Last Week of our Skin Sketching Promotion in Australia!

It’s our final week of our Skin Sketching Promotion offer! We have two fabulous offers to celebrate Skin Sketching, which are available on all Illamasqua counters Australia-wide.

Offer 1 - Buy any two medium pencils and receive a third medium pencil absolutely free. (Free pencil valued at $33).

Offer 2 – Buy any two selected – and discounted! – Powder Eyeshadows and receive a Fat Pencil free. That’s right, spend $54 (usual price $78) on the eyeshadows and receive a $34 Fat Pencil absolutely free. (Selected eyeshadows are Moan, Envy, Matter, Succumb, Yes, Courtesan and Vapour). Total saving $58.

The Skin Sketching offers finish on Sunday, 3^rd of July.

Skin Base: Loved By Vogue

Skin Base - the Foundation sensation from Illamasqua - first caused a stir in the April edition of UK Vogue ...

Are You Ready for Gay Pride!?

As I’m sure you already know here at Illamasqua we are all about self-expression,  and where better to express yourself than at this years crop of international Gay Pride festivals!

In London, we are expecting a record turnout for this coming Saturday’s Gay Pride, where gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight revellers come to party and celebrate their diversity in the heart of London’s Soho district.

Prepare for the festivities by immersing yourself in a rainbow of colours. At Illamasqua, we have the perfect rainbow palette to help you stand out from the crowd.

Need some inspiration? Look no further than our SS11 Toxic Nature collection that brings you a myriad of pastel tones and flashes of neon, or look to the core collection for unabashed brights.

Get ready for a celebration of diversity with a carnival atmosphere! Look out for photos next week of our picks of the most creative make-up on show …

Cream Pigment in Bedaub - £17.00

Nail Varnish in Gamma, photo from All You Desire

Lipstick in Atomic - £15.50

Events co-ordinator Mika Doll and Junior Brand Manager Alex Cummins at 2009 Gay Pride.

photo from Pride London

Magenta Muse

Set to transform perceptions of beauty this summer, Magenta Muse is the daring new colour collection from Illamasqua.

 This fearless, eclectic blend of shades and textures will draw all attention to you on those heady summer nights, with an urbane gathering of cool, alternative hues in grey, mauve, magenta and teal. 

Embrace the collection, be marvelous in mauve, mysterious in magenta, and pose like a Muse by midnight.

Nail Varnish in Muse – Deep teal blue, glossy finish

Nail Varnish in DWS – Cement grey créme, glossy finish

Nail Varnish in Poke - Bright violet purple, shimmer finish

Lipstick in Underworld - Iridescent blueberry violet, shimmer finish

Sheer Lipgloss in Tantrum - Deep berry pink

Magenta Muse is available across the UK and at Illamasqua.com. An extended collection is also available exclusively at select Sephora USA locations and Sephora.com. 

To shop the collection click here

Embrace the collection and transform yourself into a Muse by midnight.

Illamasqua's Make-up Artist Frances creates some beautiful tutorials...

The fabulous make-up artist Frances Cutri of our Sydney City counter has recently done a series of videos for Primped.com.au, Australia’s premier internet beauty destination.

The first was a take on Alex Perry’s simple smoky cat’s eye, and with just a handful of Illamasqua products, Frances transformed the model into a feline goddess.

Frances has been with Illamasqua Australia since launch last year and has been on the team for the last two Myer parades, so she’s a veteran member of staff.

Frances grew up in Sydney and started her working life as a hairdresser, but six years ago, after starting to do more makeup in the salon, she quickly realized that make-up was her passion. “It’s more creative and more expressive than hair, and you can change it as often as you like” she explains. “You can create a completely new look, and people feel their most confident when their face looks good”.

When she found out about Illamasqua she immediately wanted to work here, as “At Illamasqua, there are no rules about how to do make-up. You can express yourself any way that you want!”

At the moment she is loving Cream Pigment in Mould as the base for a smoky eye, and mixing it with red shadow and lots of black eyeliner to give a deeper, jewel-toned twist on the traditional smoky eye. “Great for winter!”

Cream Pigment in Mould

Lipstick in Pristine

She’s also finding lots of customers are embracing very dark lipcolours, with Lipstick in Pristine, a pure black, as the surprise winner this season. For nails for Frances at the moment it’s all about Nail Varnish in Throb, the heart-stopping red, and overall she’s into lots of contouring with Powder Blusher in Disobey, a lighter brow, a blank eyelid and lots of black eyeliner. Combined with a deep Lipstick such as Pristine, Disciple (a dark navy), or Box, it’s a look that’s dramatic yet gorgeous.

Lipstick in Box

She says of Primped “I really enjoyed doing the film as one of the main things I love about make-up is educating people, so it’s wonderful to know that I can be educating thousands of people just through that one video.”

The Skin Base launch...

Illamasqua's ultimate 'skin realism' foundation Skin Base has now launched!

To learn more about the evolution of Skin Base and the inspirations behind the formula and to be one of the first to enjoy it click here

To celebrate the launch we have a new film live...

Desk Dolly to Disco Diva & Skin Base Masterclasses!

Illamasqua’s Pro Sales Associate and expert make-up artist, Ross Andrewartha, will be touring the country over the next week to visit a selection of the Illamasqua counters and to host some fabulous free masterclasses!

Desk Dolly to Disco Diva

23^rd June 2011 Newcastle

“Are you sick of turning down after work plans due to not feeling and looking your best after a day at work?

Well this masterclass is just for you!

Come and visit us on the Illamasqua counter in Fenwick Newcastle where we will have International Make-up Artist and Pro Sales Associate Ross hosting the Masterclass.

Ross will show you all the tips and tricks you need to create a glamorous look in no time. So easy you will be able to achieve this yourself in your work place bathroom. Now there is no need for you to miss out on all of the post work activities.”

                                                                        Illamasqua Newcastle team

If you are interested to take part in this great event, please contact the counter on 0191 260 2900 to book your place. The masterclasses are free to attend with no obligation to spend. Book now to avoid disappointment.

 Ross, Illamasqua's Pro Sales Associate

With a wealth of global experience as an artist and with his position in Illamasqua sending him across the country to visit colleges and offer support to students and aspiring artists, Ross is very in demand and a great example of a successful MUA.

Every person attending a masterclass will receive a free Medium Pencil with every spend and a free Illumine Oil with every £50 spend, so these are not to be missed!

Skin Base masterclass

24^th – 25^th June 2011 Glasgow

The fabulous Debenhams Glagsow team will also be welcoming Ross to their counter this week to host a fabulous foundation masterclass with the new and innovative Skin Base!

With the launch just days away, the masterclass promises to be the perfect introduction to a much anticipated launch!

With limited spots available be sure to call soon to secure your place on 0141 221 3889. The masterclass is FREE to attend with no obligation to spend!

Maturing Beauty - the latest course from Illamasqua's School of Make-Up Art

Life begins at 39, and the Maturing Beauty Course is especially designed to help you discover new ways to embrace textures and shades that will illuminate your features for a glamorous new look. Helping you master the basic skills of night-time make-up, this intensive 3-hour course is the ideal opportunity for you to learn directly from the professionals and experiment.

Course Content

An open minded opportunity to banish the beige and browns that seem to be pointed towards maturing women, and discover vivacious colour and modern textures suited to each individual. Showcase your individual beauty and fall in love with make-up all over again.

  

£75.00 £25 redeemable against products.

 Course Dates

Fri 10th, Wed 15th, Thurs 23rd June 2011

Sat 2nd, Thurs 7th, Fri 22nd July

Fri 5th, Sat 20th, Thurs 25th August 2011

Sat 3rd, Thurs 15th September 2011

Sat 1st, Wed 12th October 2011 After purchasing your course on Illamasqua.com a member of the School of Make-Up Art team will be in contact to discuss your preferred course date. If you have any questions please visit our FAQ section, or alternatively contact the school directly at school@illamasqua.com, or on 020 3432 3276. You can also pay for your School of Make-Up Art course over the phone with the school directly if preferred.

Burger Queen: Round III fall out

As you may have seen on our facebook page, we are currently sponsoring the performance Artist Scottee's latest venture: Burger Queen.

As our government tightens its belt and enforces ever increasing bloated taxes aimed at pushing the fatties to the sidelines, Scottee raises his chubby hand and says enough is enough!

Over 4 weeks, Scottee is looking to crown Burger Queen 2011 - a beauty pageant for fat people and their friends. Each contestant will endure three rounds [with all roads leading to next weeks final!] with tasks such as Trend [fat fashion] Taste [signature dishes] and Talent [light entertainment for heavy weights] - the the competition is open to chub admirers too, anyone of any size can enter - fat is a politic not a dress size!

This weeks heat hosted judges including the Blitz Kidz Princess Julia, plus size fashion model Naomi Shimada, journalist and radio and TV presenter Amy Lame, performance artist la Gateau Chocolat and our very own National Make-up Artist Mika Doll.

 

The Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London was the perfect intimate venue to allow the audience to really engage with the entertainment - my favourite highlight was Bea Sweet [the eventual winner in the amazing turban, below] sing Rihanna's Man Down with an operatic/ gangster feel - the performance blew the mind of the crowd and solidified Bea's place as champion of round III!

The final will take place at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern on Wednesday 22nd June, and I definitely recommend this as a light-hearted night out with a few drinks and great, positive entertainment.

Check out the Burger Queen website by clicking here. 

From London with Love – Australia Starts the Night Time Diva course!

We are very proud to announce our Australian team will be hosting the very first Night Time Diva course ever to be conducted outside the UK on Friday, July 22nd on our flagship Melbourne counter.


The course is based on the very popular Night Time Diva class from the London School of Make-Up Art. The course is a 2 hour evening class and will cover mastering the basic skills of night time make-up. 


This intensive 2 hour course is the ideal opportunity for you to learn from the pros, experiment with products and create your own night time look before hitting the town!

You will learn mastering pigments, becoming confident with colour, false lash application and how to create the ultimate make-up statement.

Cost is $120, fully redeemable against any products purchased on the day.

To book your place call (03) 9661 1280, or email Melbourne@illamasqua.com

A New Monthly Feature: Make-up In Fashion by Arianne

Hello Arianne! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your background in Fashion?

I was born in London and lightly marinated in Cyprus. I have a secret love affair with the city of Paris and I spend far too much money on Starbucks. I started Fashion Foam, a fashion and lifestyle blog two years ago which began taking over my life! Fashion Foam gave me the opportunity to attend London Fashion Week where I was able to watch incredible fashion shows, seeing firsthand the creations which influence London’s fashion scene. This was the starting point for the discovery of my passion for catwalk reporting. The love of my life is my SLR camera which has taken on permanent residence in my handbag. I believe some of the best fashion finds can be discovered on the streets of London so my camera is always poised and ready to shoot everyday fashionistas.

What are your aspirations as a journalist?

As a journalist, my aspirations are to write engaging pieces of work to give insight and information to readers who may not have easy access to the fashion world. Catwalk reporting allows you to witness in the flesh the clothes, fabrics, colours, hair, make-up and music. To be able to translate all of these elements onto paper successfully allowing readers to feel as though they were actually at the fashion show would be the highest achievement.

Why did you want to write for Illamasqua?

My first love may be fashion but without a doubt my second is make=up. The two are like a marriage made in heaven! Make=up can completely transform a fashion idea and Illamasqua is a fantastic representative of this. I am a firm believer that make=up should be used as a form of self expression. There is no other make=up company quite like Illamasqua who firmly understands this.


What are your favourite Illamasqua products?

I am obsessed with Nail Varnish in Obsess! This loud shade of almost fluorescent pink with a hint of purple makes me stand out from the crowd. It’s perfect for summer days in the bright sunshine and looks great with a tan. My other favourite is Illamasqua’s powder blusher in Excite. I apply this vivid apricot colour to my cheeks first thing in the morning before I go to work and because it’s highly pigmented, I never need to reapply! At the end of the day the powder hasn’t budged from when I first applied it in the morning. Is this not every woman’s dream?!

How much do you think a make-up and hair look contributes to a designers fashion show?

Hair and make-up are vital contributions to fashion shows. Whether designers choose to keep hair and make-up to a minimum or use extremely elaborate designs to partner the clothing, they send an important message about what the designer wants to portray. Designers such as Christian Dior often turn the runway into a theatre. The hair and make-up are made just as theatrical as the clothing which only enhances the magic of the catwalk experience.

What has been your favourite make-up and fashion trend for SS11?

All things neon! Christopher Kane has always had a flare for fluorescents and his S/S 11 RTW collection was full of obnoxious brights which left the fash pack swooning. Mulberry put the satchel back on the map with the Alexa and this season, The Cambridge Satchel Company gave this traditional bag the ultimate modern update by releasing super neon colours for the summer season.


What do you think will be a big make-up and fashion trend for AW11?

There are extremely talented designers such as Erdem, Alexander Wang and Christopher Kane making huge impacts on the runways. I believe it’s these names we should be looking to for trend inspiration for A/W 11. This means plenty of prints and unusual textures on wardrobe staples such as chiffon blouses, tailored trousers and trench coats. As for make-up, sculpted red lips rule supreme in my books! Whilst my skin has been sporting every colour of the rainbow this season, for A/W 11 it’s time to swap the bright for the highlighted. Rather than using a vibrant colour on the eyes, I’ll be sweeping a terracotta colour across my lids then highlighting the inner corners of my eyes and brows. Illamasqua Illuminator in Halcyon is perfect for this!

Who is your alter ego?

My alter ego is a creature of the night. She embodies the real me through fashion and makeup. She is supercharged and walks around like a champion. She dominates the clothes she puts on and mesmerises you with the art that she creates on the blank canvas that is my face.

My alter ego is RAW.

Look out for Arianne's monthly feature on the Illamasqua blog - next month, What Is More Powerful in Directing Make-up Trends: The Street or The Catwalk?

Skin Base…inspired by BB Creams

So…what are BB creams?

The BB abbreviation can stand for ‘Blemish Balm’ or ‘Beauty Balm’ and is in essence an all in one product that combines skin care, coverage and hydration whilst still providing a flawless yet natural finish making it a multi-tasking product.

So…where did it come from?

The specific origin of the BB Cream is widely debated, but it is generally agreed that Korea drove the global popularity for the product. Currently BB Creams are enjoying phenomenal success in Asian countries such as Korea, China, Japan and South East Asia.

So…where did the formula originate?

Developed by dermatologists [to help laser surgery patients with highly sensitised skin to banish redness and scarring whilst protecting and smoothing and providing a high level of SPF] the formula has been analysed by our team of Product experts and professional artists to adapt the formulation to introduce it to the UK market.

So…how does Illamasqua’s Skin Base differ from a BB Cream?

The Product Development team were inspired by the formula, delighted by the results and highly impressed by the ease of buildable coverage and payoff, however they chose to remove the SPF because we believe that everyone should have the choice to add their personal preference level and choice of product for SPF and as within a professional environment the SPF can be inconsistent and bounces light.

The second adaption was the removal of the whitening ingredients of the traditional BB Creams. As many Asian women strive to whiten and brighten skin , we wanted to develop a range of shades that would offer suitability to the palest to the deepest of skin tones and wider shade participation, thereby offering a truly diverse and professional range. The whitening ingredients hindered payoff on deeper skin tones and turned ashen thus causing unrequired limitations.

OUT OF THIS WORLD! music and sci fi glamour at the British Library

The British Library is celebrating its acclaimed exhibition Out of this World: Science Fiction but not as you know it with a unique music event on Friday 17 June (7.30-11pm) featuring rare live performances by Global Communication and The Radio Science Orchestra plus exceptional DJs Rob da Bank and Jon Hopkins.  Everyone is encouraged to dress futuristically, in sci-fi glamour or in silver.  The event will feature a sci-fi salon offering makeovers courtesy of Illamasqua and students from the London College of Fashion, so by the end of the night we expect the Library to be thronged by creatures and people from another world – including the wonderful club performers the Immaculate Extremists, appearing as aliens, space-age tourists and steampunk stormtroopers. The retro-space sound of the Radio Science Orchestra featuring theremin and other futuristic instruments is the brainchild of Bruce Woolley, the phenomenally talented writer and producer of everything from Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles) to Slave To The Rhythm (Grace Jones) and A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain that Rules from the Centre of the Ultraworld (The Orb) The nights special show is entitled Return To Mars and features the visionary SF musings of writer Ken Hollings.  Closing the night will be Global Communication, Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard’s legendary act who created the 1990s album 76:14 - an ambient masterpiece on The Guardian’s list of 1,000 albums that everyone should listen to before they die. A very special reunion, this will be their first live show in 15 years, and is eagerly awaited! DJs on the night are Rob da Bank and Jon Hopkins Rob da Bank is a BBC Radio 1 DJ, producer, remixer, owner of Sunday Best, and award-winning Bestival and Camp Bestival festivals Rob da Bank Jon Hopkins is the superb composer, producer with a string of major collaborations to his name, including Brian Eno, Coldplay and David Lynch and the score to hit alien road movie Monsters. Plus free late access to The British Library’s acclaimed exhibition ‘Out of this World: Science Fiction but not as you know it’ Tickets priced £12.50 available at http://boxoffice.bl.uk, by calling 01937 546546 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) or in person at The British Library.

Interview With Stylenoir

Stylenoir the website dedicated to those who worship at the alter of fearless fashion, alternative styles and self expression.

James  [JJ] and Roseanna [RV] granted me an exclusive interview to tell me more about their creative ideas, brand statements and their mysterious alter egos ...

Illamasqua: Stylenoir is an eclectic mix of news, interviews and photo shoots, all with a dark undertone and a nod to alternative glamour. What was the inspiration behind it all?

JJ: Stylenoir was born out of a desire to inspire and impact. To make people think, question their surroundings and never be pulled along with the "crowd". Stylenoir is the outsider, the outcast as such, which allows it absolute freedom of expression. It has grown in to a place for creativity and individualism. Where you can be extraordinary, a brilliant example to be strong valiant and most importantly true to yourself.

In theme with our creativity, instead of a mission we have the "Stylenoir Woman"' an iniquitous creative, a destructive femme fatale with the hidden strength and aggression to ensnare her opponents. Spells of insanity plague her throughout hours of daylight, forced in to the dark, made an outcast, a villain, she lurks as an amalgamation of extraordinary beauty, purity and severe malevolence.

Illamasqua: What do you think Stylenoir and Illamasqua have in common in terms of brand statements?

JJ: F'ashion for the fearless' and 'make-up for your alter ego' cannot be any more entwined. Both Illamasqua and Stylenoir are about expressing your inner-self, not being afraid to be who you really are at the inner core of your being, in a world of creativity and individuality. It's about self expression and showing the globe your unique identity.

Illamasqua: What have been the most memorable highlights for you inthe Stylenoir journey?

JJ: It depends whether you look at a measure of success or creative satisfaction. The biggest highlight for me personally was our latest 'Goddess of Night' photo shoot which is about to be launched. The emotion and sentiment surrounding the concept and what it meant to me personally really took my breath away.

As an experience, it has to be when Virgin Atlantic flew us out in Upper Class style to New York fashion week. It was one of the biggest honours I've had, working with Mercedes Benz with the 'Fashion Force' concept and ending up gracing the pages of the New York Times was the cherry on the metaphorical cake.

Illamasqua: We encourage exploring your alter ego. Who is your alter ego?

JJ: She is a divine figure, a sultry creature ho has the most majestic, tempting and enticing beauty. A poisonous oasis who cannot be resisted. Her angular, vitriolic eyes mesmerize those she prays on, accentuating her devious nature. Her long arsenic-black hair hypnotic like perfectly formed ripples of water. Eternally cursed by a twisting pain of grief and sorrow. Her eternal allegiance with the darkness makes her untouchable.

RV: He is an elegant and dashing boy, a 'posh boy' as such. His history is unknown. There are rumours his father was an enchanter, a magician of sorts. He is a peculiar character; whimsical but shy. Uncommonly gentle in both character and action. Never speaks up to be heard but waiting for those to listen. For his voice may be soft but it always inspires. His eyes are dark and magnetic. His veneer is like a sprinkling of pastel chalk on crushed crystal forming an iridescent, gleaming mirage. A vision so alluring and beautiful that he conjures an illusion of magic, leaving you feeling mystified and spellbound ...

Illamasqua meets the Brisbane Beauty Bloggers!

This weeks post from the lovely Christabel of our Australian team...

Last Friday I met with the fantastic Brisbane Beauty Bloggers. We had all been in touch on Twitter and email before, but as wonderful as online is, there’s nothing like meeting face to face.

Counter Manager Tiarah does a Toxic Nature look on lovely model Tashie

We met up on the Brisbane counter at Myer City and it was exciting for some of them as they were meeting other beauty bloggers for the first time. Brisbane has a great bunch of beauty bloggers who have just started coming together as a group, like their counter-parts in Sydney and Melbourne.

Close up of Tashie 

I spoke to them all about Illamasqua and its heritage as a brand, and what’s coming up (hint – there’s quite a lot!) I also spoke about the launch of the Sophie Lancaster foundation in Australia, and that along with self-expression comes the need to protect it. Then Brisbane Counter Manager Tiarah did a beautiful Toxic Nature look for them, using lots of Cream Pigments and explained what she was doing as she went along. Her eyelash application was definitely a high point! Cupcakes and sparkling apple juice were served during the demonstration by the fabulous Deanna (who was rocking the most amazing orange lip in Flare.)

Brisbane Bloggers' L to R - Dana from Blushfully, Yolanda from Shopping Intervention, Tegan from Tegania's Thoughts, Sarah from Hip & Haute, Annica from Haute & Stylish, Jen from Pinkribbons.

Then we chatted and played with the Illamasqua make-up – most of them were already quite familiar with it, but it was great to show them new uses for favourite products and just to talk. Store security nearly had to ask us to leave we were chatting so long, so we ended out going out for dinner afterwards and drinks, which was amazing.

With thanks to Sarah from http://www.hipnhaute.wordpress.com for the photos

Australia is so lucky to have so many passionate, interesting and devoted beauty bloggers, and Illamasqua is lucky to count them as friends. Until next time, Brisbane!

A 360 tour of Illamasqua's Flagship store & School of Make-up Art

A 360 tour of Illamasqua's Flagship store & School of Make-up Art in London, England to provide an insight into the heart of the brand.

20 Beak Street

London

W1F 9RE

Refuse to be everybody boutique!

Illamasqua’s fearless dedication to night-time make-up for the alter ego sees us unleash an all-new online shop for those who dare to be different. Our Refuse to be Everyone Boutique is exclusive to Illamasqua.com, and features products that are unavailable anywhere else.

Including our most individual and unique shades drawn from Illamasqua’s restless pursuit of its creative impulses, the Refuse to be Everyone Boutique offers you a new way to revel in individuality and challenge mediocrity.

Everything that you discover within the Boutique’s virtual shelves is a limited edition and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

So step up, be bold, and enter Illamasqua’s Refuse to be Everybody Boutique.