Pixiwoo Counter Tour - Cardiff

We are delighted to announce that the Youtube sensations Pixiwoo will be visiting our Debenhams Cardiff counter on 18th and 19th March for one on one tutorials at the Illamasqua counter.

If you have ever wanted to speak with Sam about foundation matching, or Nicola about shading and contouring or any other questions that you have always wanted to discuss with them then now is your chance!

You will also receive a signed personalised face chart with all the products used in your tutorials as a keep sake.

To book, call the Cardiff counter on 0292 034 2278. Lessons are one hour long and £100 redeemable on all product purchases made on the day. You will need to pay a deposit of £25 to hold the place as these will be booking up fast!

Celeb Spot in Cardiff

Bonnie Tyler, the 80s singing legend, paid the Debenhams Cardiff Illamasqua counter a visit last week! The singer of such classics as 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and 'Holding out for a Hero' is show here with the Cardiff team and Mika from Selfridges London.

According to the team she was absolutely lovely and she picked up the Medium Pencil in 'Sophie'. the Pink Smoke Dystopia Palette and a bright Lipstick!

Francesco Personal Appearance at Cardiff Thursday 28th and Friday 29th January

A ten-year veteran of the beauty industry, Francesco began his studies at the internationally renowned London College of Fashion, where he studied makeup artistry. He then received a degree in theatrical and special effects makeup from Ealing Hammersmith & West London College after mastering such as prosthetic work and creating cuts and bruises. Upon the completion of his formal training, he began working professionally as a freelance makeup artist, lending his creative skills and expertise to the MTV Music Awards, Party in the Park Concert Series and the BBC.

He was also part of the makeup team for the Academy Awarded nominated film, Billy Elliot.

Francesco has also worked with the likes of Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Isabella Blow, Eva Herzigova and Destiny's Child as well as working under the legendary Pat McGrath at London Fashion Week for shows such as Fendi, Alexander McQueen, MaxMara and Alessandro Dell'Acqua.

He has also worked with an impressive amount of publications such as Vogue Italia, Vogue Espana, Italian Marie Claire and You magazine.

As an artist, Francesco acts as a liaison between the high fashion and consumer worlds. His immense talent and experience enables him to understand and exemplify all that makes Illamasqua truly unique, and his technique and understanding of this brand trademark style make him an integral part of the team. To book in with him at Debenhams cardiff, call
0292 034 2278

Mika Comes to Cardiff!

Mika will be making a highly anticipated guest appearance on the Debenhams Cardiff counter on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st November.

If you would like to meet the Selfridges London National Make-up Artist, star of the Dystopia collection adverts and infamous mainstay of the London club scene, give the Debenhams Cardiff Illamasqua counter a ring on 02920342278.

I grabbed a quick word with Mika to find out more about the Dystopia photoshoot, his favourite products and his excitement about visiting Cardiff...

Hey Mika! How are you?

"Really well - looking forward to meeting the girls at the Cardiff counter tomorrow. They have all offered to take me out on the town and I haven't visited Cardiff before so it's all very exciting."

Your always out on the town! How do you think the Cardiff night-life will compare to London?

"You'll have to ask me when I'm back! I am currently running a weeky club called Vogue at Willa's in Mayfair. The theme of the night is always the current issue of Vogue - inspired by the photo shoots or the adverts running in the magazine, the night is an artistic melting pot of fashionistas, club kids, models, socialites and a variety of people from the fashion, beauty and art worlds."

I have been dying to ask you what the Dystopia photoshoot was like - it must have been fabulous!

"You were there?!"

For about half an hour! How long did your day last?!

"The call was 8am and when I got there, Alex Box was already in 6 inch heels, which she lasted on all day - what an icon! Even I can't manage that - the whole shoot, from start to finish was 13 hours. Alex created three looks on me and each took about two hours to complete. My favourite look is the black and white one, with the swirly face patterns. Alex did all of it in one go and I was amazed at how little post-production there was. I've always assumed that everything was airbrushed for weeks after the photo shoot, but I saw the final images a few days after the shoot. You can't airbrush art; you would lose the point of it."

Too right. So, what are your favourite products from the Dystopia collection?

"I adore the Pure Pigment in 'Android' - the dark, sultry shimmer is just such a versatile product. I love to layer it on top of Cream Eye Shadow in 'Debauch' or 'Entangle' or even the Concealer in '350' for a really gorgeous, but quick and easy, smoky eye.
I also love the False Lashes 21. They are stunning."


Will you be wearing them on the Cardiff counter?

"Perhaps, but I am currently rocking the Limited Edition Decadence lashes - the silver ones. At Halloween I put them in my eye brows for winged brows!"

You'll have to send me a photo. What has been your defining moment working for Illamasqua?

"That's a tough one! The past year has been absolutely amazing for me, both professionally and personally. I think that the crowning glory would be the advert that is going to run in next months iD magazine - a double page advert of the back-to-back image of me in the Dystopia ads. I am so excited to see that I can barely contain myself! I also loved that the Sunday Times Style featured a picture of me and of course the Dystopia shoot was just the best day ever."


Here is a photo of Mika and myself - we bumped into each other at Gay Pride in the Summer... his pout is substantially better than mine!


Book now for a lesson with Mika - £20 redeemable against purchases made on the day.

Ask An Artist: Smoky Eyes and Lips

Saila emailed askanartist@illamasqua.com with the following question: I want to create a smoky eye look for a party using Pure Pigment in 'Involve' with Liquid Metal in 'Phenomena'. What colour should I wear on my lips? I know that a lighter lippie would probably be the best but I don't want to end up looking paler than I already am. Any ideas?

I called the girls on the Debenhams Cardiff counter for their opinion...

"A great way to create a smoky eye with-a-twist is to blend Pure Pigment Involve all over the socket and the crease area of the eye. To enhance this further, apply on top of Cream Eye Shadow in 'Stimulus' - this will create even more drama and intensity! For a multi-dimensional look, blend Pure Pigment in 'Tingle' into the inner corner of the eyes for an extra shimmer shock.
Use the Liquid Metal in Phenomena on the tearline of eyes to really open them up. You could also try using it just in the inner corners instead of Pure Pigment in 'Tingle'.

For a complimentary lip, try using Lipstick in 'Underworld' with Sheer Lipgloss in 'Tantrum' blended over the top - a fabulous plummy look that was all over the Autumn/ Winter catwalks!