Illamasqua Art of Darkness: Resolute

Illamasqua Resolute Liquid Metal ($26.00 for 0.05 oz.) is a rusted, cranberry red with deep pink micro-shimmer. Liquid Metal is a cream product that is designed to highlight and create a “luminous glow.” It can be used anywhere–eyes, face, or body–so it could be used as a rather as a bit of a blusher, on the lips, or as an eyeshadow base. Those would be my top three uses, personally; some of the lighter shades in the Liquid Metal line would work well to highlight on the body, too, but I think this dark of a shade lends itself to the uses I listed.

I tried it on my eyes as a base with Illamasqua Ore on top, and it worked well. I didn’t have issues with creasing, but I think this product is emollient enough that those who are more prone to creasing may want to use an eyeshadow base underneath the cream, and then be sure to set with a powder eyeshadow, too. I just see potential creasing issues on those with oilier lids, because the product didn’t seem to dry very quickly and is rather creamy (which does make for easy blending!).

It was fun to wear on lips initially, but it has an odd texture–almost a little drying and powdery–so I don’t think it’s ideal for lip wear (especially if you have dry lips). I liked it best on the cheeks, because it was creamy enough to allow you to really blend it out and get the level of intensity you wanted but dried down and stayed for hours. No matter how you wear it, though, one swipe packs a lot of pigmentation.

I loved how metallic and shiny it looked, even when it seemed to dry in place, but it did take some work, and it may take a few practice runs to get it just right, too. I wouldn’t recommend using it as a cream eyeshadow for those with oily lids, because it will probably crease unless you really sheer it out. Given that they’re not exclusively for eyes but rather as a multitasking product, it definitely has multiple uses. I think it does best as a blusher, but so-so as an eyeshadow [base] and lip product.

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• Product: 24/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

RECOMMENDATION: There aren’t a ton of creamy red bases out there, so you may still want to consider Resolute, if red is what you’re after. I think this product is interesting, and the lighter shades may be more versatile, as you can really highlight with them on all parts of the body.

AVAILABILITY: Sephora

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Illamasqua Resolute Liquid Metal