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About Illamasqua
Illamasqua’s makeup helps users get creative and express their true selves. The brand’s cruelty-free collection offers ultra-pigmented colors, inclusive shade ranges, and professional-standard quality.
Inspiring professional makeup artists and at-home connoisseurs to forgo traditional beauty rules, the company has garnered an impressive 440k followers on Instagram and 306k on Facebook. Its products have earned the brand features in Forbes, Daily Record, The Sun, Yahoo Style, Marie Claire, WWD, Tatler, The Guardian, Hello!, and other notable publications.
Ready to up your makeup game and express your creative side? This Illamasqua review will take an in-depth look at the brand, its bestsellers, customer reviews, discounts, and more, to help you decide if the brand’s beauty essentials are worth adding to your collection.
Overview of Illamasqua
Julian Kynaston spent his career helping to build other beauty brands. In 2008, he decided to start his own. Upon studying makeup and some of the biggest names in the game, Julian discovered that most of the top brands offered predictable and uninspiring products.
He decided to put “theatre on the counter” by developing a line that encourages men and women to explore makeup. Indeed, Illmasqua’s products are designed to inspire customers to be creative, rather than follow traditional beauty rules.
According to its site, the brand is on a mission to “empower all with the confidence to express their true self.” Its line of vibrant eyeshadows, whimsical chromatic glitters, and dramatic lashes offer true experimental potential.
To heighten customers’ creativity, the company offers a blog that covers one-of-a-kind makeup-related questions and topics. For example, its team recently posted an Illamasqua lips selfie article, which teaches readers how to get an Instagram-worthy pucker.
Led by Director of Artistry, Pablo Rodriguez, Illamasqua’s products are professional-grade, but accessible enough for the average makeup wearer to have fun with, too. The company operates from its headquarters in London, England.
Now that you know a bit more about the brand and where it came from, this Illamasqua review will move on to the brand’s pros and cons.
Pros
- Wide range of professional-grade makeup products, including eyeshadows, eyeliners, blushes, foundations, and more
- Cruelty-free ingredients and a continuously expanding vegan line
- Multiple promotions and discounts available
- Thousands of customer testimonials that attest to product quality and longevity
- Worldwide shipping
Cons
- Some customers report poor customer service and overly expensive pricing
Illamasqua’s beauty line was created to help you express yourself through makeup. Whether you prefer a more simple and subtle look or love to experiment with bright and bold shades, the company has a range of makeup to suit different styles and skin tones.
This Illamasqua review will feature the brand’s best-selling products, from luscious lip shades to concentrated blushes, as well as other creative tools to help express your vibrant personality.
Illamasqua Makeup Review
The company’s top-selling products, featured below in this Illamasqua review, include creamy blushers, expressive lip tints, and illuminating highlighters to enhance your look.
Illamasqua Powder Blusher Review
Blush has been used by women (and men) for centuries, thanks to its ability to provide a youthful and lively appearance. Illamasqua’s take on the classic powder product offers vibrant pigmentations and a buildable formula so you can experiment with the drama it provides.
The Powder Blusher (0.16 oz) is available in eight diverse shades that can be worn alone or blended together for added dimension. Some of our favorites include Excite, a vibrant terracotta, and Tremble, a baby doll pink.
Whether you want to apply a light layer for a natural glow or build it up for a striking nighttime look, this versatile formula has you covered. Brighten up your look with this blush for $23 (from $30). For an adhesive base, add a layer of the Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation on first.
Illamasqua Cream Blusher Review
Though high-coverage foundations create an even and flawless-looking skin tone, sometimes we want to add a bit more dimension back into our look. That’s where Illamasqua’s Cream Blusher comes in. Its buttery formula goes on smoothly and blends in effortlessly for a touch of color.
There are five shades available, from promise, a deep pink, to rude, a deep orange. This low-maintenance product can be applied with a brush or with your fingers when you’re on the go. Bring life into your makeup look with the Cream Illamasqua Blushes (0.14 oz), which are on sale for $23 (from $30).
Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation Review
Gorgeous makeup starts with a flawless base. The Skin Base Foundation glides on smooth and blends seamlessly—it essentially enhances your own skin to improve the appearance of uneven textures, mask blemishes, and blur dark spots for a perfect-looking complexion.
Like other Illamasqua makeup products, the Skin Base Foundation (0.1 oz) is formulated to be buildable, so you can achieve your desired level of coverage. It provides a matte finish, but if you prefer something a bit more dewy, feel free to top it with your favorite highlighter.
As its name suggests, this product was designed to be the ideal base for whatever makeup you apply next. Customers can choose from 26 shades, such as the 01 Illamasqua white foundation hue. If you’re interested in this foundation, you’re in luck! It is currently on sale for $28 (from $37).
Illamasqua Color Veil Review
Sometimes a pop of color is all we need to complete our look. Whether you’re going for the “no-makeup makeup” aesthetic or a full-glam vibe, the Color Veil blush provides buildable color and an airbrushed finish.
This product takes note from the Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer, so you know it’s hydrating. It combines the formula with a pigmented powder to achieve its magical, non-cakey finish. Its jelly-like texture ensures that it is easy to apply and even easier to blend.
These Illamasqua blushes are available in six diverse shades, ranging from consume, a terracotta color that radiates heat, and frisson, a pastel purple that will kick any natural look up a notch. No matter which hue you choose, this buildable blusher can be added to your beauty routine for $20 (from $26).
Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow Review
Bold and intense, Illamasqua’s Powder Eye Shadow comes in 34 different shades to rock your world. Whether you’re more of a neutral gal who wants to highlight and define your brow bone, or someone who loves making a statement with bright colors, the brand has a shade for you.
This product is versatile and buildable. For example, one swipe of the Illamasqua eyeshadow “heroine” will give you a sheer brown, but a few layers will develop the shade into a rich, deep, and full-bodied color. Plus, you can experiment without worrying about your hard work fading away, thanks to this shadow’s durable and long-lasting formulation.
Each color is packed into an edgy single-shadow palette. Express your vibrant personality with the Powder Eye Shadow, which is on sale for $23 from $30 (0.07 oz).
Illamasqua Precision Ink Review
You’re all about art, and the way you apply your makeup is no exception. Temporary tattoos are cute, but what about something more personal? Get creative with Precision Ink. This thin-tipped pen can be used to draw art on your face, body, or even your nails.
This Illamasqua eyeliner ink is waterproof, so it’ll stay in place until you wipe it away with makeup remover. If you apply it to your nails, make sure you seal in your designs with a clear topcoat.
Customers have four shimmery shades to build their designs, including black, gold, teal, and purple. We think the teal would pair beautifully with the Illamasqua Raindrops nail polish for a mermaid-inspired summer look. Add the Precision Ink (0.06 fl oz) pens to your collection for $14 (from $28).
Illamasqua Lipstick Review
A bold lip speaks for itself. It’s the first to get noticed, and it loves the attention. Illamasqua’s Lipstick is super intense and highly pigmented for an attention-grabbing look that stays in place all night.
Customers have 23 vibrant shades to choose from. Some of our favorites include apocalips (a daring green-blue), immodest (a bright pastel pink), and scandal (a spirited coral). One swipe of this buildable product will provide more of a stained look, while two or three will really build up the drama.
This product provides more of a matte finish. If you’re into a glossy look, try the Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick. Grab the dramatic Lipstick (0.14 oz) for $17.
Illamasqua Sheer Veil Lipstick Review
The word “veil” suggests a delicate cover that gently shields something without covering its natural beauty. Indeed, Illamasqua’s Sheer Veil Lipstick goes on like a balm to provide a thin screen of color over your already beautiful lips.
This product feels luxurious. It is infused with macadamia oil and Vitamin E to condition, nourish, and protect your lips. This multi-tasker can also be swirled onto your cheeks for a cohesive look.
This lip product is available in 12 subtle tints, including pom pom, a neon-candy pink, and night-bloom, a deep currant purple. Accentuate your natural beauty with the Sheer Veil Lipstick (0.14 oz) for $17 (from $22).
Illamasqua Beyond Powder Vault Review
This Illamasqua bundle contains four of the brand’s best-selling Beyond Powders, plus the perfect tool to apply them: the Buffing Brush.
The powders can be applied to your brow bones, the bridge of your nose, your decolletage, or anywhere else you would like to bring attention to. The four shades you’ll receive are:
- Deity: an ethereal color with gold and green undertones, much like fairy’s wings
- Daze: a pearlized white shade with multi-dimensional shimmer
- Epic: a deep bronze, reminiscent of a Grecian goddess
- Frost: a limited edition pure white that embodies an icy glow
These products are brought together in a luxurious black and gold case, which would make the Beyond Powder Vault the perfect gift for someone special. Whether you’re grabbing it for a friend or adding it to your own collection, this bundle is available for $150 but offers a $165 value.
Illamasqua Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Though its products look promising, this Illamasqua review searched the web to find out what customers actually think. Ahead, we’ve sourced testimonials from the brand’s website, Influenster, and Trustpilot that shed some light on the quality, application, and price of the company’s top-selling makeup.
On the brand’s website, its bestsellers have garnered dozens to hundreds of reviews. Overall, customers are ecstatic about the pigmentation, longevity, and color options, and each product has earned at least 4.5/5 stars. Here’s a quick peek at some of Illamasqua’s most-loved makeup:
- Skin Base Foundation: an average of 4.5/5 stars from 778 ratings
- Beyond Powder – OMG: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 131 ratings
- Matte Veil Primer: an average of 4.6/5 stars from 91 ratings
- Hydra Veil Primer: an average of 4.7/5 stars from 251 ratings
- Masquara Raven: an average of 4.7/5 stars from 173 ratings
- Antimatter Lipstick: an average of 4.4/5 stars from 91 ratings
We chose to dig deeper into the beloved Powder Eyeshadow, which is rated 4.8/5 stars from 278 customers. Customers generally love the colors, quality, and longevity of this product, as well as its versatility. (Hint: the Illamasqua heroine shade is particularly well-received.) Take this example:
“The colour is true to match and is extremely long-lasting. The shimmer shadow can be doubled up and used as a highlighter on the eyes, face and body.” While another customer reports that this eyeshadow features a smooth and creamy formulation: “I love the creamy undertone, it glides on so smoothly! It is a beautiful gold shimmer color!”
Meanwhile, users flock to Influenster to rave about the Skin Base Foundation, which has earned 4.5/5 stars from 279 ratings. Those who love this foundation write that it has a flawless application and a natural finish.
One 5-star reviewer reports that this product is also buildable: “I love the finish- nearly flawless but looks like my real skin, medium but buildable coverage.” Another user notes that the natural-looking foundation doesn’t highlight ceases, dry skin, or uneven tones: “It doesn’t cling to patches. It doesn’t crease. It doesn’t look blotchy or uneven at all…It has a silky finish.”
Testpilot’s rating of 4.4/5 stars for Illamasqua shows that customers are overall pretty satisfied with the brand. In the 86% of Excellent (5-star) reviews, customers write of the beautiful presentation of the products, reliable shipping, and great customer service. Take this example:
“Every time I have ordered they have always come well packaged and I haven’t experienced any broken products. My orders have always arrived on time too. Their product packaging is beautiful and they are very professional and high quality.”
We had a tough time finding negative Illamasqua reviews. There are a few one-off comments on the brand’s makeup. On the company’s website, one unsatisfied user of the Skin Base Foundation found that it was cakey and hard to blend, while on Trustpilot, another customer reported a faulty lipstick that broke after a couple of uses.
Overall, users seem very happy with the brand’s customer service, as well as the quality of its products. In terms of the negative comments, there weren’t enough to suggest that such issues were common.
Is Illamasqua Makeup Worth It?
One of the things we love most about Illamasqua is its ability to inspire men and women to have fun with their makeup. Your morning routine can be a creative outlet that allows you to express yourself—so throw those traditional beauty rules out the window.
The company seems to hold true to this mission, offering professional quality, easy to apply beauty products. There are thousands of positive Illamasqua reviews that attest to the brand. Plus, Illamasqua is totally cruelty-free and is working towards expanding its already large collection of vegan products. This is definitely a goal we can get behind!
So, if you’re looking to add some highly-pigmented professional-grade products in diverse shades to your arsenal of beauty essentials, we think Illamasqua is worth checking out. If you’re still on the fence, the brand offers a number of discounts and promotions to sweeten the deal.
Illamasqua Promotions & Discounts
This Illamasqua review has found the following promotions and discounts available on the company’s site:
- 20% off your first order when you sign up for its mailing list
- Get a full-size Iconic Chrome when you spend $60
- Illamasqua student discounts available with special codes from UNIDAYS, StudentBeans, and VoucherCodes
- 10% off Illamasqua bundles and kits
- Free mini lip gloss when you spend $45
- Get a free Primer Discovery Trio when you spend $55
- Get $10 towards your next purchase with every successful referral
Where to Buy Illamasqua Makeup
For the best selection, customers can shop directly through Illamasqua.com. Certain makeup is also available at Revolve, LookFantastic, SkinStore, BeautyBay, Hudson’s Bay, Selfridges, among other retailers.
FAQ
What does Illamasqua Mean?
According to an article in The Guardian, the name “Illamasqua” fuses the words “illusion” and “masquerade” together. Though the brand does not explicitly confirm this theory, we bet its team selected this name to hone in on the creative and experimental side of makeup, as per its mission statement.
Is Illamasqua Vegan?
The company’s products are all cruelty-free. As of the time of this Illamasqua review, the brand offers a good selection of fully vegan products and is working on expanding its line to include more.
What is Illamasqua’s Shipping Policy?
This Illamasqua review found that the company offers the following shipping options:
- Standard 7-11 business days $4, or free on orders over $50
- Express 2-3 business days $10
- Premium 1-2 business days $20
- International 10-14 business days $15
What is Illamasqua’s Return Policy?
If you’re not happy with your Illamasqua order, you can return it by following these steps:
- Login to your Illamsqua account
- Use the message system within your account to contact a customer representative
- Let them know your order number and send a photo of the item you wish to return
- If your return is accepted, you’ll be given a Return Authorization Number
- Package up your return order and ship it back to Illamasqua. The brand will provide you with any further instructions
How to Contact Illamasqua
If you have any questions after reading this Illamasqua review, you can get in contact with the brand through:
- Phone: (203) 367-6000
- Live Chat: Available on its website
- Message System: Available through your account
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