Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss Review, Photos, Swatches
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss
Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss
Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss (£13.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a “dark green shimmer.” The brand’s Sheer Lipgloss is rather self-explanatory–it’s a sheerer gloss that adds shine. This is definitely not as opaque as the Intense Lipglosses, but I’d say it’s more pigmented than it is sheer. I initially thought it was an Intense Lipgloss that suffered from unevenness in application, because it runs semi-opaque.
It’s a dark, forest green shimmer with a really cool, blue-based tone to it, so it almost looks like a teal-green than a true green. The shimmer is layered with a black-brown color base. I don’t have anything like this, and I expect the general reaction will be similar to Kontrol Lipstick. You’ll either love it or hate it. It’s not a color you’d describe as universally wearable and palatable, but again, it’s nice to have options.
The overall darkness in the hue means that any unevenness becomes more apparent, even from afar, but I did keep in mind this is supposed to be a sheer gloss (and deducted a point because it’s more than “sheer wash”). I just don’t think that works so well with really deep, dark shades if you want to avoid obvious lip lines, unevenness, and the like. It didn’t bleed or feather, which was nice, and it wore for five hours before needing to be reapplied. The formula had no scent and didn’t feel tacky. To get a more even appearance, try layering a black lipstick underneath.
Where to Buy: Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss, £13.00
The Glossover
If this is the kind of color you've been looking for, I think you'll like it, despite some of its shortcomings. For the right look, it could be worth the extra effort for perfect application.
See more photos & swatches!

Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss

Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss

Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss

Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss
Disclosure
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Product & Review FAQ
Where can I purchase it? How much is it?
Illamasqua Violate Sheer Lipgloss, £13.00.
Is it limited edition?
No.
Any dupes?
I couldn't think of any! You could try a loose, dark green eyeshadow mixed with clear gloss over a black lipstick.
I'm actually really annoyed Sephora isn't carrying this online. They're the only place I have to get Illamasqua and dammit I want this gloss! >:( I've only flipped through the comments a bit, but I can't believe how wound up people have gotten over a mainstream brand doing a color like this. Looks like they're doing their job well if this was the response. Indie brands have been making oddball colors for years, yet I haven't noticed any crazy backlash against them. *shrug*
If I lived in a bigger city that was more open to oddness then I'd rock this. I really want it but I'd have no place to wear it but Halloween. Makes me laugh I use to get crap for wearing red lipstick when I was in middle school and even now if I look around most people don't wear make up or wear VERY toned down make up. I don't think I've even seen someone with make up as half as colorful as mine. *le sigh* Some peoples attitudes are really sad. If you don't like it and would probably give someone the burning glare if they had it on. Ok, good for you? Doesn't make a person less of a person for liking something odd. People like that are the ones who try to herd in the "odd" people. I know from personal experience that people can be intolerant of things they don't get or think are weird. I'm not goth etc but I've always been a little "odd" or peculiar as my mom fondly said and I got some grief for it. I found the sheep comment really distasteful, of course people are going to agree or disagree about a product if the review is favorable or not. I've seen many posts where the person disliked the product and they would have 5 or 10 "omg I love this product!" and a sprinkling or "yea I didn't like it". In general seasoned bloggers will found flaws in products quickly and the general public will probably find the flaw too and not like it (such as gloss is too runny, eyeshadow pigment is crappy).
That looks ALL kinds of cool! And it's not prohibitively expensive for something that's definitely not everyday wear. It would look seriously cool over some black or deep purple lipstick.
Christine, as we say in the south bless your heart! I love how you're always able to say something positive and your puctures are always great.
Beautiful colour! Really looks amazing on. Got a bit frightened to wear Peacocky on its own in public, so put bit on top of pink lipstick, but this could be different. Would love them to do a pure white lipstick - very 60s!
Such a gorgeous green!! I would wear this if it wasn't so uneven.. But it is a lipgloss so I guess I wouldnt expect it to be perfectly even..
I absolutely love this color. I'm sorry to bug, Christine, but do you happen to know how much shipping is if you order from Illamasqua's website. And if they plan to launch this color in the states/at Sephora?
I'm not sure how much shipping is - I think it may depend on your total order? It doesn't look like they're launching it at Sephora--not sure why--but it's not in the U.S. press release, just in the UK one.
Alright, thank you! :) It's a shame that they're not launching it here. I need more odd colors in my lipgloss stash!
Not gonna lie, I'm not goth or punk, but I would SO wear this over black lipstick. Such a beautiful green!!
i LOVE it!!! don’t know if it will work with me though but halloween is coming up so it will work no matter what, lol. i hope sephora will carry it as i don’t want to have to order it from overseas. i guess i can always have my friend grab it for me when she is in london in january. :) btw, i accidentally posted my comment to the wrong post!!! i posted it to the survey one...so sorry christine!!! that's what i get for having so many of your posts opened in separate tabs, lol.
I wonder if I could get away with wearing this at the architecture firm...probably not XD But I'm really glad that I can go at least a little wild there, haha. Seriously considering getting this for layering & nights out :D The comment about Morgana Cryptoria having a similar product is totally true, though - you might want to mention it as an alternative for those of us who are more financially restricted.
I don't have it, so I can't recommend or say that it is :) I don't feel comfortable recommending a brand I have no experience with! Thankfully, those of you who have tried it, have left comments!
Gorgeous! I'm going to have to look into the ingredients of these and see if they're safe to use on the eyes -- they would make *amazing* glossy smokey eyes.
Lady Gaga will be happy to have it. Sane people - well, they could you this for Halloween. Can't think of other situations where it will be appropriate.
Despite goths being sane as you say, I have to agree that I don't see it being an appropriate shade for wearable looks. Truth is, most would not consider a goth look as something that's all that appropriate in terms of daily, "presentable" attire. I know that when I see people who dress in extremes, I have a harder time being able to take them seriously. Doesn't just mean goths, but that's one of the most obvious cases in which this happens, and it's likely something that happens with a lot of people - hell, it even happens for me with people I know well or am actually friends with despite me knowing them well! If the goth style said person is sporting has been matured so that it actually reflects their age, then I think it can look fine. But if they continue dressing as they did exactly when they were teenagers, then I find it a bit sad actually, like those women in their 40s+ who wear their daughters' inappropriate clothing.
That's a rather ridiculous comment in a simple discussion of who would wear dark green lipgloss, do you not think? Very rude and uncalled for.
Also considering Illamasqua's support of the S.O.P.H.I.E. Foundation, I applaud their continued efforts to produce inventive and bold cosmetics that leave no room for apology.
Totally agree. Although I stick to 'safer' colours and rarely wear lip products except for balm, colours like this SHOULD exist purely because we are not all the same.
I could totally see myself wearing this (to where, I don't know?)Seriously I am loving this and definitely haven't seen anything like it before.
Heh, I was just wondering earlier if anybody had ever tried teal as a lip color. The results are...interesting. It's not to my taste, but I've known more than a few characters who'd probably dare to wear it.
i meant to type "this OR Kontrol..." gah, phone autocorrect! and lol is right! i think i'd get kicked out of the courtroom before i took two steps in! it would be hilarious to get the judge's reaction on record, though..
Christine, do you think you would be able to swatch this on lips on top of a reddish lipstick? I've heard people using it like that and I would love to see what it would look like since there are no Illamasqua counters in Sweden? Thanks for an awesome blog! :)
Ooo I actually kind of like how the unevenness looks, at least in pictures. Very nuanced colour. Sad that sephora isn't selling it though :(

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