Illamasqua Theatre of the Nameless: Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment ($24.00 for 0.04 oz.) is described as a “shimmering white pearl.” It’s a bright, silvery white with multi-colored reflects with a sandy texture. It’s grittier than their other Pure Pigments–the texture is more like a micro-glitter but slightly more refined. It’s reminiscent of OCC Mirrorball, but Mirrorball has a grayish-blue base, so it has a darker appearance.

I love, love, loved the idea of Beguile. Like NYX Ice Glitter Nail Polish, this twinkles and looks phenomenal in person, because it needs movement to really come alive. Unfortunately, the texture makes it harder to apply. It’s definitely not something you could apply dry without some sort of adhesive base; it winds up all over your face and just doesn’t stick without something more.  Even when I used a mixing medium, I still had some fall out during the day. I’d also recommend using it over another color (even if it’s neutral, like a beige), because it doesn’t create a solid base color easily.

With this product, Illamasqua says it can be used dry or wet, but I’d argue you can’t use it dry, which pulled down the product’s score a fair amount.  I tend not to provide ratings for glitters, because they’re less of a standalone product–they do need another product in order to perform well typically.  However, this is touted as part of the brand’s Pure Pigment formula and line, and if that’s the case, this particular shade falls short of those.

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment

Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment on lid & lower lash line