Illamasqua Christmas Collection


One of my favourite limited edition Christmas collections has to be Illamasqua's Christmas collection which not only features the must have nail polish of the season but great everyday essentials such as a sculpting palette and the most perfect nude lip gloss. If you want to look polished not glitter struck this festive period this one is for you...

Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection

First up we have my favourite item from the new launches Illamasqua's Sculpting Duo which features both a bronzer and highlighting powder - the shades are Heliopolis and Lumos respectively. The bronzer is of course matte with no orange tones it in fact leans fairly olive (not as deep as Benefit Hoola and not entirely similar to NARS Laguna either) making it perfect for creating or enhancing cheekbones. Being an Illamasqua powder product it of course pigmented beyond belief and very easy to blend out and generally apply. Truthfully it is fairly light so it won't suit all complexions but if you have a light to medium skin tone I'm sure you will find this a great addition to your make-up stash. The highlighting powder if of course a different story and very much universally flattering. A light cool toned yellow based highlighter that gives a lit within glow with a soft focus finish - if I was to compare it to one product it would be Kevin Aucoin Celestial Powder.
Both give the same healthy glow finish without the need for obnoxiously large shimmer particles. As a side note if you have the Illamasqua Blush Up Brush you will find that it slots effortless into each pan and also is the easiest way to effortless sculpt the cheekbones.
Find the Illamasqua Sculpting Duo here for £26 - link.

Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection

Who doesn't love a good nude lip offering? The majority of my lip stash comprises of pink based nude shades so Illamasaqua Intense Lipgloss in Maiden is right up my alley. Maiden is listed as a warm peach which I thoroughly agree with but do find it leans slightly nude too, it is all I hoped NARS Turkish Delight would be and more. The natural hue of this gloss means it goes with just about any make-up look not to mention it gives the illusion of fuller and plumper lips. Unlike any other gloss I own this offers full pigmentation in one quick swipe not to mention it has the most divine glossy finish. Yes it is slightly sticky but not anything unbearable and thanks to the texture it does wear longer than a typical gloss. A firm favourite that I'm hoping is a permanent edition to the Illamasqua line up. Find it here for £14.50 - link. 

Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection

I think the only way to describe Illamasqua's Blizzard Nail Lacquer is the equivalent of a snow globe on your nails. The weather may be oddly mild here in the UK (i'm itching for snow) but this polish captures all those winter wonderland dreams in one. Blizzard is a clear base in which metallic white glitter is suspended. As it is mainly white it layers over just about any shade effortlessly - I prefer it over pastel shades particularly blue and green hues. Despite being a glitter polish it does apply with ease - two coats for great glitter dispersion not to mention it dries quickly and was not the worst to remove. Find it here for £14.50 - link.

Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection
Illamasqua Christmas Collection

Lastly we have the new Fatale eyeshadow palette - four festive yet jewel toned shades that are not mundane yet easily worn. It is very seldom that I like all the shades in one palette (who does) but I'm rather taken by this one, okay I've still to figure out how I'll wear the purple shade but I'll get there. The four shadows are: Bronx - a mid warm toned gold that almost leans coppery, Ensnare - another warm hue this time a gold tinged pinky red that reminds me somewhat of MAC Cranberry only this is lighter, Mystify - a true orchid shade very fitting as Pantone's colour of the year for 2014 is Orchid. Basically a metallic pink based purple and lastly we have Charm - a cool toned metallic chocolate brown. All four shades have a soft texture which is not prone to fall out, easy to blend and very pigmented. This was my first foray into the world of Illamasqua eyeshadows and I can happily say I'll be back for more! Find the Illamasqua Fatale palette here for £34 - link.

Go on have yourself a selfish little Christmas!

Post contains press samples.