Is the Insta-famous IL MAKIAGE Worth the Hype?

IL MAKIAGE Foundation Swatches

IL MAKIAGE Foundation takes the hassle out of shopping for a foundation for Black women.

As women of color, the toughest part about makeup is finding a foundation that matches our skin tone. Makeup brands rarely develop a foundation for Black women. Too often there are little variations in foundation shades. However, too many shade choices can leave you overwhelmed.    

When choosing the right foundation, you must understand your skin. Figuring out your skin tone can be a daunting task. Undertones, sun exposure and even the color of your veins determine skin tone. Undertones are the subtle colors under your skin, varying among cool, warm or neutral. Your skin type, from oily to dry and sensitive to normal, can also determine the makeup brands you choose.

Gone are the days of comparing foundation swatches with your Sephora makeup artist. With makeup stores remaining closed, plus the hassle of in-person foundation matching, more makeup brands are offering foundation-matching quizzes.

A brand taking the lead in this online technology is IL MAKIAGE. This makeup brand has become incredibly popular for its perfect color matches. IL MAKIAGE foundation shades come in 50 options, that account for both skin tone and undertone. If you have not seen them, the brand’s Instagram ads feature video reviews from influencers of all shades testing their foundations and, to their surprise, getting a flawless match.

The IL MAKIAGE PowerMatch quiz is simple. It asks questions about your skin type, undertones, the type of coverage you’re looking for, your preferred method of application and questions to help determine your exact skin tone.

Now, the idea of an online quiz may seem questionable. But the brand’s most popular foundation, Woke Up Like This, has more than 100,000 reviews with an average of 4.5 stars. The foundation is lightweight and enriched with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, and it is buildable from medium to high coverage with a natural matte finish.

We put the IL MAKIAGE quiz to the test. Pro tip: When trying the IL MAKIAGE color match quiz, take a photo in natural sunlight without makeup on. Use that photo as a guide to help you choose skin shades closest to yours.