Illamasqua Icons: Dirty Harry

Rebellious rocker Dirty Harry has teamed up with Illamasqua for her latest video ‘I’ve Been Down’. Our National MUA Adam was on set producing incredible looks for Harry as well as starring in some of the scenes himself!



Harry has had a crazy life; some would say the stereotypical grunge rocker, becoming embroiled in drink and drugs. After disappointing false starts, heart breaking drama and a brief television appearance; Harry is back on top. Having collaborated with Slash, Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee and befriended Courtney Love, life couldn’t get any better; well until Gary Numan asked her to support him throughout his UK tour.

Harry has taken control of her life and her music becoming a bona fide British rock artist. Having been compared to the likes of Paramore, Sweethead, Spinerette and Hole, she’s now gearing up for a single release and a host of live shows. Harry has lived more than any of us could imagine and instead of becoming a clichéd rock n roll suicide these events have garnished her music with genuine vitriol, honesty and edge and Illamasqua are proud to sponsor her all the way to the top!

Adam Sidwell, one of our national make-up artists, created the looks for Dirty Harry and even got a small role in the final video - see if you can find him...

Check out Dirty Harry’s MySpace page

Director's Cut: Birmingham

This week's Director's Cut winners are the Selfridges Birmingham team!




I have yet to visit this counter, but I have read glowing praises from customers and the team members seem to be a fantastic lot! Judging by their entry to the Director's Cut, it really shows!

Well done, guys. Looking forward to next week's entries...

IMATS 2010 - the Fallout

The International Make-up Artist Trade Show 2010 was officially the biggest and best attended IMATS in the history of the event. This year, the London leg of the show tour was at the Alexandra Palace in North London. Brands from all over the world attended; from the hair care, tanning, prosthetics and cosmetic industries. Our involvement with the show was very last minute; Alex Box signed up as a keynote speaker and Spob - Head of Professional Development here at Illamasqua - organised our participation.

We enlisted the help of some of our fabulous counter staff including Adam, Halimah, Lucy, Urszula [from Fenwich Newcastle] and Nicola. As many of you are aware, Nicola creates videos as Pixiwoo on Youtube and she was in high demand at the event for photos and signatures!


Lucy, who specialises in body art and fantastical make-up, went to work on a model creating a beautiful Avatar-like look whilst Adam set about creating a range of porcelain dolls.

My video from IMATS will be going on to Youtube - I'll post the link shortly!

I grabbed a quick word with an exhausted but exhilirated Spob this morning, who tells me "it was fantastic to meet so many make-up artist students. We can't wait to host more academy events at their colleges. If they would like more information, ask their head of year to email us at info@illamasqua.com. It was also amazing to meet so many of the bloggers and beauty press." What did she think of Alex Box's speech? "Thankfully, Trudi and I had a seat reserved for Alex Box's speech; the queue to get in was rather crazy! It was fabulous to see the reception she received." So, plans for next year? "Oh yes. Bigger, better... I can't wait! But I will definitely be booking a holiday for the week after!" I think you'll deserve it, Spob.

Trudi - "At Illamasqua, we have a determined policy to invest time in the professional world. It's an important message as we are the first truly professional make-up brand. During the next year we will be working with professional artists and make-up colleges to get them familiar with the brand and demonstrate what our products can do as well as to inspire and excite them."

"IMATS wasn't on our agenda but the opportunity presented itself and we just had to do it - it is THE make-up show!"

"I had a great time meeting professional artists, students, bloggers, press, the IMATS team... what a great reception we got! Alex Box's keynote speech was fabulous and the blue Medium Pencil in 'Debonair' that she was wearing on her lips quickly sold out."

"Someone said to me that Illamasqua is new but not new; that we have fitted straight into the professional environment, which is unprecedented for a brand only 14 months old. I thought that was lovely."

Below is the winner of the student make-up artist competition, where the theme was Alice in Wonderland. I think this look to some influence from one of Alex Box's images...


Spob, Trudi and I would also like to thank the entire Illamasqua team for all their hard work and dedication.

Whoosh! Femme Party At Shoreditch House

Shoreditch House - the one stop exclusive members club in East London that has a roof top pool, fabulous restaurant, Cowshed spa and bowling area [affectionately known as the biscuit tin] where on Sunday 17th January, Illamasqua National Make-up Artists Mika and Adam set up a station to create some funky looks at the party thrown by legendary DJ Jodie Harsh and cult diva [and host of Gay Bingo - one of the funniest nights I have ever attended] Johnny Woo.

Adam bought his alter ego Medusa out to play, with radical hair and full on gothic lip. Mika went for a gothic porcelain doll look with his staple navy blue lip. This, I am told, will be the Autumn Winter 2010 lip colour! You heard it here first!

I also grabbed a quick chat with Jodie who told me all about her fabulous wigs. Apparently, she only ever keep two at a time [I was surprised by this - I thought she would have a whole dressing room dedicated to them!] but they are imported from Las Vegas every few weeks!




The photos are courtesy of Kenny Campbell at KCTV.

Adam in Birmingham Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd January

One of our National Make-up Artists, Adam, will be in Selfridges Birmingham this week as a very special guest of the Illamasqua counter!

Adam has experience working with some of the top names in showbiz including Rihanna, Fergie and Nicole Schwerzinger. He has also worked as a make-up artist for ten years and his experiences include alternative work as well as fashion shows such as Burberry and Alexander McQueen.

He loves to experiment with his variety of alter-egos - including the wonderful Medusa [below] - and is a wonderful make-up artist.

To book a personalised, one-on-one make-up lesson with Adam, call 0121 600 6818 - but hurry as place are sure to book fast - for £30, redeemable against purchases made on the day.

Professional Selection Kit No1

Those of you who have visited our website recently will have seen our Professional Selection kits. The idea behind these was to work with several key Illamasqua make-up artists to create their idea of an indispensable kit. As our gift to you in the miserable month of January, the kits offer up to 25% off RRP.

Both Adam and Mika, who work at Selfridges London, have put together two kits each containing their favourite colours and tips on how to use them. To back this up, we are filming tutorials over the next few weeks that will then be uploaded to Youtube - I have Adam coming in this afternoon to film with me!

The first video to be uploaded uses the Professional Kit No1 and No3. These were created in collaboration with Spob, our Head of Professional Development at Illamasqua.

Find out new ways to use products like Cream Blusher in 'Libido' and Intense Lipgloss in 'Repulse'...

To watch it, click here.

Bah! Humbug! The Anti-Christmas Party With The Broken Hearts DJs

The Broken Hearts, a seriously cool DJ duo - described by Timeout magazine as "Turntable goddesses... guaranteed to pull out a plethora of delights from both the DJ crate and the dressing-up box" - hosted the Back to Ours: Bah! Humbug! Anti-christmas party at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden on Friday 11th December.

They are big fans of Illamasqua and asked us to come along and create some party looks on their guests, so Adam, Mika and Helen set up a make-up table complete with stencils and went colour crazy!

Alex Box [Creative Director] and Kate Massarella [Brand Director] also popped down for a lime daiquiri [or three] but I couldn't find any pictures of them... I think they were too busy propping up the bar!

Black heart motifs were painted on to everyone from the bar men, to the Broken Hearts themselves and almost all of the guests - who ranged from burlesque artists to club kids to media moguls - using Eye Liner Cake in 'Mislead' mixed with Sealing Gel for ultimate staying power.


On hand to take lots of snaps was the lovely Christopher James, founder of weknowwhastyoudidlastnight.com

The beautiful set was designed by Petra Stoors, the acclaimed set designer who has a client list that includes Alexander McQueen.




The black and white theme of the evening was only broken by the bright Intense Lipglosses - 'Besotted' and 'Indulge' were the most requested according to the artists.

It all got a messy at the end, a sure sign of a great night...

Thanks to The Broken Hearts girls, Christopher James, Ali at The Hospital Club, Petra Storrs and everyone else for a fantastic night!

A Child Of The Jago SS10 show - The Fallout

Following on from my People Update post the other day, here are the pics from the A Child of Jago catwalk show!

Joe Corre and Simon Armitage have created not just a clothing line but an entire concept at their store on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch. The curiosity shop-like feel and historical references create a store that is wondrous in both atmosphere and the clothes that it retails.

The stylistic inspiration behind the aptly named 'Terrorist' collection was the morning-after-the-night-before in terms of attitude, with the clothing an unpredictable mix of tailored pieces and edgy cuts.

Adam led the team that consisted of Helen and Halimah as well as other freelance artists to create bespoke looks for each of the models. The below picture shows Helen going through the look book prior to the show.

Check out the awesome backstage pics!

Can anyone spot a certain Ms Westwood in this photo? FYI - she is Joe Corre's mother!