Product of the Month

It's been a while since we did this, but in line with this month's web offer (a massive 25% of False Eye Lashes), I thought I would use my favourite pair as Product of the Month.  When I joined Illamasqua at the very beginning, one product that never failed to impress me were the lashes.  As a total lash fiend (i own 50-60 pairs at least!), I know a gorgeous lash when I see it!  Lash no. 16 has to be the highlight from the range for me.  It can totally transform your look in an instant.  Perfect for a vintage 40s look (complete with a generous application of Lipstick in 'Encounter', of course!), these lashes can be worn with very little other eye make-up - a flicked black line on top is enough if you're running short of time.   

I used these in my latest photo shoot for Jane Doe Latex (http://www.janedoelatex.com) and they are just what was required to give that density to the lashes, exaggerating the length of the eye as well.  

But the collection is so stunning I can't not mention my other favourites!  If you think no.16 are just a bit too day time for you, nothing screams night time glamour like the no. 13!  And if a wide eyed baby doll look is more your thing, then no. 14 are just perfect for injecting a little naughtiness into your flutter!  If you haven't already seen the range or tried it, hurry now, as the 25% web offer is due to expire on 31st March!

Halimah x

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.

One More Day To Enter MizzWorthy/ Illamasqua Competition...

To all of you already on your Christmas breaks, or with a spare evening tonight, why not enter our competition where you can win a Limited Edition Alex Box by Rankin book, signed by Alex Box herself and a set of Limited Edition lashes.

Our critically acclaimed cruelty free brushes worth over £60 make up the second place prize.

All you have to do to enter is...

Come up with a make-up look inspired by your own alter ego... something different, inventive, innovative, creative... what ever you like!

Red eyes, silver lips, gold cheeks... anything goes! The winners will be judged on the basis of originality and creativity not just professional technique. Simply send in a photograph or blog page to the mizzworthy blog.

You can use any products or media you like to create your look...

The contest closes at Midnight on Wednesday 17th December. This is the final deadline and no extensions will be made - if we extend then Alex Box will be unable to judge due to her schedule.

Finalists will be chosen by Mizzworthy and Krystal and the shortlist forwarded on to Alex Box who will come in to judge the winner and runner up by 22nd December.



HAVE FUN!

For inspiration, I have included some images that Halimah created for our Golden Goddess video on Youtube and some beautiful images I found on ModelMayhem - one of my favourite places to have a browse when I need some inspiration of my own!


Go to modelmayhem.com and search for a make-up artist and click on one of their images. Underneath this it will come up with a "list" and show all the lists that the image has featured on. If you click on the "list" it will show all the images that that particular list creator loves. Seriously, only do this if you have a spare hour as I predict you will spend ages browsing!

Here are some of my current favourites...

Product of the Week: Medium Pencil in Severe

Due to the rapidly diminishing sunshine hours of London at the moment [total today: approx. 12 minutes...] I think that an autumnal colour deserves the accolage of Product of the Week.

When Alex Box became Creative Director of Illamasqua, the pencils were one of the most important products for her; "I wanted a product that could be used anywhere - face art, body art etc. I wanted to leave the interpretation of the product up to the user rather than saying "This MUST be used on the eyes or this MUST be used on the lips. It's just a stick of intense, matt colour."

The Illamasqua Medium Pencils are unique because of the formulation, versatility and colour intensity. The creamy consistency means that they can be used in place of [or underneath] lip products, yet are also long wearing and smudge-proof on the eyes or for scrawling all over the body!

Both Halimah [Product Development intern and working make-up artist] and I love 'Severe' for the deep wine stain that it leaves on the lips. Personally, I like an eye pencil to be as bold on the waterline as much as on the actual skin and for this reason, I believe the Illamasqua Medium Pencils to be one of the best pencils on the market.

As you can see above, it creates a flawless matt finish. I am all about the matt, but if you like a glossy look, just slick a clear gloss on top. Nothing says autumn has officially arrived like a burgundy lip!

Illamasqua Icons: Edward Scissorhands

This time I have asked Halimah, our Product Development Intern, for her Icon and she was absolutely inspired to come up with Edward Scissorhands! Amazing.

So I asked Halimah, a professional make-up artist in her own right, to advise us on how to get the look [a bit late for Halloween, but ah well!]

"Prep the skin with Rich Liquid Foundation in 100, buffed on with a highlighter brush so it's not too geisha white. Hollow out the eyes and cheeks with Powder Blusher in 'Disobey' and then use Powder Eye Shadow in 'Feint' to enhance the depth of shadow in the collarbones/ cheekbones/ jawline/ temples etc.

If bleaching your eyebrows is going a bit far, use a little extra Rich Liquid Foundation to smooth them down and de-colour them.

For a deeper socket, blend in a generous amount of Powder Eye Shadow in 'Lestat' - a pure black, with a touch of 'Savage' for a multi-tonal look. Powder Eye Shadow in 'Fluke' - a fleshy tone - underneath the eye and around the lash line for a wide-awake, innocent look. Using Medium Pencil in 'Vow' on the waterline will enhance this.

On the lips, line with Medium Pencil in 'Severe' and fill in with Lipstick in 'Diablo' for a gothic berry colour.

Sneak Preview: New False Lashes

As promised, here is a first look at the new lashes that will be available to purchase at all Illamasqua counters and online from the 31st October [our first birthday!]

For the Alex Box by Rankin book launch, Brand Director Kate wore the below green lashes [number 23] and Halimah and I wore the purple lashes [number 22]

The purple ones look great on blue and green eyes and Kate's green lashes really made her brown eyes pop.

Alex Box By Rankin - The Fallout

Several of us are nursing Champagne induced hangovers today - always the sign of a great night - and have been gossiping about the Alex Box by Rankin book and exhibition launch all morning.

Sam Chapman of Pixiwoo fame, Talita from theglossgoss, Helen from Helen and Sheenie's Nice Things, Ian from Diary of a Fashion Mister , Sophy Robson, the gorgeous Tricia Woolston, Johnny Blue Eyes, Anouck Lepere, Rankin, Tuli, Erin O Connor, George Lamb, Jefferson Hack, Gareth Pugh ... lots of familiar faces were present to witness Alex's finest moment - a collection of stunning images that she has been working on for over two years. I felt very priviledged to witness Alex's special moment... but I'll start at the beginning!

The plan was to leave at 6. . .

... the plan was to leave at 6. . .

... but girls being girls in an office full of make-up ...

... so at 7pm [!], Kate, Katie, Halimah and I hailed a cab and were whisked off to the gorgeous contemporary gallery/ studio space of the one and only Rankin , the newly built Annroy Gallery in Kentish Town.

As you walk up to the gallery, you are confronted with two images that seductively lure you in to the gallery - as it is all glass fronted, we could see that the crowd inside was already pretty big and it turns out we arrived about a minute after Alex has made her grand entrance!

She looked her usual kooky glam self in skintight Gareth Pugh and top hat and what I suspect were those headlining monochrome Chanel tights...

After grabbing a quick glass of champagne [which seemed to magically stay full for the next three hours....hmm] I managed to grab a few words with all the bloggers that I had invited to come along - everyone seemed genuinely thrilled to be there and be a part of Alex's triumphant night. I can't begin to comprehend how stressful the past few days must have been for Alex!

After about half an hour, Gareth Pugh made a grand entrance with a bunch of red balloons and after congratulating Alex on the exhibition, he handed the balloons over to her. She spent the rest of the night holding them so you always knew where she was!

I spent most of the night chilling with Gillian, Francesco and Mika from the Selfridges Oxford St counter and the Head Office staff - Julian, Illamasqua's Chairman and his PA Jo even made it down so it was lovely to see them, as well.

So a bit more about the images! To understand the full magnitude, I suggest you get down to the exhibition - which runs until 22nd December - or check out the book which is available to buy from today.

By using a variety of different mediums - including Illamasqua make-up, pigments, poster paint and post-its! - Alex pushes the boundaries of make-up application and conventional techniques and uses the face as a canvas with which to create innovative, thought provoking and sometimes radical art. No rules, so to speak.

You can really see Alex's art school [not make-up school!] trained obsessions about fantasy, science, environment, fashion and illustration jumping out at you from the canvases - it's powerful stuff. From strongly sculpted, directional images to impressionist-like images, there is something here that will make even the most jaded art critic go "wow!"

So what sort of gossip do I have for you? Well, there was some cracking outfits, funnily enough! There was also lots of directional make-up. Kate, Halimah and I rocked the new coloured lashes that are to be released on 31st October - in time for our birthday celebrations! We have three sets; one that is shot with purple 22, one that is shot with green [no. 23] and one that is shot with pink [no. 24] I had so many compliments on them [even some girls on the tube on the way home!] that I think these may soon replace number 19s as my favourite!

How cute did Katie look? Halimah created her look for the night and it looked stunning. I'll ask Halimah to do a look break down at some point!

Mika was modelling his new undercut...


I also saw a girl with a painted face mask and crystals around the edges which looked terrific - unfortunately I didn't take as many photos as I should have, something to do with the lack of canapes and abundance of champagne I am inclined to think!

Johnny Blue Eyes [from the House of Blue Eyes] turned up dressed as Jesus [!] with a full-on crown of thorns and stigmata!

I had a really, really great night and would like to thank Rankin and his team for pulling together and hosting a wonderful event.

Alex will be at the Illamasqua counter in Selfridges Oxford St on the 5th November to sign copies of Alex Box by Rankin.

Ask An Artist: Foundation Shades Part II

"I've researched online and seen the swatches of RF 215, 205 and 240. 205 looks like the right base of a yellow warm tone although I'm darker that than. Shade 215 looks good but I'm just worried about it being too pink/cool for my skintone (I'm of asian descent). So that's my only worry with this shade. Thanks for your help - Janice."

Halimah, who some of you may know is a freelance artist for Illamasqua, has recently joined the Illamasqua Head Office team, so I now have her infinite product and cosmetic knowledge on tap, yay! I've asked for her help in answering this question...

"Below, I've swatched the foundations on my face. I have swatched both the Rich Liquid Foundation and the Cream Foundation as the colours vary slightly on the skin with the
textures.

I have a light asian skintone. I would recommend that you go with the Rich Foundation in a 215 - there are slight pink tones in this shade, but overall it's a good, warm beige shade suitable for asian skins.

For your reference, from left to right: 210, 240, 215 and 205.

With the Cream Foundations, which are a brilliant texture for everyday or evening due to the
buildable coverage, I would perhaps say the 240 would be a good match. Like you said, you
could always mix it with a slightly lighter shade during the winter months or use it more sparingly - or why not try using it with the Satin Primer for a healthy glow [which we all need in Winter!]

From left to right is 205, 210, 215 and 240.

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!