illamasqua posts

Illamasqua Favourites

November 8, 2014

illamasqua-purchases-brow-cake-sculpting-brow-duo-angled-brush-gel-liner

It’s been precisely three months and twenty-six whole days since I wrote about my favourite topic: make-up. So, with the wonderful Reading rain preventing me from wandering out to the gym/shops/every takeaway in the land, I shall instead bestow upon you my recent obsessive purchases from cult brand Illamasqua.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the brand at present, Illamasqua’s ethos revolves around a complete freedom of expression, which culminates in its cult following from drag queens and make-up artists worldwide – oh, and their pigmentation is definitely something to call home about. Whilst I’m also a sucker for fancy packaging, this brand really takes the biscuit and offers a jaffa cake. Have a gander at my picks:

Read more ›

Review: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB02.

January 15, 2014

illamasqua-skin-base-foundation-02

I’ve had this foundation for quite some time now – the second anyone mentions it on Twitter, I can’t help but swoop in with adulation and pale-girl solidarity. It’s a gem. As a ridiculously pink-toned pale lady (I know, awful combination), finding a foundation that manages to get me from one season to another has been a huge strain on both my patience and bank account over the years. However, at least six months on; I’m still very much infatuated with this little beauty. A couple of bloggers were interested in trying out the shade and suggested I did some swatches and a post – so here you go – hope it helps!

illamasqua-skin-base-foundation-swatch-02As you can see, the foundation is super pale, with a more yellowy undertone than my skin really deserves (does a great job of toning down my pinkness!). It goes on reasonably smoothly, though I’d suggest applying in light splodges with a brush at first, then smoothing in with fingers – it doesn’t take too well to my MAC foundation brush. To be honest, I think it looks best when applied with fingers alone, but that’s often more time consuming. The only flaw I can note with this product is that, undoubtedly due to its insanely pale pigment, it isn’t the best of foundations for covering up pesky spots. You’re still going to need to rely on your good pals Mr Concealer and Miss Powder with this one. It is definitely best for general consistent coverage on pale skin. Below is a picture of me wearing just the foundation as a base, without concealer/powder/blush (without flash too):

illamasqua-skin-base-foundation-02-swatch-face-beauty

OOTD: Dissertation Dash.

January 13, 2014

floral8

Today marked the first Doomsday of my calendar: the dreaded return to university, rounded up to terror stages by the addition of a 5,000 word essay deadline and a dissertation meeting with my tutor who ever so slightly scares the living shit out of me (she’s coo’, though). I had to dash from Wigan back home to Lancaster, which included having to write up the referencing for my essay on a bus – surprised I still have a MacBook left (if you know Wigan, you’ll understand) and stupidly telling a chav to ‘eff off’ after he jumped in my path to scare me enroute to the bus stop. Surprised I still have a MacBook and a pulse. Anyway, drama was averted eventually and the day, whilst tiring, has been made exponentially better by this absolute bargain outfit.

Everything I’m wearing (necklace aside) comes from the Primark sales – the entire outfit came to TWELVE POUNDS. Yes. Twelve measly pounds. The jacket is proving an excellent purchase but there are many bloopers of me realising that you can fully see my bra through this dress with the flash on. Not sure whether that’s just the quality or something to do with the fact I’m wearing a bright white bra under a dark green dress – urrr.

I’ve got absolutely tonnes to be blogging about this week, so keep your eyes peeled.

floral7

Make Up

Face: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB 02 | MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder | Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light | Benefit Hervana Blush

Eyes: L’oreal Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette | Ted Baker Liquid Liner Pen | MAC Kohl Liner in Smolder | Benefit They’re Real Mascara | Smashbox Smokebox

Lips: Estée Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick in Black Cassis

floral5
floral4

Outfit

Primark Pleather Sleeve Bodycon Dress – £5 was £10 | Primark Floral Jacket – £7 was £17

Empty Casket Amethyst Pentagram Cord Necklace – £15
floral3

Apologies for the utterly pants image quality on these: I didn’t have any time to take pictures before the sun went down, so these will have to do! Definitely need to get someone to start taking my pictures for me – I am fundamentally useless.

OOTD: Day 3 of LCM.

January 8, 2014

I might be typing, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my eyes may still be in bed. London Collections: Men is drawing to a close today and, trust me – I’ve had a blast. I’m not going to go into the details here, as an update will be posted later on, but here’s my last outfit of LCM (all that matters is that the mouse at the tube station yesterday didn’t get me).

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Outfit

Urban Outfitters Kimchi + Blue Blouse – £20 | Primark Pleated Skirt – £?

Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal Tartan Scarf – £9

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Make Up

Face: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB 02 | MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder | Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light | MAC Powder Blush in Peaches | Benefit Hervana Blush

Eyes: L’oreal Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette | Rimmel GlamEyes Liquid Eyeliner in Black | MAC Kohl Liner in Smolder | Benefit They’re Real Mascara | Smashbox Smokebox | Illamasqua Neutral Palette

Lips: MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Not particularly sure why/how I’m accidentally flipping off the camera here – but I like it…

OOTD: Supermarket Goth.

January 1, 2014

I did promise myself, and everyone in the Twittersphere, that one of my New Year’s Resolutions would be to incorporate more OOTD posts into my site – as it’s been getting a little clinical and  far less personal of late. And, given that I discovered I actually own a tripod today – I found myself running quickly out of excuses. However, this was a spur of the minute jaunt (wearing a run-to-Sainsbury’s outfit), so let’s smooth over my hangover hair…

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Make Up

Face: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation in SB 02 | MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder | Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light | MAC Powder Blush in Peaches

Eyes: L’oreal Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette | Rimmel GlamEyes Liquid Eyeliner in Black | Rimmel Soft Kohl Liner in Jet Black | Benefit They’re Real Mascara

Lips: MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger

Processed with VSCOcam with t1 presetOutfit

Topshop Fluffy Jumper – £38 | Forever 21 Leopard Print Skirt – £12

Primark Black Shirt – £4 | Empty Casket Amethyst Pentagram Cord Necklace – £16

New Lasting Finish By Kate Moss Lipstick for Rimmel Review/Look.

October 3, 2012

If you caught my post earlier today about my little haul, you’ll see that I’ve bought the 107 shade that Kate Moss is wearing in the advert and I was planning to do a later post featuring a review of the item and a tutorial of the look.

Read more ›

Passion For Fashion – Moneysupermarket.com Competition Entry Part 4.

September 24, 2012

Nearing the end of my entries now – isn’t half taking some time but it’s really fun anyway! The penultimate look that I’m creating is: First Date. Admittedly, it does seem a tad odd to me as it feels like yonks ago since my boyfriend and I had anything of a first date – aww. Anyway, this is what I’d wear if we were going for a meal or somewhere nice and I wanted to remind him of why he fancies the pants off me (hahaha):

Read more ›

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Smoky Eye with Illamasqua’s New Neutral Palette.

August 8, 2012

Okay guys, you’re going to have to be nice to me on this one – despite the fact that I used to post trillions of dumb videos of myself singing on YouTube when I was about 15, I’ve never made anything like this, that I’ve had to edit in any way. So, here is my first make-up tutorial of sorts, let me know what you think of it and supply any constructive criticism if you wish to!

Read more ›

Losing My Illamasqua Virginity.

August 6, 2012

If you read my earlier post about Lush cosmetics, you’ll know that I went on a little shopping spree this weekend – which reached its peak when I was approached by Sophie from the Selfridges Illamasqua counter. Prior to this visit, I was a complete Illamasqua virgin, having only seen and read wonderful things about it in the past. However, due to uncharacteristic rise in my bank balance lately, I thought I’d treat myself…

Read more ›


Ebony. 25. Manchester.
Marketing Manager who likes to mouth off on here about stuff she cares about. Expect mental health, Borderline Personality Disorder, and reviews - from restaurants, to books, to fashion. Talks to cats more than people, but seemingly has a lot to say.
ebonylaurenn@gmail.com