Oh watcha gonna do, Katie?

You're a sweet sweet girl.
But it's a cruel, cruel world a cruel, cruel world.
(lyrics to What Katie Did by Libertines)

MUA's Cavewoman gifted me with my first Illamasqua product. I was thrilled and delighted. I have been curious about the line since Ben raved about it on We Love Beauty. Ben said "If Nars and Tim Burton were to have a baby...that baby would be Illamasqua".

That simple statement catapulted my lemmings into overdrive. I begged my friend Tbone to visit the London counter and sneak pictures. Tbone successfully distracted the counter and was able to get blur free shots. I poured over those stolen glimpses every night.
I could not wait for the Sephora launch date.
The launch came and went. The reviews on other beauty blogs were not exactly gushing.
I took it as a sign and kept my wallet closed. I would not order sight unseen. I did not have regrets with that decision until I was gifted with Katie. Now I want to gobble up everything!

My first Illamasqua product is a powder blush called Katie. It is a whispery cherry blossom pink. It is outrageously feminine and pretty.


The finish and texture is matte. It is not powdery or ash-like. The ingredients range from Talc to Silica. I also spotted Rice Starch, Mica, Mineral Oil, Beeswax and Titanium Dioxide. I am not on friendly terms with Titanium Dioxide. You might say we are enemies. However, it did not affect the performance of this blush. It did not make the blush settle into my pores. It did not make my skin parched.

It has great lasting power. The color stayed true. The pigment is quite exceptional. It takes just a light tap with your skunk brush to get the right amount of flush.
Katie did not fade or morph through the 8 hour day. My face was in my hands during all the frustrating moments of a typical work day.
My blush never moved.
This was an impressive feat.

The packaging is adorable yet the latch is slightly difficult to open. I have to use my nail to shimmy the clasp. This is annoying and potentially breakable. The foreshadowing is not good for this clumsy girl. Katie retails for $23 at Sephora.
http://www.illamasqua.com/
http://www.sephora.com/browse/brand_hierarchy.jhtml?brandId=Illamasqua

Let us know what you think of Illamasqua in the comments.
What should I try next?

Disclaimer: This product was purchased and then gifted to me. I have great friends!