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Sunday 23 February 2014

Illamasqua | Sculpting Powder Duo

Illamasqua | Sculpting Powder Duo | £26.00 | Link

Fellow bloggers, allow me to introduce you to another new addition to my cosmetic collection - Illamasqua's 'Sculpting Powder Duo'.  I swear I'm like a broken record on this blog, aren't I? I'm forever harping on about contouring products! I shan't tell porkies - it was another one of my little impulse purchases - but it's one that I knew for a fact I wouldn't regret. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I'm a bit obsessed when it comes to all things contouring related - I'm a big fan of defined and sculpted cheekbones and my makeup never feels quite complete without a dusting of powder and a touch of highlighter.  As soon as I saw this duo on the ASOS website, I snapped it up right away.  I adore Illamasqua blushes and have recently purchased their 'Blush Up' brush which is perfect for contouring (post here) - so I knew I'd get lots of use from this compact - Illamasqua are always spot on with their pigmentation and consistency and I'm still yet to be disappointed by their products.

The palette consists of two shades - a matte contour named 'Heliopolis' and a champagne toned highlighter, 'Lumos'.  I personally don't think there's a great selection of sculpting products on the high street that work a treat - unless you want to pay a fortune! (Kevin Aucoin anyone?) Sleek's Contour Kit was as good as it got for me - and although I love it to bits, I have to admit I always find the contour shade far too bronze and orange toned for a perfectly natural look. That's why I jumped for joy when I stumbled upon Illamasqua's offering.  At £26, it isn't the cheapest duo on the market but it's one of the best powder contour products I've come across.  The matte contour shade is perfect for my skin tone - it isn't too dark or too light - it's just the perfect colour and I can imagine it will still blend seamlessly when I get a bit of a tan during the summer months.  Although it still has a slight hint of bronze, it doesn't have that orange tone that a lot of 'contour' products seem to have and it definitely leans more grey - perfect for creating a natural shadow. It lacks that warm tone that a lot of products on the market seem to have. I was unsure as to whether I'd like 'Lumos' or not - I'm admittedly hard to please when it comes to highlighters and I often find them too glittery or false looking.  But I've been pleasantly surprised - 'Lumos' is stunning. It's a gorgeous champagne tone which blends into the skin seamlessly and effortlessly and doesn't contain any glitter flecks (yay!). It gives that much desired 'soft-focus' finish and the consistency is unbelievably buttery - honestly, it's so soft and creamy! Only the lightest touch of a brush is needed so the palette is all set to last quite some time.

To apply, I simply use my Real Techniques Contouring Brush or a tapered contour brush that I have in my collection from Elf. I've also found that the Illamasqua 'Blush Up' brush mentioned above works wonders - especially with the matte bronze shade.  The duo gives a really subtle finish that can be built up for a stronger more defined look depending on what you're going for, and doesn't look harsh in daylight. I've also been using this kit for contouring the jawline and highlighting the brow bone.


Overall, it's a massive thumbs up from me.  I really cannot fault this duo one bit.  I was worried it might be too small to be worth the £26.00 price tag - but you get quite a decent bit of product for your money.  The compact is bigger than Illamasqua's standard blushes (I didn't know this as I've never owned any of their duos and just assumed it would be the same size) - it also comes with a mirror and is really lightweight - perfect for me as I will be taking this away on holiday over the summer! It gives that naturally enhanced look to the cheekbones without looking like you've tried to fake it - and the quality and pigmentation is second to none. Illamasqua has gone and done it again! 

Have you tried this palette? What's your favourite contouring product at the minute?

30 comments:

  1. OOoh this looks amazing Beth, I think I may need to make a purchase! xx

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  2. I have seen this on a few blogs and it looks so gorgeous, it's being added to the wishlist! I really need to try some Illamasqua and this looks like a good one to start with x

    Kat from Blushing Rose Beauty

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  3. I've been using the sleek contour kit but this looks really good, might have to give it a try once I've been paid :) x

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  4. This looks like such a lovely product!
    I've started contouring a little bit more, albeit i go for a very subtle look (im still getting to grips with it) and its becoming a favourite part of my routine!
    Natalie xx
    youralmostalice

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  5. Looks amazing (:


    http://hollybumblebeee.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. I need me some new contour in my life ;) I sense a sneaky kevyn aucoin purchase coming ;)
    xxx

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  7. That looks amazing! I'm still trying to perfect my contouring, using my Hoola bronzer, but I might have to invest in this!

    www.lovedbyhollie.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. Ooh that looks amazing, and such gorgeous light colours :)

    Sophie x

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  9. I definitely need to delve into Illamasque as I've never really taken a peek into their range! Glad you like this, you sound like you're really happy with it!

    Sharlotte | UK Beauty Blog

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  10. I love the look of this little duo, both the shades look perfect! x

    Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD

    

P.S. I don't want this to be spammy but I am also hosting a £50 Giveaway at the moment if you wanted to enter here

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  11. Sounds amazing, both of the shades look gorgeous! x
    Chloe's Little Nothing

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  12. I just posted a review of this duo this week as well. I'm completely in love with it and I think everyone who likes a good contour and highlight should get it :)

    sparklewithlaughter.blogspot.com

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  13. This looks great and it doesn't look too dark for if you have fair skin like I do! Great post.

    lovefrombethan.blogspot.co.uk

    xox

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  14. Seems like a really nice product for contouring, I might look into this :)
    Amy x | A Little Boat Sailing

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  15. This looks like such a lovely contouring product!
    Stefanie | Casualllyawkward | Bloglovin'

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  16. This looks like a gorgeous product. I hardly ever contour so think I should invest in something like this.
    Laura x | Life and Lipstick

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  17. This contouring duo looks stunning! Absolutely perfect, and such a glowing review. I think you may have convinced me that I need it x

    Georgina | headintheclouds

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  18. This is on my wishlist! I love the packaging of Illamasqua products.

    inwiththenew.net

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  19. This may have to be my first introduction to Illamasqua product. It looks amazing! Thank you for such a thorough review of it.

    Beth
    bethandbeauty.com

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  20. I need and want this - it looks so beautiful!
    p.s can you please be my blog photographer? I could literally frame your photos - they are so beaut!
    xx

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  21. This looks fabulous! I am still a fan of hollow pigment for contouring but I may give this a go when I'm next in store.

    Emily xx
    www.beautybyemily.co.uk

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  22. This sounds amazing and the highlighter looks really pretty <3

    http://sparklyghosts.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. OHHH my word this is gorgeous and I bet it looks gorgeous on you too! One for the wishlist...
    Xxx

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  24. I fell in love with Illamasqua after buying their Brow Cake, think I need to expand my collection to this too. The highlighter shade looks lovely blended!

    Belle ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  25. looks lovely, i really love the sleek contour kit but really want to try some high end contouring products!

    www.zoewithumlauts.blogspot.ie

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  26. I'm going to have to check this out! Looks really nice! :)

    http://vogueofglam.blogspot.com/

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I always read all of my lovely comments. Make sure you check back as i often reply but if you do have a specific question and want a quicker response then please do email me over at birds.words@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me (@Beth_BirdsWords). Thank you for all your support! x