Illamasqua - Toxic Nature 2011

It was just over a year ago when I heard about ILLAMASQUA, a new and exciting makeup brand which 'DARED TO BE DIFFERENT' and it certainly is that. 

I study at Southampton Solent University and for one of our projects we were able to collaborate with the budding brand. I was able to meet Spob, one of the Illamasqua team, she gave us a talk about the brand, their heritage and what they are planning for the future! Exciting Stuff!

We were shown their brand film, which I love, its great to know how they evolved and where they take their inspiration from. Have a look at the brand film below :)

The brand has influenced how I see and use makeup now, allowing me to push the boundaries of makeup artistry and creativity, creating a dramatic look which may be developed in unconventional ways or techniques. This I feel, is exactly how Illamasqua feels towards makeup, they want to create 'ground-breaking and enhanced formulations'.

I love taking inspiration theatre, film and television as well as period looks, as you can see on my website www.francescarosemua.com which is extremely similar to the inspiration behind Illamasqua.

I have loved each and everyone of their makeup campaigns, each has been unique and individual, as well as breathtaking and original, like nothing I have seen before! AMAZING!

Here are some images from previous campaigns:

Sirens - Spring/Summer 09

'Inspired by the powerful beauty of the Sirens, the captivating, brutal nature of their appeal and the undeniable pull of their decadent existence, Illamasqua has created a new make-up collection designed to glorify the divine being within us all.

The collection provides a cornucopia of sumptuous shades, from shimmering corals and aquamarines, to luscious golds and bronzed metallics. With products to enhance the face, eyes, lips and nails, Sirens lets you indulge your alter ego, and ensure that your summer nights are even hotter than the days.' Illamasqua.com

Dystopia - Autumn/Winter 09

'Dystopia is a futuristic vision of a fractured and dark society. Inspired by insane London club night Black Balloon, and Fritz Lang’s masterpiece, Metropolis, Illamasqua has created a collection that echoes the artistry of 1920s Berlin’s darkest films. A world of broken shadows and stark light. A distorted, nightmarish, mad reality. With eerie shades and twisted monochromatic tones, fused with a burst of neon colour, Dystopia is as cruel as it is beautiful.

Not for the faint-hearted, Dystopia is a strong statement of defiant confidence. Where the dark meets the light. Monochrome shades build and blend, brought alive by flashes of intense pink and lurid purple, while dazzling pigments, metallic textures and iridescent finishes all add to the drama of this strikingly uncompromising look. As the nights grow longer, bring your alter ego out of the shadows and illuminate your individuality.' Illamasqua.com

Body Electrics - Spring/Summer 10

'Introducing the first collection of make-up for the whole body from Illamasqua. 

Inspired by the power of kinetic energy and the fluidity of the body in motion, the Body Electrics range ignites the skin with intensity and highlights the body's every twist and turn to exquisite perfection. Ensuring you exude a confidence that's more than skin deep.

The collection is an anthology of creams, powders and dry body oils filled with light, shimmer and shine, designed to highlight and contour your whole body. Containing hyper-pigmented light-reflecting particles that infuse the skin with intense colours and finishes, each product in the range has been created to accentuate every movement and take body make-up to a whole new level.' Illamasqua.com

Art of Darkness - Autumn/Winter 10

'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.' Illamasqua.com

This is Art of Darkness.

Inspiration from Valentine's Day - THROB Collection

'Feel your pulse quicken, your heart throbbing in your chest. These are Illamasqua’s latest offerings at the altar of beauty, guaranteed to make you gasp with pleasure.' Illamasqua.com

Check out more of the campaign imagery at www.illamasqua.com/collections

And last but not least, I wanted to show you the highly anticipated new collection for Spring/Summer 2011 - Toxic Nature!

'In retaliation against the genetically modified society that plunders it, the landscape has issued forth a torrent of hybrid shades. Corrupted hues glister amongst muted tones - extreme, intoxicating versions of their original selves.

This is an atomic-botanical environment where survival is key and camoflague by colour is the path to existence.

We scoured the abandoned toxic wastelands of the world to create an eclectic selection of corrupted hues for the eyes, lips, nails, face and body. Flitting effortlessly from poisonous pastel to hazardous neon, this cataclysmic mix of brave new tones take your look to the outer limits of nature's palette.

Become a herald of the new age of Toxic Nature with uncharted night-time make-up.' Illamasqua.com

Here is the new collections advertising film:

The collection is absolutely stunning and the imagery is perfect, I love how Illamasqua create a whole mood and atmosphere with their makeup, this film is incredible, I would love to be a part of this brand, so inspirational.

The images below capture Illamasqua at its best, I can still see their heritage and the links to theatrical makeup as well as editorial and artistry makeup.

I can safely say Illamasqua keep getting better and better, I absolutely adore these new promo shots and cant wait to grab myself some new pieces from the collection and see what they come up with next!!

Looking forward to what you think of the new collection!

And don't forget: Illamasqua is makeup for your alter ego :)

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