I was in Charles Fox in Covent Garden yesterday, and they've recently started stocking Illamasqua there.
Many of the Illamasqua products are manufactured by Kryolan, and very similar products can be found within the Kryolan range - particularly in the powder products (blush and eyeshadows.) Illamasqua's liquid metals are also extremely similar in texture to the Kryolan metallic supracolors, which come in gold, bronze, silver and silver-green colours. I have absolutely no problem with this - Illamasqua is more expensive than Kryolan, but the packaging is a lot nicer and Kryolan, like most other theatre ranges, isn't easily available to many people. Also, with Illamasqua you get the help of the makeup artists at the counters when choosing colours, and advice on application techniques.
I don't understand buying it at Charles Fox though - why would you buy Illamasqua there when the Kryolan is a couple of feet away in the same shop? You're not going to get any more help choosing Illamasqua in Charles Fox - the assistants will sell you stuff, but the shop is for professional makeup artists and performing folk, and they won't fall over themselves to help with colour choices from any of the ranges they stock. Why would you buy an eyeshadow for £14 when you could get pretty much the same thing right there for £5?
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It's an interesting point about Kryolan and Illamasqua. I have no idea. I wish Kryolan could be more accessible worldwide
ReplyDeleteSometimes MA's go through a stage where looking a makeup packaged differently breaks up the monotony of just looking at the pans. Which reminds me, I have to go to Sephora and look at the pretty containers. My eyes are getting bored lately. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Halifax - it's a shame it isn't easier to get hold of the theatrical lines. Supracolour is the best eyeshadow base for bringing out colour of eyeshadows or pigments I've found, and it's not expensive. Thank you for visiting my blog.x
ReplyDeleteHi Olivia - oh, tell me you wouldn't pick Kryolan every time! ;) Thanks for your comment - I thought of you when I was in Charles Fox yesterday. x
Does everyone know though that Illamasqua is made by Kryolan? If they don't realize that then the packaging of Illamasqua might be more appealing.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia - I didn't even think about that - I guess because I know I assume everyone else does! I think you're absolutely right - most people wouldn't know they were made by the same manufacturer and the Illamasqua packaging and display is much more enticing. x
ReplyDeleteHey there - yeah I know. Actually, I don't like the Charles Fox shop. I find staff impersonal and v unhelpful - even if it is a prof store. I much prefer Screenface's vibe.
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Hi Moodeve - yes, the sales assistants in Fox are not what you'd call gushy. :) Screenface is friendlier, but tiny.
ReplyDeleteHey Grace - I didn't know that either! Strikes me that there is no way that Illamasqua would be happy selling at CF (because they have their eye on the bigger picture - Sephora and then world domination) - either its a favour to someone or kryolan could be behind some funding....? xx
ReplyDeleteHi BBB - it's an odd fit, isn't it? Although CF does have Becca too, which also looks a bit incongruous next to the Ben Nye. I don't think the Kryolan connection with Illamasqua is widely publicised.
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of Illamasqua's catalogue released at launch, called "The Range". On p4, they talk about the heritage and inspiration behind the creation of Illamasqua and they talk about a lot about Kroylan, Berlin and the founder of Kroylan, Arnold Langer. Although they don't come right out and say that the products are made by Kroylan, the fact that they are giving them so much coverage in the catalogue on the opening page of text I think shows that Illamasqua are aligning themself with Kroylan.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Ben Nye will now launch a slick fashion range too??
I've just discovered you blog via BritishBeautyBlogger and am enjoying it a lot :)
Hi Beauty Bitch - it's interesting - I think Illamasqua want to invoke the theatrical, professional heritage, but not the "Hang on a minute. Kryolan costs half as much," comparisons. Thank you very much for visiting and commenting on my blog. :)
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