I’m not talking about what people find beautiful, or what appeals or doesn’t – but about two make up brands which I quite like but couldn’t be more different. When people ask me why I love make up (and how I should be more confident in myself and I don’t need it blah blah bullshit) it’s because it’s so much fun. I don’t get why taking time on your face makes you an insecure person. You know, doing your face is just fun.
I went to the Rokit x Illamasqua event in Rokit’s Covent Garden store (where I also did the windows back in August) where myself and good friend Melina got our make-up did (and got personalised stockings from Rokit Recycled).
This could kind of be an outfit photo. Green arran sweater, courtesy of JAEGER. Pierre Cardin coat, VINTAGE, bought in Le Marais, Paris. ‘Made in England’ Brogues, courtesy of DR MARTENS. Nails: Barry M Cyan, my own, and Filthy/Gorgeous Tea Bird and Chanel Riva mixed – courtesy of FILTHY/GORGEOUS and CHANEL BEAUTY.
British brand Illamasqua has the most amazing store in Beak St (off Carnaby Street), and Alex Box, the founder of the brand, is not only an incredible make up artist, but has translated that to the most amazing colours and products. And they don’t test on animals, which is fantastic. You can sign up for in store and at their concessions for make up lessons (£30, fully redeemable on products) to learn some tips and tricks and how to add more drama to your look. Illamasqua will even kindly do your make up for free, if you’ve got a party or event to go to, and you need to change things up quick. Melina is already a beautiful creature, but add some polish to that and bam!
Melina and I at the Armani Exchange 20th Anniversary Party.
Swedish brand Pixi couldn’t be further from Illamasqua’s drama – Illasmasqua is Lisbeth Salander, whilst Pixi is Elsa Hosk. Neither are those are bad things, in fact, I love how make up is all about transformation and enhancement and being able to mix it up, or just keep it simple. Pixi’s flagship London boutique in Foubert’s Place (just around the corner from Illamasqua) is owned and run by make up artist Petra Strand who launched Pixi in 1999 with her two sisters.
Pixi is all about fuss free, multi tasking products that enhance and make your skin glow which are infused with botanicals and plant ingredients. Makeup to Wakeup, Petra coins it. The store is one of the most cutest places I’ve ever been in, without being twee or trite. That’s a tall order. I used to shop in Pixi a lot when I was in college, I’d save my money and get my make up done around my birthday. It’s grown immensely in the past five years, Pixi is now also stocked in Boots in the UK, online at ASOS and in Target in the US.
I went along to the launch of the new Pixi x Tinkerbell collection in their flagship store, a 6 piece capsule collection launching for SS12 in collaboration with Disney, in line with Pixi’s ethos of easy fuss free radiant products. For once I had my mum’s camera with me (she wants it back) so I got to take some pictures in store.
Illamasqua Flagship 20 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RE. Illamasqua is also stocked on ASOS, and Selfridges UK wide. Full list of national and international Illamasqua stockists
Pixi Flagship 22a Fouberts Place, London W1F 7PW. Full list of national and international Pixi stockists.
