Welcome to Ahoy Beauty – focusing on articles where I discuss cruelty-free make up and beauty products for people who care about their skin.
Hi! I’m Rachael and the author on this site. I’ve been using ethical make up products for 20+ years (you do the maths!) so over this time, I’ve found some gorgeous products (and some not so much!) especially good for those who are ethically conscious and prefer make up that hasn’t been tested on our furry friends.
I’ve written about make up products to help those who are researching new things, to hopefully help your decision. My thorough reviews are hopefully helpful enough to help you decide if a product is right for you or not.
Here are my top tips on the coverage differences between using a brush vs blender when applying your foundation (coming from a 38-year-old who’s been wearing foundation for 20yrs)
I use both a brush and a blender “sponge” depending on how quickly I need to get ready, and how long I’ll need the foundation to last.
TL;DR (quick summary)
Using a sponge takes longer but gives better coverage and makes the foundation last longer.
Using a brush is very quick but doesn’t give a smooth finish. I only use a brush when I need light coverage.
Brush vs sponge – what are the differences in finish?
I use a beauty sponge when I want a medium to heavy finish. The sponge tends to soak up more of the foundation and tends to need cleaning more often. I throw it in the wash after every use, unlike a brush where I get a few uses out of it.
I always use a damp sponge, which allows the foundation to glide on my skin. If the blender is dry, it takes forever to use, and the coverage isn’t as good.
When using a brush, the foundation tends to sit on top of my skin instead of soaking in. I use a brush when I need a very quick, light application.
To get a smooth application using a brush, I’d have to brush it for quite a while into my skin – obviously something I don’t want!
Always use a damp sponge for a smooth coverage. A dry sponge will soak up too much product
Different lighting + a slightly heaver finish
Which should I use?
I’d recommend using both and finding out for yourself. It’s easy for me to say which I prefer, which is either depending on how I’m feeling and what coverage I want.
Beauty blenders are super cheap. I use these: you get 4 sponges from Amazon for £5 £3.99! But I’ve got a whole collection over the years from LookFantastic etc.
These are the beauty blenders I use – 4x for £3.99 from Amazon!
Brushes are more expensive, but they last years. I use Il Makiage’s 100 ‘blending brush’ which is the best foundation brush I’ve used. It’s dense but soft, allowing you to buff and pat the foundation into the skin for a glowy finish.
A benefit to using a sponge
Another benefit to a sponge is that you can use the same one for concealer as well as foundation and powder.
I don’t do this with brushes; I have one for each foundation, concealer and powder, which takes up more space if I’m travelling. Of course you can use the same brush for everything but I don’t like to.
Here I am applying Il Makiage foundation with a beauty blender:
Using a brush, it gives you more coverage as less product soaks up into the brushPersonally, this is heavy for me to try to cover my chin spots – this is using a brush
I use ISOclean to clean my brushes and I put the beauty blenders in my clothes washing using a mesh bag so they don’t get lost.
I have several brushes and sponges, so I always have others to use whilst the used ones are being cleaned.
After using either a brush or beauty blender for a max of 4 times or if it’s over a week, I then wash it. Bacterial build-up on your skin transfers to them, so you really don’t want to be using dirty tools on your face.
Some people don’t like putting beauty blenders in their clothes wash due to the fabric wash/conditioner, but I don’t mind it and haven’t noticed any skin problems.
I put the blenders in a mesh bag from Amazon in the washing machine, so they don’t go missing, then simply hang it up to allow them all to dry.
I use these mesh bags (30cm X 40cm) from Amazon for £4.99 for 2. They work for other things too, like socks or bras etc – anything you don’t want to lose in your washing!
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Imagine a foundation that not only flawlessly matches your skin tone but also delivers long-lasting coverage and a natural matte finish. EVEN on oily and acne-prone skin (like mine). I’ve tried and tested Il Makiage’s Woke Up Like This foundation so you don’t have to.
From its cruelty-free and vegan formula to its skin-friendly ingredients, here are my top 10 reasons why this foundation has earned a place in my makeup bag.
The left side shows just how much a few pumps manages to cover. My dark circles, redness, hyperpigmentation are covered
Lightweight and Buildable Coverage: This foundation has a lightweight texture that feels comfortable on my skin. It offers buildable coverage, which lets me customise the level of coverage I want, from light to medium or even heavy. I don’t normally go heavy but have done for nights out and it stays in place until I take it off (especially if I prep my skin with primer)
Natural Matte Finish: I like the natural matte finish that Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation provides. It gives my skin a flawless, uniform look without looking overly matte or dry.
Long-Lasting Formula: Even after wearing the foundation for 17+ hours (see below pics), it stayed in place and maintained its coverage. I no longer have to worry about my makeup fading or melting away throughout the day.
Accurate Shade Matcher: The Shade Matcher tool called “PowerMatch” on the Il Makiage website is incredibly accurate. Answering a few questions helped me find my perfect shade (#35), and it turned out to be a spot-on recommendation.
Suitable for Combination Skin: I have combination skin (and a very oily forehead) so I was worried it’d make my skin worse or flare up with acne. It didn’t exacerbate my oily areas or dry out the sensitive parts of my face. I wasn’t itching to get it off after a long day like I normally would be and it didn’t make my spots break out.
Skin-Friendly Ingredients: Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation is enriched with Vitamin E for anti-aging benefits. It also includes hyaluronic acid for hydration, protection, and filling in wrinkles. These ingredients contribute to the overall health and appearance of my skin.
Dewy, Yet Non-Greasy Finish: Despite having a matte finish, this foundation gives my skin a dewy glow without making it look greasy. It strikes the perfect balance, making my skin look fresh and radiant but not greasy.
Resistant to Sweat and Workout: I was pleasantly surprised to find that this foundation stayed intact even after a sweaty workout. It didn’t clump, melt, or become patchy, maintaining its coverage and longevity.
Cruelty-Free and Vegan: One of the top reasons I love Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation is that it is cruelty-free and vegan. I can feel good about using a product that aligns with my values.
Excellent Customer Service: Whenever I had questions or needed assistance, the Il Makiage customer service team was prompt, polite, and helpful. Their dedication to customer satisfaction enhances my overall experience with the brand. I got in touch via their Facebook page.
In conclusion, Il Makiage Woke Up Like This foundation has become one of my favourite make-up products. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality foundation that is good for oily skin.
If you want to try it yourself, go through PowerMatch, the shade matcher. If you decide to return the foundation, you get a longer returns window if you go through PowerMatch so I’d suggest doing it! It only takes a few minutes.
How much is Woke Up Like This?
It’s £39. It’s free delivery over £50. Signing up for a delivery subscription every 4 months costs £35.10 so a 10% discount. Use the discount code welcome10 for 10% off.
Using Il Makiage's concealer with 140 blender brush
I’ve been using Il Makiage for nearly 2 years now and still keep going back to it. I’ve tried a few other concealers, including Estee Lauder ‘stay in place’ and Mac ‘Pro longwear’, but I still go back to Il Makiage.
I have to agree – I use it for dark circles under eye bags, hyperpigmentation on my forehead and sides of my face, and of course – spots! It’s very light, which sinks into my skin really well and it’s buildable on those days when I’ve had a crap sleep and need extra under my eyes.
Using Il Makiage’s concealer with 140 blender brush
The lotions, potions and make up only stay on your skin as well as you look after your skin! To make sure my skin is prepped for makeup, I do the following:
I dermaplane every 2 weeks (basically shaving your face, but it takes off the top layer revealing soft skin underneath. Don’t do over spots though)
Cleanse, tone and moisturise, giving at least 10 minutes time before applying make up to allow the lotions to sink in
Use a primer after moisturiser – I use the Il Makiage primer, but sometimes the Embryolisse “lait-crème concentré” if my skin is in need of a good hydration
What are the benefits?
The biggest pluses for me are that it comes in over 30 shades, giving us a big choice. This can sometimes be tricky if you are unsure – I actually emailed them my picture when deciding on the foundation, so I’m sure you could do this too.
My shade 2.5 is LIGHT and ORANGE although I didn’t pick this as I’m clueless. They have over 30 shades to choose from. My shade is 2.5
Otherwise they have a 100-day returnspolicy so you can literally, return for your money back.
My shade is 2.5 which is skin-tone ‘light’ and undertone ‘orange’.
It’s cruelty-free, vegan, oil-free and paraben-free – so no nasties and no nasty treatment to animals – winner!
It’s buildable, but also light enough to wear with just one layer. I tend to use more layers on spots, and only one on my under eye area as it’s quite thin and make up can sit in my fine lines (I am mid-30’s you know).
I only like light coverage under my eye as it’s thin skinI gently dab, being careful not to pull as again the skin is thin!Using concealer on your lids helps eye shadow stay on longer. I also sometimes use another concealer brush that’s longer and extremely soft, for going in on my lids where I’m extra careful not to pull my skin I like to use my bigger foundation brush (Il Makiage 100) sometimes when I’m blendingUsing for hiding those pesky spotsUsing my Il Makiage foundation brush, 100, to gently buff in the concealerSpots nicely hidden!
How long does it last?
It lasts all day, over 12 hours at least.
This is me after a 17 hour day – including sweating and walking in the rain! The spots on my chin are more noticeable but after a long day, it’s understandable, plus they’re not too badly showing
How much are the concealer & brushes?
The concealer is £27 for 7ml which is pretty standard. You can buy it from Il Makiage’s website here. You have to spend over £50 to get free delivery, otherwise it’s £3.95. Use the voucher code ‘welcome10’ to get 10% off 🙂 you’re welcome!
If you’re going for the concealer, I would personally try the ‘woke up like this’ foundation. I’ve been using both for nearly 2 years, and they go really well together. I often use both if I’m out for several hours – neither fades much by the end of a long day.
If you’re unsure on your foundation shade, use powermatch to help you find your shade – I used it and it was perfect (I’m 035). If you buy both, you’ll get free delivery.
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I’ve been using Il Makiage’s foundation and concealer for over a year so I decided to treat myself and purchase the rest of the set – including the foundation brush.
It’s £38, so it’s a premium brush, up there with others such as IT Cosmetics (Heavenly Luxe is £36), Bobbie Brown Brush (full coverage, £36) and a few from MAC (190 foundation, and 196 flat top both £28). I know it seems like quite an expense, but if you think of how much you use it – for me, it’s a few times a week, which means regular washing, I need it to last so I need a high quality brush.
I’ve used cheap brushes in the past which are fine for a few months but then the brushes turn hard and nasty, so I don’t mind spending £38 for a brush that’ll last literally years.
It’s dome-shaped with soft and dense bristles, perfect for liquid or cream foundation. It says it’s perfect for a ‘high to medium’ coverage but I tend to go with a lighter finish and it does the job perfectly for me.
Il Makiage 100 Foundation Blending brushThe bristles are really soft but it’s a dense brush which allows you to really go in deep to keep the foundation on for as long as possible
How easily does the brush apply foundation?
I personally use a brush or sometimes a beauty blender if I can be bothered. This brush allows me to really pad the foundation into my skin, giving me a really nice deep finish, but it doesn’t feel harsh because the brush is so soft.
A small blob of foundation covers redness near my nose, plus uneven skin tone & spotsI used a primer beforehand to get the foundation looking smooth and so it stays on for as long as possible
How do you clean the brush?
I clean it after I use it with ISOClean, which is 1-3 times per week. There isn’t any signs of wear or tear so far, and I’ve had it for 8 months. Check out my ISOClean blog here. It’s basically liquid you spray on to your brushes, rub them, which cleans within a minute – and drys within 30-50 seconds too depending on the brush size. It gets rid of germs and all nasties and there’s no rinse required, so you can have a dirty brush one minute, and clean ready to use the next!
What’s your final review?
I love the 100 brush. I even use it for blending in concealer if I’ve got a bigger area, like the spots on my chin in the above pics. It’s quite a big expense at £38 but (hopefully) it’ll last years and years, even with constant cleaning.
Don’t forget to use a primer to ensure your skin is smooth and to help your makeup last for as long as possible! 12 hours later, the foundation is still mostly on
Buy it from Il Makiage’s website for £38 – don’t forget to use the code welcome10 for 10% off!
UPDATE: 11 June 2023 I’ve been using for a while now and cleaning at least once a week – no signs of wear or tear. Continues to be my favourite brush. I’ve even started to use it after foundation to apply bronzer.
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Looking for the right Il Makiage shade? I was matched to shade 35, designed for lighter skin tones. In this review I put it to the test on my acne-prone skin, with dark circles, an oily forehead and hyperpigmentation – sharing my real before/after photos and how it wore through the day.
Be warned - jump scare! No filters have been used on the images in this article!
TL;DR (quick summary)
Pros: long-wearing on oily skin & all skin types; buildable coverage; shade 35 suits light skin with yellow-neutral tones; good returns policy. Cons: can cling to dry patches if skin isn’t prepped; price is relatively high for an unknown brand; no shade samples available. Hard retargeting – I visited the site once, and I was then inundated with ads. Customers have been caught out with the subscription.
4/5!
I’ll preface my review by saying I absolutely hate wearing foundation because of my oily skin. I feel like it’s a second skin by the end of the day and not in a good way. This Il Makiage foundation and the Estee Lauder foundation are the only ones I enjoy wearing.
How does shade 35 look?
Shade 35 is under the ‘light’ skin tone with ‘pink’ undertones. I don’t think this is accurate; my skin is definitely more yellow than pink.
Shade 35. It’s a little light for me at the moment as we’ve had a summer of sun here in the UK – it’ll fade soon!
Close up – shade 35
The foundation has a buildable matte finish, so it’s easy to layer. I usually use one to three pumps, depending on the coverage I want. One pump gives light coverage and evens out most areas, two pumps gives a solid medium coverage, and three pumps takes it to full coverage – hiding my dark circles, hyperpigmentation and acne.
It lasts all day on my skin, especially on my oily forehead.
Il Makiage ‘woke up like this’ on my skin – with spots, redness, lots of hyperpigmentation
This is what we’re working with – acne, hyperpigmentation especially on my forehead and sides, and a red nose.
After putting the foundation on – it’s covered a lot, and it’s still only a light coverage
This is after using one pump. You can see it’s done a good job of smoothing out my skin.
Showing the foundation below my eyes – my forehead doesn’t have any on and you can see the difference
The photo above shows the coverage on my face except for my forehead. This clearly shows a big difference, and the coverage I’ve used is still ‘light’ and isn’t what I’d consider ‘full’. Full to me would be three pumps.
Don’t forget to blend into your ears and neck line with foundation brush 100The finished result using Il Makiage’s foundation and concealer. Blush from Bodyshop
My acne is still visible but the redness has been covered.
This is me after a 17 hour day – including sweating and walking in the rain!
The above photo is after a 17-hour day including sweating and walking in the rain. The foundation is still intact, but has worn off on my chin and forehead (likely places I’ve touched!).
How much is it?
Buy it from the Il Makiage website: ilmakiage.com. The foundation is £36, my shade above is 35. You have to spend over £50 to get free delivery, otherwise it’s £3.95. Use the voucher code ‘welcome10’ to get 10% off 🙂
Returns
Il Makiage have a really great returns policy. If you answer the questions in their POWERMATCH which helps you find your colour, they offer a 60-day returns policy (normally 30 days).
In general, any product purchased through our shade-matching quiz(s) is eligible for a sixty-day return period.
They have over 50 shades to choose from, split by skin tone (medium, tan, etc) and undertone (yellow, pink, etc)
If you’re not sure which shade to pick, Il Makiage has a shade matcher on their website called PowerMatch. You answer a series of questions (and yes, you do have to give your email), but I found it worked well. It matched me to shade 35, and I’d say the result was pretty accurate.
It’s pretty common from companies that sell foundation to have a tool to help, because it’s very difficult to find the right shade first time. It would be easier if companies let us buy small samples but I guess that would help us buyers out too much.
They have over 50 shades, split out by skin tone/undertones. 35 is highlighted.
This is how shade 35 looks in the shade list on the Il Makiage website
I did their powermatch quiz, link below, and got 35 which is pretty accurate.
Get matched using their tool ‘powermatch’ or get your money back (they will literally refund you and by using the tool, you have longer to return)
Il Makiage have a pretty good returns policy, where you can return the foundation if it’s the wrong shade. I’ve not used it, so I can’t say if it’s good or not. You get so many days to return it and even longer if you took the quiz.
Coverage & application: how many pumps?
It’s buildable so you can either go for a light coverage (like I normally do – pictured above) or a heavier if you want that fuller coverage. It doesn’t feel heavy or look cakey when I go for a heavier finish.
On the photo above, I’ve got 2 pumps on which doesn’t feel heavy. If I was to want to cover my blemishes and hyperpigmentation fully, I’d need more pumps but it still wouldn’t feel heavy on my skin. One of the reasons why I don’t often wear foundation is its weight and how it feels after a few hours of wearing it.
I’ve got really oily skin so I always notice whenever I’ve got foundation on, but Il Makiage ‘woke up like this’ lasts all day and I’m not desperate to take it off at the end of the day.
Why doesn’t my foundation last all day?
If your foundation is sliding off or looking cakey, it’s often due to skin prep. A good primer makes a big difference.
When I was younger, I never used a primer. Now I’m 38, I wouldn’t leave the house without it if I’m wearing makeup.
It smooths the surface, helps the foundation grip, and controls oil so your base stays in place longer. I’ve found that when I use a primer, especially on my oily T-zone, any makeup (not just foundation) looks fresher for much longer.
If I don’t use a primer, concealer, and foundation instantly looks flaky. It’s literally instantly – as soon as the makeup touches my skin. I prep my skin and leave it to dry for 10 minutes with primer, and Saie Glowy Super Gel, which gives my skin a lovely glow. One to watch is that primer can be expensive, but the Il Makiage one I use (it’s £42) lasts years. I’ve had my current one for about 2.5 years now and it’s still going strong. The same with the Saie gel – it’s £24 upfront but it’ll last a long time.
On me, shade 35 didn’t noticeably oxidise. The colour stayed pretty true from application through to the end of the day.
Does Il Makiage foundation oxidise?
Il Makiage lists shade 35 as ‘pink’ undertone, but on my yellow/light skin it matched well and looked more neutral-to-warm.
Is Il Makiage good for oily skin?
Yes. I have an oily forehead and with primer it lasted really well. Without primer, it still held up but I needed a quick blot during the day. It’s an oil-free foundation.
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I’ve written blogs on Il Makiage primer, concealer (F**K I’m Flawless) and foundation (Woke up like this). They go together flawlessly and suit my skin. I have combination skin (oily T zone, dry patches) and their makeup isn’t heavy but is buildable, which I love. I can completely tailor my look depending on whether I need a heavier foundation for more coverage or very light coverage.
I used this Power Match shade matcher on their website to find my perfect foundation shade
Il Makiage discount and promo codes
The only Il Makiage discount promo code I’ve found is ‘welcome10‘ – this gets you 10% off the Il Makiage website. Spend over £40 to get free delivery – otherwise, it’s £3.95.
See above for my personal favourites, but if I had to shout one out, it’d be the foundation brush.
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Ever since my favourite mascara of all time was discontinued – NYX Doll Eye – I’ve been in the market for a new favourite mascara and have been working my way through several – most recently, Glossier Lash Slick and I am very impressed.
I always go for waterproof mascara. I don’t know why – maybe it’s my oily skin or choice of foundation/concealer/moisturiser – but 8/10 mascaras give me panda eyes. After a few hours, I have black smudges underneath my eyes from the mascara running – not a good look.
panda eyes only look good on pandas / lucky for me, Glossier had zero smudging
Glossier – who are they?
Glossier were founded apparently in 2014, however I only got to know them this year when I was targeted on Instagram (story of my life) with this mascara and decided to check them out.
My new favourite since NYX Doll Eye was discontinued
Me
They are a cruelty-free brand and are Leaping Bunny certified (amazing!). For me this is a huge selling point. I only want to buy from brands who are cruelty-free.
Glossier Lash Slick includes beeswax, so it isn’t vegan.
Glossier are cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified / amazing!
Lash Slick mascara – my review
I want a mascara to last all day, not give me panda eyes, goes on thick (or at least buildable) and makes my lashes look nice and long.
I can safely say Lash Slick is my new favourite.
Me
It goes on smooth, buildable, but most importantly for me, it doesn’t smudge when wet or give me panda eyes throughout the day! I’ve also recently tried Too Faced ‘better than sex’mascara which has given me the worst panda eyes ever – blog coming soon – very disappointed, and the price of this was £14.40 + £3 delivery.
Glossier Lash Slick Mascara – my review – this photo shows how it looks with 1 coatGlossier Lash Slick Mascara – my review – this photo shows how it looks with 2 coatsGlossier Lash Slick Mascara – my review – this photo shows how it looks with 2 coats
No, it’s ‘water resistant’ instead, which means this according to their website:
It’s water-resistant, not waterproof—that means it stays in place without smudging or flaking for up to 12 hours, but then removes easily with warm water (and without harsh, damaging rubbing) when you’re ready to take it off
From glossier.com at time of writing this article
Here’s what the wand looks like – very easy to use in corners
I’ve gone for waterproof – or water resistant for years now. I don’t know why but I tend to have smudges by the end of the day if I’m not careful. I don’t know whether it’s due to what I put on my face (moisturiser, make up etc) or if I rub my eyes and don’t realise it. It’s very frustrating having to check for this during the work day – I want to put make up on in the morning and not have to worry about it until I want to take it off that night.
What’s it ‘officially’ good for?
Lash Slick’s weightless, flexible formula enhances the look of your natural lashes. The secret’s in teeny-tiny fibers that coat each individual hair from root to tip creating maximum definition and length—think less “your mascara looks good” and more “your lashes look good”
From glossier.com
I really like how it makes my lashes look – not over the top, but easily buildable for those days/nights out when I want my eyes to look fuller and darker.
Dermatologist-tested, Ophthalmologist-tested, Suitable for sensitive eyes/contact lens wearers, Fragrance-Free
From glossier.com
Good to know it’s suitable for sensitive eyes – I’ve struggled in the past with finding mascaras that don’t irritate my eyes. I’ve had problems with Body Shop mascaras causing small bumps under my eye lid before. I haven’t had them with every mascara but I’m conscious of it.
How much is it? (and get 10% off with my code)
It’s £14 from Glossier.com for 8.5g/0.25oz. A pretty standard price for the size.
Delivery is £4 which is quite steep. It’s free over £30. They do all sorts of makeup and skin care – I’ve got my eye on the ‘winter rescue’ kit because my skin is so dry at the min.
Get 10% off your first order – use my friends/fam referral code for 10% off your first order (I get store credit if you use this link) here’s the link – glossier.com >
As mentioned above, after trying Glossier mascara, I tried Too Faced ‘better than sex’ mascara (£14.40+£3 delivery) – I’ll update this article when I’ve written it, but it’s a pretty poor mascara so far for me – it’s given me the worst panda eyes E V E R. I literally look like I’ve been beaten up. Not impressed at all. Although it goes on really dark and think which I love. Massive shame.
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I was never one for primers. I’ve got oily skin so I dreaded adding something else to my skincare routine. Over time, it got to a point when foundation just never sat right on my skin.
I’ve been using Il Makiage primer for years now. It doesn’t make my oily skin oilier, and keeps make-up on and skin looking smooth all day.
TL;DR (quick summary)
Pros: Great for all types of skin, even oily skin; makes foundation glide on skin; helps foundation look smooth and last for longer; works well over skincare (like SPF);
Cons: Expensive upfront cost (but can last years); unknown brand; bulky bottle
Why should you use the Il Makiage primer?
The primer is great for smoothing out skin as a preparation step before putting on makeup. If you have fine lines, blackheads or large pores, primer will fill them so anything added on top will be smooth. Foundation added on top looks so much better because it’s got a smooth surface to go on.
Primer also helps your makeup last longer.
I have oily skin and thought primer would worsen it because it’s like a gel, so I thought it’d be oily. It really isn’t. After using for a while, I’m happy to say it doesn’t make me want to tear off my makeup at the end of the day! It helps my foundation feel so light; it doesn’t feel like I’m wearing any.
What I look for in a primer (and how Il Makiage compares)
I want a primer to:
keep my makeup on for longer
make my makeup look better
not bring me out in spots
not make my oily T zone worse
smooth out/fill in pores
As with all primers, it goes on smooth and feels silky. I’m very particular about what I put on my skin, as it’s sensitive in places but mostly oily.
This is what nose holes look like when I haven’t used primer! This is one of the reasons I use a primer – to fill in fine lines, and these blackheads, so when I apply foundation, it goes on as smooth as possible. It needs to dry here but you can see it’s filled in my pores, helping foundation stay on for longer and look smoother.
I didn’t have great light to show you BUT you can see the difference in my pores. The primer fills them and smoothes the skin. Once dry, you can then apply your foundation which looks better and stays on for longer.
I don’t use a primer if I’m not wearing foundation. I tend to wear foundation if I’m going to work, which is a 10hr+ day including several hours in a car. When I get home, the foundation doesn’t have the same coverage as the morning (understandable), but it still gives good coverage.
How and when to apply the Il Makiage primer (step by step)
Apply primer after your skincare and wait for it to dry before applying makeup. If you don’t wait, your foundation is likely going to look cakey and ‘on top’ of your skin instead of smoothed in.
Step by step:
Apply your skincare and SPF
Wait 5 minutes
Apply primer
Wait 10 minutes – whilst waiting for it to dry, I do things that aren’t on my skin – such as my eyebrows, lashes, and hair.
Apply your foundation and other makeup.
Does the Il Makiage primer work on mature skin?
Yes absolutely. I’m even more invested in using a primer now than I was in my 20s and early 30s. It helps to smooth holes (blackheads) and fine lines so foundation looks better. What’s not to like?
Skin prep is so important when using foundation. If you have skin that’s not been exfoliated in a while, foundation won’t look good and it’ll probably go patchy. I’ve written some tips in my Il Makiage foundation blog, a little way down the page. It includes things like what I use to exfoliate, dermaplaning, cleansing & tretinoin.
How the Il Makiage primer wears throughout the day
I’ve tested it with concealer (Il Makiage F*k I’m Flawless). Working from home, I just want my bags hidden rather than wearing a full face of make-up. I smoothed in the primer to just one side of my face where I plan to put concealer – around/under my eye bag area.
It blends easily and is like a gel. It doesn’t pull skin and goes on like any moisturiser or cream.
Putting on the foundation after skincare: starting with moisturiser, vitamin C, SPF then primer. Always wait at least 10 mins before putting on makeup. Sometimes I use a damp sponge to put foundation on and sometimes I use a brush! It depends what mood I’m in. I use Il Makiage’s brushes too, they’re lovely and soft. This is me after a 17 hour day – including sweating and walking in the rain!
The above shows my skin after a full day out and about – including in the rain and sweating! The acne on my skin is coming through, but you can see just how well the foundation, on the whole, has remained in place.
If I don’t use primer, I barely get to work before my skin starts to flake and look patchy.
After trying the foundation and loving it I wanted to try Il Makiage’s other products. Next up is the F*ck I’m Flawless concealer.
Not only does it have great reviews, it’s an average price: £27; in range of other popular concealers:
NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer £24
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Liquid Concealer £24
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer £25
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer £25
it’s a pretty chunky tube, larger than my other concealers but still fine to carry in a small handbag – the weight is average too
Comparing the size with my about-to-be-replaced Estee Lauder concealer
Description from Il Makiage:
F*ck I’m Flawless is a long-wear, lightweight concealer that instantly covers under-eye circles, blemishes, dark spots & hyperpigmentation with an advanced vegan, cruelty-free, oil-free & paraben-free formula. Available in 30 diverse shades for all skin tones.
Il Makiage F*ck Me I’m Flawless is vegan and cruelty-free – hurrah!
Not only is it vegan and cruelty-free, it’s oil and paraben-free. Paraben’s are (in a nutshell) harmful chemicals. It’s also oil-free which great for us already oily folk. Oil clogs pores which can cause no end of issues.
Here’s my Youtube video where I detail how I apply the concealer using a sponge:
Shades available:
over 30 shades to choose from
choose out of 5 skin tones
choose out of 5 undertones
The shades come in a variety of colours depending on if you have pink, orange, neutral or yellow undertones. I went with 2.5 which is classed as a light orange colour.
Benefits of the concealer:
long lasting
light-weight
medium-to-full buildable coverage
hydrating and moisturising
hide spots and brighten the under eye area
screenshot taken from their website – send it back if it’s not for you! (I haven’t tried this but seems legit)
One thing I’m not a fan of
I really don’t like it when companies call their products making reference to rude things. I don’t see the need. I’m not a prude but I probably sound like I am! ‘Better than sex’, ‘f**k’, ‘orgasm’ – why? No need! Rant over.
Comparing my current concealer
I’ve about to run out of my current concealer, Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place, so thought I’d compare it to my new Il Makiage. Estee Lauder isn’t vegan or cruelty-free so I’ve been looking to leave this brand for a while now.
Il Makiage has a softer, peach/warm colour; Estee Lauder is more neutral/yellow tone. Il Makiage 100% fits my skin tone better as you can see from my face pics below.
Estee Lauder is thicker with 1 brush swipe. This has often been a problem for me as too much goes on and I struggle blending it
Il Makiage has a softer/warm colour; Estee Lauder is more neutral/yellow.
Il Makiage sinks in quicker, is easy to blend in and is a better shade for me.
Combination skin – oily T zone
My skin is oily in my T zone, normal on my cheeks, and very dry to the sides of my nose and around the top of my mouth. I’m 34, so I don’t like to add too much concealer; just enough to cover the black in my eye corners and eye bags.
Concerns and ‘must-haves’ from a concealer (I’m not asking much)
doesn’t dry too quickly and is easy to blend
stays on as long as possible
when it does fade, it to fade evenly
no flakiness or creasing
colour that matches my skin obvs and doesn’t change throughout the day
I can basically tick all of the above off my list with Il Makiage.
Consistency and texture
Estee Lauder is thicker no doubt about it. I often find blending it difficult as goes on TOO thick, whereas with Il Makiage, I can keep it light and build up which I do when covering my eye bags.
The texture is light and easy to manoeuvre around. It dries quick but not so quick I can’t blend.
Both wands are similar in design, which I like. One side is flat making it easy to smooth on where it needs to go. I only add a few dots under my eye – I’m 34 so I don’t need (or want) much. If I put too much on, it creases. I find a little goes a long way.
Il Makiage didn’t crease at all, at any point throughout the day, even after wearing for 8, 12+ hours. This was a concern of mine because if it’s too thick, it sits in my wrinkles which nobody wants to see.
I only put several dots on as like to keep things light, usually adding more towards the inner eye where I have more dark to cover / no primer used
You can see the clear brighter eye on the left where I’ve added the concealer / no primer used
Does it stay on all day?
It stays on all day but isn’t as obvious at night as in the morning. I’d guess 30% is left on my skin after 12 hours.
I’m not worried about this because for the remaining time of day, I’m at home and not out, so I’m not fussed if I’m wearing makeup or not. Plus I don’t think 30% is too bad at all. By the end of the day, I pretty much expect all of my face makeup to be hanging on my a thread.
It fades evenly too so I don’t get a weird colouring. This is actually really important to me, as previously I’ve had makeup that flakes around weird places, like the sides of my eyes, and on my dry bits like the sides of my nose.
At the end of the day (12 hours later) it’s still on, okay – faded, but it’s faded evenly rather than in patches / no primer used
Further photos in a different light showing some concealer still visible at the end of the day
The inner corners of my eye don’t look as dark as what they do naturally so I can tell some concealer is still on at the end of the day
Does using a primer help?
I’ve used Il Makiage’s primer and have had amazing results. But in the short of it, yes, primer helped my concealer stay on (evenly) for longer.
Final thoughts – would you recommend?
Yes I would. I like the brand plus the products I’ve tried so far are great, including this concealer (see my foundation blog here) and primer. I wanted a vegan and cruelty-free product, and a product that wouldn’t crease and stay on all day (8hours+).
What matters to me in a concealer is a nice texture, fades evenly, still covers darkness, and doesn’t flake.
Finding a foundation that works for combination and oily skin can be a full time job. If you have oily or combination skin, you know the struggle—finding a foundation that lasts all day without making your skin look greasy or cakey.
After being bombarded with Insta & Facebook ads for months, I finally decided to try Il Makiage’s ‘Woke Up Like This’ foundation to see if it could solve my problems.
For years, I had been using Estée Lauder Double Wear, but it was becoming uncomfortable, especially on my oily forehead. Plus, I wanted a cruelty-free alternative. Would Il Makiage be a better fit for my skin needs?
I have combination skin – an oily forehead and nose, sensitive dry patches around my mouth, and normal areas elsewhere. My previous foundation, Estée Lauder Double Wear, provided amazing coverage, but by the end of the day, my forehead looked like a frying pan, and my dry areas felt flaky.
I’ve been using Estee Lauder for a very long time, but now I’m in my late 30s, I felt like it wasn’t working as well.
I needed something lightweight, buildable, and long-lasting without making my skin issues worse. I need a foundation that:
doesn’t make my oily/dry skin worse
I could wear all day (10hr+)
stays on after a workout or if I get sweaty/rained on
doesn’t break me out in spots
Before I get into the actual foundation, I want to talk about skincare and prep.
Skin prep for the best results with foundation
Before we get into how this foundation holds up, let’s talk about skin prep because it makes all the difference. If you suffer with acne, I’ve written about that too which some of the below points go into, 10 steps to help your acne.
cleanse properly – If your skin is oily, a gentle foaming cleanser helps remove excess oil without stripping your skin.
exfoliate often – exfoliating gets rid of the dead skin that can’t drop off your face because the oil won’t let it! I use The Ordinary AHA BHA and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner. I dermaplane often, which gets hair and dead skin cells off, too, for even smoother skin.
use a hydrating (not heavy) moisturiser – Even oily skin needs moisture to prevent overproduction of sebum. I use Malezia.
other skincare – I’ve found no matter how much foundation I use, my skin will still look and feel sad and grey. Skincare is key. I use Dermatica for most of my skincare: tretinoin (similar to retinol for skin turnover), vitamin C, SPF (see my Dermatica review here).
apply a mattifying primer – A good primer helps control shine and gives the foundation a smooth base to grip onto. I use Il Makiage primer and wouldn’t be without it. See my Il Makiage primer review here.
wait before applying foundation – Let your skincare sink in before applying makeup for better longevity. Leave for at least 10 minutes.
Does primer make a difference?
I tested this foundation with and without primer, and the difference was clear.
with primer – The foundation stayed on longer, looked smoother, and controlled oil better.
without primer – Still good, but the longevity wasn’t quite as impressive.
If you have oily skin, I’d recommend using a primer to help lock everything in. I tested the Il Makiage primer with it, and you can read my full review here: See my Il Makiage primer review here or on Ilmakiage.com.
Now, let’s get into the foundation itself.
Is Il Makiage cruelty-free and vegan? Yes! Il Makiage does not test on animals and many of their products, including this foundation, are vegan.
How do you get the right shade?
Il Makiage uses a shade-matching quiz called POWERMATCH to find your ideal shade without needing to swatch in person. By answering a few questions about your skin type, undertone, and concerns, you get a personalised recommendation.
The one they recommended for me was perfect, but they have a good returns policy if it’s not for you on first try. I took the quiz which didn’t take long, and it suggested shade 35. I also reached out to their customer service, who also recommended shade 35.
answering a few questions on Il Makiage’s power match quiz gives you a shade recommendation. It takes 2 mins: Try the shade matcher here >
Il Makiage’s shade 35 less yellow than my current foundation, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place, 1W2 Sand. Il Makiage’s 35, in my opinion, is a much better colour for my skin. Estee Lauder’s would probably suit me with a tan.
Woke up like this foundation shade 35
the same photo but with different lighting – comparing my current foundation (double wear 1W2) which I’ve never thought matched me properly, to my new Il Makiage #35 – a much better match
My YouTube video shows how I apply the foundation with a sponge: (just had covid so yes, I look rough, which is actually really handy to show you just how much this makeup makes me look less dull!)
I bought a pack of 4 sponges from Amazon for £5 – here’s the link. Don’t forget to dampen the sponge first for the best coverage.
How does it cope with my combination skin?
I have sensitive eyes; my forehead & sides of my nose are oily; around my mouth is sensitive & dry; the rest is normal.
My face has different concerns – I have sensitive eyes; my forehead & sides of my nose are oily; around my mouth is sensitive & dry; the rest is normal. My current Double Wear foundation makes my forehead very oily by the end of the day – so much so when I get in from work (after 10 hours) I’m dying to get it off. It also flakes on my dry patches. I can’t deny it though, Double Wear gives amazing coverage. If you have normal skin, I can imagine it stays on all day and looks amazing, but it’s not cruelty-free, so a re-purchase for me is off the cards.
The foundation stays on all day, doesn’t make my forehead oily and doesn’t cake in my dry parts. Using with a primer is game changer. I use the Il Makiage primer, which helps the foundation look better for longer. It also helps to fill in those fine lines and pores, which help make the foundation go on and stay on smoother. I’ll talk more about the primer below.
What’s the coverage like? How much product do I need?
I like a light coverage. I’m 33 37 so I feel too much makeup looks worse due to the texture/fine lines that are appearing. ‘Woke up like this’ is buildable so you’ll be able to use as much as you want.
1 pump in all its glory
1 pump; the redness on the side of my nose has been reduced (but not hidden) and you can still see small pumps on my forehead. It’s a nice light coverage though and the colour matches my skin perfectly
One pump gives a lovely finish – not everything is covered as you can see, but on the most part, it’s given my skin a glow and evened it out a lot. The redness either side of my nose and forehead melasma has been reduced. It’s covered small acne scars and uneven skin colouring on my cheeks and forehead.
It goes on very light and melts into my skin. It feels lovely. It isn’t thick, so I can move it easily around my skin without any pulling. I buffer it in using circles with a brush, to make sure I get an even coverage. (UPDATE: I now use sponges for foundation (thanks tiktok) £5 for 4 here from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3K4mdai)
2 pumps – a lot better coverage, still feeling light-weight and not oily which is what I wanted – it blends really well
I have 2 pumps on here – plus added blusher. The redness around my nose has 95% been hidden. My skin looks even but it doesn’t look like I’ve got a lot of makeup on.
Post-workout – did the foundation stay on?
I worked out and got sweaty – I don’t know about you but my skin actually looks better. Dewy but not greasy. The foundation also stayed on; it didn’t go clumpy, melt or anything else.
after a sweaty workout – nice dewy skin with foundation still intact!
Does it cover spots and melasma?
I don’t like heavy foundation. I always manage to cover problem areas without the need to use a lot. I don’t tend to use more than 2 pumps, unless there’s more to cover up like the below.
the ‘before’ – you can see I have chin spots and melasma on my forehead. Putting on the foundation after skincare: starting with moisturiser, vitamin C, SPF then primer. Always wait at least 10 mins before putting on makeup. Sometimes I use a damp sponge to put foundation on and sometimes I use a brush! It depends what mood I’m in. I use Il Makiage’s brushes too, they’re lovely and soft. The foundation has covered my acne without looking full coverage – it certainly doesn’t feel like it. The foundation always feels light and breathable, even after wearing for hours. You can see my fine lines are covered and blackheads on my nose are filled – this is with the help of primer. This is me after a 17 hour day – including sweating and walking in the rain!
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