Illamasqua's Alex Box Launches Facets 2014 Holiday Collection

Illamasqua is a brand that I have warmed up to. And when I was invited to the launch of the latest addition, the Facets 2014 Holiday Collection in the presence of co-founder and creative director, Alex Box, I found myself looking forward to D-day.

The Facets 2014 Holiday Collection is nod to the several 'sides' we exhibit i.e. we are not restricted by one look, one mood or behavior.

We witnessed Alex Box live in action where she transformed a model's face into a piece of art. I absolutely love Alex's makeup and hair (reminds me of Shei from America's Next Top Model Cycle 21).



The Facets collection helps you achieve a breadth of looks with Once, makeup products that feature metallic eyeshadows, powder blushes, nail polishes and more.

I think this is Illamasqua's most gorgeous collection to date.

The Matte Veil is a liquid primer that preps the skin for makeup and ensures you have a smooth base to work with. It mattifies the skin and keeps makeup put for hours. It will work on all skin types. I usually apply foundation right after; you just need a small amount and you are good to go.

My favorite from the collection is the vintage metallic eye shadow in Courtier. It's a creamy dusky rose eye shadow that boasts of a soft gel like texture and an intense shimmer finish.

It applies beautifully on the eye lid and blends without any effort. Here's a picture of the swatch under flash lighting. The eye shadow is metallic in nature so it reflects light at every opportunity and makes the eyes look gorgeous. It is perfect for the holiday season!

Hot on its heels is the sheer lip-gloss in Opulent. A rainbow beige shade that compliments Courtier and creates a pristine pout.

Layer this lip gloss over a lipstick or alone, the Vitamin E infused gloss keeps the lips looking pretty and perfect. It's one of those glosses that give your lips a glazed finish.

I'm a huge fan of matte lipsticks. I prefer them over other lipsticks and have a mammoth of a collection. For me, matte versions of bold colors do the trick as opposed to lighter/nude colors. The latter appears more flat and makes you look washed out whereas the intense shades add a pop to the entire look.

I was lucky to receive an Alex Box signed lipstick and guess what? The color known as Box is an absolutely incredible matte red. Everything in this black tube is just about perfect. Here's my tip: the lipstick tugs on your lips while applying so ensure you have prepped them with a hint of lip balm.

I love the color and the finish. It's become a new favorite and is currently stashed in my handbag. LOVE it.

Have you tried this collection yet? What's your can't live without Illamasqua product?

The Facets 2014 Holiday Collection is now available across Illamasqua stores in the UAE.