Happy Halloween!

I am sure that all our Illamasqua followers had a big party to celebrate the night-time this weekend - and that hopefully some of you are continuing the celebrations tonight!

We had a huge party at the Last Tuesday Society to celebrate the launch of FREAK - everyone really went to town with their outfits and I saw wild black swans, a medusa, a circus ring master and plenty of drop dead glamorous outfits ... photos will be uploaded to our Facebook page shortly so don't miss out!

In the mean time... I thought you might like to see my blood spatter nails! I was inspired by the Polishaholic blog - click here to see how to get the look!

Nail Varnish in Hemlock: A Modern Classic

The unique tones of Hemlock have to be seen to be believed ...

An Exclusive Interview With Azzi Glasser

 We are very excited to bring you an interview with Freak collaborator Azzi Glasser - who has created scents for Agent Provocateur, Kylie Minogue, Topshop and Kate Moss to name but a few ...

What was the Illamasqua brief for Freak?

Illamasqua wanted me to create a perfume that will totally personify it’s brand philosophy with a new way to explore your alter ego and stand out from the crowded market.  The brief was a creators dream.  A fragrance with risk that will have a dramatic impact and restore dynamism back into the perfume wearer, magical, potent and unforgettable.  

What do you think of the name Freak

 The name to me means unique, distinctive, beautiful, powerful and untouchable it reflects the juice perfectly.  It’s so unique I just love saying I’m wearing ‘Freak’.

Is there a difference between curating a fragrance for a woman or for a man? What did you have to do to create a unisex scent?  

Fragrance never used to be stated whether it was for a man or a woman as years ago there was only a limited palette of ingredients to work from and most of them were mainly floral which both men and women loved.  Actually floral notes are used still heavily in men’s fragrances as well as women’s they just don’t get talked about or marketed so much but they are key for the perfume notes whether it is for a man or a woman.  

However, I wanted this to be a sexy, passionate and distinctive scent that really stands out from the crowd.   When you are creating a truly expensive perfume that needs to match a specific personality which I have done here for ‘Freak’ it was important to use the correct ingredients that will get you that result.  The result happens to appeal to both men and women so the audience became even wider.

Tell me more about the final scent?   

 I wanted to look at some untouched ingredients rather than the same old palette, the Illamasqua’s brands character took me to forgotten territory and forbidden land where the ingredients are so beautiful but you can’t touch them.

The fragrance opens with Black Davana from India which is a sultry deep oil followed by the magnetic power of Opium flower which reminds most people of the scene from Wizard of Oz when Dorothy is bewitched by it’s potent smell, this is enticed by the delicate floral notes of Belladonna (also known as ‘Naked Lady’).

The heart has been captured by lust and passion, so I chose the Queen of the Night which is a Luna flower.  It only opens and blooms in the night and then it dies, and the aroma is to heavenly that you feel that you are in a dream of flowers. The note of Datura flower follows after which is quite intoxicating and a great aphrodisiac.

It was important to make this fragrance last for many hours, but to keep the accords natural with an added richness and warmth, so I chose my three favourites, Frankincense, Myrrh and Arabian Oud oils.

David Horne on Jazz FM

Tune in to Jazz FM tonight between 6 and 7pm [GMT] for an exclusive interview with Illamasqua's Head of Product Development and the School of Make-up Art David Horne - click here to listen through your computer or listen on DAB, Sky Digital 0202 or Freesat 729.


David will be discussing the new Freak fragrance, how he got in to make-up [one day I will publish an interview with him on this blog - he is seriously one of the most interesting people I have ever met!] and his thought processes and creative strategy in designing the Theatre of the Nameless collection with Creative Director Alex Box...

Definitely worth a listen. If don't manage to catch it - don't worry! We will post a link shortly directing you to the audio.

The winners of the Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011 are announced...

We launched the first year of our Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards in the Spring and the buzz around the much anticipated finals, the creatives involved, and of course the incredible, career launching prizes has been amazing ever since...

Hosted across three categories, Beauty School & Make-up Students, Final Year Students and Foundation & 2nd Year Students, the awards were designed to celebrate professional artistry and discover true hidden talent.

Voted for by you our fabulous fans, alongside our judging panel of critically acclaimed artists and industry leaders, we are proud to announce the winners of the Illamasqua Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011 as...

From the Beauty School & Make-up students category:

Kelly Odell

From the Final Year students:

Sasha Wren

From the Foundation & 2^nd Year students:

Kat Vogart

Congratulations to the winners and to all of the finalists who shared their creativity and artistry with Illamasqua!

The competition offered a real international flavour, with finalists flying in from across the globe to compete. A part of the first professional awards from Illamasqua, the contestants created a fantasy look for the judges, made up of a panel of Dazed & Confused Senior Fashion Director Katie Shillingford, Samantha Chapman of the online youtube sensation Pixiwoo, Illamasqua's Creative Director Alex Box and Joint Managing Director Joseph Corré.

To see behind the scenes of the Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards, we have a film to immerse you in the creative hub that was the finals of 2011...

Free UK delivery and Free International delivery...

We are offering our fabulous Illamasqua fans Free UK standard delivery on all orders and Free International delivery when you spend over £45 at Illamasqua.com until this Sunday 30th October at Midnight GMT! 

To redeem the Free UK standard delivery simply enter the promo code UKFREE at the checkout page

For Free International delivery on orders over £45, enter INTERNATIONAL45 at the checkout page

As the ghouls come out to play and the vamps are revealed this halloween, take advantage of the offer to reveal your Illamasqua alter ego and howl at the moon...

To shop at Illamasqua click here

For more Halloween inspiration click here

Illamasqua launches in the Liverpool Metquarter

This Saturday will mark the launch of Illamasqua's second standalone store in the UK. Just a year after our Flagship Store in Beak St, London opened...we will open the doors to our fabulous Liverpool store in the Metquarter over the weekend of our third anniversary!

‘Everywhere we went people were telling us that Liverpool would be perfect for Illamasqua…eventually it became too loud to ignore. We are looking forward to witnessing Liverpool’s reaction to the cult that is Illamasqua’

 Julian Kynaston, Illamasqua Founder and Joint MD

Our new store within the Metquarter will be a hub of creativity, providing the best opportunity yet to showcase our vibrant, unique and professional collection. 

The Metquarter are excited for the arrival of Illamasqua too...

‘It’s a real coup for us that Illamasqua has chosen Metquarter to house their first standalone store outside London. I believe this bold and creative make-up brand will be welcomed in Liverpool...’

Jennina O’Neill, Metquarter Centre Manager

The opening this Saturday 29th October promises to delight Liverpool...head down to have your alter ego revealed this Halloween!

Distinction In Make-up Artistry 2011: Behind the Scenes

Get your Freak on! Our debut fragrance is now available to buy

Click here to discover Freak

Facehunting at LFW

As Illamasqua likes to stand out from the fashion pack and champion self-expression, we bring you a little something from our guest blogger, Arianne, on the people who inspired us behind the scenes of this seasons LFW...

Twice a year the walls of Somerset House echo with the clacking of high heels on the Cobblestones signalling London Fashion Week. It’s the time of year when the best of British fashion is showcased on and off of the runway. 

I spent the week attending shows and the time in-between sipping double espresso’s and trying to spot the best street styles that London has to offer.

Here’s who we came across…

Try Illamasqua's Lipstick in Diablo to recreate this sumptuous Autumnal lip

Katherine Zarella wears a fabulous cherry headpiece and told us that her style inspiration comes from Isabella Blow. To recreate this vintage inspired make-up, try Lipstick in Encounter and Precision Ink in Abyss

Inspired by the 40's and 50's, Alex Slykova combines the look of these eras with a modern interpretation. He dip dyed hair can be recreated for a fresher, mint shade with Cream Pigment in Bedaub. To perfect your brows like Alex’s, try Illamasqua’s Eye Brow Cake in Thunder.

We loved Caroline Druitt’s fresh look with just the right amount of edge. Use Illamasqua’s Lipstick in Kontrol to get a similar colour on your lips. 

  

Karina Jones caught our eye with her quirky style which she tells us comes from her love of black and white movies. Her flawless look can be created with our Skin Base foundation and for a rosey flush try Powder Blusher in Chased

 

Thanks to everyone for lending us their faces!

By Arianne Constantinou

A little Faux Pas...

Nothing can beat a swatch to share the tones a new shade offers...introducing Nail Varnish in Faux Paus from the Theatre of the Nameless collection!


I've been wearing this since the weekend (excuse the quick application!) and it has officially now entered my top 10 Nail Varnish shades from Illamasqua...

Theatre of the Nameless includes 4 new Nail Varnish shades, all with a rubber finish!

The countdown to Freak is on!

With less than 24 hours until the launch of our debut fragrance, Freak, the countdown is officially on and our Creative team are hard at work putting the finishing touches to our Freak mannequins...

Get lashed with 20% off False Eye Lashes

Get lashed with 20% off Illamasqua's range of handmade False Eye Lashes for a limited time only. With styles ranging from the delicate to the dramatic, there is a pair to suit every alter ego.

No.13

Now £9.60

The No.13 Lash in action at our School and modelled by Emily our fabulous Make-up Artist

No.11

Now £11.60

No.21

Now £11.60

Our PR & Press Assistant Melanie wearing the No. 21 Lashes

No.26

Now £14.00

With many lashes that are perfect as we near Halloween and the festive period, click here to view the range!

*Luxury False Eye Lashes are not included in the 20% off promotion.

Discounted Lashes cannot be bought in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.

Dare to be different this Halloween

All Hallows' Eve is fast approaching...we've put together a little selection of the mystical and magical tools of the dark arts required to transform your alter ego into a true creature of darkness.

Discover some of our favourite shades and pieces below, perfect for creating your other-worldly Halloween look.

Sheer Lipgloss in Violate

A new addition to the Illamasqua range, this dark green shimmer lipgloss creates the ultimate Halloween lip. Its long-lasting formula ensures your look will remain in place until the dawn rises once again.

Pure Pigment in Zeitgeist

The blackened core of this dazzling Pure Pigment evokes the shimmer of starlight across the darkest of nights.

False Eye Lashes in Weimar

The luxourious Weimar lashes, black shot through with flashes of auburn, were created in collaboration with Amelia Tan, founder of the alternative fashion brand A is for Arsenic.

Rich Liquid Foundation RF100

Pure ghostly white, Rich Liquid Foundation in RF 100 provides full coverage and can be used to completely transform your skin tone for a ghoulish look. Shade 100 is available across the full Illamasqua Foundation range so you can find your perfect formula.

 Lipstick in Kontrol

The deepest blue violet, team Lipstick in Kontrol with a deathly eye design for a look that bewitches and beguiles.

To celebrate the launch of Illamasqua's first fragrance, Freak, we are hosting a Halloween Masked Ball on 29th October 2011 in the dark arches under the Strand.

Click here for your chance to win two exclusive tickets.

 Nail Varnish in Rampage

Create an unexpected claw with the deathly delicious green gloss finish of Nail Varnish in Rampage, and prepare to leave your mark.

Powder Eye Shadow in Savage

Available in a spectrum of shades, apply Powder Eye Shadow to eyes and cheeks, combine with Liquid Metal or Pure Pigment, or mix with Sealing Gel to create a colour-intense paste. The creature of the night knows no rules.

Intense Lipgloss in Repulse

Repulse and revolt with the deepest black lipgloss. Mix with a dusting of Pure Pigment in the shade of your choice for an iridescent statement lip.

Dare to be different this Halloween...

Live vote: The Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards

The final stage of the Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards took place this Saturday 15th October in the heart of Illamasqua, our flagship store and School of Make-up Art in London's Soho.

Now is your chance to celebrate the creativity of these students and vote for your winner! 

With contestants from across the globe, jetting in from America and Australia to be a part of the finals for the first Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards hosted by Illamasqua, the store was a spectacle of vivid palettes and creative techniques as each artist competed to be crowned the winner of their category.

Beauty School & Make-up students

The judges have deliberated over their chosen favourites in each category, but we are now opening it up to you, our fans, to vote for who you think is set to be the next big thing in make-up art.

Final Year students

To vote, simply visit the Illamasqua facebook page, click through the image galleries for the three Awards categories to view each Finalist's fantasy look. "Like" the image to vote for your favourite in each category before Midnight 24th October 2011.

Foundation & 2nd Year students

Please note that votes made on the Illamasqua blog will not be counted.

Freak launch party this Thursday 20th October

Celebrate the night with us as we reveal our debut fragrance, Freak!

Step into the intoxicating world of Freak and immerse yourself in the exotic scent as we prepare for the launch of a new way to explore your alter go. 

This Thursday 20th October, our Flagship store on Beak St, London will be hosting a Freak party and you are cordially invited to join us.

Indulge in a complimentary nail service by Cat's Claws of London, sample Datura tinted Cava and revel in the beauty of our hostess, Chani.

We will be offering a 20% discount across the Illamasqua range (excluding Freak) on the night

Discover the inspiration behind Freak and the notes that have been unashamedly blended together within the heart of Illamasqua!

To find out more information on the launch party, click here