Il Makiage is one of the most popular cosmetic brands in the US. They sell both makeup and skincare products, and the brand describes its website as “a new way to shop online,” with tutorials and influencer partnerships.
But does Il Makiage use ingredients proven to enhance skin quality and appearance? Does the brand use any potentially harmful additives? Do their products work on darker skin? And how do real users rate and describe the effects of Il Makiage?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in two of Il Makiage’s most popular products: F*ck I’m Flawless (their concealer), and Power Recharge Cream (their anti-aging moisturizer).
We’ll give our take on whether or not these products are likely to improve skin quality, and whether or not they're healthy.
We’ll also provide a cost breakdown that shows which retailer sells Il Makiage for the best prices, and feature Il Makiage customer reviews.
Il Makiage Concealer Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in F*ck I’m Flawless concealer are shown above.
The good news is that rather than artificial dyes, the brand uses naturally-derived colorants.
Iron oxides are non-toxic and actually protect the skin from UV rays, according to a medical review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Titanium dioxide is another non-toxic (when used topically) colorant that can protect skin from UV damage, as we documented in our review of Il Makiage Foundation ingredients.
Unfortunately, there are also a number of questionable inactive ingredients in this formulation.
Talc may be contaminated with the carcinogenic compound asbestos around 10% of the time when used in cosmetics, according to a 2020 clinical trial.
BHT is a synthetic preservative that was shown to be toxic to animal cells in a clinical trial published in the Environmental Research journal.
Benzyl alcohol is another synthetic preservative that has been shown to be toxic when ingested (but not necessarily when applied topically) in a 1991 clinical trial.
A YouTube creator named “All Beauty By Sarah” reviewed this concealer (along with another product), and included a live product demo and an all-day wear test.
We’ve timestamped the video to start where she starts discussing Il Makiage concealer:
Il Makiage Moisturizer Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Power Recharge Cream are shown above.
Coconut alkanes are skin-softening, and may have anti-inflammatory and skin-protective effects according to a 2019 medical review.
Apple fruit extract is another effective ingredient, having been shown in a 2019 clinical trial to improve skin elasticity and moisture content.
The study authors even suggested this ingredient may have an anti-aging effect.
Aloe vera has a number of positive dermatological effects, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and even wound healing effects, according to a 2009 meta-study.
Squalane is a plant-derived compound shown in a medical review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science to not only moisturize the skin but also potentially be an effective acne treatment.
We consider this moisturizer likely to improve skin moisture content, and to repair the skin barrier, and potentially to have an anti-aging effect due to its active ingredients.
However, there are two inactive ingredients we consider to be unhealthy.
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative, and as we documented in our JLo Beauty review article, this ingredient has been shown to be toxic to human cells in at least one clinical trial.
Fragrance is included, and a 2016 medical review analyzed safety data on fragranced consumer products and concluded that fragrance can "impose serious risks to human health."
A YouTube creator named "Millennial Mom Ceo" reviewed this cream:
Was Il Makiage Overcharging Customers?
When we initially published this article, there was a “Current Alert” on the Il Makiage Better Business Bureau (BBB) page.
However, at the time of updating this article, the alert appears to have been removed.
The alert warned consumers of the many complaints related to Il Makiage’s billing practices:
“BBB files indicate a Pattern of Complaints regarding the billing policies, technical issues and customer service practices of Il Makiage. Beginning in Jan. 2019, BBB…marked a notable increase in consumer disputes against this firm.”
The overall review rating on the BBB site is currently impressive at 4.33 out of 5 stars, but there have been over 1,000 complaints in the last three years, with the some complaints regarding customers being charged after returning products during the free trial period:
“ordered the trial on 1/20/23 and returned the items on 2/1/23. No charge should have been applied since the items were returned before the 14 day trial period. On 2/28 I got charged for the full amount…This company is a complete [scam] and as of today 3/09 the charge has not been refunded $65.05.”
To the credit of Il Makiage, the brand has responded to the vast majority of customer complaints in an effort to resolve them, which is a sign of a high-quality brand. The complaint cited above was resolved.
Given this warning, and given how proactive Il Makiage is on their BBB page, we would recommend that customers experiencing billing issues submit a complaint on the BBB page, as this may fast-track a resolution.
Do Il Makiage’s Products Work on Darker Skin?
How well a cosmetic product blends into lighter or darker skin can vary.
A beauty influencer named Zoie-Marie reviewed Il Makiage in a video with over 35,000 views, which includes a live product demo and her thoughts on whether the brand is a good choice for people with higher-melanin skin:
Our Clean Skincare Picks
Annie Mak Vitamin C Serum is our top anti-aging serum.
It contains hyaluronic acid which was described as a "skin-rejuvenating biomedicine" in a medical review due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and signs of facial aging.
Ritual HyaCera is our top anti-aging skin supplement.
It contains wheat oil extract which is clinically shown to "improve skin damages induced by aging."
Both of the products recommended in this section are entirely free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Il Makiage Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Il Makiage in our opinion:
Pros:
- Research-backed ingredients
- Concealer should improve skin appearance
- Moisturizer should effectively moisturize the skin
- Moisturizer may have anti-aging effects
- High BBB rating
- Backed by beauty influencers
- Reasonable prices
Cons:
- Some questionable inactive ingredients
- Many complaints about billing practices from customers
- Only available for purchase on brand's website
