Look Good Feel Better and Illamasqua

Look Good Feel Better is the fantastic charity dedicated to helping cancer patients in the most practical and positive way; to boost confidence and inspire wellbeing.

"Finding out you have any form of cancer can be daunting and life-changing, and the added stress of the appearance related side effects of treatment can be demoralising and very hard to cope with. This can have serious consequences on self-esteem and confidence at a time when a positive attitude is very important." [lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk]

Illamasqua is proud to contribute to this brilliant charity by working with Selfridges and LGFB for the annual Beauty Editors Day.  The £10 booking fee will be 100% donated to LGFB charity.

Selfridges Oxford Street - Thursday 23rd September

25 top Beauty Editors will be coming to the Selfridges Beauty Halls to have one on one appointments between 11am and 5pm. The £20 tickets all goes to the LGFB charity.


Illamasqua has collaborated with Alice Hart-Davis, the Beauty Editor from London's Evening Standard and will be hosting one-on-one appointments with her.


Call 0207 318 3114 to book your ticket - but they are selling out quick and are very limited!

Selfridges Trafford Centre - Thursday 30th September

From 6-10pm, Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey, the dynamic duo behind the must have Beauty Bible series and beautybible.com will be on hand to answer those burning beauty questions you may have in the Glamour Lounge.


Call 0161 629 1187 - but be quick as they are selling out fast and are very limited!

With the charity launching in their 60th hospital this month and bringing their free service to over 10,500 women this year alone, Look Good Feel Better is one of the key charities of the beauty industry.

Art of Darkness: Faerie

 

Our lovely little Faerie; the character that can never be pinned down. Prone to flights of fancy regardless of consequence, she changes her style as often as her mood, and flirts with whatever look catches her attention, however fleeting that may be...

With hair of silken gold, Powdered Metal in 'Ether' is the perfect complement to the pale shimmering skin of the Faerie. Gentle brush strokes have been used to create a perfectly blended dewy skin [try Light Liquid Foundation for a similar finish]

Concentrated Powdered Metal in 'Ether' was used to dust over lids and eye brows to catch the light and a light stroke of Powder Blusher in 'Excite' across the apples of the cheeks. Smudge a little Sheer Lipgloss in 'Lily-Rose' over balmy lips and keep the rest of the look toned down with just a small amount of Volume Mascara in 'Harness'. Later this week, I will be catching up with Alex Box to give me the low down on the Art of Darkness...

It's Here! AW10 Has Officially Landed Exclusively to Illamasqua.com

Art of Darkness, the sumptuous new collection has finally hit the world wide web, exclusively to Illamasqua.com until Thursday 16th September where you will find it at a counter near you.


This is the most exciting collection yet, with a myriad of exotic colours and textures to play with to create a variety of looks from playful to alluring, subtle to dramatic, sweet to seductive, it's all here in the collection for Autumn Winter 2010.



Come and play with the pigmented products in their natural habitat: the Darkness.

With rich rubies, engaging emeralds and beautiful blues, with shots of black, gold and copper this is an exciting collection to tempt the senses.

Who will your favourite character be...


Check out the collection now only at www.illamasqua.com

Art of Darkness: Behind the Scenes with Mike Pocock

Mike Pocock is one of the hottest nail artists of the moment with Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Muse magazine constantly booking him for his skills. In fact, Russian Vogue produced one of my favourite ever beauty shoots and I since found out Mike did the nails! How gorgeous is this...

I grabbed a word with Mike to ask him about his experience on the epic Art of Darkness shoot.

A: Who was your favourite character?

MP: My favourite character was the King Arthur, played by Johnny Blue Eyes, genius casting, Johnny delivering an impassioned homily reciting random prodigy lyrics is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

A: I totally forgot about that! He had everyone in hysterics, how Tim Bret Day got the shot, I'll never know! Let's talk nails. The new AW10 nail colours are 'Scarab' - a deep metallic red - and 'Viridian' - a deep metallic green - are very rich shades. Which is your favourite?

MP: I love them both and they are perfect for this autumn and winter, Scarab is more classic and looks beautiful with the gold tip [the new Nail Varnish Competition winner 'Shrapnel'] which I used on the Gypsy Queen.


Viridian on the other hand has maximum impact and catches the light like beetle wings.


A: How did you get in to nails as a career?

MP: I stumbled in to nails having followed a regular career for almost 18 yers. I had no background in beauty or anything remotely related. I was so unbelievably hopeless and it made me so frustrated that I took all the available courses and made myself a junior in my wife's salon for a whole year before I let myself loose on paying clients. I kind of carried that determination through and by a series of strange accidents and a tendancy to say yes to anything, I found myself working as a manicurist in fashion. so I'm here basically because I was rubbish at painting nails!


A: What has been your personal career highlight?

MP: The obvious ones are; my first cover, first catwalk show, seeing something I'd worked on displayed on a billboard for the first time but not it's those times when my kids who generally show a healthy contempt for me and everything I do are excited about something. Usually a music video, album cover or a celebrity who I've quite often not even heard of.

A: What inspires you?

MP: It's inspiring working with talented people who I admire.

A: What are your views on the trend of nail art that has exploded on to the scene recently?

MP: I love the fun and that's been injected in to nails with the recent trend of nail art. I like it best when it works with the rest of the look, I'm not such a fan of a beach scene or a different cartoon character on every nail just for it's own sake. I tend to approach my style of nail art more from a design point of view, playing with colour, form and texture.

A: What are your favourite Illamasqua shades?

MP: Ruthless and Alarm are two reds which I use all the time but at the moment I'm using Hectic which is a dirty olive green whenever I get the chance.

A: What are your trend predictions for Autumn Winter 2010? The Nail Varnish Competition winners colours - Raindrops, Eclipse and Shrapnel - were picked from over 6000 entries. What do you think of them as winners?

MP: I've been using all three; Eclipse and Shrapnel are amazing but the one that really stands out is Raindrops; it's unique. One coat gives you a subtle grey wash with a hint of sparkle and two coats gives you a solid sparkling grey.

Interview: Director of NPD David Horne

David joined Illamasqua just over a month ago, with the task of setting up our highly anticipated School of Make-up Art at 20 Beak St and heading up our Product Development team.

Having led such a colourful life, and with a wealth of experience under his belt, I was looking forward to having a sit down with him to talk make-up, influences and subcultures...


A: How did you get in to make-up as a career?

DH: I studied Graphic Design at art school in London, and got a job at Disney as a Merchandise Designer. Not long afterwards, Disney moved their HQ back to the USA, shortly after which I fell in love and gallavanted off to Berlin.

Berlin was the hub of creativity in the 80s - it was like moths to the flame for artists, creative thinkers and boho misfits. I was there to help smash down the wall in '89.

Not long after wards, I came back to London and worked at Selfridges and later for MAC where I met a lot of people like Alex Box and Terry Barber, who were working on counters just like myself. In 1996 I played a part in setting up the standalone store in Kings Road and that's when I knew I wanted to teach and create.

A: Who/What were your influences growing up?

DH: I came from a very creative household; my mother was a seamstress and painter. I was always very attracted to the heritage of Germany as a country, especially Berlin, and have always had a fascination with cultures. The Arabic culture for example is a huge influence for me, and anyone that pushes boundaries and re-considers preconceived norms. I was also in to the fetish and alternative scene, themed parties that allow you to get creative and dress up to become someone else for the night; I think this is why Illamasqua and I are working so well together - I have been celebrating my alter ego for over 20 years!


A: Have you worked in a teaching role before?

DH: I was promoted to trainer for MAC in the UK and Germany [I speak fluent German] as well as Switzerland and eventually I was training all over the world; Canada, Russia, USA... I was living out of my suitcase. Socially, it's a difficult and sometimes isolating job and I felt I was on more friendly terms with the staff at Heathrow than with some of my friends. That's when I knew that I wanted to stay in one place. I left on sabbatical to go to the London College of Fashion to run a fashion editorial course and also take a teaching degree at the same time in Art and Design. I was most recently at Jemma Kidd as the Director of Education and am looking forward to my time at Illamasqua's SOMUA!

A: And how did you get in to NPD?

DH: New Product Development was always something that interested me in my MAC days. As part of the colour team, we were always exploring, mixing, preparing colours which we would then put forard to the development team. I worked a lot on catwalk assignments so I was always creating colours specific to designers needs.

A: What attracted you to Illamasqua?

DH: It's a natural connotation - intense, professional product for an intense, professional man! Alex Box approached me as she believed I had a vision similar to hers and that with my background, I was the right person to help to take the NPD forward and help to develop the school at 20 Beak St.

It was clear from the very start what a dedicated team Illamasqua had and that founder Julian Kynaston had created a beautiful, innovative vision that I wanted to be a part of.

Vicky McLure: Illamasqua's New Muse...

One of the UK's hottest talents and star of Shane Meadow's iconic, multi-award winning British film 'This is England', Vicky McClure, is officially Illamasqua's new leading lady.

Vicky is the most gorgeous girl, with a real star presence. She recently starred in Madonna's movie 'Filth and Wisdom', as Juliette.

And now we are delighted to announce that she is taking the starring role in a series of short films exclusively for Illamasqua.

The first in the series, 'Poem', launched today, is a poignant portrayal of Vicky's transformation into her alter-ego through the art of making-up...



Not only will we be bringing you all these films over the next few weeks, but also a fantastic behind-the-scenes look at how we made the film, and an interview with Spob - Illamasqua's Head of Professional Development - and how she created the look on Vicky for the films, so keep an eye out for them!


You may remember that Julian picked Vicky as one of his icons, over a year ago. You can read it, here.

Julian tells me, "we are a British professional brand, and I see it as only respectful that we support British professional acting talent. I was instantly attracted to Vicky when she appeared as Lol in Shane Meadow' multi awatd winning film "This is England", a film that focuses on the lives of a group of skinheads in 1980s Britain.

This is the original book that Julian put together before the launch...

"Vicky's portrayal took the viewer way beyond the pre-conceived and overt racist stigma that the skinhead movement has been sadly tagged with. Whilst right wing elements did attach themselves to this particular culture the film educated us that the skinhead fashion had its roots firmly embedded in black music and culture. In the film Lol quite simply "doesn't see colour" and for us as a brand this is so important. All Youth cultures get pre-judged and pigeon holed wrongly... wearing make-up makes others pre-judge you, often wrongly - especially if you are a man. We loved the way Vicky acted a role that smashed these pre-conceptions. For that, she is our muse."

Vicky's character sets the perfect example of both self-expression and cultural tolerance: two themes that are at the heart of Illamasqua.

Art of Darkness: Behind the Scenes with Martin Cullen

One of the most respected hairdressers in the industry, Martin Cullen has styled the locks of everyone from Naomi Campbell, Giselle and Emily Blunt. His intricate styling technique has secured him Fashion shoots for the likes of Gareth Pugh, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue, Dazed and Confused and iD magazine.

We were delighted to secure him for the Art of Darkness shoot and I asked him a few questions to get an idea on his perspective of the upcoming season and the shoot...
A: Illamasqua's Art of Darkness 2010 collection is inspired by mythology and alchemy, with a real emphasis on individual characters. How did you interpret the brief?

MC: I got inspiration form the movies Legend, Willow & Labyrinth.

A: Who was your favourite character?

MC: The androgynous character [yet to be seen!]

A: What has been your personal career highlight?

MC: My daughter attending the first show I was lead stylist on.



A: How do you stay inspired?

MC: Street styles, characters you come into contact with everyday.

A: What are your trend predictions for Autumn Winter?

MC: Short textured hair with a sexy twist.

Illamasqua Icons: Shien Lee

Shien Lee has lived in Prague, Montreal, Honolulu and Taipei before settling in NYC.

She is the founder and producer of the Dances of Vice events in New York City, with plans to take the concept to international waters, soon - London, please!

Shien Lee is also the songstress of the band Shanghai Foxtrot, the only jazz band in the United States to perform jazz, blues and swing classics from 1920-30s Shanghai that is faithful to the era.

A fantastic interview is available with Shien Lee by clicking here. In it, she discusses her love of the New Romantic style, obscura antiques and Illamasqua!

Art of Darkness: King Arthur

With every great legend there must be a great King...

King Arthur is never one to be limited by suggestions of moderation. The King is a larger than life character who revels in the opulence of life.

Bold, brash and buoyant, he takes as much pleasure in the enjoyment of others as he does in his own indulgence. In his Kingdom, there is only one rule - deny yourself nothing...


You may recognise our King... for it is none other than the stylist and designer Johnny Blue Eyes.

I caught up with Johnny for his take on the shoot, the make-up, the styling and the what we can expect next from the ever exuberant House of Blue Eyes...

A: Johnny! It seems like only yesterday Alex Box was painting you and your models Gold for the House of Blue Eyes SS10 show and multi-coloured for the House of Blue Eyes AW10 show... now here you are, painted blue again!

JBE: When I think about the amazing make-up that Alex created for I Feel Love SS10 and Revolution Love AW10 I'm just filled up with joy... and how happy am I to be painted blue by gorgeous Alex? This happy [imagine me with arms spread as wide as they can possibly be!]

A: How did you feel about taking on the role of King Arthur for our Art of Darkness shoot?

JBE: Absolutely thrilled, I'm always so happy to help with anything that you are doing at Illamasqua. When Alex kindly asked me to be involved in the shoot, I knew that I was in for a magical ride. Becoming King Arthur was just the sort of magical ride back into the past and fast into the future that I love. I wish I could always be painted blue. Everything about the shoot was fantastic; the whole ethos and execution was magnificent.

A: What similarities does the House of Blue Eyes share with Illamasqua?

JBE: In three words: loving fearlessness honey! HOBE and Illamasqua are both proudly forging into the future by celebrating individuality and freedom. How we show ourselves to the world should be completely about showing the beautiful you, however you want that to be.
You know what? It's the most fabulous thing in the world to say "I'm going to paint myself many shades of blue, with more than a touch of gold, silver and glitter; I'm going to rock those high heeled shoes, throw on that fabulous feathered cape and be the magnificent being of light that I am in this world!

A: Finally - can you give us a sneak peak as to what the next collection from the House of Blye Eyes might be like?

JBE: It will be my pleasure to give you a tiny, little peak... our next season's inspiration is... House of Blue Eyes present: 'I Goddess' - it's all about the love and celebration of women. Our first event Girls, Girls, Girls will be the offocial launch of the House of Blue Eyes website. It will take place during London Fashion Week.

Thanks, and look forward to seeing you there, Johnny!

Nail Varnish Ingredients

We have had several emails from customers asking us about our Nail Varnishes and "The Big 3"

Well, here is the definitive answer for all those of you who have been wondering...

Illamasqua Nail Varnishes do not contain Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde gas or added Formalin (liquid Formaldehyde). They do contain Formaldehyde resin. The distinction between liquid Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde resin is important. While the resin is manufactured using liquid Formaldehyde as a raw material, once the product becomes a resin the formaldehyde is chemically changed and consumed during the process, making it inactive with only trace amounts of residual formaldehyde remaining once the reaction is completed.

Formaldehyde resin is approved for use in nail products and is used to make varnishes tough, resilient and improve adhesion and wear.

We hope that helps!

Nail Varnish in 'Caress'