New Additions to the Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism Collection Spring/Summer 2012

Illamasqua has just introduced phase two of their Spring/Summer 2012 Human Fundamentalism collection. The new additions to the line include two new lipsticks (Eurydice and Liable) and four new powder eyeshadows (Hype, Inception, Fledgling, Vapour). You can see the entire Illamasqua Human Fundamentalism lineup here, and I have a few swatches to post below.

New Illamasqua shades: Lipstick in Eurydice, Powder Eyeshadow in Inception and Hype.

Illamasqua Lipstick in Eurydice

Eurydice is a bright matte fuchsia. It looks nearly neon in the tube, but it tones down a little once it's on the lips. It's not completely full coverage, but does provide a ton of color. It is a matte formula with no shine or shimmer and the texture is very dry.

Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Inception (left) and Hype (right).

Illamasqua Inception

Inception is a sheer matte purple. It leans toward the blue side of purple. It appears more clean and bright in the pan, but on the skin it has a very dusty/dirty/faded look.


Illamasqua Hype

Hype is a sheer medium yellow matte. Like Inception, it seems rather bright and clean in the pan, but on the skin it take on a muted/faded/dusty looking finish.


Powder Eyeshadow ingredients
(click to enlarge)


Lipstick ingredients
(click to enlarge)

What I liked:

• I always love Illamasqua's packaging. It looks sleek and elegant with a hint of Gothic edge.
• Love the bright color of the lipstick.
• Lipstick is long-wearing.

What I didn't like:

• The two eyeshadows were disappointingly sheer and chalky. I was never able to make them fully opaque on their own (over my usual eyeshadow base) and they did not blend well. Both colors also fade rather quickly after they're applied, which is not something I normally experience with powder eyeshadows.
• The lipstick is extremely dry and feels uncomfortable on the lips. The dryness of the matte formula accentuates flaky skin on the lips, so it's best to exfoliate before applying and then wear a balm on top.

The eyeshadows were, sadly, quite problematic for me, but that's usually the case with matte purples and yellows so it wasn't entirely unexpected. Hype and Inception might perform better when applied over an opaque white base (such as NYX White Eyeshadow Base), but I was not able to get them to work for me on their own over my usual eye primers (Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion). If you're looking for an easier to use matte purple or yellow eyeshadow, you may have better luck with MAC Chrome Yellow and Make Up For Ever #92.

The color of the lipstick was bright and gorgeous, but the dry formula was uncomfortable to apply and wear. This is eliminated by using lip balm before or after application, but the balm takes away the nice matte finish of the lipstick and also reduces wear time.

Also, on an Illamasqua-related note, how would you like to star in Illamasqua's next ad campaign? I love the concept, as it's something I strongly believe in. Take a look:

As I'm sure you know... we like to break rules, which is why are now breaking the unspoken prejudice of age with a revolutionary casting call!

We are looking for beauty without limits – age limits, beauty has no sell-by date. That’s why our new campaign will feature people of all ages... Our professional products and brand ethos are transcendent of age; anyone can self-express, be empowered and feel beautiful with bold make-up, so if you’re someone who never lets age define you, or you know someone who fits that description we want to encourage you to nominate your mothers, aunts, grandmothers or any strong person in your life to be part of our next campaign in a glamorous beauty shoot celebrating all ages and diversities.

As well as individuals, we are looking for pairs – from mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, grandmothers and grandsons. The combinations are endless!

Nominate yourself or someone else at www.illamasqua.com/beauty-before-age before May 15th 2012, and if chosen you and/or that person would need to be available to attend an open casting mid-May 2012 and be part of the shoot taking place in London on Wednesday May 23rd and Thursday May 24th 2012 - competition is open internationally!

In return, all those featured in the campaign receive £500 cash, a new Illamasqua make-up kit worth £500 and a framed photo of yourself like you've never looked before! Ready to stand up for beauty that defies age limits?

“Why should it be the case that you hit 40 and morph into a dull, boring version of your original self? Bombarded by products to hide your age rather than celebrate your experience and vitality." - Joseph Corrė –Illamasqua Joint MD

“From day one we said that Illamasqua could never be defined by social demographics, age or sex, but simply by a mindset. Our customers come to us to seek out permission or gain confidence to wear make-up louder and prouder.” -Julian Kynaston - Illamasqua Founder and Joint MD

“Lauren Bacall said ‘think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that’ I agree. What makes one person unique from another is in their soul and what is projected through their eyes, their wisdom, life story, experience, individuality and presence.” - Alex Box - Illamasqua Creative Director

For full details on the Human Fundamentalism Collection or the Beauty Before Age competition, visit illamasqua.com.

(This was sent for review.)