A Makeup & Beauty Blog – Lipglossiping

For someone who’s scared of bronzers… I own a few.  I’ve also ditched many more.  The ones that I’ve kept work for me, though not without effort.  This isn’t a fault of the products… it’s my unconfidence with application and with wear.

The ones that I’m showing you are my current favourites based on their tone.  With my (admittedly) untrained eye… they all complement cool-toned skin.  I should also point out that I’m not talking bronzer for contouring – these are all the products I use to mostly just warm up my complexion and give it a sunkissed look.

Swatched in the same order from left to right (note that swatches are to show tone, not intensity… some are VERY heavily swatched):

1. Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder in Maui (£23.50)

Is it a blush, is it a bronzer?  Well… it looks a bit like a blush but if Bobbi says it’s a bronzer, who the hell am I to argue?  Maui is a warm pink shimmer that’s shot through with golden sparkle.  It’s an incredibly easy-to-use bronzer because it never looks muddy and on the rare ocassion that I actually do catch a bit of genuine sunlight… it’s much closer to how my skin would naturally colour than the more traditional golden browns available.

2. NARS Blush in Douceur L.E. (£19.50)*

Being a limited edition item <–ignore, am stoopid – it’s not Limited Edition!  I wasn’t going to include this one.  But it’s still available online at HQHair… so I figured it couldn’t hurt?  Now… this is a blush (if I’m not gonna argue with Bobbi, I’m certainly gonna agree with Francois!) but on my skintone, this matte blush works very nicely as a light pink/brown bronzer.  Although it looks dark in the pan, it’s the 2nd sheerest that I’m showing you.  Even I can’t mess this one up.  Just perfect.

3. Becca Pressed Shimmer Powder in Princess (£30)

Again, not a bronzer per se, Becca’s PSP in Princess is just lovely.  It’s shimmery but not AT ALL glittery… it’s very well behaved and grown up about things.  Smooth in texture, it imparts a subtle sun-kissed glow to my cheeks that is never overcooked.  Pricey, but worth it.

4. Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Rumour (£16)

If there were one black sheep in the set, this would be it (being Illamasqua, it had to be the naughty one didn’t it?)  The tone is perfect – devoid of any orange… and being so matte, it makes the best contour shade I own.  The problem is, that’s not saying a lot because it’s the ‘only’ contour shade I own.  I find Rumour a little hard to work with due to it’s heavy pigmentation and it can end up looking a bit muddy.  I want to love it and I feel that it’s my inexperience that stops me rather than the product itself.  Any tips for this one ladies?

5.Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder in Blondes (£31.50)

Finally, a classic.  The sheerest of the lot (and the most expensive!)  Blondes is the lightest of the three shimmery bronzer options from Guerlain.  I also own the lightest in the matte version but reach for this one more often.  I would defy anyone to overdo this… it’s a must-have for pale skintones.

Other honourable mentions: Bobbi Brown Antigua, Bobbi Brown Bali Brown, The Body Shop Warm Glow, Guerlain Terracotta 01 (matte)

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I know that all my bronzers are at the higher-end of the price spectrum… but experience has shown me that if I want to rid myself of orange-toned monstrosities, this is where I have to look.  Please do comment and let me know if things have improved in that respect on the high street because I’ll be one of the first out the door to go check out a bargain alternative!

What are some of your favourite bronzers?

* denotes PR sample.

To celebrate Illamasqua’s 2nd Birthday, the brand are unleashing a rather fabulous competition for their fans.

One lucky winner will walk away with a five-day course in Mastering Professional Make-Up at The Illamasqua School of Make-Up Art, including travel (within the UK) and accommodation, worth over £1000, plus £200 of Illamasqua make-up!

Five runners up will also receive the new Brush Roll, including five brushes.

To enter the competition and watch the new brand film featuring Vicky McClure, head over to the website now.

Whilst Illamasqua’s Viridian was released with a flourish and huge interest from nail bloggers excited to see the emerald green featured in the campaign shots… not quite so much was said about Scarab, Viridian’s quieter and more conventional sister polish.

Which is a bit of a shame, because as you can see… it’s a proper Autumn/Winter beauty!

Scarab is an almost sanguine red with flecks of copper fire that really come to life when caught by the light.  This was the other item I was sent from the Art of Darkness collection… I very nearly squealed when I first took it out of the box!

It’s true to bottle colour and as with most Illamasqua polishes I’ve tried… applies beautifully and is practically opaque in one coat.

I do have one issue with this polish though… wear.  I had enough tip wear to bother me by the end of the second day and I don’t usually suffer with that at all until the 3rd day.  I should absolutely point out that this was whilst wearing it layered over another polish for my Ruffian manicure.  I shall wear it alone and report back/edit as necessary.

Illamasqua polishes are on the pricey side and Scarab will set you back £13.00 if you choose to indulge.  You can buy online or on counter.

A dead camera has meant that I haven’t been able to get a review up on the Illamasqua goodies I was sent from the Art of Darkness Collection until now… apologies that I’m so late with this.

I was sent the Powdered Metal in Ether from the recent Art of Darkness collection and am sharing some pics and quick thoughts on it with you today.

(I was also sent the new nail polish in Scarab).

The product comes in a large mineral powder-esque tub and includes an application sponge for decolletage (booby) application.

I do like Illamasqua’s simple, sleek and stylish packaging.  I can always find their products quickly in my collection thanks to the unique bevelled edges and glossy blacks.  Lovely.

The sifter dispenses quite a substantial amount thanks to the large holes.  The powder is extremely soft and finely milled… a product you most definitely wouldn’t want to sneeze in the general direction of!  You’d be seeing sparkles for months!

Ether is a pale yellow/gold shimmering highlighter.  It’s packed with sparkle that’s refined and non-chunky.

The yellow tone doesn’t show up on my skin or alter the colour of my base at all once blended.  It’s incredibly subtle and just gives a warmer rather than cooler highlight.  I tried my hardest to capture an image of the actual sparkle once blended and failed pretty miserably.

The above image was taken as the sun was setting… hence the super warm tone to my skin.  Can you make out the sparkles?

So what do I think of Illamasqua’s Powdered Metal in Ether?  **rambly stream of consciousness alert**

I think it’s an extremely versatile product but I’m just not sure how often I would reach for it.  Out of sheer laziness, if something’s gonna sparkle… I prefer it to be in a more controllable pressed form.  I’m not giving Ether enough credit by admitting this though because in truth, I think it might be more beautiful than my NARS Albatross (of which I’m a huge fan).  So that’s saying something.

And then I start thinking about the benefits to providing the powdered metal in this form…

I could add a small amount directly into my foundation to create a softly luminous base.  Heck, I could even mix some into my body lotion…

I could mix a little directly into my sealing gel for an allover wash of eye colour, I could even dip a lip brush into it to glam up my lipstick.  The possibilities are generally far greater with a loose powdered product.

At £22 for 15g of product compared to £19.50 for 4.8g of NARS Albatross… Ether is ticking all the right boxes in all the right places.

I’m thinking that perhaps I should lose the lazy approach.

I’m gonna try some of the options I listed above and will attempt a FOTD with the foundation option.  It probably won’t show up… but I’ll give it a go!

Illamasqua Powdered Metal in Ether is priced at £22 and available on counter or online

I bought this cream concealer from Inglot earlier in the year (around the same time as I picked up the MUFE full cover concealer).  I was hoping to do a comparison, but they’re really quite different.

I tend to use this around my nose and on blemishes.  It’s a little thick to use under the eyes, though I have had some success if I apply with a small fluffy brush.  Coverage is medium/full and I find that it dries quite quickly, so rapid blending is essential to achieve a flawless finish.

Compared to my MUFE, the texture is thin and gives less coverage, it’s easier to blend but doesn’t produce quite the same effective results.

I also find it a little drying.  Having said a few negative things about the Inglot Cream Concealer, it’s only fair to also point out a major positive.  This doesn’t seem to highlight or sink into my pores.  Some concealers leave my pores feeling rather ‘out there’… but this blends in nicely.  It will sink into fine lines around the eyes unless you use a very light hand during application.  I think that perhaps thin layers may be key with this concealer.

Shade #32 is a good slightly pink toned match for my cool pale skin.  I wish I could remember how much I paid for this but I can’t.  If anyone knows how much the Inglot Cream Concealers retail at, holler and I’ll update.

You can buy Inglot in the UK at the Westfield in London and Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin.

I’m starting a new series called The Countdown.  Each month, around this kinda time I’m gonna be having a root about on my desk and in my cabinets to find the top 3 products that I’ve reached for in that particular month.  They may be long since discontinued or they may be new acquisitions.

I love reading people’s favourites lists and I often find hidden gems amongst them, so I hope this will be interesting to you lovely lot!  Today it’s my top 3 blushes of August.

1. Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in M23 Wine – Stupid shade name, I’ve never drunk a wine this shade. If I had, I would be sure to have remembered the belly ache that would have followed!

I’ve been using this matte blush with a very light hand, just a pop on the apples of the cheeks with a loose bristled brush.  EASY to go overboard with this one!

2. Topshop Blush in Butterscotch – If Shu’s Wine is easy to overdo… this is the exact opposite.  It takes quite a bit to get this to show up on me.  I’ve been using my fingers to apply and like the natural effect this cream blush gives.  I’m not sure I’d repurchase because I’d like one with a bit more oomph – but I’ve been reaching for it a lot this month because I’m loving the nude colour.

3. Illamasqua Cream Blush in Laid – A recent purchase, Laid is a cool toned hot pink… again, this one is best reserved for the apples of the cheeks unless you’re going for that 80s look!  Blends like a dream and so quick for a fuss-free pop of colour.  Love it.

What have been your favourite blushers this month?

Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of the murder of 20 year old Sophie Lancaster.

I watched this tribute video twice last night.  First time as myself and then again as a mum.  I couldn’t breathe for a second when I watched it the second time around.

A statement from Illamasqua who have worked tirelessly with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to promote awareness and raise money:

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On 24th August 2007, Sophie Lancaster was kicked to death, simply for dressing differently.

As a brand that promotes the right to experiment and self-express, three years after her death Illamasqua remains committed to changing attitudes towards subcultures, and continues to work with The Sophie Lancaster Foundation in the fight for universal acceptance, free from prejudice.

Honour Sophie’s memory today and watch the ‘Dark Angel’ tribute film. So far we have reached 162,000 hits, but we’re hoping to reach over 500,000, so please forward the link to friends and family and help us spread the message.

Alternatively buy an Illamasqua Sophie Pencil, wristband or make a donation, and help The Sophie Lancaster Foundation continue its work. £3 from every Sophie Pencil purchased, and all proceeds from the wristband sales go directly to the Foundation.

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Please forward the video today if you get a moment.

If you ever need a brand to remind you that it ain’t just about the pretty pretty, Illamasqua is a pretty good choice to be the one to do it.

Art of Darkness is their new Autumn/Winter collection for 2010, and if there’s one thing they do very well indeed…  ‘Dark’ just about sums it up.

Launching nationwide on the 16th September, the collection will introduce new liquid eyeliners priced at £16.50 each called Precision Inks.  An antiqued gold going by the name Alchemy (as seen in the above image) and the usual ever-useful black.

I’ve also heard tales of other new delights including a shimmering teal green nail polish called Viridian, which I think is safe to assume can be spotted in the above campaign image… and to complete your Christmas mani?  A metallic red going by the name Scarab.

If that weren’t enough to whet your appetite… how about a new gold powdered metal or a vampy intense lipgloss?

Are you looking forward to the new Illamasqua collection or have we seen it all before?

One of my purchases from last week includes an addition to my steadily growing Illamasqua Cream Blush family!

Illasmasqua Cream Blusher in Laid is a beautiful pink that leans toward the berry family… cool toned… almost raspberry-ish.

I love the Illamasqua Cream Blush formula…. it’s all melty, thin and beautifully blendable.  It never clumps or drags on application and despite being heavily pigmented, it’s forgiving in clumsy hands like mine.

I have VexInTheCity to thank for this purchase… I’m such a sheep.  She bought one and I didn’t want to be left out.   You’re not supposed to covet thy neighbours blushes are you?  Or something like that….

On the left is 2 swipes and on the right shows the blush blended.  What other Illamasqua Cream Blushers do you guys recommend?  I already have Sob and Rude…

Oh.. one last thing!  These blushes last SO well on me considering their cream formula… easily 6-8 hours before showing signs of fading.  Though I will say that this is on normal/combo skin.

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Laid is priced at £16 and available from counters nationwide or online.

It seems you can’t blink at the moment without seeing cult British brand Illamasqua pop up at a new outlet!  First ASOS and now one of my other favourite beauty sites… BeautyBay!

I would tell you that I’m most excited about this thanks to greater availability blah blah blah.  But in all honesty, I’m hoping for some super sale bargains, and they’re already kicking us off with a top offer:

To celebrate the launch of Illamasqua at BeautyBay.com, they’re giving all customers a free Boosh Nail Polish when they buy any two products from the range.

And as if that weren’t enough…

Illamasqua announced today that they will be opening their first flagship store on Beak street in central London which will include the West End’s first ever school of make-up art.

Exciting stuff!

I suck.

I caved.

I totally caved on ASOS and picked up both Illamasqua Jo’Mina and Baptiste…

Illamasqua Jo’Mina is a vibrant lilac creme.

It doesn’t looks bad against my complexion, but in my opinion… would suit darker skintones better.  I found the formula easy to apply but prone to a little streaking.  It needed a third coat to even out patchy areas though it dried quickly and to a high gloss finish.

At £13, it’s an expensive polish (though I paid half that in the sale).  I can’t say I would have been delighted with it had I paid full price.  I need to reswatch, but I’m interested to directly compare it to my Barry M Berry Ice Cream… I think this is a little darker and more vibrant.

Do you have Jo’Mina? Love it?

Check it!

For a limited time only, Illamasqua are offering a makeup amnesty!

Pop along to any one of the following counters between the 17th – 31st July:

Selfridges Oxford Street, Trafford Centre, Birmingham Bullring, Fenwick Newcastle, BT2 Grafton Street Dublin, Debenhams Glasgow, Belfast or Cardiff (phew!) and simply take your old makeup with you.

You can exchange any old tatty bits of used make-up for a rather fabulous 25% discount on the entire Illamasqua range.

What would you swap for?