31 January 2011

Illamasqua's new US Brand Ambassador

Illamasqua are very excited to introduce Andrea Helgadottir as our US Brand Ambassador and Head Make-Up artist. Her impressive portfolio of work includes her role as Bjork’s Make-Up artist and today we wanted to share her latest artistic and iconic project with you...


Andrea Helgadottir


I'm sure you'll agree, Andrea's inspiring artistic talent will be an asset to the US team and we are thrilled to welcome her to Illamasqua!

28 January 2011

Lushiousbeauty Throb winner…

The lovely Debbie, author of one of the Netherlands biggest blogs, Lushiousbeauty.nl hosted an exclusive competition with Illamasqua this January to celebrate the launch of the Throb collection.


With the chance to win the 3 new Nail Varnishes from Illamasqua’s latest collection, Throb, a blood red perfectly suited to the Anti-Valentines theme, Load, a rich and creamy coating, and Scorn, a rubbery matt black, the response was incredible!




We can now announce that the winner of the Lushiousbeauty compeititon, selected at random, was…...(cue drum roll)……..........
Many Moerkerk. 
Congratulations Mandy on winning these sumptuous new shades, they are en route to you now!

Thank you to all those who entered and to Debbie for hosting this fabulous competition.




IMATS tomorrow…See you at the show!

This year, Alexandra Palace opens its doors to yet another stunning display of Make-Up artistry, showcasing the best of student and pro talent and allowing us to indulge in our passion…Make-Up.


As the biggest professional, graduate and student Make-Up event in the calendar, the Illamasqua team are busily preparing the finishing touches to the stand – visit us at 811.

SHOW HOURS:
Saturday 29th                  8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 30th                   Pro Card holders only 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
General admission 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

ILLAMASQUA STAND 811

IMATS PRO CARD
If you are attending IMATS as a professional artist you could be entitled to an exclusive opening and show this Sunday 30th January. Those in possession of an IMATS Pro Card will be allowed entry for a 2 hour period of uninterrupted Make-Up indulgence prior to the general admission for the show!



'The card—available to professional make-up artists—gets you into EXCLUSIVE PRO-ONLY times at select IMATS, expedited entry during normal show hours, a 10-percent discount on magazine subscriptions and other special offers.'

To find out more and to register for your IMATS Pro Card simply click here to be directed to the application page.



During the show, Alex Box, Creative Director for Illamasqua will be performing a stunning ‘Make-Up transition to music’ which is expected to fill the venue this Sunday.

Alex will also be revealing a very exciting announcement after her show…one you will certainly not want to miss!



Tickets are still available to purchase on the day, for more information click here.   

See you at the Show!

27 January 2011

Portrait of Creativity course at SOMUA...


As seen in this week’s Stylist, the Illamasqua School of Make-Up Art is fast becoming the go-to place for expert application advice and training in the art and skill of true creativity.


SOMUA can offer courses for the Make-Up novice to the budding professional. Learn technical skills, unleash your creativity and revel in the world of Illamasqua in the heart of the brands Flagship store.



The courses are both intimate and bespoke, with true professionalism at their core. Each have been designed to reflect and share the extensive expertise of the Illamasqua Make-Up Artists and School team. The latest of these courses is the Portrait of Creativity Course in which you can let your individuality flourish…



This intensive 2-hour course will encourage you to discover your Alter Ego – False eyelashes are a perfect way to make a glamorous statement for any occasion. This practical make-up course, unleashes your creativity to hand customize a bespoke lash which truly shows your individuality.   Followed by designing your ultimate eye make-up which showcases your lash design and elevates  you to the extremes of unearthly glamour.




Course Content:
Learn how to use appliqué crystals, feathers, amongst other haberdashery treats to customize your bespoke lash and you’ll leave with your design and £25.00 of complimentary make-up products of your choice.  A fun picture will also be snapped of you to potentially appear on the Illamasqua website ‘Wall of Fame’

PRICE: £75.00 [with £25.00 redeemable against products on the day]

Dates:
Sat 5th, Sat 26th February 2011
Sat 12th, Wed 30th March 2011
Wed 6th, Sat 16th April 2011
Wed 18th, Sat 28th May 2011
Sat 4th, Wed 15th, Sat 25th June 2011
Wed 6th, Sat 16th, Sat 25th July 2011
Wed 10th, Sat 20th August 2011

Times:
Wednesday:      11am – 1pm
Saturday:             2:30 - 4:30pm

This is the perfect way to spend a creative afternoon in the cultural hubbub of London’s Soho. As Lashes become the must have addition to any beauty kit, and as more Avant Garde and lavish styles flood the catwalks, the boundaries are broadening and the Lashes becoming more adorned and more fabulous with them.

To bespoke make your very own False Eye Lashes, or to book onto any of the courses offered at SOMUA simply call +44 (0) 203 432 3274 or e-mail school@illamasqua.com

To learn about each of the courses offered at SOMUA, click here.

Haute! Round Two At Concrete This Friday January 28th ...

Get your dancing shoes on as it's our second monthly Haute! night at Concrete Shoreditch [below Pizza East on Shoreditch High Street] with the delightful, gorgeous hostess Munroe Bergdorf.

Our fabulous National Make-up Artist Mika will also be there [he told me a little bit about his outfit yesterday ... photos to follow Monday!]







The beautiful Viktoria Modesta will also be performing and with the previous guest list including Matt Cardle and Gareth Pugh you'd be fools to miss it if you are in the area!

Come along and get your groove on...

For more details, join the facebook page by searching Haute 2.0

25 January 2011

24 January 2011

Illamasqua's plans for IMATS...

This weekend will see the arrival of the most exciting event in the Make-Up calendar…IMATS! For those of you who have been in previous years, I’m sure the tickets have been booked for many months, for those of you new to the experience, you can still buy tickets, but hurry!

Hosted at Alexandra Palace, IMATS showcases the best of student and pro talent, with Illamasqua occupying a large stand (811) to meet you all near to the Education stage.


The talented, professional Illamasqua team are busily preparing for IMATS 2011. The expert team of six professional Make-Up artists will be providing stunning transformations across both days and will be on hand to share their creativity and advice with any who visit them at the Illamasqua stand (811).

Daniel Sallstrom

Many of the artists attending IMATS represent Illamasqua as National Artists, including Mika, Daniel Sallstrom and Clare Lille who regularly travel across the UK to share their visions and talent with Illamasqua followers.

 Clare Lille

All 4 wonderful assistants to Spob, Illamasqua’s Head of Professional Development will also be working hard at IMATS this year, transforming models and talking to any aspiring Make-Up artists.


Working closely with Illamasqua to share their creative talent and fresh, evolving imaginations, Tamara Ramsey Crockett, Kat Sykes, Hailey Williams and Emma Foley have been involved with many artistic projects with Illamasqua.



This creative quadruplet have contributed creatively to the visions of Illamasqua over the past year to produce bespoke Mannequins for the launch of Illamasqua’s counter in Melbourne, Australia, Kitsch inspired ‘Reindogs’ for the Flagship store’s Christmas window and most recently they have customised something exclusive for Illamasqua to be revealed soon…


Tamara, a graduate of West Thames was last year’s overall winner with her beautifully striking entry for 2010….

Tamara's winning entry

Kat Sykes, Southampton Solent’s Student of the Year for 2010 will also be assisting the Illamasqua team this weekend….

by Kat Sykes

Alex Box, Creative Director for Illamasqua will be performing a ‘Make-Up transition set to music’ this weekend to inspire those adoring fans among you, with the opportunity to meet her for a book signing after as well.



Alex will also announce the details of a huge competition launch for Illamasqua after her performance so a visit to watch her is certainly a must for the schedule.


Another exciting competition will be running across both days of IMATS with the chance to win some fantastic prizes…all you have to do is visit the counter to find out all of the exciting details and enter!


Tickets can be bought on the Day or to purchase them in advance click here.

IMATS promises to be a colour saturated, swatch crazed fusion of professional and student artists from across the globe…and Illamasqua has the fortune of being there to join in! Come and visit us at Stand 811!

21 January 2011

Throb has inspired you…

The launch of Throb this week has seen those pulses racing as anticipated, with many of you falling for Sangers and lusting after the cheeky Nail Varnish in Load, it appears the visuals from this new collection have also captured your hearts.

With Illamasqua’s devoted followers tweeting, posting and sharing the word of Throb and all of its wonderful Anti-Valentines seductiveness, Alex Box’s artistry appears to have inspired you all to draw out your creativity and talent.

 by Jangsara

We wanted to share a little of the inspiring artistry that has had Illamasqua HQ 'throbbing' this week…

 by Jangsara

by Jangsara

To see more of Jangsaras beautiful look, click here!

 by donotrefreeze
This beautiful Nail creation is by Leanne of donotrefreeze     

by Dolcevanity

Dolcevanity’s look and her thoughts on the Throb collection can be found here.

Keep sharing these stunning looks with us we are loving them!

20 January 2011

Get a Load of this...

To celebrate the launch of the sumptuous Throb collection, Beak St will be hosting an event this Friday 21st January lasting all day! That’s a whole day of Throb themed pleasure…


There is simply no excuse to miss this marvellous display of Illamasqua doing what we do best, revealing a collection with an unashamedly fabulous launch party.


With Angel Rose, a fantastic conceptual artist performing throughout the day, her 'Make-Up manifesto' will delight as you absorb the new collection and pick up that cheeky Nail Varnish in Load or  blood red Intense Lipgloss in Succubus you’ve been lusting after since their release.


Angel will be taking centre stage in the windows of our Flagship store and delivering an amazing spectacle and dramatic finale, all to be revealed in store...

 With refreshments and treats to melt your heart, a stunning new collection and clever performances from Angel, this event is sure to get you throbbing !

Sangers and Succubus Swatches

Just for those of you who want a little close up to see if it's a blue/orange/pink red...

I think you'll agree - it's just a pure and simple red!


19 January 2011

Illamasqua’s Pure Pigment Ore

Voted ‘Best Loose Eyeshadow’ for 2010, ‘Ore’ has won the heart of temptalia with its texture and rich pigment.

This bronzed metallic Pure Pigment has kept bloggers and Illamasqua followers world-over in Awe since its launch as part of the Art of Darkness Collection for Autumn/Winter 2010. With countless reviews and tutorials including this popular pigment, it has now affirmed its place as a must-have product as it secures an award from temptalia.com. 






ILLAMASQUA PURE PIGMENT
Best Loose Eyeshadow (High-end)
Illamasqua’s Pure Pigment won me over this year with the uniqueness of their shades. They have always had a beautiful texture–so finely milled and pigmented…

Click here to see all the Awards at temptalia.com


As one of the world’s biggest and most followed blogs, temptalia has become the go-to source for all the hottest products in the industry and Illamasqua are so pleased to have featured in their Awards for 2010 and extend a huge thank-you to temptalia for all their support of us!

Meet Emma...the Counter Manager for Bondi Junction in Australia!

11. How did you come to work at Illamasqua?
I have been a technically trained special effects Make-Up artist since 2002; however I have been practicing Make-Up artistry since the age of 5, when I used my watercolour pencils to create cuts, bruises and wounds on the neighbourhood kids for 20c a pop. I love the concept of Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, both regular girls who subscribe to a world of fantasy. Absorbed by a world of sci-fi divas and demons I decided very early on that I would avoid being ordinary at all costs. My first job at 14 was as a children’s entertainer, spending my weekends as ‘The forget-me-not’ Fairy, Winifred Witch or Penelope Pirate. I also worked in and managed a costume boutique for four years.




I studied Make-Up at ‘Three Arts Make-Up College’ and ‘ACMUSE’ (Australian College of Make-Up and Special Effects) in Sydney and graduated as a special FX Make-Up artist. I’ve worked in and on film, TV theatre, music videos, theatre, catwalk, drag and sci-fi conventions but my favourite is body art. Alongside Illamasqua I now also work at “The House of Fetish” in Darlinghurst, and have found that the two are quite similar. Both embrace idiosyncrasy and create a platform for the client to undergo a transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. So I guess in some ways I’m an alter ego expert, and understand that ‘dressing up’ isn’t a vapid time consuming construct but an integral part of self expression, empowerment, creativity and individualism.



I also take inspiration from Tim Burton, Vargas, Andy Warhol, David Lachapelle, Harijuku, Frankenstein, Leigh Bowery, James St.James, Marilyn Monroe and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. One of ‘Rocky Horrors’ most famous lines is “Don’t dream it, be it” and Illamasqua does exactly that-breaking down the walls between fantasy and reality. Why be boring when you could be Illamasqua!
 

2. Do you enjoy working for Illamasqua and if so why?
I think that Make-Up brands for too long have been concerned with ‘conceal’, whereas Illamasqua is about ‘reveal’ which is something Australia is thirsty for. I think customers and Make-Up artists alike are seduced by our bold imagery on counter but won over by our expertise as trained Make-Up artists and our sincerity that there is an uncomplicated beauty to everyone - the trick is un-complicating it. I love teaching people, and sharing ‘industry secrets’ or inside tips. I think it’s important to remember that for a lot people out there, Illamasqua is a brand new Make-Up concept which is intriguing but can be confronting, so that’s why it is essential that we both entertain and educate. I guess it is that delicate mixture of ‘punk rock professionalism’ that attracted me to the brand and make Illamasqua a treat to work for.




3. What are your thoughts on the current Illamasqua Make-Up Amnesty?
 Amnesty is what everyone’s Make-Up case needs. We all hold onto Make-Up that is old or empty - there is no point in holding onto a grape flavoured Lip smackers from 1993, people! My favourite amnesty items are bright orange foundations, where we have matched their foundation to the colour of their skin rather than their can of Fanta and if need be warmed it up with our Bronzer.


4. What are your favourite must-have pieces for summer?
For me summer is about fun and freedom and radiant skin - think ‘candy shop pinup’. I am loving JoMina at the moment for nails, Indulge for lips, Dixie on the apples of the cheeks (for that I’ve just had a romp in the hay look) and Satin Primer. (I have found keeping your primer in the fridge during summer is refreshing and also helps sooth morning puffiness, a must for muggy summer days), confident brows, and Pure Pigment in Furore lightly dusted on the cheekbones and across the eyelids and lashings of lashes. To ‘smoulder’ this look up dust the eyes with Pure Pigment in Android or Ore and define with Sophie medium pencil.



 5. What are your favourites in your personal Make-Up kit?
 The very first things I bought for myself from Illamasqua were: Rich Foundation in 115, Medium pencil in Feisty, Intense gloss in Perform, Rampage nail varnish and Satin Primer. But I also love cream blush in Lies, Abyss precision ink, Concealer in 105 and fine pencil in Classic.



6. What are you looking forward to for 2011? 
Definitely the launch of our Valentine’s collection,‘Throb’. Also on account of it being my first year with the company, I am simply looking forward to submerging myself in the ethos of the brand.  Assisting with events, international artists, product launches and essentially being helping to stamp Illamasqua’s influence is Oz. It’s really exciting to be involved with something at the beginning, watching and helping it grow. It will be interesting to see if art is imitating life or the other way round as it all happens.

18 January 2011

National Visit to Belfast this weekend!

Illamasqua’s National Make-Up artist, Daniel Sallstrom will be appearing in Belfast from the 22nd-24th January to support the team and offer his experience and amazing creativity.

This is the perfect opportunity to ask Daniel for his tips and advice on application, have him create a look for you in an intimate and educational transformation or to learn more about our truly professional range.


As a teacher at the School of Make-Up Art and renowned for his presence and style in the Illamasqua Flagship store in London’s Soho; his expertise is invaluable and is sure to see people traveling to visit him in Belfast this weekend.



The Belfast counter is located in Debenhams, Castle Court. To contact them to enquire about Daniel’s visit or to book a transformation, please call  +44 (0) 289 031 1320 or come down to meet him.

17 January 2011

WIN An Entire Set of The Throb Collection

Celebrate St Valentine's Day with us by getting inspired with the new Throb Collection from Illamasqua - now available to purchase from www.illamasqua.com!


With a desirable range of red's with Nail Varnish in 'Throb', Lipstick in 'Sanger's and Intense Lipgloss in 'Succubus' to make your heart race ...

With a new Nail Varnish in 'Load' - a creamy coating for the nails ;-) - and Nail Varnish in 'Scorn' - that fabulous matt black that nail artist Mike Pocock is seen using in the below video, you have a fantastic collection of classic shades that will stir your deepest desires ...

To WIN this entire collection, just leave us a comment below telling us what makes your heart throb and we will pick a name at random this Friday 21st January ....

Good luck!

Creative Director Alex Box has caused another sensation with her beautiful imagery for Throb ...





14 January 2011

Selfridges sale gets even better and the exclusive Throb Gift Set!

Selfridges counters nationwide are offering an extended discount on the Illamasqua sale, with 50% off all sale items in store now! This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the promotion and purchase those must-have staples or lust after pieces you’ve been craving before Sunday, when we will be focusing on the Throb collection launch ...




 With Cream Eye Shadows, Lipsticks, Blushers and many more pieces in the sale, head down to your local Selfridges counter this weekend to be sure you don’t miss out on Illamasqua’s biggest sale.*



Selfridges will also be offering an exclusive Valentines Throb Gift Set to fire up the passion in all in the lead up to the hottest date in the Calendar. The Throb set includes all five pieces from the new Throb collection, the already sought after Lipstick in Sangers, the luscious Intense Lipgloss in Succubus and the naughty new Nail Varnishes in Throb, Load and Scorn. This is likely to hit stores towards the end of January.



Beautifully packaged in a stunning presentation box in high gloss black, it doubles as a keepsake box in true Illamasqua design. And of course, this Illamasqua set wouldn’t be complete without a playful blindfold to encourage you to reveal your alter-ego this Valentine’s…


*Selfridges counters are in London, Birmingham and Manchester