Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids

Illamasqua recently launched an all matte collection for Summer 2014 - which comprises of three matte liquid lipsticks, a new matte primer and two matte blushes one of which is an online exclusive. As you may know Illasmaqua as a brand is pretty daring and beyond creative so sometimes the offerings are a little too bold for my muted taste but not Illamasqua Summer 2014. If ever a line up spoke to me it was this...


Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids

If you own any liquid lipsticks you will know that more often than not such lip products come packaged pretty much identically to a lip gloss, this is purely down to the texture of the lip product. The Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids come complete with an inbuilt lip brush which makes applying a breeze - the brush grips on to just enough product each application meaning you don't waste or have to contend with a brush overloaded with product. Said brush is pretty firm and small so you can line then fill in your lips but you can also apply a little pressure to fan out the brush to fill in the entire lip.

Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids
Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids

The Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids come in three shades: Forbidden which is a bright blue based pink, Exotic which I would deem to be a true orange. It is shockingly bright and a power lip choice in the making. Lastly we have my favourite Surrender which is an almost neon milky peach coral. All three shades apply much brighter to the lips than they appear in the packaging - it seems they only come to life once they come in contact with skin. In the case of Exotic I have to state that my images do it no justice it is far brighter in person - I own no orange like it and the same applies to Surrender - I have no dupes nor recommendations of a similar shade to mimic this. Yes Illamasqua have paired down the shades this time around but they are still pretty unique in colour which is easier said than done these days.

Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids
Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids
Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids

Now here comes my only grumble - the Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids are pretty tricky to apply in that you have to apply a very thin layer and allow it to dry completely before going about your business. By that I mean no pressing your lips, no talking, no nothing until it has dried otherwise it will go patchy. Now don't get me wrong they dry fairly quickly and as they are so pigmented most will only ever want to apply one coat but the process does take a little getting used to none the less. The reward for walking about slightly slacked jawed for a minute or so? The longest lasting lipstick you will ever own. I kid you not when I say that the Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids will stay put for a good six hours with ease and then some. You can eat, drink and kiss should you want to and this baby is going nowhere fast. They don't flake, bleed or feather but they do fade a little throughout the day - the good news is that they do so evenly. Are the Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids drying? A little but not any more than your typical matte lipstick and you could easily apply a little gloss or balm to remedy this.

Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquids £18.50 each via Illamasqua - here.
This post contains press samples.