Nobody's Daughter

One of the most anticipated album launches of the last ten years, Nobody's Daughter is the new album from Hole, due to launch on April 26th, to download or purchase in stores. Offer 3 includes a piece of Illamasqua that is currently a staple of Courtney's make-up bag; either Lipstick in 'Maneater', Liquid Metal in 'Solstice' or Medium Pencil in 'Sophie' could be winging it's way to you with a signed vinyl, unreleased photo collection and Hole messenger bag as well as the album!


Nearly five years in development, Nobody's Daughter showcases Courtney's raw, soulful voice and honest, heart breaking lyrics. My personal favourites? I love 'Samantha' and 'Skinny White Bitch' which I was lucky enough to see performed at the NME Awards show on February 17th, with Sylvia Lancaster also a VIP guest [second from left].

Courtney Love has always been a personal inspiration of mine with her baby doll grunge look in the 90s and dramatic, smeared make-up prompting Rolling Stone magazine to dub her "The most controversial woman in rock".

Finally, I couldn't post about Courtney without posting this brilliant image by the ever-original David la Chapelle of Courtney depicted as the Virgin Mary in a pieta scene...

Oh, and if you don't follow Courtney on twitter, I suggest you do...!

Courtney Loves The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

For all those in the UK, you may have caught Courtney Love on the Jonathan Ross show last Friday. And perhaps the eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed she was wearing the S.O.P.H.I.E bracelet.

I'll admit, I didn't but my sharp eyed flat mate did! I did a screen grab for you from a Youtube clip of her appearance.

Alex Box created the look on Courtney Love for the Jonathan Ross show using Illamasqua products including Powder Eye Shadow in 'Savage', 'Maybe' and 'Courtesan' as well Cream Blusher in 'Rude' and Medium Pencil in 'Vow' all over the lip with a slick of Sheer Lipgloss in 'Brilliant' on top.

Courtney is currently in the UK promoting the reformation of her band Hole and brand new album. If the track Samantha is anything to go by, it's going to be pretty good! The band will also be playing at the 02 Shepard's Bush Empire on Wednesday 17th February and be selling S.O.P.H.I.E bracelets with all proceeds going to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

Product of the Week: Box Lipstick

The first Lipstick to be developed by Alex Box to her exact specifications, Box is the ultimate Red Lipstick - intense, dramatic and perfect for unleashing your inner temptress..

The first Lipstick to be covered by Product of the Week is 'Box' Lipstick. Developed closely with Alex Box, whom the product has of course been named after, this red was masterminded as "the perfect red for someone with a similar complexion to mine who is looking for a colour true, matt finish," says Alex. "We must have recieved about six samples from the supplier until I was happy with the product! I kept saying 'more blue, less pink, more purple, less orange...' but we got there in the end! I couldn't be more pleased with the final product as it is 100% to my specifications."

This is a warm, bluish orange-red that looks great on all skin complexions, but especially cooler, pale skintones such as Alex Boxs'.

Courtney Love has also confessed to having serious Box Lipstick syndrome, describing it as the perfect red.

The makeupandbeautyblog has written a great review on this product - including a lovely swatch - if you would like to see the product on. Yes, the camera here is still broken!

A Whole Lot of Love...

Julian, our Chairman and Founder, tells me about the special relationship Illamasqua has developed with the incomparable and legendary Courtney Love:

"Courtney holds a special place for me and for the founding months of Illamasqua. She was, in her words, 'driven nuts by the advert we placed in Grazia'! She rang the counter direct from L.A and ordered loads of product. She loved the quality and intensity of the product so much that she now tells anybody and everybody that never before has she felt so passionate about a make up brand.

On a technical level Courtney's understanding of make up is as good as anybody who works in our laboratories! She knows her stuff and this makes it all the more special that she now wears Illamasqua.

She has become a real muse for me personally. Performance and dressing up and playing with your alter ego was the founding directive and for me, Courtney was great at all three.

The biggest compliment however is her make up collection - I've seen it personally and its impressive. Impressive for the fact its predominantly Illamasqua but the other brand is nothing other than than Kevyn Aucoin. Talk about been known by the company you keep. Kevyn for us is very, very good company. I know Courtney knew Kevyn personally and loved him very much.

When we eventually met for the first time it was 'easy' - we got on like old friends and played make-up. Courtney is an amazing artist herself and the clothes she makes ( for me she constructs, deconstructs and sculpts clothes) are very, very clever. I respect her mind and for some crazy reason she respects mine.

As she texted me last week... 'me and Illamasqua are having a mad affair'. We are with her too."

I will be posting more about this at a later stage, so stay tuned!

Artistic Director of Illamasqua, Alex Box, created the above look for Courtney Love for the Elle Style Awards 2009.