Christmas Homework: Illamasqua

For the Christmas homework, we were set the task to pick a make-up brand of our choice and to research into the brand to find out about their range of products, their collections and when they were launched.  

I chose to look at Illamasqua, as it is a very creative make-up brand which pushes the boundaries with colour and they especially think outside the box for their advertising campaigns which really captivates me. I also use some Illamasqua products both in my make-up kit and for my personal use and I really enjoy the results their products give me. Illamasqua was launched in London in 2008 and their message is to empower people to press their individuality. Illamasqua takes inspiration from all ends of the spectrum, such as Berlin in the 1920's to make-up in film and theatre to members of the 'alternative scenes'. They made their debut in Selfridges on Oxford Street, which was the biggest retail space given to an unknown brand. They now have 3 stores across the UK and many concessions in department stores world wide. Illamasqua also pride themselves for being 100% against animal testing. There are 8 main members of the Illamsqua team, including the well known make-up artist Alex Box who is the creative director of the brand. Illamasqua is mostly known for its make-up, but it also sells fragrances, nail polishes and false eyelashes alongside the make-up, which are all also very popular.  

I really enjoy the collections at Illamasqua, as they are all so different, with eye-catching adverts and beautiful pieces of make-up with a story behind each piece. One of my favourite collections was the 'Throb' collection which was released in Januray 2011. As the name suggested, the collection was all about passion, pleasure and love. The collection included three nail varnishes, a red lipstick and a bright red lipgloss. I absolutely loved the images they released for this collection, as the make-up sticks to a basic colour palette with a pop of red on the lips, but is beautifully done and shows off the collection to its full potential. 

(http://www.illamasqua.com/explore/collections/throb/ -Viewed 10th Jan 2015)

Another collection I also loved was the 'Theatre of the Nameless' collection, which had the story of an erotic adventure with exotic dancers, actors, anarchists and the distant leaders of the underworld subcultures. It was also influenced by the seedy nightlife in 1920's Berlin but with a modern take. The collection consisted of 4 nail varnishes, 2 lip glosses, 1 lipstick, 2 cream blushers and two pairs of false eyelashes. The images from this collection were particularly striking, as they included a number of models, all with different looks. They are mesmerising images and are unexpected to see in a high street make-up brand, where the products can be used for everyday use, but can equally be used to create masterpieces such as the ones we see on the advertisements. 

 

(http://www.illamasqua.com/explore/collections/theatre-of-the-nameless/#totn-products -Viewed 10th 2015)

(http://www.illamasqua.com/explore/collections/theatre-of-the-nameless/#totn-products -Viewed 10th Jan 2015)

  

The third collect I have chosen is the 'Once' collection, which is about the passing of time. Alex Box describes it 'Old cannot exist without new, juxtaposition exalts the differences. She endures, her spirit is encapsulated, timeless and as present and as vital as the morning light, whilst everything around her gently decays. She feels both vintage yet with a modern vital spirit. Beauty endures.' The collection includes, one nail varnish, 3 metallic eye shadow creams, a powder blusher and 2 lip glosses. The photos from this collection are stunning, as they have an 18th century feel but with modern influences. I love how when Illamsqua shoot a campaign, they don't only focus on the make-up, but also carefully consider the staying of the hair, the clothing and the setting of the shoot, which creates an overall magical look to all of their collections. 

(http://www.illamasqua.com/explore/collections/once/ -Viewed 10th Jan 2015)

Sources:  
http://www.illamasqua.com (Viewed 10th Jan 2015)