Dreamt By You, Created By Us, Worn By The World!

Back in March of this year we set out to create three never before seen Nail Varnishes created by you, and we certainly succeeded. With over 6000 entries from around the world, our esteemed judges (Alex Box, Sophy Robson, David Walker-Smith and Pixiwoo) managed to whittle it down to three winning entries.

Eclipse - “My dream colour is a deep blue purple with greyish undertones inspired by the lunar eclipse, it has a feeling of concealment like hidden sin.” - Dami, Essex

Shrapnel - “I have NEVER found my dream nail colour, a pink based metallic copper, like a shiny new penny – pure sex!” - Loren, Toronto, Canada.

Raindrops - “Inspired by a photograph I took from the monorail in Seattle, through the rain on the window you glimpse the Seattle Space Needle. I want a polish that looks like raindrops on my fingernails. A light, creamy grey with the sheerest silver glimmer, lightly reflective... like a raindrop.”– Ann, California

And now the wait is over, all three Nail Varnishes are available at selected Selfridges, our London Flagship store and of course online at Illamasqua!

Thanks to Scrangie and if you want to win the whole set, get over to Scrangie's blog to find out how! Good luck.

'Who Is Your Mystery Guest?' Competition

We've teamed up with MizzWorthy and MUSE makeup school to bring you an amazing competition.

“For the Art of Darkness collection, Alex Box created a cast of 13 characters for a dark faerie banquet... We want you to create a 14th guest for this feast. Let your imagination run wild, and tell us all about the character you have created, and the inspiration behind the look...”

The prize: win a make-up course worth £500 (a place on MUSE's "Catwalk Trends Makeup Bootcamp”) and the ENTIRE Art of Darkness collection worth £350!!

To enter  you can either create a blog post/ email MizzWorthy, or you can enter by creating a video which is a maximum of five minutes long and leaving this as a response to the video on the MUSE Youtube channel. Remember this is a makeup competition not a costume competition!

The Deadline: 17^th October 2010. The final entries will be judged by our Creative Director Alex Box. For full details on the competition and how to enter, see the T&C's on the MizzWorthy website.

Good Luck!

Look Good Feel Better

Illamasqua are proud to be a part of a great charity event Look Good Feel Better who supports women with cancer. On Thursday the 23^rd September Selfridges London are playing host to the event and you can get involved simply by buying a ticket, coming along and getting a professional transformation by our expert makeup artists at the Illamasqua counter (not to mention a great goody-bag too).

It’s Beauty Editor’s day so Alice Hart-Davies from the Evening Standard will be on board to give helpful hints, tips and advice for all you makeup lovers out there.

Tickets cost £20 with all proceeds going to the charity but as there are only a few places left booking is essential! To book call 0800 138 8140.

Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua Competition IV - Winners!

The latest Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua competition was inspired by Alex Box's book, Alex Box by Rankin. This book explored a more creative use of make-up - and not just make-up; everything from post-its to poster paint was used - to create a plethora of startling and and thought-provoking "Face as Canvas" images.

We asked entrants to Think Outside The Box and come up with an artistic look by pushing their own personal boundaries whilst having some real fun with make-up!

Just before Christmas - so sorry this is a bit late! - Alex Box chose the winners from the shortlist provided by Mizzworthy and Krystal, from our Selfridges Trafford counter.

The Winner of the Think Outside The Box competition is Jack Gatsby, whose Voodoo/ Witch Doctor inspired look is both beautiful and scary - he even used hair extensions to create eye lashes! Wonderful.

Alex noted that his "use of the graphic mark making, juxtaposed to the organic immediacy is a modern tribal look".

As well as winning a pair of Limited Edition lashes of his choice, Jack has also won the Alex Box by Rankin book, exclusively signed by Alex Box herself.

The runner-up spot has been filled by Lillian Low; her idea was inspired by Rococo looks, and she painted her face to look like a "negative" of the final image she wanted to create. We all loved the idea behind this - certainly fulfilled the criteria of 'thinking outside the box'!


Alex raved that "She has thought of the make-up in different dimensions"

Congratulations to Lillian who has won a set of three of our cruelty-free make-up brushes.

Thanks again to everyone who entered and we are now looking forward to the next one!

Read Mizzworthy's review of the winners here.

One More Day To Enter MizzWorthy/ Illamasqua Competition...

To all of you already on your Christmas breaks, or with a spare evening tonight, why not enter our competition where you can win a Limited Edition Alex Box by Rankin book, signed by Alex Box herself and a set of Limited Edition lashes.

Our critically acclaimed cruelty free brushes worth over £60 make up the second place prize.

All you have to do to enter is...

Come up with a make-up look inspired by your own alter ego... something different, inventive, innovative, creative... what ever you like!

Red eyes, silver lips, gold cheeks... anything goes! The winners will be judged on the basis of originality and creativity not just professional technique. Simply send in a photograph or blog page to the mizzworthy blog.

You can use any products or media you like to create your look...

The contest closes at Midnight on Wednesday 17th December. This is the final deadline and no extensions will be made - if we extend then Alex Box will be unable to judge due to her schedule.

Finalists will be chosen by Mizzworthy and Krystal and the shortlist forwarded on to Alex Box who will come in to judge the winner and runner up by 22nd December.



HAVE FUN!

For inspiration, I have included some images that Halimah created for our Golden Goddess video on Youtube and some beautiful images I found on ModelMayhem - one of my favourite places to have a browse when I need some inspiration of my own!


Go to modelmayhem.com and search for a make-up artist and click on one of their images. Underneath this it will come up with a "list" and show all the lists that the image has featured on. If you click on the "list" it will show all the images that that particular list creator loves. Seriously, only do this if you have a spare hour as I predict you will spend ages browsing!

Here are some of my current favourites...

Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua Competition - Winners!

I'm back off holiday! I had a very relaxing time away from city life and had an amazing facial, indian head massage, body scrub... the works! Holbrook House in Somerset was my destination of choice and I would seriously recommend the wonderful therapists there. They use ESPA [gorgeous packaging and heady, therapeutic products] - Kate [Brand Director] is a fan of Neals Yard in Covent Garden for massages and Jonathan [Retail Operations Manager] loves the Rejuvenation Spa in Spitalfields.

I asked Katie [Product Development Manager] where she goes for a good ol' pampering session and she just pulled a are-you-kidding-me face... But I digress!

Sorry for the delay in posting the winners for our competition but it's been a catch-up day!

Choosing the finalists of the Superhero and Villain competitions was a difficult enough task for Mizzworthy and Krystle [from our Selfridges Trafford counter] but I was with Alex when we had to pick the winners and that was even more difficult for how do you judge artistic license?!

Anyway, winners had to be picked and they are...

Gracie, who won the runner-up spot for the Villain's part of the competition. Her look, brilliantly named "Valentina the Serpent Queen" was described by Alex as "gutsy execution - she looks like she really had fun with it [the competition] - which is what this contest is all about!"


The winner for the Villain's category is Unicorn Smile based her look on Catwoman - with a twist. Alex loved the "very beautiful, very elegant take on a villain. Sharply executed and yet with a soft modern edge. Love it." I love the eyebrows!



The runner-up spot for the Hero part of the competition goes to TackyBlueEyeshadow who interpreted a fantastic Captain America look. Alex thought this was "a very cool interpretation of comic hero Captain America. Very editorial - Dazed and Confused would love it!"

The winning look was submitted by KraseyBeauty . The intricate mix of textures and shapes was what really grabbed Alex's attention; "The interesting mix of classic eye shapes and contemporary skin patterns [means] she has clearly thought outside the box."



Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone for your entries!

Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua Competition!

Wow, has it really been two months since we launched the last one?! To refresh your memory on the previous winners, click here.

So, we have a brand new theme this time of...

The Rules [copied from Mizzworthy]

There will be two categories for the contest - ie Superheroes and villains.

You can enter either or both categories. After a lot of discussion, we have decided to continue to allow people to enter as many times as they like, however, please remember that your favourite look that you have created may not necessarily be the one that myself and Krystle choose to go through to the finalists. If similar issues arise as did with the last contest as a result of our decision, we may be forced to reassess this, and limit everyone to one entry, which we really don't want to do!

The contest is about makeup, not costumes - you don't need to go out hiring a costume or anything like that!

Your entry may either be in the form of a blog post or a video on you tube - if you decide to do a video entry, then please also email me stills for judging purposes

Your entry should be your interpretation of a hero or a villain, your look must be original. In your entry, please tell us a bit about your hero/villain, about any superpowers that have and what led you to the look you have created. You don't need to go into massive detail, but we love to know about what inspires people!

When you have completed your entry, please post a response below to let me know, and make sure I acknowledge your entry by commenting back - feel free to harass me til I do this! I do not want to miss anyones hard work!

Use any products you like, and tell us about what you used (ie you do not have to use Illamasqua!)

Its fine to use a willing volunteer if you do not wish to be photographed yourself, however, the look MUST have been created by you.

The contest is open internationally

Please make sure you subscribe to the blog.

The contest will close at midnight UK time on friday the 4th September (which is slightly more than 1 month!).

Finalists will be selected by myself and Krystal - the winners will then be chosen by Alex Box, who has kindly agreed to be the final judge! Winners will be announced approx a week later. Judges decisions are final!

Final prizes to be announced, there will be ONE winner in Each Category - ie one SuperHero and one Villain, but each will win some lovely makeup of their choice from Illamasqua...


Prizes To Be Announced shortly! Get entering people and I will post my entry at the weekend!

And The Winner Is...

After a grueling day in Paris, Alex Box took a look over the finalists and chose the winner as...

Cat from Swirledpeacat.blogspot.com - Alex thought her ideas "were soft and mythical and the more she works at her ideas, the better she will become."

Cat has won a fantastic prize of:

1 x liquid metal in the shade of her choice

1 x bronzer in the shade of her choice

1 x nail varnish in the shade of her choice

1 x Sirens Shadow Quad

1 x Powdered Metal in the shade of her choice

Alex loved Piggy's entry, explaining that the "execution was fantastic and I can't wait to see her imagination go even wilder" and Piggy has won the following:

1 x Liquid metal in the shade of her choice

1 x nail varnish in the shade of her choice

1 x Sirens Shadow Quad

Well done winners and thank you all for your entries - the creativity and artistry was extremely impressive and fun!

Make-up should be all about self-expression, having fun and getting creative and it's great to see so many of you embrace that.

Competition Finalists!

The second bi-monthly Illamasqua/ Mizzworthy competition has come to a close and Mizzworthy and our lovely Selfridges Trafford make-up artist Krystle have picked out six finalists. Alex Box, currently in Paris shooting with Karl Lagerfeld - will be picking a winner and that winner will be announced tomorrow!

Here are all the wonderful finalists... congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered the Myth and Legends competition!

First up is Swirledpeacat who, according to Mizzworthy, is relatively new too blogging - so hello! I love this ethereal entry...

Next we have the beautiful Belle du Jour's entry, based on the Goddess Hera, wife and sister [ew] of the God Zeus [known as Jupiter and Juno to the Ancient Romans].

I also love this from UnicornSmile as one of the original Femme Fatales: Medusa.

See below for Amyallensworld's entry - inspired by the Native American myth of Spider Grandmother. Ten out of ten for originality!

Another Medusa entry from 132nd Street - a very different take but no less powerful! There were several really inspired looks from this blogger - do check them out.

Last, but not least, a Succubus [a demon who takes the form of an attractive woman to seduce men] inspired look from The Makeup Piggy. Again, plenty of entries from this blogger - all wonderfully creative and innovative.


As I'm sure you'll agree, it must have been pretty difficult to whittle down the entries. If anyone has ideas for the next competition installment, write in the comments section!

We also have a really, really great money-can't-buy prize for the next competition... stay tuned!

Exclusive New Sirens Product Launch 8th-11th July at Selfridges Trafford

Wednesday 8th July through to Saturday 11th July sees Adam, one of our fabulous London based make-up artists [and personal make-up artist to the likes of Fergie, Rihanna and the Pussycat Dolls when they are in the UK!] is travelling to launch the next installment of Sirens products exclusively in Selfridges Trafford.

I can't give away too many details at this point... but it's a product that can used on the face and the body! To be in with the chance of winning this fabulous product, enter the Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua Alter Ego competition by following this link.

I grabbed a quick word with Adam this afternoon...

Alex - Hey Adam! How is the counter today?

Adam - Really busy, darling, but it's fabulous!

Alex - Are you looking forward to going to Manchester?

Adam - Of course! I love the Trafford centre and I love the clientele - everyone is so fabulously stylish and avant garde. I also love the night life; I will be heading to Canal street to party with the beautiful people! I will also be creating some beautiful Sirens looks on some gorgeous models and really showing everyone how versatile our products are. Did you know that Liquid Metal looks so glamorous in your hair? A bit of a gold highlight with 'Solstice'or a bronze low light with 'Enrapture'.

Alex - Thanks for the tip! Any other products you are loving right now?

Adam - Oh... Sealing Gel, as always! This is my absolute Holy Grail product - it automatically pretty much waterproofs any product you use it with - if you have naturally weepy eyes this is the ultimate product for you! I use it with every type of eye product.

Alex - I have already waxed lyrical about Sealing Gel. Any kooky way of using it that our readers might not have considered?

Adam - If you were a bright or bold lipstick and it tends to feature, swipe a little of this on a brush around the edge of your lips after applying lipstick and it will not budge.

Alex - Will definitely try that on a night out! So you have a great celeb clientele... do any of your clients love Illamasqua?

Adam - I use Illamasqua on all of them! I know for a fact that Nicole from The Pussycat Dolls loves Muse and Fern Nail Varnishes and that Kimberley adores Filth Lipstick. Rihanna has been known to work Maneater Lipstick, too!

To read Adam's bio click here or to book a make-up lesson with him at Trafford [8th-11th July] call 0161 629 1187 or at London 0207 318 3788.

Thanks to vexinthecityx.blogspot.com and makeupandbeautyblog.com for the swatches!

Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua Competition

Here at Illamasqua we love to explore our alter egos - our counter staff are always coming up with inventive looks and at the weekends the Head Office staff let our imaginations run wild! We are calling on YOU to enter the Mizzworthy/ Illamasqua competition that encourages you to explore your alter ego and send us in snaps to win some fabulous Illamasqua goodies!

The theme for this competition is: Myths and Legends. I'll let Mizzworthy explain the details ... [taken from www.mizzworthy.blogspot.com]

"For the first contest in the series, we want you to come up with a look inspired by, yep you guessed it a myth/legend... So this is your chance to reveal your inner Aphrodite, greek god/goddess, mythological creature, daemon, Faerie, Pixie, Elf or any other creature or character from legends or mythology... I'll be making regular inspirational posts to help inspire you!

We are looking for original and creative looks and most of all, we want you to have lots of fun creating your looks!

So... the Rules?

1. Your entry can be in the form of either a blog post or a video [videos don't need to be a tutorial, but we'd like you to explain in the video which Myth or Legend inspired you and how it led you to create the look you came up with as well as the products used.] If you do chose a video entry, please email some still to Jennifer for judging purposes - jennifer.worthington1979@gmail.com.

2. In your post/ video, please tell us about the Myth or Legend you were inspired by and how it led to the look you have created. Also, because we are nosey and obsessed with make-up, tell us about the make-up/ products you used to create the look! Don't forget to email me stills if you decide to do a video entry.

3. When you have completed your entry, please post a response below to let us know, complete with a link to the entry.

4. You do not have to use Illamasqua products for the entry - we appreciate that you may not have a counter near you and this is about creating a look with any resource you may have!

5. Enter as many times as you like - they will be classified as seperate entries but there are no limits to the number of times you enter!

6. You can either create the look on yourself or a willing volunteer.

7. The contest is open internationally and we will ship products out to you wherever you are.

8. Please make sure you are a subscriber to Mizzworthy's blog to enter!

9. The contest closes at Midnight on Sunday 7th July GMT.

10. Krystal [an Illamasqua make-up artist at Selfridges] and Mizzworthy will narrow down the entries to the shortlist and the final winners will be picked out by Alex Box, Artistic Director of Illamasqua. The judging process willt ake approximately one week and the winners will be posted on Mizzworthy's blogspot and the Illamasqua blog and website.

See below for the last winner - Liberty Von Hodes from Newcastle! This fantastic peacock feather meets Indian Henna look rocked the vote and Mizzworthy and Krystal [one of our artists in Manchester] deemed her the winner.


The Prizes

First Prize


1 x Liquid Metal in either Enrapture or Solstice

1 x Bronzer in either Glint/ Burnish or Glint/ Writhe

1 x Nail Varnish from the Illamasqua collection

1 x Sirens Powder Eye Shadow Quad

1 x Special Gift... to be announced at a later stage!

Second Prize

1 x Liquid Metal in either Enrapture or Solstice

1 x Nail Varnish from the Illamasqua collection

1 x Sirens Powder Eye Shadow Quad


Remember - we are looking for originality and creativity and is not based on artistic skill alone.

My alter ego this weekend was inspired by the Beyonce - Kitty Kat video. I absolutely loved the head-to-toe leopard print idea and Beyonce rocked it, check out the video here and see my version below!