Illamasqua Makeup Swatches and Review
Good morning all!
I recently bought some Illamasqua makeup that wasn’t nail varnish for once! I had been dying to try it forever, so I took advantage of Sephora’s friends & family discount, and bit the bullet. And am I ever pleased with what I got!
A word about packaging. I love it. I am a total sucker for the way things look, and hell if they actually work well also, then bonus! Illamasqua’s packaging is black, shiny, sleek, and has that gothic looking symbol on it, which I adore. So far so good.
A word about the product. I love it. No seriously, it’s some NICE stuff. This isn’t all just hype because they are from London (where in my head I am really from), and new to the USA. Their products really are luxurious, and the colors pack such a wallop!
Ever since I tried their first nail varnish, saw their makeup line & website, I had a sneaking suspicion that they would wind up being MAC’s #1 competitor as far as their color range and “coolness” factor. Their pricing though is most definitely higher than MAC’s, which might turn some people off. Also, even though they are now sold at Sephora, their whole product line isn’t available, so some colors and products are still hard to get here. But never-you-mind about that, it won’ t stop ME!
Oh and you WILL want to read until the end of this post, there is something special…
Katie
Katie is a pale pink blush that is blue based. This is the perfect color for my fair skin, totally light and pretty.
Conquer
Conquer is one of their pure pigments, and it’s a medium shimmery green. This stuff is insanely fabulous, and you can use it wet or dry, as you’ll see in a second.
Welt
Welt is a fuchsia pink creme. This is a great cool toned pink that’s not too bright to wear in the office, and is now one of my favs.
Sealing Gel
The Sealing Gel is a product which you can use with their powder eyeshadow, pure pigments or cake liner. You take a little drop, mix it in with the product to make a paste, and it intensifies whatever color it’s mixed with. Pretty cool!
Left to right: Conquer, Katie & Welt in low light
Left to right: Conquer, Katie & Welt in sunlight
Conquer alone on left, and Conquer mixed with Sealing Gel on right
Welt
Conquer on upper eyelid (with Urban Decay Zero liner on top & lower waterline, and Urban Decay Misdemeanor on lower eye area)
Another shot (sorry for bad pics, trying to work out eye shots still!)
Me with all Illamasqua products on
Overall I am extremely pleased with all of these products. They all felt really nice, and applied so opaque. Nothing worse than something looking really colorful, then having it be totally sheer.
My only complaint would be with the lipstick, it felt a little dry to me. Then again, all lipsticks I own (MAC, YSL, Maybelline, Trucco, etc.) dry my lips out quickly. Which is why I use lip balm 24×7!
You can find all these products on Sephora’s website or Illamasqua’s website now.
Giveaway!
Now for the fun announcement! Illamasqua has given me a set of their new nail colors from the Dsytopia collection for a giveaway! The colors are Velocity and Obsess. You can check out my Obsess review here.
There are two ways to win this (totally random) giveaway. If you enter both ways, you have two chances to win. You can either leave a comment here, and let me know what your fav Illamasqua product is or what you want to try OR you can follow me on Twitter, and enter by retweeting (RT) the following:
RT@VampyVarnish: RT to win Illamasqua Nail Varnish Giveaway http://bit.ly/10XeXZ
This is open to International folks as well (because I’m cool like that). The contest is open until Friday November 6th at 11:59 pm, Pacific. Good luck! 
-VV
2009
I would love to own the Katie blush. My coloring is very similar to yours and I think the cool, pale pink of Katie would look awesome on my cheeks!
Thanks for reviewing Illamasqua makeup!
2009
Really loving the sealing gel and the pure pigments
2009
The Illamasqua makeup looks great on you!
I live in Japan, so it’s really hard to get Illamasqua products over here – I would love to try out the nail polishes!
2009
i would love to try their metallic eyeliners and their nailpolishes.
2009
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! ♥ I would like to try ALL of their polishes ~ they look so opaque & their colors are unique! And that lipstick looks like it’s got awesome pigmentation, I love a satiny-nicely pigmented creme!!
2009
Hi Kelly,
I love your eye makeup. You really should be in the makeup field. You do makeup very well! I can never manage to get upper eye liner to look right.
Thanks for sharing.
2009
I`ve never tried Illamasqua and I would like to try all the products but specially the eyeshadows.
2009
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/ConBdeBelleza/status/5492483695
2009
I just bought my first Illamasqua nail polishes. My favorite is Muse!
2009
I haven’t tried that brand but the polishes look pretty neat.
2009
I really wanna get Rampage one of these days! It is so H O T! Thanks for hosting this give-away! yippie!
2009
Ooh, wow. Lovin’ the makeup. Although blush isn’t usually my thing, I’d try an eye shadow and a lippie anyday. And I’ve read so much about Illamasqua, I want to try a few of them myself.
2009
I’m lemming the lipstick in Ignite. Actually, every one of the matte lipsticks… I want them all!
2009
I would love to try that blush you have in this post. My skin is also very fair and it would love great with my complexion.
2009
My faviorite Illamasqua produc is the nail varnish- Poke. It’s gorgeous!!
2009
If i would buy something form Illamasqua, it would be a blush. It would be such a treat to be able to open that beautiful luxurious box. I think their colourranges are amazing. Their products are not available over here (which might be best for my wallet) but i’d love to own some.
2009
I would love to try the Sealing Gel. It would increase the versatility of all my other products.
2009
I am loving that Conquer pure pigment! That is the most beautiful color
2009
I guess my fave would be British Racing Green n/p….but it’s a guess because I don’t have any Illamasqua products yet!
2009
I’m totally loving the polishes, Muse being my favorite so far.
2009
I actually only own 1 Illamasqua product-intense lipgloss in Move. I’m wearing it today, and it’s very lovely. Thanks for the chance to win some new nailpolish!
2009
I love the nail polishes, and would really love to try some of the eyeshadow. Thanks for this awesome giveaway!!!
2009
I’ve only tried the nail polishes, I have 3 and they’re awesome. The lipstick especially looks good as I think I’m a similar colouring to you.
Cali369´s last blog ..Cheapies
2009
Would love to try any of their polish colors, but like many other comments before me, the price tag is a deterrent. =D
wixbetty´s last blog ..random
2009
Hooray, Illamasqua! Same story for me as other commenters…I can’t really justify the high price of their products at the moment. But I’m dying to try out their nail polish, since they have such awesome, bold colors. I think Velocity would be my favorite — I love an interesting purple!
2009
I would LOVE to try their nail polishes. Especially Rampage. I heard its the “Jesus” of nail polishes
2009
I’d never heard of lllamasqua until i found your blog a few months ago. I saw you swatch their Phallic nail polish and had to get it. It’s my first dark blue and i love it! Thanks for swatching it!
2009
Unfortunately I don’t any Illamasqua products yet
but I’d love to try out their Liquid Metal Eyeshadows and their nail polishes ;D
2009
I have always wanted their nail polishes- I have heard such great things about them …. except for their price tag!
2009
I really want to try their nail polishes, especially Rampage and Fern. =]
2009
I am dying to try the nail polishes! but unfortunately am so broke, I cant even blog right now, so i would definitely love to win this!!!!!
2009
I would LOVE to try out the nail polish. I really like the lipstick you got too.
2009
i love love love their intense lip glosses! all the color and shine you would ever want in a single tube~ mmm.
2009
Hi, I just recently found your blog, and it’s definitely one I’ll continue to read.
I want to join the contest, please!
I’ve never tried any Illamasqua products, but I really want to try their nail polishes of course!
Solveig´s last blog ..NOTD: China Glaze Strawberry Fields
2009
Illamasqua Rampage is the shizz! I’m a diehard lover of red nail polish and Rampage is the first bottle of green I’ve ever purchased!
2009
My fave is the Electrify sheer lipgloss.
The Obsess color is so pretty!
Thanks a lot.
2009
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/tribecca/status/5474736344
Becky´s last blog ..What Countries Does Lockerz Ship To?
2009
I want to try their polishes.
Becky´s last blog ..What Countries Does Lockerz Ship To?
2009
Thanks Kelly, for including us international folks!
I haven’t tried any Illamasqua products yet, but I’ve been on the website and really like the looks of DWS and snap, and also strike and poke. Online swatches of these colours look great!
2009
I would LOVE to try their nail polishes, especially Rampage, Phallic, Baptiste, and Jan!!
2009
Oh I forgot to mention: I also follow you on twitter en retweeted. (is that a word?)
2009
I love all their polishes, they are such cool colours.!
Muse, Hectic, DWS, Velocity, Rampage, I don’t think I can choose.
2009
I’m totally lusting over Rampage!
2009
I only knew of Illamasqua from ALU, so I didn’t know they did more than just varnish. The only color from Illamasqua I’m still lemming for is Rampage, but your swatch of Obsess makes me wonder how Velocity would look on my tips.
2009
Hi kelly your awesome for offering these giveaways. I never have tried the illamasqua brand. But I would love to.
2009
im following you on twitter and i also twitted this giveaway
http://twitter.com/sparklemidori
Angela´s last blog ..Updated Blog Sale and Lowered Prices
2009
my favorite product is their blushes
Angela´s last blog ..Updated Blog Sale and Lowered Prices
2009
I am DYING to try their nail polishes – they look so so nice!
2009
I love the varnishes, of course, but I’m tempted to try more of the makeup.
2009
Oh to win. What a happy day it would be!
2009
Looks really nice Kelly. I have tried 2 Illamasqua products and I have to say that their Satin Face Primer rocks!
Marisol´s last blog ..Catching up
2009
I would loooove to try their nail polish I dont have any yet =(
thanks
2009
I would love to try the Illamasque lipsticks because they look super pigmented and the range of colors is nice. THe nail polishes look really pretty too! Obsess is the perfect shade. It’s my favorite color!
2009
I would Loooooove to try the nail polishes! Lament looks awsome!
Ps: Does the twitter part of the giveaway only work if your follwing me?
2009
OMG I would die if I won those! You’re so awesome
2009
I don’t have any Illamasqua stuff just yet, but I did order a few polishes during the Sephora F&F that are on their way (Rampage, Muse, Phallic, Baptiste, Jan). I’m interested in just about all of their products, though, and I’m hoping to try out some non-polish items after Christmas–or at least drag myself to the San Francisco Sephora that carries Illamasqua just to look at everything.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Music: Eighties Roundup
2009
I would love to try Illamasqua’s Hectic and Phallic polishes!!
Natalie´s last blog ..Full Finger Konad
2009
I’ve been wanting to try the liquid metal from the Dystopia collection. I prefer greys by far. I also want to try MILF. I’m telling myself it’s a dupe for Chanel jade
2009
I purchased “Jan” by Illamasqua through Sephora’s F&F promo. I love both the color and formula and want to try more of their polishes.
2009
I only have one Illamasqua product so far (Muse np), and it’s delightful! I am hoping to own a lot more. I really want to try out the liquid metal.
2009
i really want their nail polish.. but i’d love to try the pure pigmeants too.
Candi´s last blog ..candiDUH: Major fail.
2009
I’m with Kris on this one — major lust, but I can’t quite justify the price. Sephora needs to just carry the entire line, and get all of their seasonal pallettes as they come out. My favorite color is probably Muse, but I will always have a soft spot for DWS: my first perfect creme grey. So please add my name to the pot! Now I just have to go see if I can’t figure out twitter …
I love your blog, by the way. I’ve been reading for a few months now, but this is my first comment. You’re inspiring!
2009
Yay, a product named after me (Katie is the nickname I prefer). The blush is definitely beautiful.
2009
YUM! I would like a piece of those!!! Put me up for the draw!^^
Lumin0us´s last blog ..Obrigada S.!/Thank You S.!
2009
any illamasqua nail polish will do, but my fav of them all is strike
I also love the perfect yellow wayward…
Inbal´s last blog ..My early christmas present ×ž×ª× ×ª ×—×’ מולד מוקדמת
2009
Illamasqua is one hell of an interesting brand, and they have such a distinctive look and feel to their products and website! I have ordered the rich liquid foundation a few days ago because I have heard such great things about it and plan to help myself to some of their lipglosses and varnishes for Christmas ^^
2009
I pretty much want to try everything illamasqua!
2009
I haven’t tried any of the non-nail product’s but I love Rampage! And Muse! Honestly, I think they apply better than RBL – they are dreamy.
2009
I have never tried any of their products but I would really love to try their Rich Liquid Foundation! Oh and of course any nail polish (^-^*)
Kae´s last blog ..Happy Halloween!
2009
My favorites from illamasqua right now are Rampage the nail polish and Corrupt pinkish lip color. Their lip colors are drying, you are right! I put on mac lip conditioner underneath and it really helps.
2009
Ha, a fellow sucker for packaging! I myself tend to prefer colorful, vintagey looking packaging like benefit’s, but sleek can be nice sometimes too.
I *almost* bought the sealing gel at my last visit to Sephora, and now I’m really regretting not buying it! Conquer is beautiful on it’s own, but it just intensifies x10 with the sealing gel!
Rebecca´s last blog ..Lumene vs. Garnier Nutritioniste Cleansing Wipes
2009
I really want to try basically any of the Illamasqua polishes, especially Hectic and Rampage.
Stephanie´s last blog ..Chanel Jade: Finding a Dupe
2009
I love the look of the nail polishes especially Milf and Phallic. Pity they’re so pricey!
2009
Ooh, ooh, pick me! I’ve never tried Illamasqua (can’t get them here in New Zealand), but so badly want to try their nail polishes!
Selina´s last blog ..Today’s nails: China Glaze Tinsel and 5 Golden Rings
2009
Ohhh I WOULD love to try the rampage polishes!
2009
I, too, adore Illamasqua’s powder blush “Katie”. It’s like the lighter pink, matte version of MAC “Well Dressed”….I only wish that I could now find an even lighter shade of pink blush. If anyone knows of one such blush shade, please: holla!
2009
Never tried Illamasqua but I’m very interested in their polishes, they seem awesome!!
2009
My favorite illamasqua product is… all of their polishes. Eyeshadows dont seem that great but they have fantastic polish colors. Rampage was an ooh-ahh color for sure!
2009
Love these!!
2009
I bit the bullet and bought Rampage and absolutely love the formula and the color is stunning. I’d love to add more to my collection but the price point is a little scary. Their blushes are also amazing and I’m dieing to try their foundation.
2009
ABSOLUTELY LOVE their nail polish colors. I really like milf!, and baptiste. gorgeous. I only have a few of their older colors because they are so expensive. Thanks for posting this contest. It gives us all hope that we might win. haha.
2009
Haven’t tried anything because it hasn’t reached Australia yet, but i would love to try the nail polish in Rampage and the Rude blush!
2009
I’d like to try their nail polish! I haven’t tried anything in the line yet
2009
I’ve never tried Illamasqua, and OBVIOUSLY i’m dying to try the polishes, but besides that I’d love to try their Sheer Lip Gloss in Provoke
2009
I really would like to try Milf or Phallic.
Most of the colors are really interesting, but it’s imposible to get them in Germany.
2009
I would love to try any of their nail polishes, especially MILF and Rampage. Thank you so much for the give-away!
2009
I would love to try the polishes. Rampage is just gorgeous.
2009
I would really like to try the Sealing Gel. It sounds very interesting
Nessa´s last blog ..Win Illamasqua Nail Varnish @ Vampy Varnish
2009
i would so like to try nail varnishes like milf and grab! i’ve tried rampage and i must
say it’s insane how cool it looks.
i would like to try their pure pigmets, seems like a great deal.
thanks alot for the giveaway!!!!!
kind regards
2009
i want to try their nail polishes and their intense lipglosses!!
2009
I would loooooove to try the pigments!!! They look awesome with and without the sealer. I would also looooove to try their nail polishes as well, but they are sooo pricey.
2009
Wow! These are beautiful! (I think you did a great job on the photos!) I love loose pigments, and that lipstick is to die for!!! I haven’t bought any of their products yet (I’m so poor right now), but I really am dying for their nail polishes!!
2009
I love the Baptiste nail polish – I’ve worn it a couple of times and always get compliments.
I can’t wait until the local Sephora has the Illamasqua line (they say January now!) so I can try out the rest
.
2009
I haven’t used any yet, but I would love to get my hands on some of their polish!
2009
I’ve never purchased their polish. I want the color Hectic, but I don’t see it on the Sephora site, only theirs. The Conquer pigment looks nice.
2009
I’m drooling over this stuff myself! I really hope they will make it to an actual store in Sweden so I can look at the goodies. I totally feel like the target group for this brand, except wallet-wise…
Oh, and it’s wonderful you showing us a little eyes of the day-action, keep it up!
Marie´s last blog ..Jag har fÃ¥tt en mycket fin present
2009
I would love to try that blush (katie) im also fair skinned (very fair skinned) i think it would look good on me!
2009
My favorite Illamasqua product so far is the nail lacquer Rampage. OMG…it is AMAZING. Plus so far ALL of their nail polishes are absolutely perfect. Totally impressed with Illamasqua so far! Plus I should win because it’s my birthday on Thursday.
2009
Wow, I love the NP (espescially Muse!), but the makeup looks great as well. Now if only Sephora could keep Rampage in stock!
2009
What a fantastic giveaway! Thank you so much Kelly! I’m dying to try their lipsticks. I’m a major lipstick fanatic. I have tons of the stuff. I just bought 4 nail varnishes during the Sephora sale. I can’t wait to try them. Thank you.
2009
uhoohhhhh! ok hi, we kinda like Conquer. I have a couple of their lacquers from Sephora, but it would be nice if they brought Hectic over!
You’re eyebrows look fabo btw. Which reminds me, i’m due for a major wax load. I’m feeling a fu manchu coming on.
2009
I’ll likely be picking up Muse, Rampage, Boosh, and maybe Milf when I hit a Sephora that carries them in December!
2009
I want to try their polishes. I don’t wear much makeup, but my nails are always polished
2009
I would love to try the pigments with the sealing gel. It really makes it pop. And you’re right, it is a complete killjoy when you buy something that looks so bright and applies so sheer.
2009
I recently took advantage of Sephora’s friends & family and bought a bunch of polishes (Christmas treat from my parents
). I got, among other polishes, Illamasqua Snap, Phallic, Baptiste, Muse, DWS, and Rampage (they were out of Milf :’( ) and I’m super pumped to try them! They’re all gorgeoussss
2009
I’m still dying to try out some of their polishes, but they’re £12.50 which is a bit steep! That all looks gorgeous on you
2009
I really want to try Illamasqua’s polishes! I love the colors and I hear their quality is amazing!
2009
i never seen Illamasqua in my city, but I’m dying to try their polishes!!
2009
I have been wanting to try the illamasqua polishes after reading so much about them over the past few months. PS – love your site!
2009
I love that conquer shadow and the sealing gel. Wow what an awesome colour!
2009
I wanna try out Elope, Hectic & Rampage
email: blackpearl890(at)yahoo(dot)com
LacquerObsession´s last blog ..Another contest alert!
2009
I love blushes, I would LOVE to try out their blush in Kiss.
2009
I adore their nail polish colors and somehow had no idea they were London based! I’m always excited about a new line with extra vivid colors.
2009
I got a few powder eyeshadows but haven’t tried them yet. I want to try out their blushes too, and the liquid metal
2009
Hi Kelly!
I really would to try Milf. I was going to order it with my Sephora F&F order but it was OOS. :c( But I do have Rampage and Whack on the way! :c)
Elaine´s last blog ..Lippmann Collection Winter
2009
I’ve been dying to try their products but unfortunately they aren’t sold where I live… Muse is on my wish list and after your swatches I’ll add Conquer and Katie.
2009
i’ve never tried any illamasqua but i’d love to try their nail polish in muse!
2009
I don’t have any Illamasqua products but have been dying to try their nail polish!
2009
The only Illamasqua product I have is Rampage nail varnish…and I’m in love! It may possibly unseat Chanel Kaleidoscope as my favorite polish of all-time. In my experience, it has the best formula of any brand of polish that I own, even Lippmann and RBL.
The Asian Girl´s last blog .."After this one, you’re gonna need a root canal…"
2009
Would love to try Muse and Rampage-the eternal quest for the perfect green!
2009
I only have their nail varnishes (and they are ahhhh-mazing) but I really want to try all their other makeup, especially the lipsticks and lipglosses. I’m so happy some of the products came stateside
2009
I only own three products from this brand, but I’m completely in love with the whole brand and would buy their whole nail polish collection if I could afford it. :p I would very much like to enter your giveaway.
My favorite Illamasqua product so far is the nail varnish named “Milf”. I love that shade of mint green, it’s so unique.
2009
My favorite product is definitely Rampage nail varnish!
2009
I’ve been dying to try their polish, but the most of the colors I want have been sold out every time I go to order.
2009
Illamasqua’s colors are to die for!!! would love to win that set
2009
I’m in! My favourite product is Intense Lip Gloss in Move, it’s the perfect pinkish mauve shade. I’d love to try out their lipsticks.
2009
The only thing I’ve tried is their Rich foundation but I don’t really like it.. I’d like the try their foundation in a cremeform and their nail polishes of course (Rampage *mmm*)!
Twitter: Monticka
2009
I really want to try their nail polishes, I remember the first post you did of them, the colors are awesome! I can’t spend any $$ on makeup right now
because I am about to buy a house and I need to save every penny that I earn so I would be so excited to win.
2009
After seeing your swatch, I’d love to try Katie blush. I’m always on the search for the perfect blush for my pale skin!
2009
Hi,
I’ve never tried Illamasqua make up because we don’t have any in Belgium, but I’m dying to have some of their nailpolishes that look just amazing
Btwn your tutorial on youtube about how to remove glitter nail polish is great, because I had some issues removing the Ultra glitter zoya nailpolishes, but not anymore with your tip!! Thanks a lot, keep going on tutorial it’s really useful
2009
I’ve been wanting to try the Rampage nail polish! Maybe next time I’ll finally pick one up
2009
I was introduced to Illamasqua by a Norhtern Irish drag queen (in Belfast) on my summer vacation. So fabulous. Ever since then, I’ve been dying to get my hands on the nail varnish, natrurally! Esp. in “Obsess”! ;o)
2009
OOH! I’m dying to get these polishes, but haven’t managed to justify the higher (non-Sephora) price tag for the Dystopia colors. I haven’t tried the makeup yet, but I LOVE the np, wearing Fern right now. Muse and Rampage high on my list of faves.
Kris´s last blog ..Ulta Professional