Illamasqua team up with Southampton Solent University to support their final show

Southampton Solent University are hosting their London graduate fashion show at the Free Range Fashion Event tomorrow, presenting the very best in fashion, hair and make-up artistry.

Location: The Boiler House, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane

Doors open from 7.00pm.

The fabulous Southampton Solent team had this to say about the show…

“Guests will have the opportunity to view a live fashion shoot, styled and shot by Solent students, followed by the catwalk show at 8.00pm.

Graduating Fashion students will be presenting collections utilising a range of fabric types and incorporating diverse themes from wearable architecture – using riveted metal and wood – to collections inspired by abstract expressionism and the destructive power of water.”

“We will be showcasing work from the various fashion degrees available at Solent – including Fashion, Fashion Styling and Fashion with Photography.” Southampton Solent University

Illamasqua, as the official sponsor for the evening will be providing the make-up backstage for their final show and our team will also be creating demos and inspirations around the venue for your enjoyment.

We will have all of the amazing snaps from the show and a breakdown of the looks for you next week so stay tuned!

Tulips & Pansies...

Illamasqua took New York by storm at the Tulips & Pansies event last Thursday 19th May at Gotham Hall. Our Senior US make-up artist and US brand ambassador Andrea Helgadottir headed up a team of 6 artists who created looks on 18 models.

Each look varied according to the floral design and outfit that was being worn, from looks inspired by Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra to a trannie punk dominatrix with a floral whip in hand!

 As well as being a night of fashion and glamour, Tulips & Pansies is also an inspiring event which raises funds for VillageCare. The event pairs established and up-and-coming fashion designers with creative counterparts in the floral industry. Together they design and create outrageous and elegant floral headdresses. 

The inspirations and creations are diverse, but the designers share a passion for the cause. Whether it’s Diane von Furstenberg’s Vietnamese Sun Hat or Ashleigh Verrier’s Bonnie & Clyde duo, the designs play into the high fashion and fun atmosphere of the evening while bringing media and public awareness to the plight of the still growing HIV/AIDS community in New York.

After the ‘Easter Parade meets Catwalk Show’ took place and prizes were given to the designers for producing the best looks that evening, guests moved into our Transformation Area along with the host of the evening, Ariana Rockefeller, who had her make up done by one of our artists. One particular Broadway and TV actress told us she was a huge fan of all of our products in particular our Lipstick in Box.

Thank you to Andrea and the team for creating such fantastic looks!

CULT Products

What a busy week its been - happy Friday everyone! I have spent the past few weeks researching our entire product line to come up with the Top Ten cult products - these are based on beauty editor loves, editorial, bloggers, forums, ratings on Sephora.com, sales online, sales on counter and google hits ... and here we have the official Top Ten Cult products from Illamasqua!

Lipstick in 'Box'

"I am so ridiculously in love. I've drank tea, ate my lunch, yappered away and it's still going strong. This Lipstick has some serious staying power which I am veru much impressed with. It's a fabulous matte and is a lovely deep scarlet" - hellcandy.com

Liquid Metal in 'Surge'

"I adore this colour, it's very unique ... paired with a green it looks like a beautiful olive-metal colour. With brown it looks more golden and with silvers, grey and blacks... versatility!" - ai-rori.blogspot.com

Cream Blusher in 'Dixie'

I love it! This could genuinely be my Holy Grail  blusher! The pigment is amazing ... it blends and builds beautifully, stays in place throughout the day/night and best of all - remains dewy on your skin! A rarity, even amongst the best of them!" - makeuptomakeout.com

Sealing Gel

"Instead of dunking your brush in water, dunk it in this genius little bottle of gel and it turns any of your eye shadows into a waterproof liquid liner. Genius. And for £10.50 for two bottles, this isn't a want - it's a NEED." - thebeautystop.com

Pure Pigment in 'Ore'

"This is one of those products that shocks and awes the minute you swatch it. Ore is a medium-dark metallic bronze with soft red undertones, multicoloured shimmer, and a dazzling sheen ... so luxe and full of depth it really needs to be seen to be believed." - temptalia.com

Nail Varnish in 'Collide'

"It's hard to capture how incredibly bright and glowing this colour is. I'd describe it as a neon pink without any blue undetones ... this nail polish is hot, hot, HOT! Love it for Summer. Love Illamasqua polishes." - misschievous.tv

Powder Blusher in 'Hussy'

It's a gorgeous matte coral pink that is super-pigmented. REALLY super-pigmented ... the finely milled matte powder blends seamlessly and melts in to the skin. [It] looks incredibly natural and lasts all day. By far, Illamasqua Hussy is the best blush I own. Yup - I said it. Best blush ever!" - beauty-reflections.com

Highlighter Brush

"The brush hairs are synthetic and extremely soft - softer than any other natural-haired brush I've owned ... This brush is the perfect size for placing a highlighter on your face, doesn't shed, and picks up the right amount of product." - allurabeauty.com

Satin Primer

"Everything is different with this primer ... The skin looks healthy and feels moisturized. It gives the most amazing dewy finish which looks super sexy! This is my must have! It's the kind of product that you can't live without once you try it." - makeup4all.com

Bronzing Duo

"The colours have some shimmer to them, but not in an over the top way. It makes your face gleam, rather than shine. The darker colour is perfect for contouring, it's not too shiny for it. And the lighter colour gives a beautiful glow to the face." - makeup-and-macaroons.blogspot.com

Plus, spend £80 at Illamasqua.com and receive one CULT product completely free [saving up to £23.50], so you can see what all the fuss is about! Simply pick your favourite item, add it to your basket and enter promo code "cult80" at the Edit Your Basket stage before 9am GMT Friday 3rd June.

Vicky McClure: Get The BAFTA look

I caught up with Spob [Head of Professional Development] between creating a stunning look for Vicky at the BAFTAs and rushing off to her next movie [starring some pretty hot A listers] to get the low down ...

BASE: "I primed the skin with some matt primer to create a flawless base. I then used the new Skin Base foundation in shade 10 on the centre panel of face as a highlight, and blended in to shade 11 to add depth and blend with the Xen Tan colour she was wearing.

I swept Bronzer in 'Writhe' on the high points of the face to add a subtle glow - currently 30% off in our Summer Sale!

EYES: After applying a base, I used Cream Pigment in 'Emerge' all over the lid, and blended it in to Cream Pigment in 'Mould' in the outer corners, which I then sealing using Loose Powder 010 [translucent]. I needed this look to last through the entire BAFTAs and the after parties!



I used a shimmering bronze on top of this - Powder Eye Shadow in 'Bronx' - and finished with a smudge of Medium Pencil in 'Sophie' around the eyes and in the waterline.

A glamorous event like the BAFTAs definitely calls for a smoking pair of eye lashes - we chose False Eye Lashes 008 for length and curve.

LIPS: I sketched Medium Pencil in 'Ascend' - a chocolatey pink nude - all over the lips and topped off with a clear gloss - Sheer Lipgloss in 'Brilliant' is both non sticky and highly glossy.

BODY: I used Illumine Oil in 'Pulse' for a majestic shimmer, and dusted Powdered Metal in 'Erzule' over her shoulder and decollatege - this photograph does not do the product justice, it highlighted her every move and was absolutely amazing.

NAILS: Vicky rocked Nail Varnish in 'Throb' on her toes, which she absolutely loves. We used the new Nail Varnish in 'Bacterium' on her finger nails which added edge to her beautiful dress. 

This Is England has been such a huge hit, including in the world of make-up; the team won the BAFTA award for Make-up And Hair Design earlier this month, too!

In the below video [part of a series of films from Illamasqua last year] Vicky explores her alter ego ...

 

New Counter Launch: Exchange Square, Manchester

 We are thrilled to announce that this September we will be opening our fourth store with retail partner Selfridges, at Manchester's Exchange Square.

Selfridges are having a huge refurbishment of their beauty hall and have asked us to come on board to inject the alternative glamour they know we will bring!

If you would like to join our exciting team in this fabulous new location, then do let us know by applying to recruitment@illamasqua.com.

We can't wait for the launch party!

My Clown with Johnny Blue Eyes!

Illamasqua is collaborating with artist, stylist and founder of House of Blue Eyes, Johnny Blue Eyes, to host My Clown, a playful event that encourages people to embrace carefree self-expression.

On Saturday 4th June 2011 at 2pm, the Illamasqua Flagship Store, in the heart of the West End at 20 Beak Street, will be transformed into an otherworldly and extravagant clown workshop. This interactive playful event will give people free reign to explore and experiment, bring out their inner child and become their own clown!

What Clown will you be? ... Catwalk Clown? ... Jovial Clown? ... Sinister Clown? ...

For more inspiration, check out the latest Illamasqua Skin Sketching tutorial that draws on inspiration from the My Clown event and this vibrant genre.

The event will be held in support of The S.O.P.H.I.E. Lancaster Foundation, a charity close to Illamasqua’s heart. Working to combat prejudice, intolerance and hatred amongst young people, 10% of all proceeds raised during the event will be donated to the Foundation.

“I am so happy to be working with Illamasqua on My Clown for the S.O.P.H.I.E. Foundation, such a worthy cause that teaches people to embrace individuality. My Clown is all about celebrating and having fun with the unique and beautiful you; it’s about the love and acceptance of our differences. There is only one person like you in the whole world ... so let your perfect imperfection shine.

So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, let us meet your clown through the magical energy of fantastical make-up, costume and performance. London will not have seen such colour and magic in years!’ Johnny Blue Eyes, My Clown Artistic Curator

As a brand that actively encourages self-expression in every form, Illamasqua’s professional, colour-true make-up will be the tools and colour palette to create people’s clowns, together with the help of Illamasqua’s talented team of make-up artists. There will be a dressing-up box full of props to complete the overall My Clown looks and each clown will be documented by renowned London-based photographer Matthew Brindle (www.matthewbrindle.co.uk). A portrait gallery of all My Clown creations will be showcased on Illamasqua’s website (www.illamasqua.com) post-event.

Straight after the workshop at 6pm we invite people to take to the streets and start a clown parade, from the Illamasqua Flagship Store through Carnaby Street and Regent Street, before meeting up at 6.30pm for a ‘Clown Tea Party’ on Golden Square in Soho. We ask each clown to bring a packed lunch with an extra bit of food to share with their new clown friends!

To enter and become part of the ‘Clown Movement’ please RSVP to mika@illamasqua.com to confirm your attendance. On the day all participants will be asked to purchase an Illamasqua Medium Pencil in SOPHIE (£13). £3 from every pencil purchased will go directly to The S.O.P.H.I.E. Lancaster Foundation and 10% of all make-up purchased on the day will also be donated.

Saturday 4^th June:             3:00pm - 6:00pm

Location:                         Illamasqua Flagship Store

     20 Beak Street

                                         London, United Kingdom

Click here to check out the event on facebook

For more information on My Clown please contact

Mika Johnson at mika@illamasqua.com

For more information on The S.O.P.H.I.E. Lancaster Foundation please visit

www.sophielancasterfoundation.com

DJ Viva L'Amour/Lady Noir plays the Illamasqua Counter in Melbourne

Where were you on Saturday??

Well if you happened to be visiting the fashion capital of Australia then you may have been lucky enough to catch the skilled DJ Viva L'Amour/ Lady Noir playing a wicked set at the Illamasqua counter in Melbourne! 

Viva L'Amour arrived on counter at 12pm ready to be transformed by the incredibly talented Niamh McGovern (Melbourne MUA). This created such a buzz of excitement in Myer and we loved every second of it! Quite a different atmosphere for the current resident DJ at Melbourne's The Carlton, New Guernica, Bimbo Deluxe and Lucky Coq.

Lady Noir loves Illamasqua.... and we sure love her! Can't wait to have her back from Europe so we can do this all over again! If you missed this event on the weekend you won't want to miss the next one!

The House in association with Illamasqua...

This Friday 27th May, ‘The Shoreditch’ (formally Last Days of Decadence) will play host to a cool new club night…one you will definitely want to be seen at!

From 9pm - 2am Felicity Hayward & Henry W-P will present ‘The House’, a night that promises to deliver funk music from the very best selection of guest DJ’s and an enviable guestlist and Illamasqua are very proud to be the official sponsor for the evening!

  

DJ's include Barnzley of A Child of the Jago, the fabulous Princess Julia of i-D magazine and My Elastic Eye.

So head down to The Shoreditch,145 Shoreditch High St, E1 to check out the launch of this fabulous new club night…House!

£3 before 11pm / £5 after

Illamasqua's Carnaby Street activity...

Illamasqua's involvement in the Carnaby St shopping event last week certainly caused a stir along this prestigious street...