This post contains affiliate links.
A $45 foundation that claims to know your skin better than you do? Let’s find out if the viral Il Makiage foundation is really worth the hype in this review.
We’ve all been there, trying to find the perfect foundation feels almost impossible. Some formulas look amazing at first but don’t last long enough, others stay put all day but end up feeling heavy, cakey, or too oily for oily skin. And then there are the ones that promise a matte finish but end up clinging to every dry patch on dry skin.
That’s exactly why TikTok has been obsessed with the Il Makiage foundation. My feed has been filled with before-and-after videos and raving reviews, all claiming it’s the best foundation out there.
But let’s be real, this foundation is pricey and definitely a serious commitment. At $45, it doesn’t feel like a drugstore buy at all but more like a designer splurge. And if I’m not wrong, you can’t even swatch it in-store. Instead, Il Makiage relies heavily on its online shade finder quiz, which promises to match you with the perfect foundation shade for your undertones without ever stepping into Sephora.
On one hand, that’s pretty cool because it saves you the hassle of making a trip just to test foundations. On the other hand, who doesn’t enjoy a good makeup shopping spree? For someone with a busy schedule, though, this online option could be a real lifesaver.
But the real question is: how accurate is their shade-matching quiz, and can it really deliver the right shade every time?
So I decided to put it to the test. In this Il Makiage foundation review, I’ll be breaking down everything from my online shade-finding experience to a full wear test and more. Let’s get into it.
About Il Makiage
Il Makiage is a New York-based brand known for two things. First, their online PowerMatch quiz that promises to find your perfect foundation shade. And second, their bold “more is more” attitude toward beauty. While many brands focus on minimalism these days, Il Makiage takes the opposite approach: “No, this is not enough, add more boldness to it.”
Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Overview
Woke Up Like This is the foundation that I tested. It comes in a chic glass bottle with a pump and feels super luxe in the hand. When you visit their website, this foundation is listed right at the top, among their best sellers, and priced at a hefty price,
This makeup-skin hybrid claims to be buildable, weightless, streak-free, and to blur the look of fine lines without feeling cakey. It also promises to reduce the appearance of pores instantly. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E for some added skincare benefits.
Shade Match Experience
One of the reasons Il Makiage blew up online is their PowerMatch quiz, which promises to suggest the most accurate shade for your skin, almost acting like your personal makeup artist. It’s literally a 2-minute shade finder quiz that asked me about my skin type (whether it’s dry, oily, or combination), my undertone, skin tone, and the type of coverage I wanted.
After a series of questions, they emailed me my shade, which turned out to be shade number 15. For context, my skin is lighter, dry, and I went for a more natural finish.
When the bottle arrived, I was ready for it, knowing it was a bold risk, and I had prepared myself for either outcome. I was skeptical at first because, let’s be honest, we’ve all been burned by bad online shade matchers before.
To my surprise, the shade was spot on and almost a perfect match. It blended into my skin with very little effort and there wasn’t that awkward “mask” line you sometimes get with foundations. Maybe choosing the natural option during the quiz helped with that.
I did notice the shade leaned slightly more neutral than my usual preference but nothing a little blending couldn’t fix.
Application & Performance
The Il Makiage “Woke Up Like This Foundation” has a smooth texture that blends into the skin almost effortlessly and dries pretty quickly. The blending process does take a little time, but trust me, it’s totally worth it. The foundation provides great coverage and leaves a velvety finish.
While this foundation may not completely conceal or minimize wrinkles, it also doesn’t settle into them or highlight them, which is a big plus considering how many foundations tend to accentuate fine lines.
I’ve applied it using both a brush and a beauty sponge, and while both tools worked well, I personally feel the sponge gave a more seamless finish.
As for longevity, I was honestly amazed. This foundation lasted me through my entire workday and that’s about 6–7 hours without significant fading or needing any touch-ups. Also, it might seem like a small detail, but I have to be thorough when it comes to makeup and skincare. No, it didn’t leave any marks on my phone screen or on my clothing, especially around the neckline area. Trust me, that’s a big dealbreaker for me.
If you are curious to try it yourself, you can easily grab the Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation here.
Formula & Ingredients
It contains Vitamin E, but it’s pretty far down the ingredient list, so the amount is likely very small. It probably acts more as a stabilizer for the foundation rather than providing any serious skincare benefits.
So, girl, you’re probably better off sticking with your dedicated Vitamin E moisturizer. I won’t blame Il Makiage for this, though, since it’s primarily a foundation and not a moisturizer.
As for the hyaluronic acid, it’s also far down the list, so any benefits for your skin are likely to be pretty subtle, if they’re even noticeable at all.
These ingredients make the foundation more comfortable to wear, especially for normal to dry skin, but don’t expect heavy-duty skincare-level hydration.
As for other ingredients, Dimethicone and Cyclopentasiloxane are included to give the foundation its silky texture and soft-focus effect, helping fill in fine lines. This really helps the foundation stay flawless for a decent amount of time. However, Alcohol Denat. can be drying for sensitive and dry skin types, so it’s something to keep in mind.
I’ve been using this foundation for quite some time now, and my skin is both dry and sensitive. So far, so good. But what works for me might not work for you. You’ll just have to try it yourself to know for sure.
Is Il Makiage Woke Up Like This Foundation worth it?
With over 50 shades to choose from, catering to a diverse range of skin tones and undertones, plus the genius shade finder tool to help you find your perfect match, it definitely stands out. But, that’s not the only thing you’re paying for.
The foundation offers great overall coverage and a finish that’s not overly matte or too dewy — it has a skin-like appearance. You can easily build from light to full coverage without it looking cakey. However, it is on the pricier side compared to drugstore foundations.
Another thing to keep in mind: you can’t swatch it in stores, which might make some people hesitant to buy without trying it first.
The Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation is definitely something I would buy again — it actually lives up to the hype. I especially appreciated that it didn’t settle into my smile lines or leave any streaks. (I don’t have wrinkles since I’m in my early 30s and keeping up with my tretinoin game as well.)
Who will love it:
Those looking for a reliable, everyday foundation with a natural finish.
People who struggle to find their perfect shade (the quiz is surprisingly accurate, trust me).
Anyone who wants a foundation that can go from light daytime coverage to full glam.
Who might skip it:
Shoppers on a tight budget.
This post contains affiliate links.
