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).