Illamasqua basics - face architecture

After the Illamasqua Dare to be Different Event, I wrote a post here on the contouring that Alex Box showed on the model she used at the event. I thought it might be useful to picture the Illamasqua products I use for everyday contouring and constructing/defining my face. Illamasqua gets the most coverage for its collections and bold use of colour, but it also does some very good basic products.

From top left to right:

Primal blush. My everyday contour shade. It's barely discernable on my skin (which is perfect for contouring) and has a slight grey undertone which means it doesn't go orange. I haven't found a contour product in any other brand that I like as well as this one.

Cream foundation 135. This perfectly matches my MAC 20 depth skin, and gives an adjustable coverage.

Pressed powder P005. This looks scary pink but it isn't obvious on the skin - it just gives the effect of walking around under a pink lightbulb, and brightens my skin which has a tendency towards sallow. I apply it after the rest of my makeup is finished, and concentrate it on the middle of my face for highlighting - the middle of my forehead, bridge of nose and chin.

Spite blush. This is a little dark for me for everyday contouring - it's better for when I want a more dramatic effect, and would be more subtle on a MAC 30-35ish depth skin.

Middle row, left to right:

Gaze eyebrow cake. This is a dark grey that gives a very defined eyebrow look on me. I use it dry with the eyebrow brush pictured below - I don't need to wet it to get a defined brow, although I could do that for a very dramatic look. This would be a good colour for those with naturally very dark or black hair too - it's a tiny bit softer than the true black Vehement.

Succumb eyeshadow. Perfect base shade for me - it's a very slightly peachy nude matte shade, nicely pigmented too. I have no problem depositing colour with this, and it brightens and cleans up my lid.

Truth eyeshadow. Cool brown/plum - I use this in the crease and next to my nose for contouring.

Bottom row:

Eyebrow brush. Perfect for control, as it's very thin and quite firm.

Blusher brush 2. Very good for contouring, and beautiful texture, amazing for a synthetic.

Vow pencil (top). Pale cream, I use for my waterline to brighten and above my cupids bow to define my lipline.

Sophie pencil (bottom). True creamy black, and £3 from the sale of each pencil goes to the Sophie Lancaster foundation.

Blush close up below - from left to right

Unrequited (not in main pictured.) Neutral quite vivid pink, gives me a natural blush on the apples of my cheeks.

Primal.

Spite.