Color of the Moment: Blackberry(and Quick Tips On How to Pull it Off!)

Call it what you want: mulberry, eggplant, aubergine, wine or maroon. From juicy to vampy-deep,  purple is popping this fall, from tips to lips!

Left: OPI Every Month Is Oktoberfest Right: Zoya Katherine
Thanks to Jen of The PolishAholic for sharing her amazing photos!

Illamasqua Complement Pallette

MAC Yung Rapunxel

Now, I'm all for this trend- it actually makes me long for cooler weather! But don't be fooled. While these shades are neutral enough for anyone to wear, that doesn't mean they're always easy to pull off. Rich berry hues on the nails are a great way to ease in, and shadows like the ones above can be smudged along the lash line for an easy but eye-catching pop (if you're feeling bolder, apply them to the entire lid & smoke out the edges just above the crease).

If you're planning to rock a plum lip, however, you have to be a bit savvy to put your best pout forward. See, purple sits in a cozy place on the color wheel right across from yellow, and that means it will intensify any yellow put up against it. So if you worry that your pearlies could be a bit whiter, get a jump on this trend and grab an at-home tooth whitening kit. Even over-the-counter versions can lighten teeth several shades; my past favorite, Crest Whitestrips has a new version that guarantees laser-like results. Kits can be a bit pricey, but rebates and coupons take some of the sting out, and luckily, they're pretty easy to find (check your Sunday paper). And, after all, it's a relatively small price to pay for head-turning fierceness :)

Product Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius

Unless you're the kind of girl that doesn't wear makeup to pool parties ::coughliarcough:: and never cries at weddings, a waterproof mascara is simply a must have in the well-prepped woman's arsenal. The trick is finding the right one- the "runny raccoon" look isn't one many people (with the notable exception of Robert Smith) can get away with, and it seems like the waterproof version of my favorites never quite measure up. So, when I got this little baby in the mail, I couldn't wait to take it for a swim.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat is exactly what it sounds like: a clear, waterproof gel that you can apply over ANY mascara to make it waterproof. And, it is genius. 

A picture is worth a thousand words (not an unrealistic estimate for the length of many of my posts!) so when I saw what Lash Genius did, I almost didn't write a post for it- I thought, why not just show this:

After a splash of water:
Left: Illamasqua Masquara topped with Anastasia Lash Genius
Right: Illamasqua Masquara alone.

See? Do I even need to write anything else? Now, I was skeptical (what's new?) when I first heard about this- I figured if the technology existed to do this, it would be everywhere. But it does indeed work, and kudos to Anastasia for getting to it first! There's not much more I need to say, but in the interest of thoroughness, here are a couple more details.

First, I tried this over several formulas of mascara, and it worked brilliantly over all of them- I noticed no clumping, flaking, etc...though I do feel like the topcoat slightly separated my lashes, adding to the appearance of length but taking away a bit of volume as I applied. The difference to me was negligible, especially given the benefits, but it's something to keep in mind. 

Also, though the topcoat is clear, I did have one instance while testing where it was somewhat visible on the tip of a few lashes (almost as if they were encased in ice).  I only noticed this effect one time when I was literally inches from the mirror (and frankly, if you're that close to my face in person, you'd better not be commenting on my makeup!) My guess is that I either put too much on or didn't work it into my lashes enough (wiggle that wand!) In any case, it was a one-time occurance, so no worries here!

So...would I recommend Lash Genius? In a hot second! The $21 price tag is well worth it for such a revolutionary product; this is definitely a new permanent installation in my kit!




The product featured in this post was submitted for review consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you, my readers, and myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed in my product reviews are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the review influenced by the featured company.

Illamasqua Spring/Summer 2012:The Human Fundamentalism Collection

Once again, Illamasqua knocks it out of the park- but this season it's a whole new look for the company. Taking a vacation from the opulent, theatrically Gothic leanings we've come to know, the new collection celebrates "the fundamental human desire to express your inner beauty on the outside" with a collection full of poppy shades that could be plucked from a bazaar in Istanbul as easily as a rave in New York City.

''Human Fundamentalism to me is physical expression of your self-belief, sharing your opinions with colour that shape the narrative of your thoughts and inner self. It is a statement of conviction and colour confidence, it states, this is me and now see what I see, be tinted by how I express colour and behold an oblivion to social convention and constraints.''  

—David Horne, Illamasqua Director of New Product Development 

Chances are good that, if you're reading this blog, this statement resonates with you as much as it does me. Color is vital to my world, to my mood, to my being. It does indeed express and celebrate who I am, even if that "who" as completely different than the "me" of yesterday and tomorrow.

As always, Illamasqua Creative Director, revered makeup artist Alex Box, brings us visually shattering images to illustrate the collection (which includes brand new lip, eye, nail and skin shades).

Pretty amazing, right? And while it's on my mind, a big thumbs up to the folks over at Illamasqua for the new site design- the "moving skin swatch" feature is simply brilliant!

Human Fundamentalism launches today, March 15th 2012. I'm at the mercy of international post, but stay tuned for a closer look at the collection in the coming weeks!

Illamasqua Theatre of the NamelessReview & Swatches!

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Illamasqua. The announcement of every new collection has me waiting with bated breath for just a glimpse of the campaign. This season's Autumn/Winter collection, Theatre of the Nameless, is no different. Dark, opulent tones blend with flashes of iridescence evoking the dank mustiness of an illicit nightlife long past...or simply hidden out of sight?

"In this nocturnal den of the dissident leaders of underworld subcultures, exotic dancers rub shoulders with actors and anarchists."

With copy like that and images like these, what's not to like??? Oh, what about the products, you say? Well, I was lucky enough to have the chance to try several of the collection's items: Intense Lipgloss in Facade, Precision Ink in Havoc, and the brand new Masquara in Raven.


Intense Lipgloss in Façade is described as a high-shine Grey Pink, though to me it's more on the mocha-taupe side (more brown, less grey). For those that have never tried Illamasqua's Intense glosses, they are highly pigmented and do indeed pack a lot of shine- I'd almost call them a liquid lipstick with the shine of a gloss. The texture is somewhat thick and sticky (not unlike MAC Lipglass) so the color wears well.

Intense Lipgloss in Façade, on bare lips

Precision Ink in Havoc is a fine felt-tipped liquid liner pen in a rich, red-aubergine shade. The liner is long wearing and waterproof, and despite a very wet feeling, it is very quick-drying. The dry speed can be a benefit and downfall at the same time: it is much less likely to transfer and smudge on my eye as I'm applying (which is great since I have a hooded lid) but if you're someone who likes to perfect your line by cleaning up the edges with a cotton swab or sponge, you'll have to work quickly- once dry the product does have a tendency to flake if fussed with. 

I also have to add I adore the shiny, almost patent leather-like finish this dries down to! You can see the shine somewhat in the eyeball pic, but more so in the hand swatch. I also smudged the bottom line on my hand to better illustrate the color. 

Finally, Illamasqua's New Masquara. Raven is a midnight black shade (and the only one currently available) in this lengthening, defining mascara. The brush is a traditional, somewhat large style with full bristles, not un-like a larger version of Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash. The formula applies well (though for the first week or so I did find I needed to wipe away the excess mascara from the wand before applying) and results in a very well defined, much longer and slightly thicker looking lash. The effect reminds me of Dior's coveted Diorshow, with one notable difference: Illamasqua's Masquara wears all day with no sign of flaking, or smudging!

Have you tried anything from the new collection? I'm awfully curious about the new Nail Varnishes; I know Illamasqua is at the top of the polish game, so of course new colors wouldn't be enough- the 4 new Theatre of the Nameless shades dry down to a waxy, rubberized finish, which seems like the perfect evolution of last season's matte trend. I can't wait to try them!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

30 in 30: Question #17Who is Your Favorite Makeup Artist?

My answers to 30 makeup questions in 30 days! To get all 30 answers in 30 days, today's a twofer. Today's second question is:

#17. Who is your favorite makeup artist?

Wow, what a tough question to answer- it's like asking "Who's better, Picasso or Rembrandt?" How can you quantify best or favorite in the realm of art? One artist I will say constantly inspires me is Alex Box.

She's one of the few makeup artists out there that seems to be doing things that are truly innovative, evolving aesthetics to challenge our perceptions of what beauty is- a true artist whose medium happens to be makeup.

Ms. Box is the creative director for one of my favorite brands, Illamasqua, and her vision is ever present in the company's image.

These are just a few peeks at the amazing work of Alex Box- do a quick Google search or check out her collaboration with photographer Rankin, titled- appropriately enough- Alex Box by Rankin.

Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.Remembering Sophie Lancaster

On August 11th, 2007, 20 year-old Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby were viciously attacked by a group of teenagers while walking through a neighborhood park. Kicked, stamped on and left unconscious, Sophie's injuries were so severe the attackers' boot prints were left imprinted on her face. Four years ago today, Sophie died from her injuries.

Sophie and Rob committed no crime or offense to provoke the attack that ended one life and forever darkened another. They were attacked simply because they looked and dressed differently.

How many of us could this have happened to? How many of us in this beauty-junkie subculture express ourselves freely and uniquely through the color of our hair, the way we apply our makeup, what we choose to wear? Sophie died for this freedom.

In 2009, Sophie's mother Sylvia created a charity in her daughter's name. In partnership with UK based Illamasqua cosmetics and marketing firm Propaganda, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation aims to reform UK Hate Crime legislation to protect people from “alternative subcultures” as well as provide education that will challenge the prejudice and intolerance that lead to such a horrific crime.

In memory of Sophie, and the many others who have been persecuted simply for being themselves, please watch and share this video to learn how you can help S.O.P.H.I.E- Stamp Out Prejudice Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.

30 in 30: Question #4Do You Like Wearing Foundation?

My answers to 30 makeup questions in 30 days! Today's question is:

#4. Do you like wearing foundation? If so, what's your color and favourite?

Ha! For me, this is like asking “do you like to breathe?” A rather inconsequential question, since I don’t have the option to not breathe, and I don’t leave the house without foundation. And I mean that. I don’t take my daughter out to play in the back yard without something on my face. No, it doesn't have to be a full face foundation, concealer and powder, but it’s at least my favorite BB Cream. And maybe some concealer.

My skin is extremely pale with neutral to ever so slightly warm undertones. My fairness exceeds the range of most makeup lines, so one of my very favorite “foundations” is Face Atelier’s Zero Minus, which is a white liquid designed to be blended with other shades to lighten them. This stuff was a pardon from the bondage of too-dark foundation for me. For the first time ever, I could actually pay attention to the coverage or finish of a foundation, instead of having to choose my makeup solely based on which color was passable.

While I’ll always have a Zero Minus in my kit, I have now discovered a couple foundations that work for me without custom blending. When I’m on vacation or running to the grocery, I might grab my favorite BB Cream, Missha Perfect Cover in #13 (Milky Beige), but Graftobian HD Glamour Creme (Lady Fair) and Illamasqua Skinbase (#2) are my favorites for days when I need good coverage, which, in my opinion is just about every day. I've always been one of those people that others say have “perfect” skin. Not true, I protest! I just know how to fake it really well :)

Product Review:Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation

A few weeks I teased about Illamasqua's new Skin Base Foundation, so now, after over a week of trial, it's time to let you know what I really think!

According to Illamasqua, the goal of Skin Base Foundation was to create the "ultimate realism foundation" inspired by the rising popularity of Asian market BB Creams (aka. Blemish or Beauty Balms). While Illamasqua hits the mark with Skin Base in terms of creating an easily bendable makeup with impeccable (yet near undetectable) coverage, in my opinion it's wide of the mark of a BB Cream, and I wouldn't substitute one for another.

Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation is exactly that- a foundation. I received the 3 fairest shades to test (aside from the white) and as you can see from this photo, the pink-toned 02 was just about perfect.

From Top Right: shades 02, 03, 04

I was a bit disappointed that the fairest neutral shade is 06 (which I knew would be WAY too dark for me) but had a little hope that the 04, which Illamasqua describes as a "yellow/pink undertone" would somehow work. While 04 did prove too dark for my skin, I was very pleased to see that the pink undertone in the 02 wasn't at all overbearing, it melted into my skin nicely, disappearing without leaving a rosy glow. I also found that the 03 blended almost as well, though it warmed my skin up a bit with it's slightly deeper yellow undertone.

In this aspect, the advantage definitely goes to Skin Base. The foundation is available in 18 shades, from pure white to a deep neutral, making it an option for all skin tones. BBs, on the other hand, typically come in only or two shades that tend to cater to the light/medium end of the spectrum. The "one size fits all" shade is generally too deep for the ultra-pale among us, and far too light for deeper skin tones.

When it comes to coverage and finish, Skin Base is indeed reminiscent of BB Creams- a smooth, ultra pigmented cream that provides excellent coverage without settling in pores or emphasizing fine lines. The finish is natural on my dry skin- not at all dewy, but not quite matte either. The base is more on the moisturizing side, as it includes hydrating glycerin and mineral oil, so oily skin types may be able to skip moisturizer, though I do think dryer skin will need more than this alone.

In terms of similarities with BB Cream, this is where the list ends. The biggest draw of BB Creams (to me) is their multi-purpose function. Many BBs on the market provide high-level SPF, along with ingredients that whiten/brighten, reduce wrinkles, provide moisture, soothe the skin, and provide coverage for redness and imperfections.

Since Illamasqua caters to a professional clientele, they made the decision to remove the SPF that traditional BBs include, since some sunscreen actives can interfere with the photographic process. Though the Skin Base formula does contain some great skin care ingredients like Niacinamide (reduces fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, and redness) Vitamins C and E (antioxidant protection) and Sodium Hyaluronate (moisture booster & retainer), I'd do wish they appeared higher on the list of ingredients. Of note: fragrance in this formula seems to have been bumped way down, and while I love Illamasqua's signature "cake batter" scent, this will no doubt be a big plus for some.

So what's my final call? While this won't be replacing my favorite BB Cream (which is great for lazy days when I don't need complete coverage) Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation is certainly unique. The tiniest amount gives flawless coverage, blends seamlessly with any applicator (even fingers), feels like nothing and stays put all day. And while the skin care benefits aren't as prominently featured as I'd like, every little bit counts, right? Skin Base is definitely a new favorite- it's earned a place as my go-to on the counter and in my kit!

Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation: Sneak Peek!

Illamasqua's newest addition to their coveted foundation range, Skin Base Foundation, is a western approach to the ever-expanding market of Asian BB Creams. Designed to be a one stop shop for skin perfection, Skin Base performs as primer, foundation and concealer with skin care benefits to boot!

One major innovation that Illamasqua has brought to the realm of BB creams is an impressive shade range. While BB creams notoriously come in just a few shades (most best suited to light-medium skin tones) Skin Base Foundation comes in a range of 18 shades, from pure white to a deep, neutral ebony.

Yesterday I was thrilled to find a little black envelope in my mail with 3 shades of the new Skin Base Foundations to test. I'll be wearing them a bit more before I render my final judgement, but for now, here are some swatches to give you an idea of what the buzz is all about!

From left to right (starting with the bottom most shade) these are shades 04 (Yellow/Pink Undertone), 03 (Yellow Undertone) and 02 (Pink Undertone). These, in case you can't tell, are heavily swatched and unblended. The magic with these is the ease in blending- the undertones are much more subtle when applied normally than they look in this photo. For instance, despite 02's pink undertones, when blended it's a great match for my fair neutral skin.

As much as I want to start sharing all I have about these, I'm going to reserve my thoughts for a full review- keep an eye on the site in the next week to see what I really think about Illamasqua's Skin Base Foundation.

This Week's Sales:Illamasqua 48 Hour Sale, YSL Friends & Family,Creed Fragrances and more!

e.l.f.

50% off Studio orders $25 and over. Use code STUDIO50 at checkout. Palettes excluded. Offer ends Monday, June 27th.

Illamasqua
For two days only, use code JUNE48 and get 20% off of your entire order. Offer ends 11:59 pm GMT (7:59 pm EDT) on Wednesday June 22nd, 2011.

Smashbox

Create your own kit for just $35. Choose one of ten shades of Limitless Lip Gloss, one of eight Limitless Eye Liners & a black or blue Bionic mascara and Smashbox will pack them all up for you in a handy zip-up makeup bag. Everything is full size, so you save over 40% off of retail (plus the free bag!)

Sonya Dakar

Take 35% off the complete Sonya Dakar Skin Care collection online, now through Tuesday, June 28th. Enter promo code PR/SSS0611 at checkout.

Yves Saint Laurent
Get 20% off (and free shipping on orders over $75) with the YSL's Friends and Family event, now through June 26th. Use code FRIENDS at checkout.

Beyond the Rack

Monday: Clinique

Tuesday: Navajo Skincare

Wednesday: Women's Designer Fragrances

Thursday: Exuberance Beauty

Friday: Creed Fragrances

Brand Alley

Tuesday: La Compagnie De Provence

If you're not a member yet, click here for an invite and we can both earn a £10 voucher!

Gilt Groupe

Wednesday: Clarins, Tria Beauty

HauteLook

Monday: TanTowel, Actifirm
Tuesday: Luminess Air

Wednesday: Nutra Luxe MD

Thursday: bellapierre, Anthony Morrison Hair Care

Friday: Pamper Your Baby, Belvada

Ideeli

Tuesday: PangeaOrganics.com (and I have to mention Tarina Tarantino, even though it's jewelry and not cosmetics, because it's so supercute!)

Swirl

Monday: MyFaceWorks

Totsy

Monday: Bubalina, Kimiko Beauty, Comptoir Sud Pacifique (Vanille Pineapple is a summer favorite of mine!)

Ask Outinapout: FoundationWho's the Fairest of Them All?

Today's question comes to us from Meghan, who writes:

Hello!
I came across your blog while looking for a foundation with a color similar to Make Up For Ever HD in Pink Porcelain. I have a very difficult time matching colors to my skin tone (MUFE is just the slightest bit too dark for me). I saw in your post that you used that shade, and I was wondering if you could recommend some other foundations or powders? I looked through your entries, but had a hard time finding other posts about foundations. Normally I would not email someone about this, but it is rare that I find people who could help me with this! Thank you so much.

My Answer:

Meghan,

I'm happy to oblige! Coincidentally, I was literally just talking about this with a friend, so it's fresh in my mind. I'm also a little embarrassed that I don't have more foundation advice on my site, since finding the best one is kind of an obsession for me!

Right now, my daily foundation is Graftobian High-Def Glamour Creme Foundation in either Graceful Swan (warm) or Bombshell (neutral, slightly deeper than Graceful Swan).

When I went to grab the link for this post, I was thrilled to see that the line has recently expanded the range with five- FIVE!!!- even fairer shades, making this brand a great choice for the palest among us! If you're not familiar with Graftobian, they are a well-known theatrical brand, and can be found online or in well-stocked costume or theatrical supply stores. They're also the least expensive foundation I use- a .5 oz pot retails for $14.99.

The coverage with Graftobian HD is easily adjustable from sheer to full. I like moderate coverage, so I apply it with my e.l.f. Studio Powder Brush and blend it into the skin using small, circular motions (mineral foundation fans will know this as "buffing"). This formula has a natural finish and I'd recommend it for all but extremely oily skin types.

Another favorite is Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Siberia.

I'm not really sure why Nars chose to call this "Sheer", because it's really not at all- it's a nice, medium coverage liquid. Also, don't let the word "glow" in the title fool you into thinking you'll see any shimmer or opalescence- the finish is satiny, not shimmery or dewy. I almost didn't try it because of the name, and I'm so glad the Nars advisor insisted on giving me a sample! Siberia is also the fairest shade of foundation I've been able to find among my locally available mall selection. Sheer Glow is designed for normal to dry skin; for those who are on the oilier side of the spectrum I'd suggest Nars' Sheer Matte Foundation, which comes in the same shade range.

Somewhat easier to find than my previous options is Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Alabaster.

Coverage and finish is similar to the Graftobian, but the shade is a tad deeper than I'd like, and I found the tone to have more orange than I cared for, which is why I moved on. It bears mentioning, however, because I still feel it's a notch fairer than other department store brands.

Another line to check our- if you don't mind ordering internationally, is Illamasqua- their fairest shade is pure white! They've recently revamped the line & added a shade 115, which is described as "for very light skin with neutral shade undertones" which describes me perfectly. I've used their rich liquid and the old formula of the light liquid, so make sure you check out those reviews & swatches before you shop! Also, some of you may be aware that some Sephoras carry Illamasqua, and it is also available online. Unfortunately, Sephora does not carry the entire Illamasqua shade or product range, which includes the ultra-fair shades I mentioned here.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in Zero Minus.

Face Atelier is a pro line that's available online and at very select locations in the US and Canada. The Zero Minus is a pure white liquid that can be blended into existing shades to lighten them without diluting the coverage. I adore it, and highly recommend it to anyone who has ever had to compromise the coverage, finish, formula or tone they want simply to get a shade fair enough.

So, that's about it! I have yet to find a drugstore brand that is light enough on it's own. If you don't need tons of coverage and have normal skin, you can likely find your shade in mineral powder makeup- the fairest shades I've tried are from brands Meow Cosmetics and Archetype Cosmetics. I have dry skin and like my foundation to cover imperfections, so mineral makeup doesn't work for me- which is why I don't really review them :) I know I have TONS of readers who are mineral fans, so feel free to sound off in the comments!

Edit: After a few comments mentioned Revlon Colorstay in Ivory, I thought I'd post a quick pic comparing the Revlon to my two current favorites by Graftobian.

Colorstay in 110 Ivory is in the center, on the left is Graftobian Graceful Swan. On the far right is Graftobian Bombshell. As you can see, the Revlon shade is deeper than either Graftobian option, I'd say about a half to full shade darker than Bombshell to the right, and almost two full shades deeper than Graceful Swan to the left. The biggest difference, of course, is in tone. Graceful Swan is a clean warm tone- a definite yellow base. Revlon Colorstay, when heavily swatched like this, appears peachy on the skin- a mixture of orange and pink tones, but definitely leans toward the cool pink side when blended. Bombshell looks a bit more warm in this photo than it looks in real life- it's a good neutral shade with no dominant undertones.

Illamasqua Toxic Nature Review:Cream Pigments

Today Illamasqua officially announced the US launch of it's Spring/Summer 2011 collection; Toxic Nature. With it comes a new permanent product: Cream Pigments. According to Illamasqua, Cream Pigments are:

"Six neo-toxic colour mutations create the ultimate in textures on your face, eyes, lips or body. Apply with an Illamasqua brush or simply use your fingers for a buildable, water resistant, highly pigmented finish. Layer under Powder Eye Shadow and Pure Pigments for intensity."

Illamasqua was gracious enough to send me a couple of the new Cream Pigments to try out:

Mould (deep, bruised grape) and Dab (pastel lilac)

Illamasqua's Cream Pigments are designed to be highly pigmented, water resistant, blendable and buildable- and indeed they are. However, they're also not quite what I expected.

These creams are fairly dry yet slightly tacky in consistency. I found they applied easily with just about any tool available. Pat them on with a finger or a sponge for full, opaque pigmentation, or use a brush for easy blending or to apply a sheer wash color (great if you're using the cream for contouring or blush).

On the lips, the color feels quite light, but very dry- there's no mistaking this for lipstick. Having said that, I was able to get non-streaky, opaque coverage fairly easily with these two shades. Considering the fact that very light and very dark shades like the ones I tried are basically the toughest to get even coverage with, I consider this a win. Of course, if the cream is simply too dry to be comfortable, I found that the addition of lip balm on top created a creamy, ultra-pigmented lip that still managed to cover well without separating or settling into the lines in my lips.

Applied with a thin brush (for body painting, eye liner or lips) the cream pigment creates nice, solid lines that glide on well without tugging or skipping. When applying color to the lid, the slight tackiness was more apparent, and I found it more comfortable to pat the color on with my finger, then blend out the edges (if desired) with a brush.

Speaking of eyes, I have to admit: my first round of on-lid tests was slightly discouraging. I suppose when I heard the term "waterproof" I assumed (hoped?) these product would dry down into a crease and smudge proof finish. This is not the case. While the Cream Pigments may be water resistant- in that running them under a tap did nothing to dissolve the color- the product stays moist and easily smudgeable, wiping away fully with a swipe of paper towel even after an hour of drying time. So, water-resistant, maybe, but that claim shouldn't be taken as an implication that these are stay-in-place (at least, not straight from the pot...read on!)

Undaunted, I started phase two of my trials- and therein found the glimmer of hope I was looking for. When I applied the Cream Pigments to my eyes for the first time, I was not at all surprised to find that they creased almost instantly, even with a primer underneath. Not great- but, as I found, super easy to fix. All it took was a dusting of loose powder and the pigment became not only crease-proof, but incredibly long-lasting!

Next, I tried it as a base underneath powdered shadow. After all, if a face powder set it, shouldn't a shadow? I was delighted to find that, in fact, it did. Better yet, in side-by-side comparisons, this kicked butt as a base up against the champs. Since the Dab pigment I used was similar in shade to the pigment I tested it with, where as UDPP is invisible on my skin, I expected the increase in vibrancy. What did surprise me was the degree of the difference- the Dab side was probably a good 3 times more intense!

Another trial- this time Illamasqua's Mould up against MAC Paint Pot in Blackground- showed that not only did the Illamasqua pigment side wear better and crease less, but the micro-shimmer in Sugarpill's Stella loose shadow that I applied over the bases stuck better to Illamasqua's tackier texture- it was apparent almost immediately upon application and undeniable by night's end.

So all in all, though these were not exactly what I expected, I would definitely recommend them to those of you that like multi-use products and cream shadow bases. When applied properly (with sealant and powder) these proved much more transfer-resistant on the body as well, making them an option for body painting and tattoo cover.

So what do you think? Is a little setting powder a small price to pay for great pigment & wearing power, or are you holding out for a product that does it all?

The products featured in this post were submitted for review consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed in my product reviews are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the review influenced by the featured company.

Illamasqua Toxic Nature: Swatches & First Impressions!

Illamasqua's tantalizing new collection is now available online, one week in advance of UK stores (US launch date is still TBA, but should be some time in April) and I was lucky enough to receive a few of the new shades and products to try. Here's a first look at a few of the highlights of the collection, including a peek at two of the brand new Cream Pigments!

Since Illamasqua's polish has a cult following, and this one is a doozy, we'll start there. Radium is a bright, acid-lime green with a soft pearl finish.

It applies almost opaque in one coat, but will likely require two to ensure even coverage. This is my first experience with the famous Illamasqua polishes, and so far so good- you can look forward to a review of how the polish performs in the near future! Here's a peek of it on my sad, sad little thumb nail!

Is it a coincidence that when I received this in the mail yesterday, I was wearing sweat pants this exact color? Maybe, maybe not. And while this may not be a great shade to paint one's living room (I happen to know that from experience...I guess you could say I'm fond of lime green) it is fabulous on the nails!

Now for the Cream Pigments. Designed to be a multi-use product for the eyes, face, lips and body, Cream Pigments purportedly provide a crease and water resistant matte finish.

Dab Cream pigment (pastel lilac)

Mould Cream Pigment (deep, bruised grape)

Both Cream pigments that I received were, as promised, completely devoid of shimmer. While they show as more of a cream than matte finish on my hand (meaning they had no shimmer, but a slightly moist finish) they applied with a true matte finish on both my eyes and lips.

Dab Cream Pigment on bare skin.

Mould Cream Pigment on bare skin.

So, what do you think of the Toxic Nature collection? Anyone hauling? Stay tuned next week for complete reviews of the products mentioned in this post!

The products featured in this post were submitted for consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you, my readers, and myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). I can assure you that the opinions expressed in my product reviews are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the review influenced by the featured company.

WIN IT!!! Illamasqua Toxic Nature:Spring/Summer 2011

While I don't normally post press release info (I feel like you can get that almost anywhere) today I got some images from Illamasqua's upcoming product line that have me drooling. Since I've been ill this week and, frankly, haven't had the energy to post anything heftier, I decided I had to share this with you.

The Toxic Nature collection launches online a week from today on Thursday, March 10 and in UK stores on March 17th (US launch date is still TBA, but should be some time in April). To celebrate the launch, Illamasqua is giving you the chance to win your choice of items from the new collection!!! All you have to do is register at illamasqua.com and join the waiting list for your desired products, anytime between now and March 9th. 3 winners will then be sent ALL of the items they're eagerly awaiting, in advance of the main launch! Exciting, huh?!?!

Aside from some stunning new shades, the Toxic Nature collection marks the launch of a new product: Cream Pigments.According to Illamasqua's Creative Director, ground breaking makeup artist Alex Box, this product launch marks the debut of one of Illamasqua's hardest working products. The range of 6 matte shades is purported to be super-blendable, buildable and water-resistant. Far from just cream shadows, they can be used anywhere on the body- try the pale toffee shade Hallow as a contour color for fair skin, or peachy Emerge to brighten under eye circles. Of course, you could just use them as shadow bases or lip colors, but where's the fun in that?

Just for fun, here's a few more of the fantastical images from the Toxic Nature campaign. Let me know what you think!

This Week's Sales:Illamasqua, Eve Pearl and Happy Birthday to...

Before we get into member's only deals, there are a few great (and rare) deals going on that I have to call out. First, a rare chance to save on Sugarpill Cosmetics as they celebrate their first birthday. Get 20% off site-wide on Monday and Tuesday only with the code "birthday". Also check out Tarte Cosmetics' Best of Tarte list, all items are 20% off with code "winner" (offer good February 14-18th on Tartecosmetics.com only). Until midnight Thursday, it's another 20% deal over at Illamasqua. Enter code "VALENTINES20" at the edit your basket page.

Save 30% on any Bliss, Laboratoire Remède or Elemis brand skincare purchase at blissworld.com with code SKIN30. Offer excludes Bliss The Youth As We Know It Anti-Aging Moisture Lotion SPF 30 and expires February 22, 2011 at midnight (EST).

On HauteLook this week, Nutra Luxe MD is Monday's feature, with Cosmetique and Alexandria Professional in the spotlight on Tuesday, Freeze 24-7 on Wednesday, Eve Pearl on Thursday, February 17th. On Friday the site hosts a nail discovery day featuring Barielle, Ginger + Liz and Pharmagel. There's also a Bellapierre deal-of-the-day.

On Thursday at the Rue La La, visit their Get Gorgeous event; salon and spa indulgences in 4 different metro areas.

If you're looking for hair tools, hop over to Ideeli for their Lava Tech sale opening Monday, or check out Gilt Groupe on Tuesday for T3.

Swirl features Pangea Organics up to 50% off this week; sale ends Wednesday, February 16th.

Brand Alley has a Skin Solutions boutique going until Wednesday. Click here for an invite if you're not a member yet (we can both earn a £10 voucher too, so, nice.)

I hope everyone who celebrated had a great Valentine's Day- if you didn't celebrate Monday, do it tomorrow when all of those heart shaped boxes go on clearance! Have fun shopping!

This Week's Sales: ICS, Sonya Dakar, Purlisse, and more!

This week on Haute Look: If the idea of a prenatal wax sounds appealing to you, then you're obviously much more considerate of your OBGYN than I was- it's just one of the serviced offered by the hair removal specialists at Completely Bare. Check out their boutique this Tuesday, September 22nd!

In a last minute change of plans (very last minute, as in 2 minutes before the sale!) Gilt Groupe removes the Whish, Methven and Neil George sales. Now on the slate: men's skincare specialists Task Essential on Thursday and ICS Skin Therapie on Friday.

Finally, here's what the folks at The Fairest have coming up: Skin Nutrition, David Kirsch Wellness, Purlisse (try the "pur-lip comfort" if you can!), Sonya Dakar, and BURN Candles, designed by the famous Fred Segal studios.

Of course, according to my source at Illamasqua, their highly anticipated Dystopia Eye Shadow Quads are due in this week. Combine that with the facts that MAC's Style Black collection launches this Thursday and Nordstrom Cincinnati opens Friday, and I'm really kind of hoping the online sales have a lot of passes for me!

Quick Tip: Choosing the Right Illuminator

If the impending fall/winter season has you scrambling to pick up something to restore your skin's glow, here's something to bear in mind. Despite being touted as skin tone perfectors, many iridescent illuminators and skin brighteners can actually call attention to the very thing you're trying to correct.

If redness in the skin is a concern for you, whether it's something chronic like rosacea or just a few inflamed pimples, be aware that many illuminators (like MAC Strobe Cream, Estee Lauder Spotlight, or Benefit High Beam) have pearly particles that will actually emphasize red or pink tones in the skin. While they might be a great choice for brightening some skin tones, putting this type of opalescent shade on skin that it already plagued with redness is likely to bring about a glow that's more stoplight than spotlight. Many moisturizers that are billed as "luminous" also have this added pigment. While this red cast is quite apparent in some products, it's much more subtle in others. If you're not sure, put a good sized dab in the palm of you hands and rub it it. The particles are likely to settle into the fine lines and become more obvious.

A better bet for ruddy skin is a white or champagne shade, like Benefit Moon Beam or Illamasqua Illuminator in Odyssey. For an all-over glow, mix a pea sized drop into your foundation or moisturizer, or just pat it on key areas. Keep in mind, if you wear foundation, choosing a dewier formula (rather than a matte or satin finish) may eliminate your need for a separate illuminator all together. I love Face Atelier Ultra Foundation for it's fresh, natural look on the skin- it offers good coverage and allows my skin to retain that "just applied moisturizer" look without feeling heavy or greasy.

Product Review: Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation

Last week, I brought you part one in my review of the Illamasqua foundations. Now, continuing the "series", here's my opinion of the company's other liquid offering, which they call Rich Liquid Foundation.

I have the Rich Liquid in shade 135, which is a fair, very yellow based shade.

This has the same light, cake-batter scent that the Light Liquid has to it, and it's one that I quite enjoy. The plastic squeeze bottle is perfect to travel with- shatter-proof, yet sturdy enough that it won't accidentally squirt out all over the bottom of your bag!

The name "Rich Liquid" is very suitable for this formula. It is very thick, about the consistency of peanut butter thinned with honey (or so I imagine.) For any of you familiar with middle eastern cooking, I'd say the molecular weight of this foundation would have to be somewhat close to that of tahini. Please notice my lacking description, and feel free to take it to mean that this makeup is quite different than any other liquid foundation I've ever tried. Consequently, it has to be applied differently, but when done right it creates a flawless matte canvas, suitable for day or nighttime.

I will admit, it took me a few applications to understand this formula. You really need to work this makeup into the skin, but when you do, the full coverage is impeccable, yet unbelievably lightweight on the skin. Because of the texture of the makeup and the fact that it really needs to be spread and then worked into the skin a bit, I found that more delicately bristled brushes, like the MAC 187 or 131 had no chance. A traditional, stiffer synthetic foundation brush, like MAC's 190, will work, but the circular buffing motions that best blend this foundation will damage to this type of brush. After trying an arsenal of different application methods, I found that I prefer a dense, flat topped, natural bristle brush, like a small kabuki. An old school latex sponge wedge works well also.

Despite the thick texture and great coverage, Rich Liquid didn't feel even a bit heavy on my skin- it blended down to a powdery texture and a very matte finish. I will say that I feel this is best suited to those with normal or slightly oily skin. As I said, it has an extremely matte finish, which on dry skin (like mine) can call attention to any fine lines, flakiness, or uneven skin texture. I should point out that I do not feel that this product was at all drying to my skin- it just made my existing dryness more apparent.

I feel like I should also mention that the Rich Liquid Foundation is actually NOT designed to be a daytime makeup, as I was reminded by Illamasqua artist Aga, who works at the brand's Selfridges Oxford Street location in London. She mentioned to me that the full, opaque coverage is ideal for stage and night-time looks, and ensured that I was aware of what I was getting. Though I have used the Rich Liquid by itself, I have actually started mixing it with the 0- by Face Atelier and LOVE the results- it still gives fantastic coverage, but blending the two foundations gives me a much better color match, thins out the texture and gives it more of a satiny, natural skin finish.

I give this product a 7 out of 10, and honestly, if I had the correct shade the score could be higher. Indeed, if I was a fan of matte foundations, I'd likely rate this an 8 or 9. I like this foundation, and will be purchasing it again in an attempt to find my correct shade.

Pros:
-Wide shade range available (25 shades)
- caused no irritation to my sensitive skin (despite the yummy cake batter scent!)

- Provides excellent coverage (no concealer needed, even on my worst days!)

- Absorbs excess oil and shine

- minimizes the appearance of pores

- long wearing

- feels light and soft on the skin

- blends well with primer or other mediums

Cons:

-Limited availability; Illamasqua is currently only available in the US at the Sephora Times Square store, though 26 other Sephora locations in major cities will begin to carry the brand this month. Also available online at Sephora and Illamasqua's websites.

-not transfer resistant- I didn't detail this elsewhere simply because I can't think of a foundation that I've tried that was completely transfer proof, plus I can't know for sure that my custom blending of the product didn't produce this result.

-can emphasize fine lines, flakiness and uneven skin texture.

-Contains added fragrance, which is a known irritant. Not to mention the fact that you may not want to smell like baked goods (Neither were problems for me!)

-even for a pro artist like myself, it's virtually impossible to choose a shade online. Illamasqua's website offers no individual shade descriptions (not even a warm/cool designation), and shades do not necessarily appear to be arranged in a light to dark manner.
-after shipping, the price tops $43, making this pricey even amongst prestige foundations. (If you're a professional, Illamasqua does offer a discount.)