Merry Christmas from Illamasqua…

 As Christmas is nearing and Santa and the elves are wrapping the last of the gifts and preparing Rudolf and the gang for their annual round the world trip…we thought we would share a little something with you.

2010 has been a wonderful year for Illamasqua with so many highlights and exciting moments for the brand. As the year winds to a close, and to celebrate the countdown to Christmas, here are just a selection of the best bits…

 The team at IMATS 2010

The launch of Illamasqua in Dubai earlier this year

The S/S 10 collection for Illamasqua - Body Electrics 

The beautiful Myer Fashion Show – Make-Up designed by Creative Director for Illamasqua, Alex Box

The opening of Illamasqua's Flagship store and School of Make Up Art in London's Soho

The A/W 10 collection for Illamasqua - Art of Darkness

Kelly Cutrone book signing in Beak St

Illamasqua celebrated it's 2nd Birthday

Illamasqua opened new counters in Australia with Myer this Autumn

Alex Box hosted a series of intimate Masterclasses in London, Birmingham and Manchester

Exclusive DJ set for Illamasqua from Boy George in support of the S.O.P.H.I.E foundation

Thank you to everyone that has supported Illamasqua, to all those Illamasqua devotees and to those of you just discovering the brand...we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

What will your alter-ego look like in 2011...

Boy George stuns Selfridges shoppers...

This Monday 20^th December, Illamasqua secured an exclusive performance and live DJ set from Boy George in London’s Selfridges and we thought we would share a little of the magic with you…

The crowds began forming as word filtered down to the floor that Boy George was in the building, and his entrance to the Beauty Hall was met by lots of fans and stunned shoppers.

Boy George began his DJ set for Illamasqua next to our London counter and was instantly surrounded by adoring fans and flashes of photography as visitors to the store enjoyed the live entertainment.

The event was organised by Illamasqua in support of the SOPHIE foundation, with all proceeds from the event going towards the charity which encourages people to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere. Sylvia Lancaster, Sophie’s mum had the opportunity to meet and speak with Boy George.

All Photography by Paula Harrowing

The legendary Boy George was amazing  in store and the crowds filled the Beauty Hall as they sung and danced to hits such as Karma Chameleon and Sex on Fire, it was an atmosphere not to be missed!

Look out for the exclusive Video interview with Boy George from the event soon…

Step under the Mistletoe as Illamasqua offers a Christmas Kiss…

Until Thursday* evening, Illamasqua is offering 20% off all Lip products from the online shop to share a Christmas Kiss this season.

With Lipsticks and Intense & Sheer Lipglosses available with a 20% discount, they make the perfect treat after all that manic present buying and Christmas organising as you gear up to celebrate in style.

Make sure your Lips are Mistletoe ready... 

 Give your lips the little treat they deserve this Christmas with a kiss from Illamasqua…Click here to visit Illamasqua online.

*This promotion will end at 11:59pm on Thursday 23^rd December 2010.

Christmas Shopping event this Thursday!

This Thursday 23rd December, Illamasqua's Flagship store in London's Soho will be host to an evening of festive celebrations in the countdown to Christmas. 

To offer all you avid followers and discovering newbies of Illamasqua a little Christmas cheer, there will be 15% all purchases in store *

With live DJ sets and food and drink to enjoy whilst you browse the beautiful pieces in store, the evening promises to be a wonderful way to get into the festive spirit.

With a late night opening until 9pm...pop down to make those last minute purchases for Christmas and the New Year!

*Discount not valid in conjunction with Professional Discount.
Completion of an Illamasqua contact card required to redeem discount.

Australian Bloggers’ Illamasqua Christmas Wish List

After all of the wonderful counter launches in Australia this year, the lovely Christabel from our Australian team has put together a great post for the Illamasqua blog to celebrate in the countdown to Christmas...

It’s that time of year when Santa is finally deciding who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, and a selection of the Australian bloggers have put together a list of what they’re hoping to find under their Christmas tree come December 25^th.

Violet Le Beaux of http://www.violetlebeaux.com is wishing for...

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Follow - Because I need something bright and summery to be my go-to gloss over the holidays. The holiday season is always stressful so my gloss needs to be something I can just throw on and look completely awesome in.

Illuminator in either Fondle or Poised - Poised because it such a bright dewy colour it would be perfect for casual or dressy looks over the Summer and Fondle because it could do double duty as my eye colour and blush.

Concealer - Because Christmas involves long hours and long parties! 'nuff said.

Stefanie at http://www.the-lip-print.com is hoping for...


Precision Ink in Alchemy

Climax lipstick (partially because it's gorgeous and partially because I want to be able to answer 'climax' when some one asks me what lipstick I'm wearing, haha!)

Jacie at http://www.youvegotnail.com  would like...

Pure Pigment Alluvium - can you imagine this as a lacquer? Forget matching handbag and shoes. What about matching eyes and nails?

Sophie pencil - because we should never forget and we should always remember to be tolerant.

Opulence False Eye Lashes - I've just figured out how to apply lashes and I think these would make me and baby Jesus happy.

What Illamasqua goodness are you hoping to find under the tree this Christmas? Leave us a little comment in case Santa's reading...

Boy George in store TODAY…

The legendary Boy George will be exclusively DJ’ing for Illamasqua in London Oxford Street’s Selfridges today! For an amazing atmosphere and the opportunity to see Boy George live, visit Selfridges later today.

Come down to Illamasqua from 5 – 6pm to witness Boy George in action and enjoy the festivities on counter. 

What better way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas than to party in style while you browse the beautiful Christmas Gift Ideas on counter and pick up those last minute purchases.

The S.O.P.H.I.E game goes to school...

The S.O.P.H.I.E educational game officially launched earlier this month at Sophie Lancaster’s old High School, Haslingden High School in Lancashire.

With Sophie’s mother, Sylvia Lancaster hosting the game with a class of excited students and a journalist from the Sun Newspaper, the day marked the culmination of months of hard work and dedication to the design and creation of the game for Sylvia. It was time to put the game to the test with the first pupils…

Sylvia took the class through the work behind the S.O.P.H.I.E charity, what it represents and how far it has come. With the students gripped, the game begun…

“The game is made up of 30 cards, which represent many common ethnic, religious, social groups and subcultures. The students, split into groups of three, were asked to pick a selection of five characters based only on appearances.” Phoebe Findley, Propaganda

Each of the groups were then asked to express and explain the reasons for their choices and Sylvia was quite overwhelmed by the response.

“It was so fantastic to see the students engaging with the game and they came up with some really intelligent and insightful reasons behind their choices. It was amazing to see the game working, provoking discussion and keeping the students entertained.” Sylvia Lancaster

Sylvia is now looking forward to taking the game to schools across the country. She is hoping that in the future it may become a part of the Secondary Curriculum to educate young people in the beauty of difference and subcultures, encouraging them to help Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.

“Playing the film Dark Angel after the discussions was hugely and made me realise how far the charity has come. I felt privileged to launch the game with those wonderful students at the school that Sophie actually attended and I look forward to going back and holding a follow up session very soon.” Sylvia Lancaster

Photographs from The Sun

2010: A Few Words From Our Founder and Joint MD Julian Kynaston

Julian, what have been your personal and professional highlights of 2010?

Personally, I have really been excited about the working dynamic between Joe Corre [Joint MD] and myself. Together we push each other to be more daring, more brave.... Generally more everything.

It's also been great to see Alex Box work closely with us in helping the business make some key hires - the hire of David Horne as our Director of New Product Development and the School of Make-up Art is the best example of this.

I have to mention Beak St too. Our first own store. More to come!

In your opinion, how has Illamasqua evolved from launch and 2009?

Most importantly, we have remained true to ourselves and our beliefs. Creativity remains core.




Of course, we now have our loyal customers and fans of Illamasqua. We can now enjoy a two way dialogue and we have now the luxury of more evangelists of our brand helping spread the excitement.

Internally, we have seen us go from that 'initial few' to an organization on 40 + at HQ and 100+ out there in store across the world!

What are your ambitions for 2011?

More of our own stores and a delivery of retail excellence across all our current worldwide outlets. This combined with the emergence of our first brand extensions will keep us all very busy!

How has Illamasqua progressed from the first visions you had of the brand? Do you think the brand has done justice to your initial dream?

We have remained 100% true to that vision. We have brought a true challenger brand mentality to a sector where new brands seem to arrive and disappear within a year. Illamasqua - within the space of two years - has achieved a credible place and a unique position at the very top table of make-up brands.

What does Illamasqua mean to you personally?

No fear. Beautiful people. Proof that with the best product and belief you can enter any market no matter how big and cartel driven. I am very proud of the film we created at Propaganda for the S.O.P.H.I.E charity and I am delighted with how are helping the charity establish itself. Right from the outset, we have supported Sylvia and her mission to raise awareness and understanding of subcultures. The charity also works closely with politicians and police forces to ensure individuals who are part of subcultures are protected by law. This year, we launched the Sophie Game and this has been a tremendous success. [Blog post on this to follow...]

Illamasqua Australia Shines At Christmas In The Sun

Whilst the UK is preparing for a VERY white Christmas, here in Australia the sun is blazing and Aussies are flocking to Illamasqua counters around Australia to glam themselves up for a hot, hot holiday season.

Sydney City Counter Manager Mikele Simone says the Christmas gift Nail Varnish duos are flying off the shelves in bright and rich colours like Collide, Muse and Viridian. The Temptress set which includes False Eye Lashes, Eye Liner Cake and Volume Mascara is also proving very popular, so there might be more than a few sexy glances on Christmas Day ...

Bondi Junction Manager, Gavin Rennick says “Party looks come in all shapes and sizes, just like our facial features! But everyone loves a smokey eye for holiday parties. Trends that are breaking through at the moment are a lot of natural shadows with a strong heavy brow, and I love Illamasqua's Brow cake and Sealing Gel to create the perfect brow.”

We have also opened another new counter, this time in Myer Chadstone in Melbourne. Gillian Staal, Australian Retail Operations Manager, says that they have a fabulous team in Chadstone, all successful make-up artists in their own right and drawing from fields as diverse as theatre, fashion and film.  The new counter has also created a great stir within the beauty hall due to its strong imagery - not something often seen in Australian retail stores!

We have also been finding that the foundations and powders are brilliant in the hot climate for giving all-day performance, as they were created by industry professionals for the rigorous conditions demanded on film-sets and under harsh studio lights. With the right application methods they are able to handle the heat and humidity Down Under with ease. So the mistletoe might be wilting, but your make-up won’t be!