Illamasqua are one of those brands that breaks the mould. A beauty brand that takes inspiration from insects… because that seems normal? For their AW16 collection ‘Extinct’ Illamasqua have been inspired by the natural beauty of insects, the reality of climate change and the fearlessness of Punk. Sounds pretty awesome right? It is.
They focus on being a cruelty free, vegetarian brand with a focus on sustainability. This season they launch the company’s Green Policy as a commitment to ensure a more sustainable future. “This long-term plan outlines our continued goal to make Illamasqua a conscious and purposeful beauty company.” They had me at Green Policy to be honest.
I was kindly invited down to take a look at and try out the new collection and also see the display of Punk memorabilia on show during the press launch.
The collections is as follows:
DEMISE PALETTE, RRP £34.00
A quad palette of easily wearable powder eye shadows that create a textural and autumnal smoky eye. For a limited time only, the ‘extinct’ Illamasqua eye shadow in Gimp has been brought back following a call from our fans and included in the new Demise palette. Shades: Wilt (Red Gold), Gimp (Black Blue), Lost (White Gold), Interitus (Burgundy).
PURE PIGMENT, RRP £17.50
A finally milled holographic pigment that can be worn alone to softly reflect a translucent blue or layered over a deeper product to give it a 3-D punch. Shade: Axolotl (Holographic Blue)
MATTE LIP LIQUID, RRP £18.50
The ultimate matte lip for creating a bold and precise finish. Use alone for a deep purple hue or layer on top of Pure Pigment in Axolotl for a two toned, supernatural shine. Shade: Exoskeleton (Dusky Plum)
GEL LINER, RRP £20.00
A deep, emerald green gel liner with a soft iridescent finish. Use to line the eyes for an alternative graphic liner, or blend all over the lid and layer new Pure Pigment in Axolotl for an unconventional smoky eye. Shade: Quixotic (Emerald Green)
POWDER EYESHADOW, RRP £16.50
Two highly pigmented powder eye shadows with an iridescent finish, a translucent blue frost alongside an ‘extinct’ pale copper Illamasqua shade. Wear alone with a delicate wash over the eyes, or layer up and apply with a damp brush for a more solid colour finish. Shades: Cascade (Blue/White Frost) and Jubilance (Pale Copper)
NAIL VARNISH, RRP £14.50
Two daring shades that offer a high shine finish. A deep merlot injected with glitter particles and a two-toned green that mimics iridescent beetle wings. Wear over a black polish to intensify the colour. Shades: Remains (Purple Glitter) Quagga (Duo Toned Green)
Joseph Core, the son of British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood and music mogul Malcolm McLaren is the creative director of Illamasqau which may explain the Punk influence this season. This year marks 40 years of Punk and Joseph thinks the most punk rock thing to do would be to burn the memorabilia. Punk has become mainstream, and the only way – he believes – to keep it alive is to act against it! I guess that makes sense, and for that reason it was great to see items from Vivienne’s original 1980’s ‘Sex’ shop on display before they are gone for ever.
I’m a really big fan of the colours in the collection, the way the pigments turn out when swatched and also the inspirations and ethos backing this collection and the brand in general.
The collection is available exclusively to SELFRIDGES from 18th August 2016
and available nation wide from 1ST September 2016
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