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Posts tagged Illamasqua
NOTD: Primark Spotty Nail Polish
3
3 years
by Naomi in Nails
I’ve been wanting Illamasqua’s Speckled nail polishes ever since they were released, but at £14.50 each I just couldn’t justify buying them. Then, whilst queueing in Primark at the weekend, I spotted this Spotty nail polish, which is a dupe of Illamasqua’s Speckle – their discontinued speckled lilac shade. And the best part? Primark’s Spotty was discounted from £2 to just £1!
The polish has a creme base, and is crammed full of black glitter and micro glitter, which in the right light has a beautiful holographic sheen. The overall finish reminds me of a Cadbury Mini Egg, which is perfect for Spring and the run up to Easter! The polish has a smooth consistency and applies evenly, giving opaque coverage in two coats, but it takes a while to dry. Not ideal, but not really a problem if you’re not in a rush.
My only issue with the polish is that, when I first used it, lots of little air bubbles got trapped underneath (as you can see above), so it looked and felt a bit lumpy. It could’ve been due to the base coat I used though, so next time I’ll give it a miss to see if it makes a difference.
In terms of staying power, I wore this for three days before removing it, and by that point it had barely chipped at all. I imagine it would last for almost a week before starting to look scruffy.
Overall, this is a lovely, pretty polish, and I’m so pleased I finally have a speckled polish in my collection. I just wish I’d picked up the other shades too!
What do you think of my bargain find?
Naomi x
Illamasqua Lipstick in Tramp
16
4 years
by Naomi in Lips
Every woman needs a good quality red lipstick in her life to emphasise her confidence, and without a doubt, Illamasqua’s Tramp is mine. I bought Tramp last month in Illamasqua’s January sale for just £5 and instantly fell in love with it, and here’s why…
Firstly, how gorgeous does this lipstick look? I’ve always been a fan of Illamasqua’s classy black packaging, and this is a fine example of such. The packaging is practical too, as the lid is quite large and clicks firmly into place so there’s no chance of it coming off in your bag, which we all know can lead to a messy disaster!
The first thing that hit me when I opened this lipstick was its scent. It doesn’t smell plasticky or chemically like some cheap lipsticks do, rather, it smells exactly like Krispy Kreme doughnuts – delicious, AND without the calories! I honestly spent a good minute smelling it before I even applied it. It’s just that good.
In terms of application, Tramp has it all. I can honestly say this is the creamiest lipstick that I own, which to me is the sign of a high quality lipstick. It smooths on effortlessly and feels extremely moisturising on the lips, and believe me when I say that the feeling lasts… Not once have my lips felt dry whilst wearing this. In fact, they feel noticeably softer after use, and there’s no need to apply a lip balm underneath or over the top. Illamasqua lipstick has decent staying power too. It always survives numerous drinks throughout the day, but it doesn’t stay put completely after eating, so does need a bit of touching up every now and then.
Tramp is a bright rose red, with an undertone of blue – a beautiful, classic shade that makes me feel sophisticated and sexy. Ideal for Valentine’s Day! I have experimented with several red lipsticks in the past and have found that blue reds look best against my pale skin tone and, though it doesn’t really show in the picture above, Tramp really brings out my blue eyes! My eyes are my favourite feature, so I’m always happy when I find a product which shows them off. Tramp also has a matte finish, which I prefer in red lipsticks as I don’t think bold colours need shine as they’re already eye-catching enough.
Unfortunately, I have just discovered that Tramp has been discontinued, which is really disappointing as I have lost it as soon as I found it! So, for now, I will be keeping this beauty for best, and in the meantime I will attempt to find a duplicate, or an Illamasqua replacement shade. Any suggestions?
To find your perfect Illamasqua lip product, you can check out their full range here.
Naomi x
*I bought this Illamasqua Lipstick in Tramp myself. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Velocity
9
4 years
by Naomi in Nails
Earlier this month, not long after I decided to ban myself from spending for a while, I received an email from Illamasqua to say that they had added more lines to their winter sale, and I couldn’t resist a browse. There were so many lovely things going cheap that I had to restrain myself, but I made a compromise and let myself buy two things that I wanted the most – a gorgeous red lipstick in the shade Tramp (which I will review at a later date), and this beautiful nail varnish, Velocity.
Illamasqua nail varnish usually retails for £13.50, but Velocity cost me just £5 in the sale, which is obviously a massive saving. I love Illamasqua for several reasons – they’re British, they’re cruelty-free, they challenge conventions, their packaging is chic and, importantly, their products are amazing quality, and this varnish is no different.
Velocity is a very beautiful shade with a bit of an edge, which oozes individuality and class. Illamasqua’s website describes it as a dusky grey-purple which is spot on, and it looks fantastic no matter what level of light you’re in. In natural light it looks the colour of vibrant purple heather, with a tinge of grey which stops it being overly bright, and indoors it has a deep plum look to it, which is equally as gorgeous. The varnish also has a glossy finish which gives incredible, eye-catching shine.
The varnish itself has a lovely creamy consistency, which when paired with Illamasqua’s quality varnish brush allows for smooth, easy coverage. It’s also very highly pigmented and gives full coverage with only one coat, but I applied two for a more intense look. The varnish dries quickly too… I was playing Balderdash with my family about ten minutes after painting my nails with Velocity, and I didn’t suffer any smudges or dents!
I’m also really impressed with how long this has lasted so far. For some reason, I didn’t apply a top coat over the top, and after three days the varnish is still wearing well. One nail on my left hand has chipped a bit, but the rest look almost as good as new!
Here is how Velocity looks on the nails, in natural light, after two coats…
I really can’t put into words how much I love this varnish! The colour is stunning and you can really tell when using it that it’s a good quality product. I would happily pay full-price for Illamasqua nail varnish, so I feel very lucky that I managed to get this little gem for only £5. If you want to follow in my footsteps, it’s actually still available in the sale here, but be quick because I think the sale ends soon!
Which Illamasqua nail varnish shade is your favourite?
Naomi x
Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in ‘Tantrum’
2
4 years
by Naomi in Lips
I bought this lipgloss from Illamasqua’s summer sale back in July, and promised in my unboxing post that I would review it. So, after almost two months, I thought I would share my thoughts on it. In all honestly I haven’t worn it very many times yet as I have been saving it for best, but I have used it enough to be qualified to talk about it!
On first impressions the lipgloss is pleasing to the eye as it comes in Illamasqua’s signature black packaging, which I always think looks very classy and luxurious. The lipgloss tube itself is rounded at the application end and tapered at the other, which is also quite appealing. The lid clicks on, rather than screws on, and the gloss applies by squeezing the tube, rather than with a brush.
I have to say, I’m not too keen on this type of applicator as Illamasqua’s gloss tubes are quite stiff, so it can be difficult to get much product out of the hole. Also, I find that squeezy application can be a lot messier than using a brush as it’s harder to get even coverage and neat edges.
The formula of the gloss is fairly good, however. It’s a little bit sticky, but luckily not too thick so it doesn’t feel heavy or cloying on the lips. It has a light fruity scent and flavour, almost like raspberry sweets, which reminds me of the colourful ice pole lollipops I used to eat as a child. I know some people don’t appreciate being able to smell and taste their make up, but this is so delicate I actually really like it.
I don’t own many higher-end lipglosses so I don’t have much to compare Illamasqua’s to, but Tantrum lasts a surprisingly long time on the lips. I applied it earlier today before having a drink and a snack and it looked exactly the same after as it did before, and continued to do so for a couple of hours. The same can’t be said of some of my cheaper glosses! Although, it is still outdone by my favourite gloss of all time – Avon’s Glazewear Lip Gloss.
On Illamasqua’s website Tantrum is described as ‘a deep berry pink’ colour, and looks dark purple in their photographs. However, as you can see above, it is a lot pinker in reality. I am a fan of pink so I don’t mind, but I was quite surprised by the difference in colour when I first received it. However, the glittery particles in the gloss have a silvery blue hue which is what gives the gloss its purple shine.
Since the gloss is sheer, the colour doesn’t translate as boldly onto the lips as it looks in the tube, but it is there subtly and it has a nice shimmer finish. It can easily be built up to achieve a more striking look, and it makes a nice top layer over matte lipstick for a strong shine.
Tantrum was £7.50 for a 7ml tube in Illamasqua’s sale when I bought it, which is a decent price, but at £14.00 full price I’m not sure I would pay it. I do like this gloss and it is a good quality product, but it isn’t especially outstanding. I’ve used countless glosses in the past which were worse than this one, but I’ve also used many better ones, which were also cheaper. I’m glad I have it in my collection though, and I’d still like to try Illamasqua’s lipsticks out for size.
What are your thoughts on Illamasqua’s Lipglosses? If you want to try them for yourself, you can find them here.
Naomi x
NOTD: NYC In a Minute in ‘High Line Green’
5
5 years
by Naomi in Nails
When I was doing my Olympic Nail Art earlier this week I realised that I didn’t have many green nail varnishes, and the ones I did have were all shimmery or multi-tonal. I decided I needed to rectify this, so when I was in town the next day I picked up this creme green colour from Superdrug for £1.79. This ‘In a Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish’ comes from the NYC (New York Color) range, and is shade ‘298 – High Line Green’
Considering its small price tag, this varnish has a really nice brush. The lid is a good size and easy to grip which makes application a lot easier, and the brush spreads quite wide so you can cover your nail in only a few strokes. The formula is great too… Not too thick and not too thin, it gives opaque coverage in one coat, but I applied a second for good measure. As you would expect from the name, this nail varnish is quick dry, and does in fact dry ‘In a Minute’, but it takes a good 15-20 minutes or so to set properly. All good so far, but I do have my reservations about this product… As you can see below, coverage isn’t exactly smooth. It left bubbles on some of my nails and lots of little imperfections, which is slightly disappointing, but it could have been due to the base coat I was using. I’ll have to give it another try and get back to you!
Having said that, I love the colour of this nail varnish. It is very highly pigmented, quite impressively so for a budget brand actually. The green is very bright and vibrant and I’ve had several compliments whilst wearing it. I think it looks very much like a dupe of Illamasqua’s ‘Smash’ as well, so if you like ‘Smash’ but want to save £11.71, I’d go for this shade!
Overall, this is great quality for £1.79. Okay, there are bubbles, but until I try this over a different base coat I won’t blame the varnish for that one. The colour is stunning and the formula is excellent. Time to buy some more NYC colours I think!
Naomi x
NOTD: Illamasqua Nail Varnish in ‘Snap’
17
5 years
by Naomi in Nails
After receiving my Illamasqua order earlier this week, I decided to paint my nails with my new Illamasqua Nail Varnish this weekend. The shade I ordered is ‘Snap’, which is currently in the online sale for £5, down from £13.50.
‘Snap’ is a very thick nail varnish. One coat is enough for it to be completely opaque, but I applied two as the packaging suggested to give it more ‘intensity’. I would’ve been happy with one though. At first, the thick consistency of this proved to be quite troublesome as it was difficult to get an even coat and it seemed quite gloopy, but once I got used to the formula I found it a lot easier to apply. For a thick varnish it dries quite quickly too – after a few minutes it was good to go, but yet again I made the mistake of painting my nails before bed so the sheets left slight imprints on the tacky top coat (which you may be able to see below).
My favourite thing about ‘Snap’ is the colour. Illamasqua describe it as a rich pewter with a shimmer finish, and they are exactly right. It is neither matte nor shiny, so it actually looks like metal, and the pewter shade is very luxurious and highly pigmented.
The nail varnish is proving to be hardy too. I haven’t been wearing it for many days so I can’t comment fully on its lasting power, but I spent a good few hours hiking today which meant scrambling over rocks and grabbing onto tree branches, and it hasn’t chipped or peeled at all! A very good sign if you ask me because my manis don’t often survive my nature walks.
Overall, I am fairly impressed with this nail varnish. It could do with being a bit thinner maybe, but I have been told that one or two Illamasqua nail varnishes are a bit on the thick side, but the rest are perfect. I’ll just have to try a non-metallic colour won’t I? Not that I’m complaining 
Illamasqua’s range of shades is amazing, and this one doesn’t disappoint. At £5 this was a bargain as you get a large 15ml bottle, and I’d be happy to pay £13.50 for the right shade.
Naomi x
£100 Asos Blogger Challenge: Summer Gothic
8
5 years
To celebrate reaching (nearly) 1000 followers on Twitter, The Discount Coder Blog is running a giveaway, and to enter, you must complete the £100 Asos Blogger Challenge! So, today, I will be sharing my entry The rules of the challenge are as follows…
- Head over to ASOS.com
- Put together the hottest outfit you can for £100 or less (no student discount or Asos discount codes allowed)
- Blog about your stylish ensemble over on your blog
- Leave a comment below with a link to your post
I spent a good while over a couple of days browsing Asos for the ideal outfit for my entry. I wanted to put together a fairly basic but daring outfit that I would wear myself and would be great for summer, and this is what I came up with: Summer Gothic! The picture is clickable if you want to see it in more detail.
My starting point for this challenge was the main outfit. I love dresses and I love black, so it seemed only natural to look for something along those lines. I thought a sleeveless maxi was the way to go for a summer look, so when I saw this Maxi Dress with Dipped Hem I was sold. Dipped hems are very trendy at the minute and I like the floaty look they give. In my teenage Goth days I wore a lot of long flowy clothes so I think this is very suitable as a starting point for Summer Gothic!
My next choice was the shoes… I was hoping to find a pair of big, black, stompy boots within my £100 budget but unfortunately that didn’t happen, so I went for my second choice – a pair of heeled TERI Platform Chelsea Show Boots to give the look a more elegant feel, whilst remaining edgy. I mean, who doesn’t feel edgy in heels? The platform makes them look quite chunky too which is what I was after.
Accessories wise I wanted to keep it simple but make a statement. I thought skulls were ideal for the Gothic look, and when I came across the Skull and Floral Scarf I couldn’t believe how perfect it was! I really, really want to buy it for myself – the print is stunning and it would add layers and depth to the simple dress. I wanted something chunky but interesting for the wrists which is why I chose the River Island Bracelet Pack. The skull detail matches the scarf really well and the different beads and materials add texture to the outfit. The bracelets were in the men’s section of the Asos website, but who says women can’t wear ‘men’s’ clothes and accessories?
We all know an outfit isn’t complete without the right make up, so to match this simple Summer Gothic outfit, a simple Gothic make up look is needed. Heavy make up in summer is a no-no, so I think classic red lips and nails, and smokey black eyes are all that’s needed! Illamasqua’s branding screams classy and Gothic, which is why I chose Illamasqua SS12 Human Fundamentalism Lipstick in ‘Liable’, a beautiful bright red. For strikingly bold, black eyes, Barry M Supersoft Eye Crayon is ideal, and to add an extra splash of colour I added Rimmel London I Love Lasting Finish Nail Polish in ‘Double Decker Red’ to the mix.
The total cost of this outfit is £98.49, so you’d even come away with enough change for an ice cream – the summery icing on the fashionable cake!
Naomi x
Unboxing my First Illamasqua Order
11Illamasqua are a brand that have intrigued me for a long time. They’re British and known for being cruelty-free, and being a British vegetarian myself I am all for local, ethical businesses. Their website states that they are dedicated to ‘self-expression through make up art’ whilst ‘challenging the conventions of the make-up industry’. I have never been one for sticking to conventions, so I was really drawn to their wide range of unusual colours and cosmetics when I discovered them many moons ago. The brand have been around since 2008, but despite my long term obsession with their make up, I received my first ever Illamasqua order today. I know I’m a bit late to the Illamasqua party, but better late than never! I don’t usually do unboxing posts as they can be a bit boring and I did only order two items from the sale that I’d been eyeing up for a while, but I thought I’d give you a sneak peek of what I’ll be reviewing in the coming days/weeks
From what I’ve seen on other blogs, all Illamasqua orders come packaged in a black cardboard box like this:
Not terribly exciting to look at, but that ‘beauty box’ element makes it feel a little bit more luxurious than receiving your items in a plain ol’ jiffy bag.
Upon opening the box, I was greeted with my receipt and a flyer about their Skin Base Foundation.
Underneath the flyer were two little freebie items. When I placed my order I was given the opportunity to add one, both or neither of the freebies to my order, so obviously I went for both of them! I was sent a 1.5ml sample of Illamasqua’s new fragrance ‘Freak’, and a booklet of their Human Fundamentalism collection which I’m really looking forward to browsing. It has some great pictures inside of different and unusual make up looks which I’m sure I can draw some inspiration from!
I tried the perfume out earlier and though it isn’t as sweet as the perfume I would normally choose, I have really taken to it. It’s also lasted a long time on my skin and smells as strong as it did when I first put it on a few hours ago.
And now, onto what I actually bought… Sheer Lipgloss in ‘Tantrum’ for £7.50 (RRP £13.00) and Nail Varnish in ‘Snap’ for £5 (RRP £13.50). I must point out that I absolutely love Illamasqua’s classy black packaging!
I’ve already swatched both products and they seem promising! ‘Tantrum’ is a gorgeous pinky purple shade, described as a ‘deep berry pink’ on their website, and ‘Snap’ is ‘rich pewter’ with a ‘shimmer finish’. But that’s all I’ll say for now! Keep an eye out for my review posts of everything, including the ‘Freak’ sample, which I’ll be doing soon
Have you tried any Illamasqua make up?
Naomi x
