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Illamasqua Shard Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “red violet [with a matte finish].” It’s a deepened, slightly muted, raspberry wine with a matte finish. NARS Afghan Red is redder. NARS Valparaiso is a touch lighter. MAC Red Dwarf is lighter. Guerlain Flirt is less matte. Guerlain Bee is less matte. See comparison swatches.

It was opaque applied with rich, full color coverage. The consistency was very lightly creamy, but it was noticeably creamier compared to some other Illamasqua lipsticks in the range, which can sometimes drag or pull at the lip. It does tend to skip a little when I tried applying it from the tube, but it was barely noticeable. It wore incredibly well, topping in at six and a half hours, and then a stain that lingered for another two hours. While it had a distinct matte finish, it didn’t feel drying while I wore it (but not hydrating).  If you have drier lips, you’ll definitely want to prep by both exfoliating and laying down balm about twenty to thirty minutes prior to applying this shade, though, as the drier, matte finish can be unforgiving if there are any flakes or dryness on the lips.

P.S. — I don’t see it on Sephora yet, but it should release there soon (hopefully).

Shard

PPermanent. $24.00.
A-
A-
8.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
8
Texture
10
Longevity
4
Application
90%
Total

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

Illamasqua Shard Lipstick
Illamasqua Shard Lipstick

37 Comments

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Carla Avatar

I GOT “Shard!”
I had to pay rather dearly for international shipping, but it was worth it!
“Shard” is an absolutely exquisite deep-to-medium raspberry, with just a “twist” of purple. I have many, many berry/wine/raspberry lipsticks, but “Shard” is not a dupe for any of them.
Not that I’m an enabler, but I say if you like the looks of “Shard,” GET IT!
You won’t be sorry.

Lauren Avatar

Hi Christine. Love ur blog, visit daily. I was just in Vegas Sephora and looking for the hydrating veil and there was no Illamasqua kiosk. I asked the sales lady and she said they were no longer selling that brand. Not sure why but worth looking into, maybe u have some connections. Have a great week.

Lauren Avatar

I knew u wld find the correct answer for me, thx Christine. Can’t wait to c all reviews for fall n Xmas collections coming up. N I will get my illamasqua groove on thru sephora online. Have a great nite.

Joanna Avatar

Looks lightly pigmented. I highly doubt I will pick this lipstick up. It’s one of my favorite lip color but as far as pigmentation goes not impressed.

Carla N. Avatar

I think I’ll see what others say about it. It doesn’t look all that pigmented, I agree, but it’s hard to know, just from a photo.
I have several other Illamasqua lipsticks, and I’m not disappointed with the pigmentation of any of them.

abigailod Avatar

Thanks, Christine! =D Which formula would you prefer (this or Heaux’s), especially with Heaux being the *creamiest out the recent Retro Mattes? Trying to get a feel of how matte Illamasqua’s are: Is it closer to Mac’s Matte or Retro Matte texture?

Anna Avatar

Never bought before a Illamasqua lipstick, but they look awfully dry on the lips. I love the color range of their lispticks, but I’m worried I spend too much money on a lipstick I wouldn’t use due the dryness.

Carla Avatar

I’d tend to agree with that. I own several Illamasqua lipsticks (I’m wearing Atomic in my profile photo, in fact), and while some are drier than others, I wouldn’t describe any of them as “creamy.”
This is not a problem for me – I keep my lips in good condition, and, for me, color supersedes most other factors. In other words, I’ll put up with a little dryness for the sake of a great color.

Augusta Avatar

I’ve just got this lipstick in the mail and I absolutely love it! I honestly don’t understand the fuss about Illamasqua lipsticks being a pain to apply as I do find this particular one (and some others I own) glide on my lips with ease. However, of course, having a matte finish, it may accentuate dry patches, but the color is so gorgeous it’s forgivable 🙂

Carla Avatar

Okay, that does it! Even though I already own Illamasqua Salacious, Magnetism, and Atomic, as well as MAC Rebel, Wild ‘Bout You, Rapturous, Rougette, Rocker, and Berry Boost, I. Am. Getting. Shard.
I’m just too weak to resist.

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