Third Time Lucky.

Not long ago I wrote about my new favourite product, my Illamasqua Powder Foundation, post found here.  However, one thing I didn’t tell you all, was that the first time I bought it, it actually shattered before I even got home…heartbroken does even cover how upset I was. Therefore, after emailing Illamasqua about the problem, they offered me to replace it…amazing time.

All was going well, it was in perfect condition when I got home, I used it every day and it still looked as good as new. I wrote the post about how amazing it was. Then BOOM. I take it to university with me on my first day back, and it shatters in my bag. I literally must have only been out of the house ONE HOUR, then whilst getting my purse out of my bag, I realised what horror had happened. It was totally wrecked as you can see from the photo. What you can’t see very well is that at the top, the compact was actually down to the base (the silver tin base), the whole top half of the powder had just crumbled.

Once again I emailed Illamasqua, explaining what happened, along with the photograph. So now I have Powder Foundation Number 3. This is definitely the last one I’m trying. If it breaks I’m getting a refund and going somewhere else, which is a huge shame as the powder is just amazing. 

I’m not writing this to put anyone off the product. It is an incredible powder foundation. If anything it just reassures you about how amazing the customer service is at Illamasqua. I know many companies that wouldn’t replace a product once, let alone twice. Therefore, this makes me like the brand even more, knowing that their main priority is the customer.

Fingers crossed this one lasts many, many months.

Collide.

Illamasqua -

Nail Varnish in Collide

Ever since getting my acrylic nails taken off, and going back natural I’ve been really interested in trying different nail varnishes, both brands and colours. It is no secrete, that I have recently become obsessed by the make up brand Illamasqua. Their products are incredibly and impeccably made, there is definitely something for everyone within their collection. The one thing so many bloggers rave about is there amazing nail varnishes, and how their formula is as good as you can get, therefore I thought I would go and look at what colours they had. The website describes their nail varnishes as, ‘a spectrum of bold shades with a range of finishes including matt, rubber and high-gloss. Award winning, extremely hardwearing and chip-resistant, there's an Illamasqua Nail Varnish for every shade of humanity.’

Due to it coming up to spring/summer, (something you wouldn’t know with the current weather), I thought I would look for very bright colours. When I came across Collide I knew it was a definite must have. The website describes the colour as ‘a bright neon pink, satin finish nail varnish’ and trust me…it is definitely neon. It’s a stunning, striking neon pink cream, something definitely not for the fain hearted. It’s opaque in just about two coats, (which is pictured), but you could easily get away with three coats or two thick coats. This varnish applies like a dream. It’s so smooth and the colour applies evenly and richly; there is no streaking at all, just an even layer of colour. The brush could be a little wider and flatter, but that’s just me being picky. It dries super quick; therefore there is no need to allocate a whole evening to painting your nails. The wear is incredible; there is only minor top wear after a week of wearing it. I’m really impressed with the quality of Illamasqua nail polishes. I’m impressed with everything Illamasqua does, but nail polishes are one area where you can be a bit crazy and go wild with your colours. Their range suits this perfectly.

Overall, Collide is classy, not brassy neon that you can pull of in both day and night. It has a creamy, glossy, salon finish and is everything you want in a nail polish. It does retail for £13.50, which I know is rather expensive for a nail varnish, but its definitely worth it.

Dangerously Exotic.

Illamasqua –Freak Eau De Parfum

As Illamasqua is known for their bold take on makeup, I expected no less from their fragrance. Honestly, if anything at all, Freak Eau de Parfum sounded positively enchanting and dare I say...scary, thanks to notes like Frankincense and Myrrh. Freak is the first fragrance from Illamasqua and is a unisex fragrance, with exotic completely unconventional flower notes. It’ll smell differently on everyone, but the master notes will remain the same. It’s definitely not for everyone, but I find it incredible and enchanting, as does my boyfriend.

TOP NOTES: 
Black Davana, Opium Flower and Belladonna bewitch the senses into uncontrollable lust and passion.

HEART NOTES: 
Poison Hemlock, Datura and Queen of the Night blossom, caress and kiss.

BASE NOTES: Aromas of Frankincense, Oud and Myrrh, addictively mesmerises and captures the senses.

I’m not going to pretend that I know how to describe fragrances, because I know if I try, its just going to go all wrong. However, what I do know is this fragrance is incredible. The scent is clean, something I think is due to it being a unisex fragrance, and is truly intoxicating. The website states ‘Freak is a concoction of dangerously exotic unconventional flowers that Illamasqua has unashamedly blended together to celebrate the night’ and in my opinion that sums it up perfectly. 

For me, I wouldn’t wear it during the day, it’s definitely a nighttime/going out fragrance and something I’ve has so many compliments on. Personally, the fragrance last for such a long time, and I much prefer the scent when it’s warmed a little. I would definitely advise if your wanting to try this, spray it in store on your wrist, leave it for a little bit…then smell it. Trust me, you will be mesmerised by it. I bought the 30ml version, however the 70ml bottle is just stunning. Never the less, I think the 30ml is also very pretty, and much more handy for traveling, which I do often.

Overall, with a name like Freak I was expecting something dark, but what I got was a mysteriously, exotic fragrance that’s very unique and innovative. Obviously a lot of time and love went into the make up of this fragrance and it shows.

Stunningly Flawless.

Illamasqua –

Powder Foundation in shade 150

As you all know I love my Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation. However, I’m not one for taking it around with me, along with all my brushes and everything else. I like having a single, easy to carry around compact, which does everything I need for throughout the day touch-ups. I usually have the Clinique Almost Powder Makeup, which is amazing for touch ups thought the day…nightmare when you start to hit pan. However, I’m really impressed with Illamasqua’s products so far, therefore thought I would give another one of their products a try.

This was the main reason I went to Leeds, they have their own store there, and the staff is always ready to help. I explained that I wanted something to put in my bag throughout the day; just for touch ups. They advised that their powder foundation would be best for me, after trying it on my skin I really liked it. It isn’t too heavy, nor is it cakey, it looks really natural and gives your skin a flawless look. So…lets get on with the review of the foundation itself.

Illamasqua describes this power by saying; "Be the star of your own drama. The mainstay of film and theatre make-up artists, Illamasqua Powder Foundation glides over your skin, covering blemishes, correcting skin tone and leaving a shine-free look that lasts all night. Create a stunningly flawless base that begs to be touched. Comes in a mirror compact for touch-ups on the go.”

First of all I love the packaging, that's one thing Illamasqua do incredibly well. Illamasqua have a dark gothic edge going on with their products. When it comes to powder foundations I like the compact to be housed in a box, simply to protect the compact, collect any loose powder and to place in my bag for on the go, without worry of loose foundation ruining the inside of my bag. The powder foundation comes in beautiful sleek black casing, with the brands logo on the very top of the case and the brands name on the catch to open the case.

When using the included powder puff the foundation sweeps over the skin like a dream. Effortlessly covering blemishes and uneven skin tone leaving a shine free smooth finish. It can also be applied with a brush for a lighter coverage. The coverage is sheer and has an extremely lightweight feel. It feels amazingly soft when applied, and you can never over apply, so this perfect for those who are rather heavy handed. This foundation is also wonderful at mattifying the T-zone and is perfect at providing coverage for redness of the skin. 

I find the coverage to be quite buildable; I can get a natural to medium look. No matter how much I apply the coverage never looks heavy or cakey but this foundation does not offer full coverage. On a day-to-day basis I always go for a natural look so this foundation is perfect for me. If I were aiming for a fuller coverage I would apply liquid foundation instead, and set it with this compact foundation, as its also perfect for setting liquid and cream foundations.

As for lasting power, I can get around 6 hours from it but as it’s a compact foundation I can re-apply any time I need, but I never really need to.

All in all this is a great foundation and it's perfect for those with oily to combination skin, who want a sheer coverage to mattify their T-zone. There are so many different shades available I would find it hard to believe that there wasn’t a shade for everyone. It retails for £23 for 10g, which I personally think is really good, especially for such an amazing powder foundation.

Overall I'm really happy with this purchase; I think its money well spent.

Pure Pigment.

Illamasqua -

Pure Pigment in Beguile

I went into Illamasqua wanting a powder foundation, review coming soon. However, due to just finishing my university essays for the year, I thought I would treat myself...therefore I picked up this little beauty. Everybody meet Illamasqua's Pure Pigment in Beguile. Illamasqua describe this as a 'light shimmer'. Going on to state 'Made to be played with. A metallic, high-shine, pure-colour powder that highlights eyes, cheeks and brows. Mix with eye shadow, blusher or use it on its own to intense effect'.

This a beautiful, bright shimmer, which is silvery white with multi-coloured reflects with a sandy texture. This is just a stunning eye shadow that really sparkles and looks phenomenal in person, mainly because it needs movement to really come alive...but seriously, be ready to fall in love when you see this in person.

Before buying this I had read many reviews on Illamasqua's Pure Pigments, they all concluded that sometimes they can be rather difficult to apply. Leading to rather a lot of fall out, but also dropping down onto the cheek, overall making your face a big glittery mess. HOWEVER, when I began looking at these and swatching them on my hand, the assistant offered to show me how best to apply it to the eyes...god send! Now, brace yourself. She applied this to both eyes, one using a brush, equalling a mass of fall out and glitter going all over the place...total mess. On the other eye she applied it using her finger...you hear me right...her finger *gasps*. Now, I'm the first to say that I never use my fingers to do my make up, but seriously...it worked a miracle. There was no fall out, it didn't drop onto my face, it stuck in place perfectly and the result was just incredibly beautiful!

I did try to take many photos of this, however its not the easiest to photograph. Therefore, I would seriously encourage you all, to run to your closes Illamasqua counter and look at it in person. It retails for £15.50, a splurge I know, but its totally worth it in every way!