With so many cosmetic brands out on the market today, it’s hard to distinguish one from another. I love looking at new makeup. However, lately it all looks the same. Most are generated by a parent company and the subsidiaries just change each brand a little bit. MAC has been the only brand that has caught fire in the last twenty years to offer pigments and products for makeup artists and cosmetic lovers alike. But, I think they will have to step up their game though, since there is a new makeup sheriff in town, and its name is Illamasqua.

I was able to attend a makeup session from the one and only David Horne. Who is David Horne you ask? He is the product developer for Illamasqua. I was fortunate to spend an hour with him this past week at Sephora at their Fifth Ave. location.

I had walked by the Illamasqua kiosk many times during my shopping sprees at Sephora. I will admit, even though I am a seasoned makeup artist, I was intimidated: so many colors, textures and tones. I never knew where to start. I will start by telling you about this British cult brand, which was founded by the talented Alex Box and first launched in the UK in 2008. This line was created and developed by a team of leading chemists and manufacturers of stage and screen makeup. It is produced in a partnership with Kryolan, which has been a leading manufacturer of stage, screen makeup and pigments for over 66 years. So, you know they know their stuff.

When I first sat down with David he began to work his magic on me almost immediately. I was amazed at how he took a blush, shaved it down, and mixed it with their Satin Primer to create the most gorgeous, dewy glow. Immediately I thought of my favorite makeup artist: Way Bandy. I think so many people nowadays want easy, packaged products. That’s fine, but as an artist, like myself, I like to dig my hands into the products. Mix and match, get my fingers dirty and create a different, exotic look each time.

This brand brings the artistry back to the artist. There is no wrong way or right way to use the products. Just depends on what you want. He even took an intense lip gloss, and put it on my eyes to give a gorgeous sheen. Think Greta Garbo on the silent screen. The whole line has this image of naughtiness and brings you back to a time of unadulterated decadence. Even the names evoke a sultry emotion…Abyss, Divine, Tremble? I love the names. The packaging is also sleek and elegant like a 1920s cabaret.

Bottom line, If you are really in the market for something new. And bored with MAC as I have been these last few years, GO GET SOME ILLAMASQUA! Your heart will start beating, your imagination will be reignited! To quote the company, “ 22 high-performance nail varnishes, color-intense lipsticks, lip glosses, lashes and more creating a kaleidoscopic, pigment rich palette sure to seduce with its heady mix of color, creativity and limitless imagination.”

Are you going to go try Ilamasqua and create YOUR alter-ego?

Available at select Sephora locations and at www.sephora.com

-Erin Sutera, senior writer and makeup artist

For more giveaways, free samples and contests, sign up for our newsletter HERE.

If you like this post, share it with your friends and give it a LIKE on Facebook.