mean feat, considering just how many foundations I've tried.
GLAMOUR road test: 15 (!) hour wear
Prior to applying, I made sure to prep my skin with my favourite moisturiser (Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream), gave it a minute or so to absorb and then went right in with my trusty foundation brush (in my case, I was using the Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush).
Right off the bat, the application was super smooth and even and most importantly, streak-free. Normally, I would go over the base with my beauty blender to get rid of any obvious traces from my brush, but this time, I didn't end up using one.
I always say that you can tell a lot about a foundation based on how well it works with your other makeup products. Some tend to separate and become patchy, but I didn't really experience anything like this with the Il Makiage foundation. My cream blush and bronzer blended right in, resulting in a perfectly cohesive look. It also worked well with my setting powder (though I'd like to note that I tend to only set my under-eyes).
To put the product's longevity to the test thoroughly, I decided to document my experience on a typical working day. On the day that I was testing the product, I had a particularly busy day that ended with a late press event, meaning I got back home around 9:30pm.
I did a final makeup check-in around an hour later and noticed that although it definitely looked “fresh”, my base was still very much intact. The only complaint I had? By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me. Considering that this was the result that I got without using a setting spray, it's safe to say that I was pretty pleased.
Il Makiage foundation review: final thoughts
All-in-all, I can confidently say that I was genuinely impressed with how well this foundation worked for me. Starting from the shade-matching process to the packaging, application and the wear, it seemed as though this product managed to exceed all of my expectations. It's worth noting that this foundation is considerably pricier than other options on the market, and since makeup is extremely subjective, you should keep in mind that just because it turned out great for me and my go-to makeup look, your experience may be different.
For more beauty content from GLAMOUR UK's Freelance Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Shop more from Il Makiage:
Ever since discovering the foundation, I've been trying out more products from the wider Il Makiage range, and truth be told, I'm yet to find a formula that I didn't rate. Be it a blurring concealer that doesn't settle into my fine lines, a plumping gloss that elevates my lip combo in an instant, a calming serum to calm my rosacea or a brow serum that stimulates hair growth – each product is formulated with innovation and quality in mind, and it really shows. Below are some of my go-to heroes for your perusal:
