If you have any sort of social media account, whether it be Tik-Tok, Instagram, Facebook or any other, chances are you’ve seen those annoying ads for Il Makiage foundation. Daily. On an hourly basis. On an annoyingly constant basis.
Well…DO you look like you woke up perfect after using this foundation? Inquiring minds want to know!
The videos showcase women whose skin lookssomewhat questionable before using this product then miraculously, every wrinkle, line and flaw is erased from their visages. It is not the makeup. It is the most subtle filters. And when I use the word “subtle,” I am not being truthfully-challenged.
Why do her lips look so large in the “after” photo? did she get fillers? It’s lighting AND the most subtle of filters.
And honestly, Il Makiage is not the only company to do this. Filters ranging from the most subtle to the ridiculous are taking part in this trend. Personally, it doesn’t matter whether a product speaks for itself or is good or not so good—it is fake advertising and should stop.
This is Mikayla Nogueira. She is one of the most successful influencers ever. She overfilters, and curses and has an overexaggerated Boston accent. There is nothing realistic about her undisclosed advertisement from major cosmetics companies. Is THIS truth in advertising? As an aside, this photo is NOT an Il Makiage ad.
But wait. I was so disgusted by the ads that I had to try it. Yes. I broke down and ordered both the foundation and the brush to apply it.
I ordered it. Oh yes. I did.
So, let me tell you how the process of ordering went and then I will tell you how I feel about this makeup.
First—you take a quiz.
Trust me, it is almost as stressful as a pop quiz!
The quiz is ridiculous. You’re asked what kind of skin type you are. Then what coverage you are wanting—and you can give but one answer. For me, it’s always all three depending on my need for the day and occasion. Then the finish you want. I was very excited to answer luminous because I love a luminous and dewy finish. Basically, I want to look as though I’m glistening and ethereal. (Not gonna happen—I am delusional).
Question one. Stop trying to be cute and cut to the chase..
We can only have but ONE preference?
Why have luminous as a choice when the actual product is matte? Why?
Then you go on to look at various photos of young women to determine your shade. This is the most important part so you really need to know your skin type.
Quiz finished, product ordered and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this miracle foundation.
First of all, there is only one finish and it is matte. The shade I was matched up with is 035 and surprisingly, I was shocked at how perfect the color match was. And after an unsuccessful first application, I figured out a way to make this foundation work on my soon-to-be-69-year-old skin.
First arm. Number 35 is my shade and it is perfect! I was amazed! My summer tanned skin is darker but I don’t wear foundation in the summer months.
Here’s how it rolled:
It’s in the prep work. Yes. You just cannot slap a primer on your face, although the brand suggests you need to use their primer, and call it a day.
I started out using my snail serum, then adding moisturizer in the form of Embryolisse which also works as a primer.
Snail serum first then my beloved Embryolisse both ordered from Amazon.
And might I add–my skin is a mess! An absolute mess! Dry and wrinkled like an old raisin!
I also applied a bit of bag balm on and around my mouth because this winter weather is killer on my skin. It’s incredibly dry.
Ugh. My eyes are extremely crossed and my nails are in bad shape from the acrylics I had before heading to Paris. Basically, I am at my worst!
Because I’m obsessed with a more luminous finish, I applied Glossier’s Futuredew (which I’ve been using for a few years).
I really should write to Glossier to ask them never to discontinue this.
While allowing all that stuff to set, I did my eyes.
Crossed-Eyes done and that dewy finish from Glossier is making my wrinkles jump with joy!
Now the foundation.
I want to make sure you see my wrinkles. The lighting sucks because I think I got Bag Balm on my iPhone camera lens.
Although you can apply with the brush, I find that applying with the brush adds “brush lines” so I opt for using a damp blending sponge.
The color match is perfect but I still prefer to use..
…a blending sponge as opposed to the brush..
Once the foundation is applied, I’ll go over it with a spray of orange blossom water and a repeat of the sponge—it picks up excess.
Picked this orange blossom water in France at CityPharma for around two euros.
LOL. I ran downstairs to try to get a better shot but that balm is impossible to clean from the lens. Zoom in so you can see that my wrinkles are there. Skin texture is there. Pores are there but my skin tone is even. Oh–and my lips are cringe-worthy chapped!
After the foundation sets, it’s going in with a quick brush of bronzer for depth and blush. Then setting with e.l.f. setting spray.
Bronzer, stick blush, lipstick and e.l.f. setting spray!
The end result?
Look! I appear to be a human bean (not being) again!
It is good. Very good. Is it a miracle worker? Absolutely not. On mature skin that hasn’t been filled, the product seeps into fine lines and into deeper lines. It’s better than that horrific Estee Lauder Double-Wear foundation that turns mature skin into an arid desert.
These pics are from last night (Saturday). The Frenchman and I went out for a belated Valentine’s Day dinner and I wore the Il Makiage foundation. I also FINALLY cleaned the lens on my iPhone!
The color match continues to astound me though—I have cushion foundations and CC creams from Korean cosmetics companies and the shades are oftentimes too light and need to be played with—but the color match of Il Makiage is outstanding.
Wrinkles still showcased, the color match continues to amaze me!
And as critical as I might be, my husband, in the natural light of our home, while watching TV, asked me what makeup I was wearing because my skin looked “bee-uu-tee-fill” I told him and he said I should repurchase when I run out—even though I got in his face to show him how the foundation crept into my wrinkles.
I must admit—even though the foundation does make itself quite at home in my wrinkles, with all that prep beforehand, it’s pretty good.
I’m wearing the foundation in all of these pics. Same lighting right before leaving for work at 6:30 AM. But NO FILTERS!
What I absolutely do not like is the false advertising—even as subtle as filters are—the company isn’t being 100 percent transparent. Il Makiage has a foundation that works. It works on my wrinkly, textured, age-spotted, skin-cancer scarred face so why not be transparent—especially to the mature demographic.
Filtered version of the photo taken last night (scroll up a bit). The photo on the left is incredibly subtle and the one on the right is obviously filtered. Influencers do this. Companies ALLOW altered images and no matter how subtle the image is altered–it’s false!
The product speaks for itself. But Il Makiage isn’t the only company to do this. L’Oreal does it with over filtered influencers. Wig companies and vendors are now getting on board with the “oh-so-subtle” filters for wig influencers and it’s misleading.
There comes a time when you need to face the fact that you are ageing. There comes a time when cosmetics, wig, and clothing companies need to face the fact that the ageing demographic spends a lot of money on their products. Do these companies want to welcome a plethora of returns from the mature group because of the way the products/items/etc. do not look on them, versus the advertised items?
And, as you can see from my untouched photos—ageing is not pretty! Our faces are not the ones we had when we were 20 or 30 or even 50. And one day the aged consumer will wake up and see the proof
Look at aging this way (and FWIW, you can speall the word both with and without the “e”), it is living. Even with wrinkles!
In the meantime, we do the best we can do to enhance our looks (without filters) and can be thankful that we have the privilege of the ageing process. What are your thoughts on filters, false advertising, and your makeup routines in general? It would be great to share!
Oh how I hate filters in advertising! It isn’t like I haven’t whitened my teeth or erased a zit with some editing, but you can absolutely tell when the whole face has been filtered, even subtly. It’s fun to do on your own face sometimes, but to put it out on social media as what you really look like is so wrong and deceptive. And now with AI, don’t even get me started. No one will be able to believe anything, written or pictured. Kinda scary weird.
Hi Susan, TBH, I’m getting tired of the filters. I remember back-in-the-day, models’ faces and other body parts would be photoshopped for magazine ads. We were all aware of it but it wasn’t as bad as the AI and heavy filters that influencers use today. Cosmetics companies are paying these influencers while still saving a bundle by NOT having to pay models, photographers and PR people. Social Media has gone too far. People will be placed in Facebook jail or suspended for cursing yet you can falsify looks and not disclose anything. It’s dishonest and disgusting!
Gahhhhhhh! if I see something heavily over filtered, Im blocking that product and moving on – let me say it straight, I’m 59 (and a half) I am NOT going for the freaky melted plastic look… On a good day (a GOOD day, sometimes cranky little old me has them), I can choose between leathery, raisin-ish or drought-stricken-riverbed. If a product is good – they should be rushing towards older women and our skin to show that even WE can pass as human. When you are young and perfect, there is no big challenge so why use skin like that?
I find this overly perfect filtered facial crap, just that – crap. Its hideous, its creepy and it is NOT normal (even for young skin). Skin is meant to breathe (not literally – those are your lungs), but they need to shed, they need to let moisture out etc etc and it clogs with loads of gunk plastered over those pores (which are there for a reason – to regulate temperature and moisture), AND it is meant to move and flex when you winch your facial muscles about (y’know like smiling etc). Nothing wrong with well-earnt wrinkles, we have lived and own every one of them – but I’m wanting healthy. dewy wrinkles not moon-landing ones… y’know.
This stupid obsession of “perfect” skin and ridiculous filtering should be called out – honestly when we see those pictures we probably should respond with laughing faces, vomit expressions or similar, I think maybe we need to respond with really negative emojis before blocking them, sad but maybe that’s necessary to send a message that this isnt attractive to most women and is hopefully an embarrassing trend that will eventually pass (like the crazy permanent marker eyebrows and claggy, spider lashes of yore along with the stupid over lined lips etc etc.
No I dont feel sorry for these stupid influencers and any potentially hurt feelings – these images are not realistic and NOT achievable for even young women, it is horrendous – what sort of damaging message are they sending to other women, there are quite vulnerable women out there that will swallow this horrible nonsense. These “influencers” are NOT our sisters, they are appalling in what they will do for money – they playground mean girls have mov ed online and are still making us fell sh*te.
rant over…
Hi Juliet, For some odd reason, I’m unable to comment within the bounds of my profile so I have to come here to respond. I agree with everything you wrote. In fact, I have a personal boycott list that, sadly, Benefit cosmetics got placed on last week when a Tik-Tok video of the overfiltered Mikayla was using Benefit’s brow pencil–and she was using it the wrong way!!!! I laughed so hard I almost needed a Depends!
Our demographic has the money to spend and lately, even though I purchased this foundation, I’m spending less and less on cosmetics than I ever did. I’m tired of the bull$hit!
So funny I was just thinking that the top photo ( her after) that this stuff must have some heavy magic as it also filled in her lips LOL next paragraph down I see you had the same thought!! 🙂
That second ‘fluencer though! She looks like a Russian porn star!! Tell her to just rub some bag balm on her camera lens…
I don’t use much camouflage maybe for special occasions. I do use the glossier drops but have started using the Jones Road balm. No coverage but it gives a nice glow and is moisturizing. I’m also partial to facial oil Khiel’s Cannabis oil for day great for redness and caffeine oil from The Ordinary for my eyes. Let that set and put on Khiels SPF day cream with a few dabs of the Jones Road balm in Dusty Rose, lipstick, eye brow pencil and a swipe of Nude Stick in taupe. Sometimes some mascara… for evenings The Ordinary peptide eye serum Riversol Redness serum, Kheils night cream in the purple jar and their avocado eye cream. Sometimes The Ordinary’s Lactaid Acid to clear off the dead skin cells. If I need coverage I use a CC cream and a YSL touche éclat (love that)
The best thing to maintain the skin is avoid the sun, NO smokes, drink the water and keep the moisture going. Having had melanoma I learned to stay out of the sun. Lots of fruit and vegetables and protein.
BTW have you seen Soudiofarabia on IG???? You won’t believe how she trowels the make up on! She does her makeup while talking to her phone and discussing her amazingly extravagant lifestyle in Dubai…it’s fascinating and disgusting at the same time…but the MAKEUP!!
https://www.instagram.com/soudiofarabia?igsh=ZHRkbTA4dzZjOTVo
I think she is on Tick Tock and Youtube
Al. We think alike. I have many of the items you mentioned. Soudifarabia is gorgeous. In fact ALL Middle Eastern people are beautiful. It must be the Jesus effect! LOL.
Why she uses filters is beyond my comprehension. She doesn’t need them . Her makeup is definitely OTT but looks so great on her. It IS fascinating and disgusting at the same time!
I love you with wrinkles! I don’t like my blotchy skin but I don’t like wrinkles filled with foundation either. I spot treat with Pernell’s. Use blush and eyebrow powder. You look fabulous and your wigs do too!
Now, you’re making me want to try this foundation even though I don’t wear foundation. I think I’ve completely forgotten how to even put it on. I do wear a tinted SPF and the some setting powder with blush and bronzer. I was just watching James Welsh (Robert Welsh’s brother) on YouTube today. I don’t TikTok, but, apparently, there’s a plastic surgeon (who is more an amalgamation of plastic surgeons) who posts before and afters for people upon whom he’s operated. The after photos have been heavily filtered, but they’re scary as heck even knowing that! I don’t even know how to use filters on Instagram (which is the only social media I’m on except for Facebook). I do wish you could depend upon influencers for honestly. I have badly thinning hair, and everyone is touting the latest and greatest. I just want my forehead to quit wanting to be my crown!
Thanks for the recommendation should I decided to try a foundation. I’m horrible, though, at figuring out what color to get.
Hello from the Netherlands,
You should try the make-up from Trinny London. Great!!!
Omg, I just did the test, I am #35 too! Now I think it’s a sign 🤔 I guess I will have to get it.. Lol!
For some reason your discussion of Le Makiage foundation resonated with me & I ordered it along with the brush. I’m EXTREMELY pleased with it! Really great coverage for my 71 year old complexion. Thanks for sharing your experience as I’d never heard of this brand before.
I get that your wrinkles are still there in those pics; but I think they do look less pronounced- and some have “disappeared “. I don’t have a lot of wrinkles, and they aren’t very deep… so I’m wondering if it will “work” better for me…
New il makiage customer and I must say u look damn good with or without il makiage. I tried the power rewind under my eyes…girl…no more bags. It’s a miracle. My guy uses it too. I got mostly everything from them in a matter of weeks. Twice I had an issue and within an hour they sent me new product and told me not to return it. The pump on my primer quit and a plumping clear lip gloss had a dog shit smell to it but dammit it works good too. I am 53 and after using the primer..highly recommend it. Concealer foundation I feel like I’m 22. It’s lasts from am to pm w primer. Try the blush too…lasts all day and I’ve never had that before. Loved your review and just wanted to tell u how pretty u were.
Influencer here. Not to made up chick extent. I love love loved your article. Such a beautiful smile! How you demonstrate is my type on influence. I have been called different. I have product tested, mystery shopped, promoted, etc for over 20 years. These brands used to seek “the real” people out back in the day. I am honest with what I say. Brands may say I need a picture of…… but I don’t do any of it until I have tested for at least 2 weeks. I might do a before depending on product. Without filters! I built my following because they truly trust me. Will you find me with a YouTube or tiktok doimg unboximgs or videos of how awesome this is, nope… i havent tried ot yet. I do this because I have sensitive dry ethnic skin. And it’s hard finding products that work. I proudly purchase another of what I’m testing or more… because I like it. Now I’m being told post this pic and get more followers and we give you money or use filter tjis or that vut domt say anything.
That’s not being real or fair. If it jeopardizes my integrity even with brands I have been with since the beginning, I don’t need ya. I’m only 41 and momma didn’t raise me on filters. Stay beautiful love.
Candice I agree with everything you stated. I no longer receive wigs to review because the wig companies are wanting ONLY overfiltered, AI-esque women who no longer see, even themselves, as normal. No more skin texture. No more noses. No more skin tone. It is quite sickening. I’ve also been told similar to gain more followers but my motto is “To thine own self be true” And I stand by that. Glad we are on the same page!
I just want to say that you look amazing x
100% agree! What a review. Respect your honesty. Thank you and very refreshing. Be well “young” lady😘
I love your honesty. I am fed up with all the false advertising, promising the earth which cannot happen as the skin naturally changes. So nice to have an honest and very helpful review. Thank you
Suzy
I have been going back and forth with myself wanting to try il Makiage, and not wanting to waste my money, (again). Thank you for writing this! I have been convinced by you to not give it a try. And after all,I already feel I have THE BEST full coverage makeup there is. And I told the company they ought to advertise more, especially to the more mature audiences. It says on the tube that it is matte, but I find it is far from it. The makeup I use is Revlon colorstay full cover foundation and it comes in a small tube. My color is #150 and it is an exact match for my skin. I just first use my moisturizer and eye cream, then I use elf poreless putty primer, and then the makeup, concealer under eyes, then lightly brush elf sheer high definition loose setting powder, then elf setting spray. Oh, and of course elf multi stick blush. Love it!
Hello Catherine, thank you for your review! I have taken the Il Makiage quiz and the match is the same as you. I was wondering whether to get a darker tint for summer but I’m not sure what it would be for colour #35. Also can I ask which bronze you are using on those pictures, a Charlotte Tilbury one?
Thank you! Mia
Thank you for this wonderful review. I too have been wanting for years to order this product, I’ve even taken the quiz. Then change my mind, because I’ve been told it’s heavy coverage which I hate. I never really used foundation unless it was a special occasion. I hate the feel of make up. By the way you look great!
We have to just accept our natural beauty and age gracefully. Hehe It’s a difficult thing to do at times. Blessings to you
I love the make-up, but it should stand on it’s own, I’m sick of managing my account and orders for a discount, I just want to buy it, but they make it so expensive. Currently waiting on an order from 12/12/24
Thank you for an honest review! Also thank you to the person that commented on their other products because at this price nobody wants to be duped!
I HAVE PURCHASED THE FOUNDATION WHICH IS HORRIBLE AND CHALKY LEAVING MY FACE LOOKING ASHY SMH…. ALSO THE EYE SERUM DOESN’T WORK AT ALL NOT INSTANTLY AS IT PORTRAYS UNFORTUNATELY I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANYMORE PRODUCTS FROM THIS COMPANY
I have tried this product and it wasn’t for me. No biggie
However when a company take your money 1-2 time a month when I specify that I was not interested. Company is money hungry and they do what they want. Not right!
I couldn’t get a hold of anyone, the answering machine is a regular voice mail and then couldn’t leave a voice mail. DO NOT BUY or TRY THE TRIAL! They just take ur money!
69?!!!! WOW!
You look great! I love what you said about aging.
Total scam, buyer beware. Website and rules not clearly stated. Producer does not stand behind their products. You cannot return your products for refund ever.