Illamasqua posts are my favourite to write as they are my favourite brand (a fact I state regularly) and to me they feel like somewhat of a hidden gem. As we don’t have an Illamasqua counter in the Republic of Ireland, I feel they are definitely a lesser-known brand and one that I adore sharing with people. Their products are pricey but such fantastic quality and reviewing them is easy as I think my excitement and complete adoration for the products does the work for me. Today I am sharing with you my powder blush collection. They have two other blush formulas – cream which is reviewed here and their newly released velvet which I have yet to try but no doubt, will.
‘Katie’
Katie
This is described as a ‘soft candy pink with a matte finish’. It is a really pale baby pink that can vary between looking cool-toned or warm-toned depending on what you team it with. I don’t usually go in for pale pink blush but I absolutely adore this one. It is perfect for pale girls like myself but I don’t think it would work too well on those with darker skins as it could end up looking chalky. I was lucky enough to receive this from my friend Aundrea from Dancing With Disaster when she was having a bit of a makeup clearout and I am so grateful as it is probably not a shade I would have picked out myself but is now one I favour above many others in my collection. This is available on its own or as part of a blush duo (more on that later).
‘Lover’
Lover
This is described as a ‘soft apricot with a matte finish’. This is the first Illamasqua blush I ever owned. I bought it back in the day when they still had a counter in Dublin and then received it in my Limited Edition Sirens Palette from 2009. Unfortunately my single blush broke so I was glad to have a back up. The colour is a gorgeous warm peach which I think is complimentary on all skin tones and definitely the type I would go for if I was wearing tan. This is also available alone or in a blush duo.
‘Panic’
Panic
This a a pure red with a matte finish and I always want to call it ‘Panic!’ with an added exclamation mark as it is so damn loud. I actually bought this at the Illamasqua counter too years ago because I was looking for a pure red eyeshadow and the girl recommended this instead. I was always too afraid to wear it as a blush but it has been one of my favourite red eyeshadows for years (do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a red eyeshadow?!) Recently I’ve been making it work and I am absolutely loving it paired with a neutral eye and then red lipstick to complement it. It is probably not for the faint-hearted – my photographs show me applying it very sparingly (I know!) – but it is gorgeous. Sadly it doesn’t seem to be available any more but I know a lot of people received it in their Illamasqua Mystery Boxes so ensure to keep your eye out for those!
‘S.O.P.H.I.E.’
S.O.P.H.I.E.
This is described as a ‘golden coral shimmer’ and is named for Sophie Lancaster, the girl brutally beaten to death in 2007 for simply dressing as a goth. Illamasqua works closely with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, set up by Sophie’s mother, Sylvia with an aim to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere – a message close to my heart and for every purchase of a S.O.P.H.I.E. eye pencil or wristband, £3 is donated to the foundation. Bizarrely I couldn’t find information on whether any money from the purchase of this blush is donated too! To read up more on Sophie’s story and the work of the foundation, click here. The colour is a beautiful warm orange-peach which is another versatile one that could work on a range of skin tones. The shimmer is subtle and while it looks overwhelming in the pan, translates as almost a highlight on the skin – only really showing up when the light hits it. This has to be my most worn Illamasqua blush. This is another one gifted from Aundrea (thank you!).
‘Unrequited’
Unrequited
This is a candy pink that is a few shades darker than ‘Katie’ but also a much more blue-based colour. Although it doesn’t look too dissimilar to ‘Katie’ in the photos – I find that this one is a little more difficult to pull off, just because it is more cool-toned. It is also the least pigmented of the lot – which actually makes it very easy to build up and wear so this isn’t necessarily a negative. I also received this in the Limited Edition Sirens Palette from 2009 and I can’t find it on their website so I imagine it is no longer available. If you’re on the hunt for something similar, ‘Katie’ is a safe bet.
All in all, when it comes to pigmentation, the Illamasqua blushes are unparallelled. They are so insanely pigment-heavy that you really need to be careful and build the colour slowly. This means you get value for money as a little goes a long way and none of my blushes are even dented despite owning some of them years. The matte blushes are VERY matte (very on-trend right now) but not chalky at all and their quality matches that of the shimmery ‘S.O.P.H.I.E.’. The dense colour payoff also means these last all day with no fading or patchiness. They are the perfect blush.
The packaging is the signature Illamasqua pinched square shape with a clear plastic lid which allows you to see the colour inside – always handy when rooting out a particular shade in a hurry. There are seventeen shades currently available on the website and they also provide a handy ‘moving swatch’ video for each shade so you can really get a sense of the colour you’re buying – perfect considering we don’t have a counter here! A blush will set you back €21.47 which I know isn’t cheap but as I said it will last you a very long time. Some shades are also available in duos which cost €31.02 which is a good saving if you’d rather sample more colours.
The website is quick and easy to use, offering discount to pro makeup artists and the choice of euro prices which is always handy. However I find delivery charges absolutely killer which is why I always buy through Parcel Motel! Just a little tip.
What do you think? Do any of these shades catch your eye? Have you tried any of the Illamasqua blush offerings before?
