Monday, November 7th, 2011
Illamasqua Facade Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless: Facade Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Facade Intense Lipgloss
($20.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is described as a “taupe beige.” It’s a medium-dark taupe–it’s a mix of beige, gray, and brown–with a cream finish. The glossiness of traditional gloss is very apparent, but it’s opaque in color like you’d expect from a full coverage lipstick. Like many Illamasqua colors, it’s not your typical “nude,” but it can work as such. When I was trying to think of a dupe for it, nothing was coming to mind–not a gloss or a lipstick; MAC Our Pick was the closest, but it’s warmer.
In my experience, Illamasqua’s Intense Lipgloss is opaque, long-wearing, non-sticky, and scent- and taste-free. Facade doesn’t last as long as a lot of the other shades I’ve tried within the range, but it does last four hours (and it’s not marketed as a long-wearing gloss).
Where to Buy: Sephora, $20
It's a different color, but I think it's workable--especially on cooler skin tones. Against my warmer skin tone, it's not too flattering, but with a really heavy, smoky eye, I think it might work. I love the color coverage!
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Illamasqua Belladonna Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless: Belladonna Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Belladonna Intense Lipgloss ($20.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is described as a “vibrant magenta.” It’s a vibrant, medium-dark fuchsia pink with a creamy finish and glossy shine. It has full color coverage and goes on evenly with little fuss. MAC Full Speed Ahead is similar in color, slightly brighter and bluer-based.
Illamasqua’s Intense Lipgloss formula is one of my favorites, especially when you’re hunting for an opaque gloss. It delivers shine but full color coverage without feathering or bleeding. I typically get really good wear, too; when I sported Belladonna on its own, it wore for a full six hours and lasted until eight hours where I felt I needed to reapply. The glossiness fades quicker (mostly gone by the third hour), but the color lingers for much longer. It’s non-sticky, too, and I couldn’t detect any scent or taste.
Where to Buy: Sephora, $20
Loving the addition of a deeper pink that's still vibrant but not totally in-your-face to Illamasqua's Intense Lipgloss line-up! Full color coverage, six hour wear, and not drying for even a moment makes this formula a favorite.
Sunday, March 6th, 2011
Illamasqua Absorb Intense Lipgloss
Beyond Black – as Nude as Nude Can Go
Illamasqua Absorb Intense Lipgloss (£13.00 for 0.20 fl.oz.) is described as a “creamy biscuit nude.” This is easily one of the palest, lightest nudes that I own. On me, it’s not a shade I like, but I know there are readers who really enjoy a very pale nude lip–and with the right look, it can definitely be pulled off. For those intrigued, it can also be mixed with other Intense Lipglosses easily (since it’s quite creamy), as well as patted on for a sheerer, more muted effect of the natural lip color.
It’s paler and more of a true nude with less pink than other well-known nudes like MAC Fleshpot. Similarly, it is less pink than NARS Madere–and perhaps a touch lighter, but the main point of difference is the pink-tinge of Madere.
my thoughts on the formula: Illamasqua Intense Lipglosses are color-rich glosses that have the feeling and finish of a gloss but the color pay off of an opaque lipstick. The formula itself is non-sticky, though a little thick, and doesn’t dry lips out at all. I usually get around four hours of wear or so. Because of how pale it is, any unevenness is really easily seen.
Where to Buy: Illamasqua
I thought with a black lipstick reviewed, it would be fun to go to the other end of the spectrum with something very, very pale.
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
Illamasqua Succubus Intense Lipgloss
Illamasqua Throb Collection: Succubus
Illamasqua Succubus Intense Lipgloss (£13.00 for 0.20 fl. oz.) is a near-true red with a glossy finish and almost opaque color coverage. Illamasqua describes this shade as a “blood red,” and I can definitely see it. On me, it seems to pull just the tiniest bit orange-red, but it seems to be the result of my yellower undertones (even blue-reds can sometimes look orange-toned once I wear them). In comparison to other Intense Lipglosses, Succubus seems a touch on the sheerer side but still rather pigmented.
my thoughts on the formula: Illamasqua Intense Lipglosses are color-rich glosses that have the feeling and finish of a gloss but the color pay off of an opaque lipstick. The formula itself is non-sticky, though a little thick, and doesn’t dry lips out at all. I usually get around four hours of wear or so.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ! 
- Product: 29/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
final thoughts: True reds are great on all skin tones–and if you’ve been on the hunt for a well-pigmented red gloss, this just might be one to consider.
where to buy: Illamasqua
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.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
- 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
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Illamasqua Gender Intense Lipgloss
Makeup That’s Just Pure FUN!
Illamasqua Gender Intense Lipgloss (£12.50 for 0.2 fl. oz.) is not a wearable shade by any stretch of the imagination. This is a shade that completely embodies the word fun. It’s different; it’s unusual. It’s something to be used for that just-right-occasion, which might be Halloween for some, an avant garde photo-session with your best pals, or lightly patted on over your favorite lipstick to give it a bluish cast.
Gender is a medium blue that leans a little teal–it’s described as a sky blue, but it definitely had this teal edge to it that made me think less sky blue. I could not smile in swatch photos – it just did not look right! I felt like it made a mockery of the shade, so “straight faced” it was.
It’s almost opaque, but it didn’t apply as evenly or as solidly as other Intense shades have in the past. I would probably lay down a concealer/foundation base (or even a blue eyeliner) and then use a lip brush to apply this–I think that would help it look more even. This is a shade that’s only available through Illamasqua; you won’t find it at your local Sephora!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
- Product: 25/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: Not for the faint-hearted!
AVAILABILITY: Illamasqua
