One who has ever browsed Instagram or TikTok is likely familiar with the Woke Up Like This foundation from Rimmel London; their best-selling base product boasting 464,734 five-star reviews!
Foundation offers an online shade matching quiz with an impressive success rate that provides a viable alternative to visiting their makeup counter in-person.
Woke Up Like This Foundation
At Sephora, it can be daunting trying out so many foundation samples in order to find our perfect shade match. While most foundations do a decent job at matching our complexions, some simply do not look natural enough or feel light enough on our skin.
Il Makiage’s Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation ($44 il Makiage) has generated considerable buzz. This matte-finishing formula comes in 50 shades from light to deep and promises to blend in seamlessly into all skin tones – all while helping improve elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin texture, and boost its hydration level.
To make finding the ideal shade easier, the brand created an online color-matching quiz. This questionnaire asks a few questions about your skin and coverage preferences before matching you with an ideal hue based on a photo you upload. In our experience, the quiz has had similar success rates to visiting makeup counters; making it a suitable option for those without access to multiple foundations or who live far from beauty stores.
But does it really work? We conducted our own tests, and here is what we discovered:
First, we examined its ability to keep skin hydrated throughout the day. The formula contains hyaluronic acid – a molecule which attracts water molecules directly onto skin surface – keeping skin moisturized all day long. Furthermore, there’s a combination of antioxidants, coconut water and vitamins A & E in this product for additional benefits.
As part of our rigorous testing regimen, we evaluated its durability and transfer-proof abilities. It lasted all day without rubbing off onto clothes or any other surface throughout the day; its only drawback being a longer drying time than most foundations; nonetheless, this foundation definitely proved itself worthy!
Transfer-proof foundation was also tested, meaning it wouldn’t easily rub off onto clothing or makeup bags during the day. We did notice some residue left behind when trying to rub it off with our fingers; keep this in mind if transferring is an issue for you.
Flawless Base Foundation
With nearly 125,000 five-star reviews on Instagram alone, the IL MAKIAGE Woke Up Like This Flawless Base Foundation is an extremely high-coverage matte foundation that has garnered much acclaim. As it’s direct-to-consumer brand and not available through Sephora stores, be sure to give this brand a look on your next foundation hunt.
Formulated with hyaluronic acid and corrective and light-diffusing powders that work to blur fine lines, reduce redness, and hide blemishes, it provides medium-to-high coverage while boasting a natural matte finish that’s blendable and super blendable for effortless application. Our editors love its buildable nature so that users can start off light or add on layers for full coverage if desired.
This foundation’s most impressive trait is its non-oxidizing and yellowing characteristics even after several hours of wear, plus its lightweight texture that feels very hydrating on the face. Our testers especially appreciated how easily they were able to blend it using both fingers and brushes; in particular they noted its ability to cover discolorations better and obscure pores than some previous foundations they’ve tried.
This foundation is heavier than our other recommended options, so it may not be ideal for those with dry or combination skin. It can cause some blotching and caking on dry patches, though these issues are easily fixed with primer. Our editors found that its formula doesn’t stay on as well, which makes achieving an flawless look with only this foundation difficult.
While this brand’s foundation itself is worth experiencing, what really sets them apart is their shade matching technology. Their PowerMatch quiz is quick and user-friendly; simply answer a series of simple questions about your skin tone, undertones, and other factors to find your ideal match. Plus if you aren’t happy with your result they offer an impressive 60 day money-back guarantee – impressive customer service indeed!
Flawless Base Concealer
This concealer works wonders on dark spots and under-eye circles, concealing discoloration caused by acne blemishes or redness. With medium to full coverage and a satin matte finish, this concealer takes just minutes to achieve the coverage level you require – no powder needed either! Plus it won’t crease or fade all day long.
Cle de Peau Beaute’s long-wearing concealer is a top pick among Hip beauty editors, thanks to its creamy texture that blends easily without caking or cracking. Infused with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant ashwagandha to hydrate skin while hiding fine lines and wrinkles effectively, this high-end makeup product comes in several shades designed specifically for lighter skin tones.
Gia Rodriguez, Il Makiage’s in-house studio artist and product expert, suggests this natural concealer as ideal for those with pink or cool undertones, with shades suitable for yellow-orange tones as well as neutral skin tones. Gia also considers it to be multitasking: concealer, highlighter or cream contour based on skin tone can all be utilized within its boundaries.
Rihanna’s namesake line offers another fantastic concealer option for those with yellow or orange tones: Rihanna Concealer has an expansive shade range than Flawless Base foundation, making it suitable as both highlighter and contour shade. Furthermore, its shade match is perfect and you can use either a brush or beauty sponge when applying.
Il Makiage offers an easy quiz that can help you select your perfect shade. By filtering by skin tone and undertone, this concealer comes in 30 shades that are cruelty-free, vegan and free from parabens and synthetic irritants – but may cost more than other concealers due to commitment-free testing for 14 days, then only pay shipping when keeping some.
Flawless Base Liquid Concealer
This lightweight concealer from the brand’s Skin-Enhancing Tint line is a fan-favorite. Offering medium to full coverage for blemishes, dark circles and redness. Crafted using a unique formula containing fatty acids from baobab, pumpkin and hibiscus seeds to lock in moisture and prevent acne breakouts; while sea daffodil extract diminishes dark spot appearance. Feels buttery smooth on skin & blends effortlessly; suitable for sensitive skin as it contains no oils – great option
This concealer offers slightly more coverage than some of its counterparts on this list, yet still appears natural. Available in multiple shades that accommodate various skin tones from fair to deep. Packed with soothing ingredients like shea butter and niacinamide to soothe skin tone; along with antioxidants from pomegranate, cucumber, and aloe vera to fight free radical damage and support elasticity promotion.
Contrary to some high-end concealers, this one doesn’t need setting. Formulated with light-diffusing mineral pigments that create a natural-looking finish as well as skincare ingredients like jojoba, mimosa and sunflower seed waxes for an ultra cushiony finish, the soft focus concealer can accommodate an array of skin tones while being crease-proof, sweatproof and waterproof – the ideal combination!
This luminous concealer is ideal for covering imperfections under or around the eyes and mouth, thanks to its soft-focus effect and soothing ingredients like shea butter and niacinamide. Plus, it’s oil-free and hypoallergenic!
Smashbox waterproof concealer is an excellent long-wearing option that doesn’t feel thick or cakey, available in an extensive range of shades to cover anything from blemishes, birthmarks and dark spots to medium coverage for medium to full coverage. What’s more, it is waterproof making it suitable if you spend plenty of time outside in the sun.
The concealer pen are easy to use: simply click the button at one end to dispense product, and use its brush tip to cover imperfections. With 18 shades to match different skin tones and oil-free formula that’s dermatologist tested – making concealing imperfections quick and painless!