Wednesday 18 February 2015

My Illamasqua Polish Collection

Hi Guys,

Im known to talk about Illamasqua a lot... So it seemed only right to start what may become a little series! (Let me know if you enjoy this one) On my Nail Polish Collection and favourite brands too. I used to do my nails quite a lot, but then after doing beauty therapy I fell out of the habit of doing my usual nail art, as you're not allowed any polish on at all! So Im getting them all back out and hopefully getting back into the swing of things.

Starting with one of my favourite brands for Nail Polish, Illamasqua!
Ive also found that not many people talk about the Illamasqua Polishes and I think they definitely need their recognition! This post is also meant in no form of bragging, I just thought it would be fun to tell you a bit about them. Plus I know I love having a nosey through a nail polish collection too!

I also apologise for the very cheesy subtitles you are about to read and the picture heavy post!
The Cream of the Crop:
Jan - Pinky Lilac: I was obsessed with this shade and found a way to use it in every single nail art design I did, Its just such a pretty colour, perfect for spring. Its sister is probably the very popular shade in Jo'Mina.

Load - Off White Cream: This is probably the streakiest polish Ive tried from Illamasqua, but I can forgive that as the rest of them I have no problem with. I think its down to how pale the polish is, it's just a little difficult to get it right.

Nomad - Bright Mint Green: I have to admit, I bought this shade after seeing Tanya Burr talk about it and on a few of her Instagram posts. Its amazing for the summer, Im not a huge green fan that isn't mint (I say while having three other green shades!). But this one is easy to fall in love with.

Caress - Baby Sky Blue: I love how this shade is another off white shade, its washed out, really simple and just makes it really easy to wear. Its a shade, I just like to fall back on when I need something pretty quick!

Nudge - Pastel Mint: For me, Mint shades can do no wrong, Nudge included. However it is really similar to Caress and I have to admit I do get them mixed up sometimes... It definitely leans more on the blue side of things than the green.

Blow - Pastel Lemon: Yellow is always a difficult colour to wear, especially as I am quite pale, it can look rather odd. As well as sometimes looking like you've just stained your nails. Blow though is such a lovely creamy shade, its just the perfect pastel that isn't too much.
The Shimmer Shades:
Bacterium - Pearlescent Biege: Its a duo chrome polish and has many looks to it, It can go from an iridescent pink, to a taupe then even green toned!

Melange - Teal with a Golden Shimmer: This is the only matte in my collection from Illamasqua and may actually be my favourite. The difference between the matte base shade, with the golden shimmer running through it is extremely pretty in the light and really gives it a uniqueness. Ive never seen a polish like it on the market.

Snap - Metallic Gun Metal: This is the only Metallic out of all the Illamasqua polishes I own, they don't really do many, especially nowadays. It doesn't have a glossy finish, but its also not matte. Its just very shimmery.

Charisma - Dark Pink Raspberry: This is the perfect Christmas shade, I did get it after Christmas, so its not been used to its full Christmas potential. If only it wasn't getting into spring!

Radium - Almost Neon Lime: The newest little guy and one I cant believe I didn't buy sooner, it has a really subtle blue shimmer running through it, which is extremely pretty as it catches the light. 
The Textured Team:
Raindrops - Pale Grey with a Silver Glitter: The sheerest of the bunch, Its actually designed by a fan after Illamasqua held a contest and this won. It got to the point where it was extremely difficult to get your mitts on as it was always sold out! Its so unique with its different sized chunks of silver glitter.

Trilliant - A Pink/Champagne shade: The best wayto describe this polish finish is as a sand effect polish, which were very popular last year. Its made up of very fine glitter and slightly chunkier pieces to create a really textured almost rough finish to the polish. It sparkles amazingly in the light! It also looks fantastic with a clear gloss over the top too.

Pink Raindrops - Baby Pink with White Sparkle: Due to the Success of its not so identical twin, Raindrops. Pink Raindrops was born, It has more shimmer than glitter and is a little easier to apply. But you kinda cant help but love them both!

Mottle - Black Speckled Mint Green: Inspired by Mini Eggs and actually If I stare at it for too long I kinda feel like I want Mini Eggs. Again its in my favourite Mint Green, but it does also come in four other shades and applies smoothly to the nail.
The Neon Nails:
Collide - Hot Pink: This was my first ever Illamasqua Polish that I received in a goodie box, they did years ago. I was also going through my Fuchsia Pink as bright as you can get it faze, so this was perfect!

Gamma - Orange: Im not a massive orange person, I also got this in my goodie box. But as much as I don't like to wear it on my nails as much, its fantastic in the summer on your toes!
(Swatches: Left to Right - Collide, Gamma, Jan, Bacterium, Load, Pink Raindrops, Trilliant and Nomad)
(Swatches: Left to Right - Caress, Nudge, Blow, Melange, Snap, Raindrops, Mottle, Charisma and Radium)

All the swatches are just two coats, as thats usually all I need. I always forget to use a topcoat too, but these polishes last for 4-5 days before even slightly starting to chip and thats without a topcoat! I have my eye on a couple more shades, I just cant help it they're like little bottles of goodness!! They may be pricey compared to the high street polishes, but in my eyes they're worth it, I cant recommend these unsung heroes enough.

You can get most of the shades I've featured HERE, minus my beloved Jan, Snap, Caress, Nudge and Blow as they've sadly been discontinued, noo!

Eloise x
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10 comments

  1. I love Illamasqua nail polishes! They have some unique shades!

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  2. I am in love with them pastel shades!! I love nail polish and have my own post going up soon too :P Xx
    OliviaCheryl.com

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  3. Melange and Mottle look absolutely gorgeous! :)

    Sarah / Sarah Smiles

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  4. I've never tried an Illamasqua nail polish but Snap looks stunning! xx
    Elise @ Elise Dopson

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  5. I've never really tried Illamasqua products as i think they are quite expensive, but if you have the money why not go expensive? I love the metallic shades, they look awesome!

    Emma at www.collagemepretty.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. I had no idea illamasqua did polishes! (To be fair, I do cry over the price of the base makeup so I don't get very far at the stand...) But these look absolutely stunning, and I am loving the names! I'm not usually one for nail polishes at all, these might just sway me though...

    little miss fii || Fii x

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  7. I really need to start doing my nails. I love green shades, those mint colours are gorgeous. I need to invest in some new nail polish. Are these hard wearing? I'm always chipping my nails.

    Grace
    Grownupgrace.com
    Xx

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  8. Love these shades!!! Especially the nude xxx

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  9. Wow you have such a nice collection:D

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