Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquid in Forbidden

This post was really meant to be about the Estee Lauder Pure Color lipsticks but it has been gazumped by a cheeky Illamasqua lip stain.

This product isn't especially new - it came out in the Spring/Summer collection - but the reason I am deeming blogworthy is that I just really liked how it looked! That's enough of a reason, right?

I think this is especially justifiable as when I first saw and swatched it I assumed that it would look horrendous on my mug. It's a colour that both excites me in it's intensity but also makes me realise that I am not Nicki-Minaj enough.

But sod it. It's Saturday and it's time to experiment.

Now a few things to say:

1) The colour is a lovely mid-tone cool pink. It's not impossible to wear as I had previously thought and although not a conventional lip colour, feels less clownish than say MAC Saint Germain.
2) It's a proper stain so you have to be committed to the colour. Once it's set it's there and will remain in place for a good 6 hours.
3) You only need a little bit - I slathered this on first time as the applicator brush does hold a lot of product and quickly realised that I had made a mistake. As it dries excess product "balls" up so don't be over-zealous with the amount - you only need a dab top and bottom and try to use a different lip brush to apply it.
4) It's a moisture-zapper and your lips will need a balm both before and after application. I am not joking with you here either - if I had to rate it according to how dry this is, we are talking desert.

When I read the above points back to myself it seems like an awful lot of hassle for a medium/bright lip but still, I am glad I temporarily crawled out of my Nude Lips habitat to try something a little different for the day.

Foundation: Illamasqua Skin Base - a reliable performer: lasts well, great coverage, good colour selection.
Blusher: Velvet Blusher in Flirtatious (absolutely ZERO complaints from me about this. Such a gorgeous pink that really makes your cheeks glow. I love the cream-to-powder finish as well).
Eyes: MAC Indianwood with Illamasqua Ore over the top and a little of theBalm's Mary Lou Manizer in the inner corner. Okay, ALOT of Manizer.
Lips: Illamasqua Matte Lip Liquid in Forbidden

You know what I realised today though...I really don't buy a lot of Illamasqua when I compare my spending habits with the other department store brands.

When they first hit the scene their art direction was so "alternative" to mainstream offerings that I just felt that they didn't relate and that they were not really targeting me as a customer. Let's be real here - I am the type of person who gets most inspired by a Becca campaign, a style that looks positively insipid in comparison.

While Illasmasqua haven't relented on the type of performance imagery they push for advertising, I have been more exposed to the product over the years, getting comfortable with "safe" choices like Katie blush and Hollow cream pigment and I guess there really is something for everyone. I should consider visiting the counter more when I am makeup shopping especially knowing that things like the Vintage Metallix eyeshadows in Embellish are out there waiting for me to buy :)

What's your experience been of Illamasqua?

PS. If you are in the UAE you can buy Illamasqua at Harvey Nichols (MoE), Bloomingdales (Dubai Mall) and Areej.