Ask An Artist: Black And White Shades

My daughter and I are freestyle dancers. I usually use black and white face paints on the eyes but would like to use an eyeshadow. Could you recommend any black and white colours that are dramatic on the eyes that will stay on and give a strong bold colour.Thanks a million - Sinead

*above - Lucy from Selfridges Trafford works the dark smoky eye look by using a similar technique to the one that Jay has outlined *

I asked James from Selfridges Birmingham to answer this question...

"Use Concealer 350 as a base all over the lid - I love using this for any smoky/ dark eye look; the staying power is incredible and of course the high levels of pigment give you a great base for any powder shadow to grab on to. I love to apply this with Illamasqua Eyeshadow Brush and use a pressing action to apply the concealer to the lid.

Next, take your choice of Powder Eye Shadow - I love 'Machine' for dark, sparkly drama - but you could use 'Lestat' if you prefer a more matt finish. Alternatively, Pure Pigment in 'Android' would look amazing if you want more of a sparkly effect.

Use the same Eyeshadow Brush to press the colour on top of the Concealer.

If you do want to create a more "winged" effect, you can use the tape method as shown in the Golden Goddess video, or you can use the edge of any Illamasqua compact as a stencil.

Use Blending Brush I to soften the colour into the crease of the eye.

Next, take Pure Pigment in 'Tingle' and press onto the brow bone. I would also add a dot of this onto the centre of the lid, this will stop the eye looking too heavy and add dimension to the look.


Line the waterline with either Medium Pencil in 'Elate' for a more wide eyed look or use the Sophie pencil for a dark, intense liner.

Line bottom lashes with the Sophie pencil and smudge over with your choice of black eyeshadow [as detailed above]

For intensity and a feminine flutter, apply False Eye Lashes - I love number 21."

Company Magazine Miracle Make-up Awards

We have been nominated for a Company Miracle Make-up Award for our Satin Primer and Under-Eye Concealer.

To vote, please click here.

In other news, Adam and I have just finished recording the second Youtube video. I will be uploading for a Monday or Tuesday release so keep your eyes peeled!

EXCLUSIVE Spring Summer 2010 Sneak Peak!

Inspired by the power of kinetic energy and the fluidity of the body in motion, the Body Electrics range has been designed to ignite the skin with intensity and highlight the body's every twist and turn to exquisite perfection, ensuring you exude a confidence that's more than skin deep.

For those of you who have been salivating for details on the follow up to the cult Dystopia collection and the sexy and evocative Sirens collection, here is a snippet from the collection that Vogue has described as "ethereal and luminous"...

SS09 - Sirens

AW09 - Dystopia

SS10 - Body Electrics


We have evolved from the burnished bronze of the seductive Sirens and now take on a whole new realm... make-up for the body. After substantial amounts of blind testing we are thrilled to say that our as-yet-to-be-named products were thrilling even the most jaded beauty afficianados!

Think the Northern Lights illuminating your limbs and you are on the right track... more details as launch date approaches!

Professional Selection Kit No1

Those of you who have visited our website recently will have seen our Professional Selection kits. The idea behind these was to work with several key Illamasqua make-up artists to create their idea of an indispensable kit. As our gift to you in the miserable month of January, the kits offer up to 25% off RRP.

Both Adam and Mika, who work at Selfridges London, have put together two kits each containing their favourite colours and tips on how to use them. To back this up, we are filming tutorials over the next few weeks that will then be uploaded to Youtube - I have Adam coming in this afternoon to film with me!

The first video to be uploaded uses the Professional Kit No1 and No3. These were created in collaboration with Spob, our Head of Professional Development at Illamasqua.

Find out new ways to use products like Cream Blusher in 'Libido' and Intense Lipgloss in 'Repulse'...

To watch it, click here.

Sirens... Dystopia... Pastel Nails!

From the evocative, sexy narrative of Sirens to the structured intensity of Dystopia, we have always been keen to mix it up and produce collections that surprise and excite.

Before the launch of our highly anticipated Spring/ Summer 2010 collection we have produced a line of four Pastel Nail Varnishes to get you in the Summer mood...


May I present to you...

Nudge - a lovely mint icecream shade that I think may well be my favourite of the four.




Caress - a beautiful cornflower blue that is a delectable hybrid of blue and grey. Very unique.



Wink - A lovely lavender lilac for the girls and guys who love their nails ultra pretty and feminine.



Blow - Think of the yummiest lemon sorbet you've ever had. We've bottled it.



The Pastel Nail Varnish collection is due to hit our counters and online shop from the end of February. You will be able to add your name and email address and we will notify you when it becomes available from the beginning of next week - we are expecting the MILF effect on these beauties as they are similar consistency and finish...

IMATS 2010

It's very short notice [and we are in a real head spin getting everything together - sorry Spob!] but Illamasqua WILL be at IMATS on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st January at Alexandra Palace.

Alex Box will also be there as a Guest Speaker [Saturday 30th: 2:30 - 3:30pm] as well as various other celebrated figures from the world of beauty.

I am really looking forward to going along as I have never been to this kind of event before and
I am particularly looking forward to the following:

Neill Gorton's prosthetic application masterclass
Jenai Chin talking about Temptu
The Student Competition Beauty/Fantasy awards
Alex Box's speech [of course!]

Hopefully see some of you there!

The Making of the Sophie Film

For all of you who, like me, have been touched by the Sophie Lancaster: A Dark Angel film, I am delighted to bring you this video from the night of the film launch in Manchester Cathedral Gardens on 26th November 2009.

It includes an interview with Julian Kynaston, founder of Illamasqua, and other key figures in the making of the film.

Please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2vUpZ-2bxI

Please leave us your comments about it if you feel the need to so and I will make sure that Sylvia and Julian see them.

Sephora: Current Stores That Stock Illamasqua

Just a quick post for all our USA based fans! I have been receiving emails asking for an update on Sephora stores that retail Illamasqua, so here it is!

This is the current line-up:

34th St, Manhattan

5th Avenue, Manhattan

711 Lexington, Manhattan

76th and Broadway, Manhattan

Ala Moana, Bay Area

Boca Raton, South Florida

Dadeland, South Florida

Downtown Seattle, Northwest

Fashion Valley, Orange County/ San Diego

Florida Mall, NW Florida

Georgetown, DC/MD/VA

Hollywood and Highland, LA

Lenox Square, Atlanta/ LA

Manhattan Village, LA

Powell Street, Bay Area

Prudential Center, Boston, MA

Roosevelt Field, Lond Island

Santa Monica, LA

Soho, Manhattan

South Beach, south Florida

South coast Plaza, Orange County/ San Diego

Times Square, Manhattan

Union Square, Manhattan

Venetian, Southwest

Westchester, Conneticut/ NY

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.

Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone! 2010 is finally here and we have some amazing plans for product, distribution and events bubbling at Illamasqua. I will of course keep you all in the loop. We have a very busy few months ahead of us, including an office move - more on that at a later stage!

New Years Eve, to me, is one of those nights where make-up creativity is an absolute staple part of my night. My friends and I normally spend hours choosing a fabulous outfit, killer heels and an extra sparkly make-up look. What is it about Christmas and sparkle!? It just fits!


This was my look for the Big Night. Products I used:

* Rich Liquid Foundation in 140 [dropped 3 foundation shades in 3 months...!]
* Pressed Powder in 005 [for brightening the complexion - this stayed in my bag for the requisite 4am touch up!]
* Powdered Metal in 'Bebhionn' on cheeks, cupids bow and down my arms.

* Illuminator in 'Halcyon' - a lovely pale champagne/ cream for highlighting cheekbones

* Urban Decay Primer Potion
* Cream Eye Shadow in 'Debauch' with Pure Pigment in 'Involve' layered on top for maximum impact.

* Cream Eye Shadow in 'Hunger' to highlight the brow bone - this is one of my favourite products right now
* Medium Pencil in 'Sophie' - lots of this for full on smokey glamour
* Sheer Lipgloss in 'Torture'

Not sure what I was thinking about with the nails... a bit more suited to Halloween than New Years!

The next morning, all I needed was Simple facial wipes to take off my night of excess and upon surfacing I spent about three hours in the bath with Eve Lom's Rescue Mask on - this is my Holy Grail of face products if I am feeling run down - and REN's Moroccan Rose Bath Oil. Divine...