The Sophie-I look

SOPHIE-I is both a statement and a conscious way of expressing unity to the SOPHIE cause and a distinctive mark of your own individuality. Drawing with a dark colour is a powerful and empowering statement in itself, and highlighting the full contours of the eyes is showing the world your very own uniqueness. This perfectly links in with one of Illamasqua`s brand values, Self-Expression. Showing everyone your individuality through your eye make-up.

 Thank you to Pixiwoo for this image, click here to view their blog.

The reason why this is called Sophie-I is because it resonates with the cause, individuality, and results in a beautiful statement; a 'Sophie-eye'.
I am sure that we have all felt that we were being 'judged' in some form or another throughout our life and from my experience I know that this is not a good feeling. This is our exact rejection to that feeling. To prove a point, to be stronger and to make a change. 

£3 from the sale of every Sophie Medium Pencil goes to the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, this educates pre-teens; to create awareness and make a change in perception towards alternative subcultures. Illamasqua created the 'Dark Angel' film to increase awareness for the foundation and sell S.O.P.H.I.E wristbands online, in counters and at events we work at.

Here is a step-by-step approach to how you can create the Sophie-I look:

1.) Outline the entire eye shape with Medium Pencil in Sophie and 'sketch' the centre of the lid to shape the eye. Apply in the inner rim of the lower lash line. 

2.) Using the Eye Shadow brush, buff the entire areas where Sophie was applied (except the waterline) to create softly diffused colour and depth. 

3.) Apply Powder Eye Shadow or Pure Pigment in colour of your choice on top if Sophie using small circular strokes to blend the textures together. 

4.) Highlight the brows to create more impact by using Illuminator or Pure Pigment in a light colour. 

5.) Finish off the look with Illamasqua's new Masquara. 

 Medium Pencil in Sophie

Pure Pigment in Tingle

To find out more about the Sophie Foundation, please visit www.sophielancasterfoundation.com. Follow The Sophie Lancaster Foundation on Twitter for daily updates on the charity's work at www.twitter.com/SOPHIE_charity

Last Chance to Join Illamasqua's Foundation Amnesty...

Don't forget to head down to your local Illamasqua counter or the Flagship store this weekend for the last chance to join Illamasqua's Foundation Amnesty. Bring along any used, empty, broken or just plain unloved foundation to receive up to 20% discount on any Illamasqua complexion product! 

 The Illamasqua Foundation Amnesty will end on the 21^st August and is available in:

Illamasqua Beak Street, Selfridges Oxford Street, Manchester Trafford Centre, Birmingham Bullring, Fenwick Newcastle, Debenhams Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff

Gender Divine: We love this students work!

Dandy Fantastic has created a hypothetical promotional campaign of make-up for transvestites for Illamasqua. Naming the project 'Gender Divine' he describes it as "a glorious fusion of club kids, performance artists, cultural practices, foreign worlds and historical figures brought all together into one esoterically glamorous, gender blurring collection" 

Check out his blog here!

Foundation Students... The Illamasqua Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011

 Last Friday we uploaded a blog post on entering Illamasqua's Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011 as a Bachelor of Honors. Today we are focusing on another of the fabulous 4 entry categories - Foundation Students.

The Foundation students prize is an amazing opportunity which includes a two-week internship at Illamasqua Headquarters - the creative hub of the brand - plus £1,500 prize money and £500 to spend at a private shopping spree at the Illamasqua Flagship Store. Plus your college will receive £2,000 to spend on a bespoke Illamasqua kit of your tutor’s choice.

If you feel you do not fit into this area then please click here to refer to our other 3 sections. If you have any queries about which area you fit into, please don't hesitate to drop an email to josephine.obrien@illamasqua.com

The deadline for applications to enter this fabulous competition is 26th August 2011, don't miss out!

Send your Application form and 2 examples of your work – 1 beauty and 1 fantasy look to
Illamasqua, 6-8 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1UQ

Alternatively…you can drop off your application and 2 photos to any UK Illamasqua counter or store.

GOODLUCK!

Behind the scenes video at Myer Parade SS11/12 Fashion Launch!

Following on from our exclusive interview with Illamasqua's Nicola Burford that we posted up on Tuesday, we now reveal behind the scenes footage of the Illamasqua team at work. Nicola talks through some of the star products and inspiration behind the make-up looks. 

Thank you to Vanessa Picken for the video.

Illamasqua’s Summer Sale has arrived in the London Beak Street Flagship store!

If you are in London’s Soho today make sure you drop into our Flagship store on Beak Street, London W1! The Summer Sale has arrived in the store and with items starting at £5 it is not to be missed! We wanted to bring you a selection of the office favourites before they are all gone …

 Powder Blusher in Complex is a stunning rich terracotta. This colour-intense product allows you to create definition and be bold. Perfect for livening up a summer evening!

 Sheer Lipgloss in Explode is a delicate iridescent creamy pink, a sensual and enhancing product for your lips. Use on its own for a subtle gleam or over a bold red Lipstick to add dimension.

 Be playful with Illamasqua’s legendary Pure Pigment in Conquer, a shimmering forest green. A metallic, high-shine, pure-colour powder that is incredibly versatile. This looks gorgeous as a liner on your upper lash line. Mix a drop with Sealing Gel to intensify.  

 Come on down! We look forward to seeing you!

Myer Parade SS11/12 Fashion Launch

The Myer Spring Summer 11/12 Parade was held at Carriage Works on 11^th August in Sydney, showcasing the must-have trends in both clothing and make-up. Myer drew inspiration from the Western Australian landscape, referencing the breathtaking Pinnacles Desert.

Illamasqua were invited to be the sponsors for the third time running of this spectacular event. Illamasqua’s Nicola Burford headed up the team for the Myer show of 11 make-up artists, once again creating dazzling and inspirational transformations. Nicola has provided the Illamasqua blog with an exclusive interview, revealing the crucial Illamasqua products that were the secrets behind the stunning creations:

 

1) What was your inspiration for the Myer show look this season? 

The make-up for the Myer SS2011 show was inspired by the unique desert landscape of Western Australia – the textures, colours, mirages and mutable forms you would experience in that landscape are transformed on the face. Perfected, luminous skin is highlighted with glass like reflective gloss and cream shimmer, eyes are contoured in a halo of sand coloured powder with pops of either glistening sunset pink, sunburnt orange or white heat in a colour ombre. Lips and brows are muted so attention is focused on the eyes and skin. It’s a gentle, graceful yet powerful modern make-up and approach to colour and texture.

2) Was there one Illamasqua piece that stole the show? 

There were actually two star products that encapsulated the whole look – Powder Blusher in Disobey and Sheer Lipgloss in Brilliant. Although Powder Blusher in Excite and Nymph, Powder Eye Shadow in Sex and Cream Blusher in Lies were invaluable in creating the look ...and we couldn’t do it without Medium Pencils in Bait, Vow, Hex and Thrash...did you say just one product?!

 Medium Pencil in Hex

Powder Blusher in Excite

 Sheer Lipgloss in Brillant

3) How many artists were working on the show?

We had 11 make-up artists working on the show – from Melbourne and Sydney. They were all absolutely amazing  - a real credit to Illamasqua artistry and professionalism. It was a long and crazy day, starting at 7am and finishing at 9pm with 3 dress rehearsals, one media show and the main event. Even though it was non-stop it was stress free and heaps of fun! The team and Illamasqua products all stood strong through the mammoth work-out!

 4) How many models did your team transform?

The show had 35 female models, and 10 male models as well as the Myer spokes-models; the very gorgeous Jennifer Hawkins (ex-Miss Universe) and very handsome Kris Smith (Danii Minogue’s model husband and ex-UK Rugby player).

 A huge well done to all of the Illamasqua team, and stay tuned for the video!

Bachelor of Honours... The Illamasqua Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011

 Last week we uploaded a blog post on entering Illamasqua's Distinction in Make-up Artistry Awards 2011 as a Graduate. This week we are focusing on another of the fabulous 4 entry categories - BA HONS. To enter into the 'BA HONS' category you must have graduated this summer of July 2011 with a Bachelor of Honours Make-up degree.
If you do not fit into this area then please click here to refer to our other 3 sections. If you have any queries about which area you fit into, please don't hesitate to drop an email to josephine.obrien@illamasqua.com

The deadline for applications to enter this amazing competition is 26th August 2011, don't miss out!

Send your Application form and 2 examples of your work – 1 beauty and 1 fantasy look to
Illamasqua, 6-8 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1UQ

Alternatively…you can drop off your application and 2 photos to any UK Illamasqua counter or store.

GOODLUCK!

Reminder to Join Illamasqua's Foundation Amnesty

As we are all getting the Friday feeling, don't forget to visit your local Illamasqua counter or the Flagship store with any used, empty, broken or just plain unloved foundation to receive up to 20% discount on any Illamasqua complexion product!

The Illamasqua Foundation Amnesty will begin from 8^th – 21^st August and is available in:

Illamasqua Beak Street, Selfridges Oxford Street, Manchester Trafford Centre, Birmingham Bullring, Fenwick Newcastle, Debenhams Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff

Julian Kynaston & Vicky McClure the interview