BRAND FAVOURITES - ILLAMASQUA

Welcome to the first post of a brand new series I'm starting - Brand Favourites. I thought it would be fun to pick a different brand every few months and talk about my favourites products from them. I've been thinking about which brand to start with for a while, and after a good few days I decided that where better to start than my first high end makeup brand, Illamasqua.

Skin Base Foundation (£32.50)

This was always going to be on the list. I wrote a whole review last month if you'd like to check that out for more details, but this is my absolute dream foundation. You're completely in control of the level of coverage, and once powdered, your skin just feels like skin and not at all cakey. I can't see myself loving another foundation quite as much as I love this one.

Loose Powder in LP010 (£24.50)

I'm cursed with an oily t-zone, and until fairly recently there was absolutely nothing I could do to lessen the shine. Then I bought this powder. It's the mostly finely milled powder I've ever seen, and as a result it's very hard to over -apply.

Blusher in Ambition (£22)

I'm just gonna say this straight. This blusher is very glittery. Glitter in blusher seems to be detested by most people, which is fine, but I have to say that I love it. Since I'm not a huge highlighter fan, I feel like I need to get my sparkle somewhere, and this product is perfect. It's a gorgeous purpley colour, with lots of gold glitter that seems to just light me from within. I apply it with Illamasqua's Blusher Brush 1, and let me tell you, this product is crazy pigmented. You only need the lightest touch of your brush to pick up enough product. If you go overboard, it's very hard to sort of blend away, but if I have a mishap I like to just go over the affected area with my foundation brush to tone it down a little. I've used mine nearly every single day since March, and I've hardly left a dent.

Matte Lipstick in Bare (£18.50)

As I mentioned in my June Favourites and Empties post, I won this lipstick in a competition that Illamasqua ran on their Twitter a week or so ago. I actually didn't think that I would love this lipstick, as matte products usually play havoc with my insanely dry lips (and while we're on that topic, can anyone recommend a great lipbalm?) and I'm not a fan of nude lips on me, although am always envious of others who can rock them. However, this lipstick was nothing like I was expecting. It's so creamy and comfortable to wear, applies well over dry lips after a light layer of lipbalm, and smells like tablet. Mostly surprisingly of all is the fact that it suits me! I'm super pale and usually find that nudes wash me out, but this makes me look incredible (if I do say so myself). It's very quickly become my favourite lipstick formula ever, and I am very much looking forward to picking up a few more Illamasqua lipsticks while in Manchester (more on that later!).

As you read this post, I'm in Manchester on a five day shopping trip to celebrate my birthday on the 12th. I'm spending all round me, of course, so be prepared for a massive haul next week, something I'm very excited about. I love reading haul posts, and I can't wait to write my own!

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for artists who design good custom Blogger headers (even if it's yourself!) do let me know. You may have noticed that I've redesigned my blog this week, and just need that one finishing touch!

What are your favourite Illamasqua products?

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