Introducing I’mperfection the Illamasqua Spring 2013 Collection – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Brooke

Challenging the long-held conventions of blusher application, the Blush Up Brush’s innovative, ellipse shaped head is designed to tuck directly under the cheekbone.

Use to sweep your blusher up and across the cheekbone for a soft diffusion of color that will define, elongate and slim the face in one simple movement.
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Inspired by the beautiful, irregular markings on fragile birds eggs, Illamasqua have created a limited edition range of speckled, eggshell finish nail varnish. available in a range of pastel and neutral shades they are the ultimate nail breakthrough for Spring 2013.

“The speckled nails collection allows you to jump on the nail art craze without having to be an artist. the matte black speckles create a multi-dimensional pattern on each nail, and contrast perfectly with the gorgeous pastel shades. Try playing with one shade or pair any two of the colors together on one nail.”
Fleury Rose – Illamasqua US Nail Ambassador

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Illamasqua AURORA Gleam Cream Swatches & Review

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Brooke

Ready to get your glow on for the New Year? Illamasqua Gleam Cream offers a glowy sheen without diving into disco ball territory!

What Sephora has to say about Illamasqua Gleam Cream:

What it is:
A lightweight compact iridescent formulation that lifts and highlights wherever it is applied.

What it does:
Containing iridescent pearlescent pigments, this lightweight cream formula is suitable for face and body, lifting and highlighting wherever it is applied. Use on its own or layer under foundation for an immediate skin-brightening effect that will illuminate the night.

Aurora is described as Champagne. It’s hard to see it against my skin in the swatch above, but it’s a gorgeous highlighter for cheeks, brows and pretty much anywhere else you want to put it. It’s more shimmery on the swatch than it is on the face when it’s blended out, and is more on the subtle side than not.

You can apply with a firm brush, but I prefer to dab the product on with my fingers and blend out using a patting motion.

Aurora was released with the Fall 2012 Generation Q Collection and retails for $26.00. Purchase at Sephora.com and Illamasqua.com.

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Illamasqua Opulent Sheer Lipgloss & Boost Intense Lipgloss Swatches & Review

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Brooke

Illamasqua is a brand that likes to empower people to let out their bolder, sexier side. They do this by launching intense and dramatic products that can be worn to create a saturated and statement making look, or used sparingly for something a little more wearable.

Two of the newer products released from this brand are Opulent Sheer Lipgloss and Boost Intense Lipgloss.

Opulent

Opulent is described as a Rainbow Beige. This is truly one of the most gorgeous and unique lip glosses that I’ve ever seen. I seriously want to layer it over everything, all of the time. It’s a golden rainbow shimmer that is going to make any lip scream festivity. It’s high on the glossy scale and low on the sticky scale. AKA my kind of gloss.

Boost

Boost is described as a Blueberry Violet. It’s a very pigmented iridescent blue/magenta. The formula is extremely glossy, isn’t sticky and was really easy to apply. Not everyone is going to love this, but I love the formula and think it’ll work well layered or on darker skin tones.

The applicator on both of these glosses is a brush, which normally isn’t my applicator of choice. The bristles were quite splayed out, especially on Opulent. It didn’t hinder application, but I would rather see a doe-foot applicator with these glosses. I love them, so it only make sense that they are partnered with my fave applicator

Opulent and Boost were released with the Fall 2012 Generation Q Collection and retail for $22.00 each. Check them out now at Illamasqua.com.

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November 2012 GlossyBox Swatches, Photos & Review

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Brooke

Heyyyyyy! I feel like I’m out of touch since I didn’t post yesterday! Completely sick, over here. Hit me like a lead sled! <—– Saying things like that is fun.

I’m still under the weather, but I could NOT WAIT to show you the November GlossyBox, and not just because November is about over. It’s seriously the awesomest of the awesome. The theme is ‘Tis the Season to be Glossy, which gets me into the holiday makeup spirit even when I’m ill. Oddly, though, there is no gloss in this box lol I guess being beautifully festive makes us glossy!

Currently available in 19 countries, GlossyBox has become known for their high quality samples and prestigious brands such as NARS, Lancome, Laura Mercier, and more.

So, what is in the November 2012 GLOSSYBOX? Let’s check it out!

(hiding from me!)

The first product is by NuMe Style and is the Arganics by NuMe Argan Oil. You all know about Argan Oil by now. I think this is probably the easiest thing for companies to supply a beauty box, because I get them in every subscription, every month. This one works the same as the others – well! I don’t tend to use products like this on my skin, but I do love to use Argan Oil on the ends of my hair to make them look healthier in between cuts. Also from NuMe is a $100 Gift Certificate to use towards styling tools or hair extensions. I am in the market for a curling iron, so this will go to use!

Next, from Incoco, are the Nail Polish Applique. I got the shade Sinderella, which is a shimmery holiday red. These stickers are awesome to use for things like events, holidays, vacations or those times when you just don’t want to worry about having to change or fix your mani. This shade will be perfect for the holiday festivities!

The third item is from Skin&Co Roma. It’s a nice sample size of their Truffle Serum: Hydro-Toning Day Face Serum. To me, this serum smells of coconuts and is infused with Peptides and pure extracts of Tuber Melanosporum and Hyaluronic Acid. A little goes a long way, but it absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky. This can be used daily.

For the fourth product, Kryolan has teamed up with GlossyBox and put together a Blusher in Glossy Rosewood (swatches below). When I swatched this shade it felt a little dry, but wore SO WELL and is incredibly pigmented and beautiful. It’s one of my favorite pieces in this box, topped only by the next and final item….

…which is the Lip & Eye Medium Pencil in Honour by Illamasqua. The shade is a deep brown with almost a hint of burgundy in there. It is saturated and wears beautifully. While this color will never touch my lips, it is amazing on the eye.

In addition to the products, you also get a GlossyMag filled with trends, style and more!

WIth GlossyBox you get a bit of everything, makeup, skin care, nails, hair care… I love that this subscription box is sure to cover all of the bases.

The brands for November are a mix of some of my faves as well as new loves. Clearly, you’re getting your money’s worth!

GLOSSYBOX is a subscription service. You sign up on the website and then from there you can order your subscription based on one month, six months, or a year. You’ll answer a series of questions and based off of that, you will receive a customized box. This is all pretty standard for a beauty subscription service.

The price is a bit higher than that of other services you may have heard of or belong to. At $21 I would expect double the awesomeness of what I’d receive from, say, Birchbox.

GLOSSYBOX will always offer a MINIMUM of five products. After receiving your box, you can fill out more surveys in order to rate the products you received so they can better tailor your next package. So, basically, after a few months of the service, your packages should be PERFECT.

**TIP – Make sure you review the products received in your GLOSSYBOX to receive 20 GLOSSYDots per review. You can use these toward your own free box!**

The latest from GlossyBox:

GLOSSYBOX.com has just launched a gifting option. Share link http://www.glossybox.com/gifts with your fans, so they can shop for friends & family.
Enter for a chance to win the eye makeup of your dreams. We challenged 3 of the top bloggers – Grav3yardgirl, Bentley Blonde, and Maryam Maquillage to create a day to night look using 4 products chosen by the GLOSSYBOX Team. Brand prize include Urban Decay Cosmetics, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Smashbox Cosmetics, and Yve Saint Laurent Fragrances & Beauty. Vote for your favorite tutorial and enter to win using this link - http://on.fb.me/QnaHLN. Contest ends November 30.

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Illamasqua Complement Eye Shadow Palette Swatches, Review and EOTD – Generation Q

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Brooke

Illamasqua is still a brand that I’m getting used to. Even though it’s been around for awhile it isn’t accessible to me for testing and swatching purposes.

The Complement Palette for Fall 2012 marks the very first time for me to experience Illamasqua eye shadows. I’ll admit, my expectations are high for this one, since I adore their Precision Ink and nail polish. I was not disappointed.

What the Sephora website has to say about the Illamasqua Complement Palette:

What it is:
A romantic palette of four eye shadows perfect for highlighting and contouring.

What it does:
Explore your alter-ego with this palette that combines matte and shimmer shadows with a creamy metallic shade. Highlight, brighten, and contour with the highly pigmented, versatile shadows, then boost the drama and definition by alternating textures. The supreme formulas allow for quick and easy blending and ensure a gorgeous, intense color with high payoff.

This set contains:
- 0.07 oz cream eye shadow in Focus
- 3 x 0.05 oz eye shadow in Slink, Queen of the Night, Forgiveness

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
Mix the Queen of the Night shadow with Sealing Gel to create a water-resistant eye liner.

This quad has four shades:

Slink is a soft ivory champagne shimmer that makes an excellent highlight shade, as well as a pop for the inner corners of the eyes. You’ve seen a shade such as this before, but every quad should have one to work with the other, darker colors of the group.
Focus is a taupe cream shadow and is probably my most favorite thing on Earth. It’s considered an Illamasqua Liquid Metal, so it applies wet, but dries like a dream. It’s the perfect base for your sultry Complement Palette eye shadows.
Queen of the Night is a blackened purple with fine shimmers. This one was still fabulous, but out of the four fell the most flat in terms of usage. It looked fabulous on top of the crease and outer V colors, helping to smoke out the look. The Sephora website recommends using this shade wet as a liner.
Forgiveness is a reddened plum. The finish is matte, which usually doesn’t mean good things. With this shadow, it’s ridiculously easy to use and has great pigment.

After applying these shadows I immediately took to “the Twitter” and expressed my love for Illamasqua eye shadows. Seriously. WTF was I waiting for?! They are ridiculously pigmented, apply like they’re made for me and wear all day. You can’t ask for anything more.

For this EOTD I started off using the cream shadow in Focus all over the lid with Forgiveness dusted over top. Queen of the Night is in the crease and a bit in the outer V and Slink was used at the inner corners and to highlight. For a liner I used Illamasqua Wisdom Precision Ink and the mascara is Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess in Night Violet.

Purchase the Illamasqua Complement Palette at Sephora for $45.00 USD.

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Illamasqua WISDOM Precision Ink Swatches & Review – Generation Q

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Brooke

I adore Illamasqua Precision Ink. They apply easily (even for a novice) and set well. There isn’t a TON of color options, but you have a great set of five to choose from, and it seems like at least one or two new ones get released throughout the year.

The latest Precision Ink to hit the shelves for Fall 2012 is Wisdom, an antiqued gold.

What the Sephora website has to say about Illamasqua Precision Ink:

What it is:
An intense waterproof liquid eyeliner.

What it does:
This long-wearing liquid liner comes with a fine tip that allows for defined application, making it perfect for creating a defined eye—or even painting designs on the body. The waterproof formula dries within seconds and stays true for hours.

What else you need to know:
Remove with waterproof eye makeup remover.

Being described as an antique gold basically means that Wisdom is going to lean a little more blackened olive with gold. It has a gorgeous shimmer (enlarge the pic to check it out) and the tapered sponge applicator allows for flawless application.

In my experience Illamasqua Precision Inks have been consistent in longevity and durability. A great liquid liner to invest in!

Illamasqua Precision Ink retails for $27.50 and can be purchased at Sephora as well as at Illamasqua.com.

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Halloween Nail Art From Illamasqua

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Brooke

Halloween is all about channeling your alter ego, and of course cult British beauty brand Illamasqua has just the touch to get you in the spooky spirit… we’re talking nail art of course!

Illamasqua US Nail Art Ambassador Fleury Rose created three easy DIY nail art designs to get your talons ready for the most creative holiday there is. Featuring Illamasqua’s highly pigmented, long-wearing Nail Varnishes, these designs will have you counting down the days to October 31^st one perfectly manicured finger at a time.

Evil Eye
Illamasqua products used: Nail Varnish in Scorn, Scorch and Serenity (top coat optional)
Tools needed- Dotting tool, tooth pick
1. After applying base coat, paint nails with two coats of Scorn black matte polish. Allow nails to dry for 3-5 minutes
2. Pour out a small amount of scorch onto tin foil. Dip the large end of a dotting tool into white polish and dot onto nail. Repeat step 3 times on each nail.
(Pro tip: if polish gets stringy, pour a fresh puddle of Scorn onto foil and continue process.) Allow white dots to dry 3-5 minutes.
3. Pour a small puddle of Serenity onto foil. With the small end of a dotting tool dip into rubber blue polish and dot in the very center of each white circle. Repeat on each nail. Allow to dry 3-5 minutes
4. Dip the point of a tooth pick into Scorn and gently dot a tiny black point into the center of each eye.
5. After drying add optional top coat for a shiny finish, or stay matte.

Vampire’s Kiss
Illamasqua products used: Nail Varnish in Aorta and Boosh, Precision ink in Scribe
Tools needed- small brush
1. After applying Base coat, paint nails with two coats of Aorta and let dry 3-5 minutes
2. Dip small brush in Boosh, and paint a tiny triangle at the top of the nail. This will create the bow of the lips.
3. Next, paint an oval shape in the center of the red nail to create the opening of the mouth.
4. Allow to dry for 5 minutes (Pro tip: Allowing polish to dry before drawing on nail is very important, or you may smudge the whole thing and ruin your design!)
5. Draw on fangs and lip highlight with Precision ink in Scribe. Precision ink can be layered over its-self to create desired opacity of white.
6. Allow precision ink to dry 3-5 minutes and apply Top Coat.

Witching Hour
Illamasqua products used: Nail Varnish in Phallic, DWS, Scorch and Blow
Tools needed- Small brush, disposable makeup sponge
1. After applying Base Coat, Apply one thick coat of Phallic. (Pro tip: Do not worry about getting this layer completely even, it will add dimension to the sky we are creating!)
2. Allow this layer to dry 3-5 minutes. Dip the small brush in Blow and create a tiny crescent moon. Next dot on very tiny stars with the tip of the brush.
3. Allow to dry at least 5 minutes.
4. Pour out a small puddle of Scorch, then a small puddle of DWS next to it so they are touching.
5. Dip the corner of your makeup sponge into the polish so you get a little of each color on the sponge. Gently dab on clouds.
6. Allow to dry 3-5 minutes, and apply Top Coat.

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New Illamasqua Blue Nail Varnishes – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Brooke

Illamasqua US Exclusive Blue Nail Varnishes

From the runway shows of New York and London to city street styles, shades of blue continue to adorn the talons of the style makers and trendsetters alike. Inspired by the hottest color of the season, Illamasqua introduces two new blue nail varnishes in the beautifully expressive shades of Noble and Cameo to be sold exclusively at Sephora and Sephora inside JCP.

Illamasqua’s Director of Product Development David Horne specifically mixed these two complementary hues to compliment Illamasqua’s range of over 50 bold shades of chip resistant, long wearing nail varnishes.

Noble & Cameo - Illamasqua Blue Nail Varnishes $14

“It’s fun to play with the two shades together; I would recommend a modern french, or using Noble as an accent nail while painting the rest of the hand in Cameo. Blue nails just add the perfect pop of color!”

“Featuring Illamasqua’s highly pigmented formulation both varnishes are true to color with just two coats, which is often hard to find a blue varnish.”
– Fleury Rose, Illamasqua US Nail Art Ambassador

Prepare nails with one coat of Illamasqua Base Coast, then using the superfine brush provided, apply two coats for vibrant, rich color. Follow with Illamasqua Top Coat for a high gloss, long lasting finish.

Available exclusively at selected Sephora stores nationwide, Sephora in JCP and online at www.sephora.com from October 4, 2012

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August 2012 GlossyBox Photos & Review

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Brooke

With Summer winding down and cool weather approaching rapidly, GlossyBox has decided to use their August installment to provide Pure Luxury.

Currently available in 19 countries, GlossyBox has become known for their high quality samples and prestigious brands such as NARS, Lancome, Laura Mercier, and more.

So, what is in the August 2012 GlossyBox? Let’s check it out!

First, from Biolage, we have the ExquisiteOil Replenishing Treatment. It’s made for all hair types and is said to give instant shine and weightless replenishment. First off, any OIL is going to give instant shine. It’s freaking oil. That being said, I love this product from Biolage! I am a fan of the brand in general, and this is a great addition! I use this product on my ends when my hair is back in a clip or messy bun and I want to take it down. It obviously needs smoothing out and a bit of taming. Keep the oil away from your scalp area so you don’t look like you’re a dirtball.

Next, from Ellis Faas, we have Ellis Lips Milky Lips in shade L204. I love the product, it was easy to apply, the formula great, and the packaging is exquisite. The shade, however, is ghastly. It’s orange. Tangerine, even. No one can pull this off on their mouth and live to tell the tale. And by no one I mean me.

Third, from Ole Henriksen, we have Truth Serum. Don’t run away, this isn’t going to make you divulge your most intimate of secrets. THIS Truth Serum is here to smooth out your lines and wrinkles as well as keep your skin nourished. The serum doesn’t feel too slick and leaves your skin soft after it soaks in. It also smells faintly of oranges.

Next, from Touch In Sol we have Feel like Honey Moon Skin Base. This is a primer to be applied after your skin care but before makeup. Said to firm and revitalize the skin it will also make for better makeup application. Normally, I’m not one for a base for makeup. It just usually doesn’t make a difference on me. I HAD to check this out, though. The consistency is unlike any other. It’s very much like a serum when it goes on, but isn’t sticky and leaves the skin smooth. I tend to get rather oily, so I don’t feel like this let my entire face set well, but I did notice that my blush didn’t fade.

I’ve definitely saved the best for last. The Illamasqua Nail Varnish. I freaking LOVE this brands polishes. To get a full size one within a sample box is awesome. I got the shade Taint from the Theatre of the Nameless Collection. I swear to you that is what it’s called. (I can just imagine the face my mom is making right now haha). It makes me love the polish even more because not only is the shade gorgeous (like a chocolate brown with a hint of a greenish undertone. In the sun I could have sworn it was olive) but the name is hilarious! Every time I look at my nails I laugh and I’m instantly in a great mood.

This applied well and only needed two coats for full and even opacity.

Overall, this months GlossyBox has been the best that I’ve received, and that’s a high level to measure up to. You get a bit of everything, makeup, polish, skin care, hair care… it’s covering all of the bases!

The brands for August are phenomenal and you’re definitely getting a good value. Also included with this months box is a hard copy of “Glossy Mag” (see below), which you can also view online.

GlossyBox is a subscription service. You sign up on the website and then from there you can order your subscription based on one month, six months, or a year. You’ll answer a series of questions and based off of that, you will receive a customized box. This is all pretty standard for a beauty subscription service.

The price is a bit higher than that of other services you may have heard of or belong to. At $21 I would expect double the awesomeness of what I’d receive from, say, Birchbox.

GlossyBox will always offer a MINIMUM of five products. After receiving your box, you can fill out more surveys in order to rate the products you received so they can better tailor your next package. So, basically, after a few months of the service, your packages should be PERFECT.

**TIP – Make sure you review the products received in your GlossyBox to receive 20 GLOSSYDots per review. You can use these toward your own free box!**

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Illamasqua Naked Strangers Collection – Official Product Information & Photos

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Brooke

Uncover Illamasqua’s new Naked Strangers collection…

A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded Faithful and uninhibited Swinger. Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping for more. Don’t restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it.

“Naked Strangers captures inner glows and depths. The deeply and darkly alluring exists alongside ethereal shimmering brilliance. We are complex and multifaceted whilst also being naked to the world.”
Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

“Naked Strangers represents everything about borderlines…the human edge between romance and permissive intimacy…a step beyond control, a step past the edge and a collection of gilded moments upon the tip of sensation. Beautiful nudes with metallic edge set amongst eclectic textures.”
David Horne, Illamasqua Director of Product Development.

Products
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Nail Varnish ($14)
Dress up your nails and explore your fantasies with our award-winning Nail Varnishes. Are you Mongamous (creamy flesh pink), Faithful (coppered metal) or Swinger (glistening platinum gold)? Apply a lustful layer then answer our question.
Lipglosses ($20)
Lick your lips then smooth on a rich layer of Intense Lipgloss in Stranger (platinum gold) for obscene levels of pigment. Alternatively, apply Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (nude pink brown) on naked lips, to tease and tempt your lover. Or lovers…
Blushers ($24)
Stark naked might mean no clothes, but who said anything about no make-up? Create a provocative flush that lasts all night with Powder Blusher in Naked Rose (neutral beige brown) and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (naked pink brown).