Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss Review, Photos, Swatches
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss
An Alternative to Red for the Holidays
If you’ve been reading Temptalia for a few months, you probably know I have an obsession with Illamasqua’s Intense Lipglosses (see reviews of ten other shades here). They’re ultra pigmented with a high glossy shine in bold, bright colors. They last awhile and never feel uncomfortable on lips.
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss ($20.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a new shade launched with the Art of Darkness collection for autumn/winter. It is unique in its finish, from my experience with the Intense Lipglosses, because it has a high shimmer, nearly metallic finish (all Intense Lipglosses I’ve tried are creamier, very subtle if not zero shimmer). It’s a welcome addition, since I do enjoy shimmery glosses, too. The gloss comes in a thin, squeeze-tube with a slanted applicator.
Hermetic is a bold burgundy brown with lighter burgundy shimmer. It’s very deep and takes very little color to get opaque results. It feels very holiday to me, which I think owes to the slight metallic-ness of the finish. It’s holiday without being a full-on red. I see subtle red-brown undertones, but it’s definitely not your typical holiday red. It seems a little on the cooler side to me, though it worked well on my warmer skin tone, so don’t let that dissuade you from checking it out.
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- Product: 29/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: If you like burgundy, browns, or deep reds, I think Hermetic might be worth checking out.
AVAILABILITY: Sephora
See more photos & swatches!
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Hermetic Intense Lipgloss
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase Hermetic? How much is it?
Sephora, $20.
Is it sticky?
No.
How long does it last?
I wore this shade for about four hours.
Are there any dupes?
I think what sets this shade apart from potential dupes is in the finish; it is far glossier (being a gloss rather than a lipstick, which is where you'll be most likely to find similar shades) and almost metallic. MAC Media is similar in color though pinker; MAC Underworld is similar but lacks the redness), Illamasqua's Growl seems closest in color but has a matte finish.
Hi! I'd just like to thank you for this site because I always go to it before making any makeup purchase and i find your opinions very helpful. I've been in absolute love with dark plum, cranberry and burgundy lips and have been looking for a lipgloss with some sparkle and full, opaque coverage. This was the closest that I've found. I just think that it's a bit too brown for my NC35 complexion. Any suggestions to make it a bit more red or purple without compromising it's intensity? Should I layer it with something like MAC Cyber or an intense purple or red like MAC Russian Red? Sorry for the length!
I think either of those would work well to give you a slight hint of another color!
I saw this on your site and knew I had to get it. I just received it from my Sephora's F&F sale haul. I love it!!!! Do you know if it's limited edition? If so, I'll have to go buy back-ups. Thanks Christine.
I don't think it is - if it isn't marked on Sephora's site as limited edition, then it shouldn't be!
Illamasqua has just come to our town. Can you recommend me a lipstick that is among your favorites? I hope it is sunnier today than on Monday. Have a lovely day, and thank you for answering my question. Aurora
Love Atomic!
It's way too dark for me to pull off, but what a gorgeous color!!! It's like OPI Royal Rajah Ruby, but in lipgloss form...I love it.
I got this for xmas this year, on your recommendation, and absolutely love it! I wore it to work today (thankfully my boss is a makeup junkie, too, so I have some freedom in my shades for work) and already have gotten several compliments! This is my first Illamasqua gloss and I'm very pleased with the texture and pigmentation. It only took a tiny bit to get great color on my lips! Thank you for your review, once again! I'm certainly going to pick up more Illamasqua glosses soon--maybe even Gender! ;)
GORGEOUS!!!! WOW
potential dupe~! Revlon's ColourStay Ultimate in Top Tier Truffle looks almost like it! Here's a photo of some swatches: http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/ae71/KingdomButterfly/DSCN5455.jpg Looks a bit lighter than it really is. The flas made it look really pale. Should this go on the dupe list? I think it looks kinda 85% like this product.
Oooh this looks like blood. I love it.
Woah pretty amazing color
Wow -that is GORGEOUS!!!
I gasped when I saw the swatch. WOW. I need it! :D
stunning..one of those "buy me buy me now" colors, damnit, you've done it again!
ooooh, i'm sold! i'm going to have to pick that one up!!
great color
Nice shade, very vampy! Btw Christine, I'm sorry for being late but happy belated birthday :)
Thanks, Laia!
Oooo, pretty! That would look good on most anybody. And it would be really great for a holiday party or going to the Nutcracker!
Wow, what a beautiful color! texture wise, it does remind me of Bare Escentuals Full Coverage Buxoms? I have a few, and they are definitely liquid lipstick, not gloss. I don't think I own a color like this though.... it's going on my list!
I don't have any of those, sorry!
Wow fab!
WOW!...thats beautiful! It sucks that we dont have Illamasqua in Taiwan..
It's like you have nail polish on your lips!BEauuuuuuuuuutiful!
Love the finish but the colours not very me, do they do this in any other colours christine?
This is the first metallic-y one I've seen.
It's red like a Christmas ornament! love it!
Wow. This is beyond stunning. Love this colour.
Christine of the glowing awesomeness cheeks; what did you use as a blush and highlight?
Benefit Sugarbomb, I believe.
It's like Christmas.. on your mouth! I love it
I've never seen Illamasqua in stores at my local Sephora... how does the texture and wear of the Intense Lipglosses compare to Chanel's Rouge Allure Lacques?
They're two totally different products, IMO. One is a gloss, one is a liquid lipstick, so I don't think the textures are comparable at all. They wear the same length of time on me - 4 to 6 hours. :)
I must buy this color - wow!!!
Hi Christine :) I had never heard of this lipgloss line/series from Illamasqua until I read your first review on these and I definitely see why you love them so much! And as always, you look fab !
This color is so fantastic; it screams Holiday Party. I'll need to try this. If it works on my skin (I think I'm NW25), it'll be my first Sephora purchase =)
Holy wow that is so super pigmented. Not for me, but I'm impressed by the pigmentation there!
Its soooo gorgeous! Must have!
That color is GORGE!!!
This is SO pretty but I'll pass cause it's not anything i'd ever use. If I were a makeup artist though, I would buy it and use it every chance I had!
Absolutely beautiful...
Gorgeous! This looks like a more opaque version of MAC's Amorous dazzleglass creme!
I was thinking the same thing!! =)
Oh wow, so sexy! And I love the Post FAQ!
How I wish we had Illamasqua was available in Italy!! Dang country, nothing is available here!! =( *cries*
WOW. that is some pigmented stuff! It really is intense!
I love dark colors like this
It's very rare to see a gloss that pigmented *_* it's the reason why i don't by to many since the shades never show up on my pink lips. I hope Sephora will have this in store to test out. It look luscious.
gleaming rich colour .... fabulous!
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