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Considering I spend my workday looking at beauty products on a computer screen, I’m not that susceptible to makeup marketing. I can spot gimmicks and marketing tactics, and I have a strong eye for what products I actually want to try and what is just a blip on my radar. But every so often, I’m hit with an ad so targeted and so often that I finally bite the bullet. I’m talking daily videos and photos on every platform practically calling my name to try a product. Then, I see someone I love using it, and I’m finally worn down enough to try it. The most recent product that got me? The Il Makiage foundation.

 

 

I got an ad for this foundation basically daily, and while it worked decently well, the price and the fact that it claimed to be a full-coverage product kept me from trying it for a while. At over $40, I wasn’t ready to throw my money at something I’d never see someone I trust try before and I pretty much only wore dewy, medium-coverage products for years, which made this an immediate no in my book for a long time. Well, my foundation preferences have changed quite a bit in the last six months and one of the most effective forms of marketing (a celebrity I’m obsessed with talking about it in a YouTube video, only second to TikTok) finally convinced me. I ordered it and have been trying the foundation for a month since. Here’s how it went. (Spoiler alert: I am TRULY OBSESSED.)

 

About My Skin

Oh, the journey of my skin. Right now, I have combination skin that leans oily thanks to the summer heat and a hefty moisturizer. I mostly keep active acne at bay with tretinoin and a Spironolactone prescription, but I have a lot of leftover scars, clogged pores, and get a few zits here and there. Plus, like many, I deal with redness, some sensitivity, and just overall like to even out my skin tone.

Due to all of this, my preference in foundation is ever-changing. Lately, I opt for a natural finish whenever possible. I like my foundation to just look like my skin. Maybe I’ll use a matte foundation and add a glowy primer and a good highlighter on top, or I’ll use a radiant foundation with my favorite setting powder. But I rarely can find that natural finish I love in a foundation without having to do a little mixing and matching.

 

About the Foundation

Il Makiage claims this foundation has buildable medium-to-full coverage with an ultra-lightweight feel and seamless blend (which sounded impossible to me, TBH). Il Makiage launched in 2018 and has a full product line, but their foundation is likely their most notable launch.

 

Shade Range

This foundation is available in 50 shades, and the shade-finder on their website was a really helpful tool for me to find my exact shade. It’s actually bonkers how well this matches me. For reference, I’m wearing shade 110, and currently, my best match is L’Oreal’s Infallible Pro Matte in Sun Beige or Fenty in 290. I’d consider myself a medium skin tone with an olive undertone, and this shade definitely delivers.

 

Application:

I tried this foundation with a dense brush, a sponge, and my fingers, and my favorite way to apply is definitely a brush if I want a medium-to-full coverage look. If I’m shooting for spot-concealing, I almost always opt for my fingers. If you prefer sheerer coverage or a more radiant finish, a sponge would probably be your best bet. Because I could apply it with three methods and get a different look each time, this definitely made this a versatile foundation (making the high price—more on that later—feel a little more worth it).

 

Finish: 10/10

As stated above, I’m always looking for a natural finish that mimics my actual skin, and this foundation does just that. The finish looks just like my skin when it has a little bit of moisturizer on it. It’s not flat or matte by any means, but it definitely doesn’t look shiny either. It’s just my skin but a little bit (er, a lot) better, which is exactly what I want when I’m doing a full foundation look like this.

 

Texture: 10/10

I prefer a gel-like foundation that is neither too liquid-y nor too thick, and this hits it out of the park on the texture front. It’s the Goldilocks of foundations. It doesn’t feel thick or heavy on my face at all, but it has some weight to it when I’m applying, which allows it to have a good amount of coverage. I also love that it doesn’t slide all over my hand while I’m applying it, making application with a brush, sponge, or even my fingers a pretty smooth process.

 

 

When I explained this foundation to a friend, the first thing I said was that it blends seamlessly. No matter what method I use to apply it, it takes a mere minute to apply this to my entire face. Even when I’m wearing nothing on my face, I can swipe this across my cheek in a line, and in a second, it blends in and you can’t even tell.

 

Coverage: 10/10

This has the perfect amount of coverage, clocking in at a solid medium coverage. It’s not too much out of the gate that it’s hard to blend or feels thick or heavy, but I can build it up to be exactly what I want. I also love that I can sheer it out. When I don’t want too much, I can apply this right to where I need coverage (like my acne scars on my chin) with my fingers, and it blends right into my skin without covering my entire face with makeup. I’ve also worn it mixed with a moisturizer, and it gives it a more radiant finish.

 

 

Longevity: 8/10

I wore this for a full eight-hour workday and didn’t have to touch up once. However, I did touch up my skin a little bit after 10 hours because I noticed the areas I touch my face a lot (like leaning on my chin) were starting to wear down. But the wearability is still excellent on this because I feel like it gracefully fades rather than removes in patches or slides off my face like other foundations.

I also tested this foundation on a hot day in my apartment with less-than-stellar A/C, and it didn’t melt off even when I was sweating up a storm. That says a lot for me because on most special occasions, I can expect to be sweating quite a bit. If a foundation can withstand a hot, sweaty day, it can do practically anything.

 

Price: 5/10

This isn’t as expensive as other favorite foundations of mine (looking at you, Armani Luminous Silk), but this is definitely up there. The price kept me from trying this for so long because I hadn’t heard enough about it to go for it. However, after trying it, this is definitely worth the high price tag and will remain in my collection as my favorite special occasion foundation for a long time.

 

The Final Verdict:

If you can’t tell, I am, in a word, obsessed with this foundation. I have tried many foundations in my day and it takes quite a bit to impress me, especially something with a higher price tag from a brand I’ve never tried before. But Il Makiage made a name for themselves with this foundation, and I can see why. It’s buildable and truly does blend into my skin like nothing else I’ve ever tried. No matter your foundation preferences, I could see someone finding love with this in their arsenal.

The post I Get Ads for This Foundation Every Day—So I Finally Tried It appeared first on The Everygirl.

Living in the Midwest, I’ve never really had time to prepare for summer. My summer shopping is always done in the hours before a trip, the first days I realize I can’t get by wearing jeans and T-shirts anymore, or—the worst of the three—never, and I spend all summer realizing at random times that I’m missing this and that, all to never end up purchasing it and the same happening the summer after.

However, 2021 blessed us with spring, and this meant I could finally assess the situation and get everything I needed for every backyard barbecue, beach and pool day, hot AF day working from home, and every situation in between. Summer shopping made easy—you’re welcome!

 

Beauty

There’s no doubt your beauty routine changes a bit once warm weather rolls around. We suddenly have to cover our entire bodies in SPF all day long, address all those awkward situations (boob sweat, anyone?), and the worst of all: accidentally getting too much sun.

 

 

Accessories

No matter where you’re headed this summer, rest assured that you’ll be heading there in function and style. There’s always that one bag or storage solution we wish we had (like those wine totes below… genius), and this summer, we’re finally stocking up on each and every one.

 

 

Wellness

When you’re taking long weekends and having a plethora of patio happy hours, it can seem like staying healthy during the summer is a challenge. But with a few simple solutions (like the perfect travel workout equipment and our editors’ favorite water bottle), your routine will barely change.

 

 

Home

The AC is blaring, and your home deserves a little sprucing up for the summertime  whether it’s for function (like the perfect fan for your office) or fashion (these salad bowls that will make you forget Sweetgreen even exists). 

 

 

Outdoor Activities

After a winter (and let’s face it, a year) of staying practically indoors 24/7, outdoor activities are looking better than ever, and you need the proper gear. Beach and pool days, Picnics, park dates, sporting events, maybe an outdoor concert—you might have a lot of events to prepare for this summer, and we found all the basics you need:

The post Buy Now, Use Later: Every Summer Essential You Could Possibly Need appeared first on The Everygirl.

As much as I love the sunshine, the beach, and every rooftop bar in sight, the maintenance that comes with summer is not my favorite thing in the world. Shaving, for me, is basically the worst of it, so I’m constantly searching for saving tips. First of all, it takes FOREVER. I personally choose to shave my legs, arms, and bikini line in the summer, so I’m basically in the shower for three hours on a shaving day. Then, I get sick of shaving for so long—so I skimp and rush and end up cutting myself, making my shower a bloody mess. But shaving doesn’t necessarily have to be a giant production. We’ve rounded up our favorite tips to save you time, stress, and band-aids.

 

1. Don’t be afraid of men’s razors

As much as I love my favorite Venus razor, sometimes I just want something that will do the job a little quicker and more efficiently. That’s where a men’s razor comes in. The blades in a men’s razor are packed a little tighter than in a women’s razor. Think about it: men sometimes have some thick beard hair, and this thing is meant to go on their faces. They need something powerful but also gentle and nick-proof. Men’s razors can also be easier to use, as they’re meant to navigate the contours of the face. It’ll glide perfectly around the knees and ankles.

 

2. Find a good travel razor

Disposable razors can be fine, but this razor is a lifesaver when I’m traveling or just need to shave under my arms quickly before a night out. I thought it might be really gimmicky at first, but this razor has changed my life. Surrounding the blades is a cream made of coconut milk and almond oil that eliminates any need for shaving cream (seriously, it’s magic). The four blades get a close shave, and the design is so easy to glide across the skin. You need this.

 

 

3. Use specific tools for your bikini area

Shaving my bikini area used to be an hour-long event, but with this, I’m out the door and heading to the beach ASAP.

 

4. No shaving cream? Put down the soap

Soap is the WORST thing you can use if you want soft skin after the shave. Not only is soap a lot more drying on the skin, generally a body soap contains ingredients that will dull the blades on your razor. Conditioner, coconut oil, a thick body cream, or body oil work so much better in a pinch, without the risk of ingrown hairs, nicks, and cuts. When you do have shaving cream, I say go for one that’s thick in consistency rather than in a gel formula. Those generally moisturize while you shave, leaving you extra soft. 

 

5. Exfoliate

This is a pretty well-known tip, but it has to be said. I do this every time I shave, and not only does it make my skin feel like a baby’s bottom, but it also gets rid of all that dead skin that’s preventing me from getting the closest shave. My favorite method of exfoliating is using a sugar scrub because it’s quick, easy, and makes the least mess.

 

 

6. Shave at the end of your shower

Since I first learned how to shave my legs, I’ve been shaving as I leave my conditioner on for the 2-3 minutes the package says. However, one of the best tips I’ve learned (especially for shaving my bikini area!) is to have my shaving be the last step in my shower. The hot water and steam from your shower are slowly opening up your pores and cleansing the top layer of your skin, so shaving after the steam has had a chance to do its thing makes sure you’re getting as close as possible to the hair follicles. It also makes sure there’s absolutely no dead skin, dirt, or grime that could be clogging the razor, which could eventually dull the blades quicker than normal.

 

7. Shave downward first, then upward

Every single shaving tip I have ever read is to shave in the direction of the hair growth. Does anyone actually do that?! Not me. Instead, I begin by shaving in the direction of the hair growth, and then I’ll do some strokes with the razor moving upward. This actually does prevent some of the irritation that comes with shaving against the grain while actually getting rid of some of the hair.

 

8. Shave east to west on your knees

The number one place I’m prone to accidentally cutting myself with my razor is my knees. The key, however, to getting the closest shave on your knees is to shave in multiple directions rather than just up and down. If you’re shaving east to west, make sure that your knee is bent to prevent any nicks. Then, straighten your knee and shave in the direction of the hair growth to get any strays you might have missed.

 

9. Use short strokes to prevent cutting yourself

Another way to prevent cuts is just simply by going more slowly. Rather than shaving all the way up the leg in one swipe, shave in short strokes. This also helps you catch every last hair and prevents you from having to go back and do more strokes that cause irritation.

 

 

10. Sanitize your razors

Keeping your razors clean is key to making sure they last long (get your money’s worth!), and you’re also making sure you’re not putting something covered in bacteria onto your skin. Gross. This starts right after you finish shaving by holding your razor under hot water for about 5-10 seconds and checking there isn’t hair stuck in any of the blades. You can also rinse with some rubbing alcohol to make sure the blades are sterilized. Then, dry your razor with a towel, toilet paper, or paper towel. If water sticks to the blades, it can cause them to rust, which we definitely don’t want. In a hurry? Hit it with your blow dryer.

 

11. Moisturize immediately

As soon as I get out of the shower on a shave day, my arms, legs, and bikini area are immediately covered in a thick cream that will reduce the redness, prevent itchiness, and smooth my skin. Moisturizing right after a shave adds the moisture back into the skin that you took away from all the exfoliation. My favorite trick is to use an in-shower lotion right after I turn my water off, and then I top it with my favorite body moisturizer. You’ll be glowing.

 

12. Prevent razor burn

Razor burn is the WORST way to kill my post-shave vibe. (You know what I’m talking about right?! The feeling after you shave when you feel like you just accomplished the biggest task on your to-do list and your skin is so smooth you just want everyone to touch it?) My favorite way to prevent this is with a little bit of tea tree oil. Not only is tea tree oil incredible for acne, but its antiseptic and antibiotic properties can also alleviate irritation from your shave. Rub a small amount on the areas you’re prone to razor burn right after shaving before you moisturize, and you should be smooth sailing.

 

13. Protect from the sun

Don’t let the post-shave high distract you from this crucial step. After shaving, your skin is supple, exfoliated, and your pores are ready to take on the day. Therefore, your skin is really sensitive to the sun. I know you know to put sunscreen on your face, but it’s just as important on the rest of your bod.

 

14. Store your blades

The bathroom is the most humid, bacteria-collecting area of your home, and the last thing you need is your razor blades collecting any of that. The easy way to store blades is in a zippered bag away from any type of moisture, but you could also opt to keep them out of the bathroom altogether.

 

15. If all else fails, laser hair removal!

I wish I could say the temptation of laser hair removal doesn’t get to me. Yes, shaving is inexpensive and relatively easy, but sometimes, you just need the reassurance that you’ll never have to shave your bikini line again.

 

 

The post 15 Shaving Secrets to Help You Survive Summer appeared first on The Everygirl.