NEW Illamasqua Destiny Nail Varnish

To celebrate Chinese New Year on Friday 31st January 2014 (the year of the Wooden Horse), Illamasqua counters at Myer have launched an exclusive limited edition nail varnish called 'Destiny'. Such a beautiful name, isn't it?

Single coat on the two nails on the left and two coats on the two nails on the right.

Illamasqua, Myer- 'Inspired by the new life that leaves bring to bare wooden bark in the spring, we have captured a fresh green leaf in our latest shade, Destiny.'

Destiny features fine hexagonal and spotted gold glitter particles in a sea of bottle green nail varnish as the base. I don't have any shades of emerald green in my nail polish collection, so Destiny sure is a stand out amongst my other nail polish bottles. Although the formula of Destiny is somewhat viscous, I found that it was a breeze to achieve an opaque finish with just one coat. The glitters appear moderately dispersed leaving a gorgeous jelly base finish. The sparkling finish is pretty much like the surface of exquisite wine glasses! I absolutely love the fact that the overall finish of Destiny appears exactly the same as the shade in the bottle!

Two coats of Illamasqua Destiny Nail Varnish

Illamasqua Destiny Nail Varnish (A$22.50/15ml) is available exclusively at Myer from 14th January 2014.

What's going to be on your nails during Chinese New Year?

xx Rose

Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Illamasqua and did not receive remuneration to post this product review. 

NEW Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Maiden

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Maiden (A$22/7ml) is an admirable warm peach that is part of Illamasqua's 2013 Christmas Collection. Maiden is a lovely simple everyday shade for those of you who love nude lip colours. The non-sticky formula appears quite opaque, however, it applies on semi-sheer to suit any kind of makeup look. The shade is more of a nude peach shade, so you could layer this shade over lipstick or apply the formula on its own. The scent of the formula is quite strong, though very pleasant - reminds me of those love heart candies! My scent does linger for a short while on my lips, so no one would think I've been consuming a bunch of lollies all day!

Do you love wearing coral/peach lip colour?

xx Rose

Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Illamasqua and did not receive remuneration to post this product review. 

NEW Illamasqua Snow Glitter Nail Varnish in Blizzard

Illamasqua Snow Glitter Nail Varnish in Blizzard (A$22/15ml) is one of my favourite beauties that is part of the limited edition Illamasqua Christmas Collection. I absolutely adore the white speckled snow glitter scattered in clear nail varnish. The formula is relatively dense and the snow glitters are abundant, so you don't need to spend so much time fishing for the glitters for even distribution across the nail bed. The formula dries up super quick and you could apply Blizzard over any shade of nail varnish to enhance the glitter effect. Double thumbs up for this oh so pretty snow glitter formula!

Are you planning on creating some festive nail art this Christmas season?

What's on your nails today?

xx Rose

Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Illamasqua and did not receive remuneration to post this product review. 

NEW Illamasqua Nail Polish in Swarm

The latest offering by Illamasqua is the spooky limited edition nail polish in Swarm (A$22/15ml), which is part of the Illamasqua Halloween Collection - the first ever Halloween Collection launched by Illamasqua! Swarm is described as a matte black speckled glitter with a clear jelly base. Swarm is quite similar to those speckled nail polishes that were a part of the Illamasqua I'm Perfection Collection. In the swatches below, I applied 1 generous coat of Swarm over Sally Hansen's Gray-t Escape (reviewed here). I love the mysterious look of Swarm as you could work this effect with any coloured base.

Have you painted your nails in prep for Halloween?

xx Rose

 Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Illamasqua and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.  

Christmas Gift Ideas For Someone Special

Christmas is just around the corner and if you're like me, you're likey inundated with an amazing array of beauty Christmas ideas that will make shopping so easy peasy! I've decided to share a list of gift ideas that I think would make someone in your mum, sister, cousin or bestie smile!

Soap & Glory You Cube, rrpA$39.95 at Kit Cosmetics

This spectacular Soap & Glory 'You Cube' is limited edition and contains 5 of Soap & Glory's best luxurious bath and body products. Everything comes packaged in a cute and sturdy box which means it can be re-used.

Bloom Cosmetics Fashion Mini Nail Polish Collection, rrpA$24.95

 Bloom Cosmetics offers a wide range of skincare and beauty gift packs and the Fashion Mini Nail Polish Collection pictured above would be an excellent gift idea. I'm certain there will be at least one shade that she will love!

Dior Christmas Palette, rrpA$142 at Myer and David Jones

Know someone who deserves an all-in-one beauty palette? Well Dior have definitely caught my interest on the 2011 Christma Palette which has everything you need in one sophisticated travel wallet adornedd with a cute bow. I bought this palette for my mother-in-law (she doesn't read my blog, so the surprise is safe!) and I can't wait to see the look on her face on when she opens her present!

Forever New Sienna Beauty Case, rrpA$69.99

This Sienna Beauty Case looks so luxe and beautiful! This beauty case would be great for not only storing beauty products but also great as a travel case.

Illamasqua Bespoke Freak Gift Set, rrpA$200 at Myer

Illamasqua has released their first scent called Freak. One of their Illamasqua Christmas gift sets reveal the fragrance Freak amongst your choice of Pure Pigment, Nail Varnish and Sheer/Intense Lipgloss. With this gift set, you're saving a total of $55 and you get to choose the shades of products, how good is that!

Napoleon Perdis Luxe Basics Brush Collection, rrpA$69

This four piece brush set comes with a foundation brush, buffing brush, primer brush and concealer brush. The brush pouch looks so luxe!

How much Christmas shopping have you done so far? Are you all ready and set for Christmas?

Which gift idea has caught your interest?

Rose

Review: Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Beguile

Beguile Pure Pigment was featured in Illamasqua's Theatre of the Nameless Collection. You can read more about the Theatre of the Nameless Collection here.

Beguile was one of three pure pigments (Berber and Zeitgeist were the other two) in this collection. The effect of Beguile is stunning! It appears as a pure white with miniscule multi-coloured shimmers in the container, however, once applied, you could still pick up that true white shade amongst the pretty shimmers. This shade actually reminds me of Christmas and snow, although we don't get to feel snow up here in Brisbane at all! 

The model in this image is wearing Beguile along her eye lids.

Beguile is definitely a multi-purpose pure pigment! Since Beguile is a shimmer based pigment, you could use Beguile to coat powder or cream based eyeshadows. A swipe of Beguile to your cheeks is another great way to turn your daytime blush to a dazzling night time look. You could also mix Beguile with your liquid foundation to create your own illuminator and apply small amounts to your cheeks, the bridge of your nose and chin to create a beautiful glow.  

Are you a fan of Illamasqua Pure Pigments?

Which shades do you love?

Rose

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Beguile was gifted to me when I attended the launch of The Theatre of the Nameless Collection in Brisbane.

Review: Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Femme + Mistress

Illamasqua is fast becoming my favourite cosmetic brand! Within a matter of days, my Illamasqua collection had expanded as I explored the range of beautiful and good quality blushers, eye shadows, nail varnishes and lipglosses. 

Illamasqua houses two types of glosses, that is the Intense and Sheer lipglosses. Both lipglosses are packaged in the same skinny and long hard plastic tube with a transparent slanted tip applicator. The lipgloss tubes are so sleek and cute! 

I am yet to try the Sheer lipglosses as I'm always on the lookout for opaque and full colour lipglosses, which the Intense lipglosses provide. 

I currently have my paws on the Intense lipglosses in Femme and Mistress, THE two most gorgeous shades I have come across thus far! Femme is a gorgeous bright coral pink and Mistress is a beautiful bright coral orange.

Illamasqua Intense lipgloss has a very delectable sweet scent and it's just so divine! The glosses are bright and goes on opaque with a glossy and shiny finish (with no traces of shimmer). Hence, there is no need to apply lipstick prior to using Illamasqua's Intense lipgloss. 

Have you tried Illamasqua's Intense/Sheer lipglosses?

Which shade gives you the best statement lips?

Rose

Review: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Faux Pas

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Faux Pas

Illamasqua Faux Pas was gifted to me when I attended the launch of the new Theatre of the Nameless collection which I've been so excited about recently. Faux Pas is a relatively thick glossy nail varnish which dries quickly to provide a smooth, matte and rubber-like finish. I love this unique rubber-look as it's just so different to all other nail varnishes in my collection.

The first coat goes on completely opaque, however, I'd suggest to apply two coats (as I did in the image above) to prolong the wear, as the unique finish means you need to skip the top coat.  

Other shades in this amazing collection are Kink, Vice and Taint. Visit the Illamasqua website to see the full collection.

**Until Sunday 18th September 2011, Illamasqua is offering free worldwide shipping for purchases over £40. Click here for more info.**

What do you think of the finish of these new Illamasqua nail varnishes?

Have you tried them before?

Rose

Illamasqua FREE Worldwide shipping

Just a heads up that you could purchase some of the amazing darkly sophisticated shades from the new Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless collection and the fabulous Illamasqua range online here and receive FREE worldwide shipping with your purchase over £40.

To redeem your free UK delivery, simply enter the promotional code AWUK when you reach the checkout page of the Illamasqua Shop.

 

To redeem your free international delivery, simply enter the promotional code AW40 at the checkout – when you spend £40 or more.

Offer is available until 11.59pm GMT Sunday 18th September 2011 and applies to one transaction only. 

Have you gotten your hands on the Theatre of the Nameless collection?

Which Illamasqua product is your Holy Grail?

Rose

Review: Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore

Illamasqua- 

''Deep in an enchanted forest, the scene is set for a sumptuous feast. The chosen have arrived. Where this night will end no one knows. Not even death is inevitable.
Lured by the promise of immortality, a host of fantastical beings try their hand at creating the ever-elusive Elixir of Life. The resulting potions dazzle the eye and ensnare the senses, a beautiful array of jewel-like substances. They may not deny mortality, but they do make the theatre of life a more colourful stage on which to play.
It’s a melting pot of individuals, where ideas are exchanged, and new ones created. A surreal gathering from which the guests might never awake. Which is why this night can never end, and the game must be played for eternity.
So take your place at the table and let the banquet begin.
This is Art of Darkness.''

The Art of Darkness Collection includes bold, dark and metallic finish cosmetics to ''bring out your bold side''. Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Ore is part of the Art of Darkness A/W 2010 Collection. 

Ore is such a gorgeous shimmery metallic gold/bronze shade that you really have to see it to believe how incredibly pretty this gold irridescent pigment really is! This pure pigment has a gazzilion minute shimmer's which makes it so versatile! Apply Ore to your eyes lightly for a hint of shimmer or heavily for a beautiful Goddess look, add some to the cheeks and even to your collar bone for that extra bit of spark. This is why I love pigments, especially Ore as it is so versatile and convenient!   

Illamasqua- ''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. Bring out your bold side.''

Have you tried Ore before?

Which Illamasqua Pure Pigments do you LOVE?

Rose

Illamasqua Theatre Of The Nameless Launch Event in Brisbane

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Illamasqua's new THEATRE OF THE NAMELESS collection in Myer Brisbane City. A huge thank you to Mandi Lavanah for inviting me to this exciting new launch from Illamasqua. It was great to meet and mingle with the wonderful Illamasqua make-up artists and lovely Brisbane Beauty Bloggers (BBB).

If you have been reading my blog posts,  you may know that I recently fell in love with Illamasqua when I made the plunge to get a hold on a few Illamasqua products here and here. The pigmentation, unique shades and quality of Illamasqua products as well as the purpose of their existence...'make up for your alto ego'... are some of the reasons why I love Illamasqua.

L-R: Tiarah Ormsbry (Brisbane City Illamasqua Counter Manager and MUA), Daniel Jamieson (Illamasqua MUA) and Deanna Spataro (Illamasqua MUA).

Illamasqua-

''Descend into the riotous scene of erotic adventure that is the Theatre of the Nameless collection. In this nocturnal den of the dissident leaders of underworld subcultures, exotic dancers rub shoulders with actors and anarchists. Infused with the essence of self-expression that transformed 1920s Berlin, this rich and indulgent collection envelops the senses. Darkly sophisticated tones are accompanied by shocks of dazzling iridescence and kinky rubber-look finishes, creating a breathtakingly modern interpretation of the most illicit nightlife in history. It's time to cross the threshold and embrace a world of unadulterated decadence.''

Illamasqua's Theatre of the Nameless Autumn/Winter 2011 collection has arrived with an inspiring and intriguing collection which surely does bring out Illamasqua's uniqueness to this World! The new collection brings upon bold, dark, seductive and daring shades with some gorgeous soft shades to represent the makeup worn during the nightlife of Berlin about a decade ago. The Theatre of the Nameless collection brings Illamasqua back to its roots and relates back to the ''dark drama of 1920s Berlin''...

Sound strikingly familiar? Have you ever noticed why the little description on the side of every Illamasqua box mentions a time back in the 1920s of Berlin? Well, here comes the Theatre of the Nameless which reveals the origin and inspiration of Illamasqua.

During the 1920s in Berlin, there was a woman who came to light in the darkness of the night. This woman is Anita Berber, she was in the field of film and theatre where she was known for her different and daring personality as a nude dancer and performer. She is Illamasqua's inspiration. 

Despite her androgynous personality and being the first woman to make the tuxedo fashionable for women, she was often seen dancing nude which made her a name in her era. She would often be seen wearing bold makeup; her lips would be seen as jet black from black and white images on screen and in paper. During most of her entire life, she had an attraction towards drugs and alcohol and dealt with a stark dark atmosphere of depravity and corruption which lead to her death just before she turned 30.

Due to her lifestyle and personality, she was neglected throughout history for more than half a decade. It wasn't until the year 1984 where a German writer wrote the first ever book devoted to Anita Berber; the book was titled 'Goddess of the Night'. To this day, her life continues to live in memory and her image... comes to life in Illamasqua's Theatre of the Nameless collection...

Alex Box (Illamasqua Creative Director)-  
''Theatre Of The Nameless is a heady mixture of opulent hues, decadent pigments and fearless application. A braised and burnished pallet that gives a sensual slip that bleeds colour into colour, worn through and kissed off.''

Deanna's work of art on Annabelle (model)

Daniel describes the products he applied on Thomas (model)

Tiarah demonstrates the versatility of the new products  on Abby (model)

The final look- bold and dramatic!

Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless collection

L-R: Tiarah, Thomas, Mandi (Celebrity Makeup Artist and Manicurist) and Annabelle. The names of the nail varnishes Mandi is wearing are: Vice (deep cerise),  Taint (stone brown), Faux Pas (blue violet) and Kink (bottle green).

Illamasqua's new set of nail varnishes are THE most talked about products from the collection! These nail varnishes provide an incredibly smooth rubber-look finish and they are absolutely amazing! What's also interesting about the nail varnishes are that the lids are not the usual black plastic like the permanent Illamasqua range of nail varnishes...they are actually made of rubber! 

Grandeur Flase Eye Lashes

These false eye lashes in Grandeur are huge! The box in which these falsies come packaged is twice as large as the permanent styles on counter. There are two styles of flase eye lashes in The Theatre of the Nameless collection and the other one is called Weimar, which was designed in collaboration with Amelia Tan (founder of fashion label 'A is for Arsenic'. In Australia, Weimar is available online and in Sydney and Melbourne).

The Precision Ink in Havoc (aubergene) is also part of the collection and the formula is waterproof, so it will last all night without smudging/fading! To create a dramatic look, Deanna explained that you could use Havoc  to shade the brows and define the eye socket. 

L-R: Intense Lipgloss in Facade (grey pink/beige clay) and Lipstick in Kontrol (blue violet)

Intense Lipgloss in Belladonna (deep pink)

In the collection, there are two Intense Lipglosses in Facade and Belladonna and one Sheer Lipgloss in Violate (dark green with shimmer). The latter was MIA at the time of the event (alongside Illamasqua's New Masquara).

L-R: Depravity (magenta) and Androgen (soft coral)

 Illamasqua cream pigments are still fairly new to Illamasqua (first launched as part of the Toxic Nature Collection), so it's great to see this type of formulation for the shades Depravity and Androgen in this new collection.  These cream pigments are soo versatile! Tiarah demonstrated that these shades can be used on the eye lids, cheeks and even lips! 

Pure Pigment in Zeitgeist- dark shimmer

Pure Pigment in Berber- auburn shimmer

Pure Pigment in Beguile- light shimmer

Pure Pigments are 'triple' milled which is why the shimmers appear incredibly minute! Pure Pigments give an absolutely precious shimmery look to the eyes, cheeks and lips! Deanna explained to me that Buguile could be mix into liquid foundation and just apply to the cheeks, forehead, between the brows and on your chin to highlight the face. Mandi also suggested to dab a few specs of Berber to Facade coated lips to give that extra bit of shimmer and colour. 

Powder Blusher in Ambition- soft coral

Ambition provide a soft coral shimmery finish which adds a hint of glow to the cheeks. Like all Illamasqua blushers,  Ambition does have the same level of high pigmentation and quality. There are two powder blushes in this collection, the other is Morale (magenta) which is unfortunately not stocked in Australia.  However, you can purchase Morale from the  Illamasqua website.

 Here are a few swatches of some of the products on show at the event last night. Note that the swatch of the Pure Pigments in the photo below are only light swatches!

Illamasqua's Theatre of the Nameless is an inspiring collection with a deep sense and feel of the darkness in the nightlife of history. The names of these Illamasqua products truly depict the life of Anita Berber back in 1920s Berlin...

At the conclusion of the party, Mandi gifted us BBB's with a couple of amazing products from the collection. I've been admiring Mandi's stunning nails and the Pure Pigments, so I was uber excited to have one of each to play with!

Nail varnish in Faux Pas and Pure Pigment in Beguile.

Stay tuned for reviews on these two Illamasqua beauties!

Illamasqua's Theatre of the Nameless collection launches today at all Illamasqua counters in Myer across Australia.

Promotional images courtesy of Illamasqua.

What are your thoughts of the Theatre of the Nameless collection?

Which product/s would you dare to use?

Rose