Illamasqua Loves Diamonds [And Marina of course!]

As I reported last week, Marina and the Diamonds played a set at the Sanderson Predicts event at the exclusive Sanderson hotel in London.

My friend and I headed down after work to catch the set and met Halimah, who had created the look for Marina that night. After a cocktail or two in the Long Bar [order the 'Sweet Thing' - at £11 it's not cheap but its a delicious concoction of crushed strawberries, vanilla vodka and apple juice - yum] we grabbed a spot near the make-shift stage in the garden area ready for Marina to make her appearance.

And what an appearance it was. I was unfamiliar with her music before the set, but I cannot stop downloading her tunes now - I am especially loving 'I Am Not A Robot'. Watch the video here - it was shot by Rankin and is a really edgy video.

Marina appeared wearing a tight fitting American Apparel dress [with a fabulous Pollock-style art print that I adored] and spun through her tracks such as 'Seventeen', and 'Mowgli's Road' before finishing with a storming cover of Gwen Stefani's 'What you waiting for' and the next single 'I am not a Robot'. The rain was beating down on the roof of the garden, but this just added to the atmosphere as Marina unleashed her sultry, yet unexpected, astonishing voice upon a mix of industry types, skinny-jeaned cool kids and the Long Bar regulars.

After the set I had a quick chat with her and she loved the make-up that Halimah did for her. She was really friendly and down to earth and was looking forward to staying in the Presedential Suite that night!

I spoke to Halimah about the look she created: "Marina wanted something that was going to be high impact, with a smoky eye and big, fluttering lashes [I used False Eye Lashes 16]. I prepped her skin with Satin Primer + SPF20 to give a dewy glow with Cream Foundation in 215 on top and Cream Blusher in 'Promise' to enhance her fresh faced appeal and a touch of Cream Blusher in 'Lies' for a subtle highlight.

I used Cream Eye Shadow in 'Delight' for a pinky nude base and layered on Pure Pigment in Marvel for a yellow gold shimmer with Liquid Metal in Solstice for a bright, impactful look. I then shaded into the crease and along the lashline with Powder Eye Shadow in 'Never' - a gorgeous navy blue. I followed this with the lashes and then applied Eye Liner Cake in Mislead along the lash line and flicking it out at the ends for a cat-like look.

I used the Eye Brow Cake 'Thunder' to create a dramatic brow to mirror the smoky eye idea and finished with a dusting of Pure Pigment in Furore under the brows, in the corner of the inner eye and along her arms for some champagne coloured shimmer. Her lips were finished with a touch of Cream Blusher in 'Promise' and topped off with Sheer Lipgloss in 'Soul' for a shimmering, pinky nude compliment to the strong eye look."

Sanderson [and Illamasqua!] predicts big things for this girl and with her album launch in January 2010 she is definitely one to watch. She also has a blog! marinaandthediamonds.com. Follow this link to see her thoughts on Illamasqua!