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Illamasqua and Alex Box

Okay, I’m just going to come right out and say it because this is a safe place. I am obsessed with Illamasqua. if you don’t know about this brand, you’re missing out. The catch phrase is “Makeup for your alter ego.” Its everything you would expect from reading that. Its far out. Its risky. Its daring. Its fun. Its for the drag queen in all of us. The colors are bold and highly pigmented. This makeup makes you wish everyday was Halloween so you could wear your most daring looks. Illamasqua is based in the U.K. which is really no excuse for you because Sephora carries the brand. In celebration of their Spring 2011 collection, Color Collision, creative director, Alex Box hosted an intimate gathering at the Soho Grand Hotel to give a master class of sorts.

Alex Box is a character. With bold red lips, smart spectacles and a rip of blonde through her black hair pulled back in a severe bun, she chatted about her experiences as a makeup artist, while dropping tips on how to make your makeup better. Unapologetically high maintenance, she possesses that eccentricity that grabs your attention. She applied makeup to a model’s face while everyone watched, mesmerized. She talked for over an hour and I never got bored. One of her gems: “Don’t be afraid to be a freak. The freaks shall inherit the earth.” Here are some of her tips:

-After applying lipstick, dab with powder to set it.

-Always use matte products for contouring.

-Apply powder on the edge of lips for a non-feathered look.

-Don’t be afraid to try the smoky eye in different colors.

-When applying foundation, do not apply it all over face. Start in the middle of the face and blend out so that there is none at the jawline and the hairline.

She transformed a model’s look from day to extreme with paper stencils and blush. The result was jaw-drop worthy.

Everyone got to take some Illamasqua goodies home. I was so excited because I drink the Cool Aide wholeheartedly. I got a red lipstick. The name was Box. This lipstick is matte and is long-lasting. Its Alex’s perfect red. I also got a powder blush in Lover. I tried these two on today, following Alex’s advice of blending foundation from the middle outward. The response was unbelievable. I didn’t tell anyone that I tried something new and two of my co-workers asked if I was trying new makeup. They said it looked flawless. Everyone commented on my perfect red lips. I was so excited. I’m never wearing foundation all over my face again.

To get Illamasqua in the US, click here to find locations near you.

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