Illamasqua Spring 2011 Collection - Toxic Nature

Illamasqua has become a recent favorite company of mine, from their cult products to their politically motivated collections and releases, I have been following this collection very closely and they have now just released their newest collection for spring, entitled Toxic Nature. Toxic Nature is a color collection that was inspired by nature and the current destruction of it. These shades are based on what we will find if the world becomes a toxic wasteland. The collection photos have been described as "creepy" but looking back on my botany classes for my undergraduate degree, they could become reality if the world continues down the path it is going.

Illamasqua states the following as the description of the collection. "In retaliation against the genetically modified society that plunders it, the landscape has issued forth a torrent of hybrid shades. Corrupted hues glister amongst muted tones - extreme, intoxicating versions of their original selves. This is an atomic-botanical environment where survival is key and camoflage by colour is the path to existance. We scoured the abandoned toxic wastelands of the world to create an eclectic selection of corrupted hues for the eyes, lips, nails, face, and body. Flitting effortlessly from poisonous pastel to hazardous neon, this cataclysmic mix of brave new tones take your look to the outer limits of nature's palette. Become a herald of the new age of Toxic Nature with uncharted night-time makeup."

Here is the new collection...

Handmade Toxic Claw - Following the phenomenal sellout success of the Nail Quills, we've once again teamed up with visionary manicurist, Mike Pocock, to bring you a unique artefact that embodies the essence of Toxic Nature, the handmade Toxic Claws. Individually crafted, each original piece is a miniature work of art that transforms your look. Designed to be worn on either thumb, customize your Toxic Claws with Illamasqua Nail Varnish for a versatile and truly unique finish. False nails will never be the same again!

Cream Pigment - The Toxic Nature collection has spawned a wild array of corrupted colours and poisonous pastels in an intensely colour-rich, crease resistant, matte formula that introduces a brand new product to the Illamasqua range. Six neo-toxic colour mutations create the ultimate in textures on your face, eyes, lips, or body. Apply with an Illamasqua brush or simply use your fingers for a buildable, water resistant, highly pigmented finish. Layer under Powder Eye Shadow and Pure Pigments for intensity. Illamasqua Cream Pigment: camouflage by colour for the neo-generation.

- Bedaub - matte mint finish

- Mould - matte grape finish

- Dab - matte lilac finish

- Emerge - matte peach finish (available in EU only)

- Hollow - matte toffee finish (available in EU only)

- Delirium - matte rose taupe finish

Toxic Duo - Bacterium and Purity - From toxic pastels to unmissable neons, Toxic Nature introduces a clash of extremes to our award-winning Nail Varnish range. The new Toxic Duos combine two of the collection's intensely pigmented and chip-resistant shades, in Bacterium (pearlescent ash ochre) and Purity (peach). Perfect on their own or for creating "Toxic Tips" - Illamasqua's daring and fatally attractive reversal of the French manicure that combines two contrasting shades for a toxically shocking look.

- Bacterium - pearlescent ash ochre

- Purity - peach

Toxic Duo - Radium and Stagnate - From toxic pastels to unmissable neons, Toxic Nature introduces a clash of extremes to our award-winning Nail Varnish range. The new Toxic Duos combine two of the collection's intensely pigmented and chip-resistant shades, in Radium (acidic lime shimmer) and Stagnate (gray mauve). Perfect on their own or for creating "Toxic Tips" - Illamasqua's daring and fatally attractive reversal of the French manicure that combines two contrasting shades for a toxically shocking look.

- Radium - acidic lime shimmer

- Stagnate - gray mauve

Toxic Nature Lipstick - Two toxic tones, Atomic and Flare, have evolved our intense, highly pigmented Lipstick into the ultimate urban survival tool for the neo-generation. Glides on smoothly, creating lips that entrance.

- Flare - bright orange

- Atomic - fuchsia violet

Toxic Nature Nail Varnish - Leave your mark with unexpected claw. Choose from either toxic pastels or unmissable neons. Toxic Nature has spawned a quintet of new, hybrid colours to challenge mediocrity. Hardwearing and chip-resistant, the new colours create a great alternative to the French manicure. Simply replace the white with a "toxic tip".

- Purity - peach

- Stagnate - gray mave

- Gamma - neon orange

- Radium - acidic lime with shimmer finish

- Bacterium - pearlescent ash ochre

Toxic Nature Precision Ink in Glister - The opalescent shine of Glister, the newest member of the Precision Ink family, is set to break the mould with a daring, nude coloured alternative to the classic liner. Create striking looks with attitude and stand out from the crowd. Precision Ink's fine tip allows for defined application, making it perfect for use anywhere, on the face or on the body. It dries within seconds and stays true for hours, so whatever your scrawl on your skin, you know your creation will last until dawn.

- Glister - opalescent nude

Toxic Nature Sheer Lip Gloss - Come out of the shadows with a high-shine punch of sheer corrupted colour. Toxic Nature sees the rebirth of candidly intoxicating elements of Illamasqua Sheer Lip Gloss: Torture and Divine. Layer over Lipstick for lips that mean business.

- Divine - deep fuschia pink

- Torture - warm coral peach

I love many of these shades and this is the most unique collection that I have seen so far this spring. Even if I have given that title to another one this season, this collection totally eclipses that and is the most unique collection. I do agree that this is night makeup and I doubt any of it could be used during the day or in any type of professional environment (except maybe a few of the Nail Varnishes). My favorites are divided almost equally between the Nail Varnish and the Cream Pigments. From the Nail Varnishes, I want both of the duo sets, with my favorite colors being the shades Bacterium and Stagnate. From the Cream Pigments, I want Bedaub, Dab, and Delirum to use as eye makeup shades. If I could get my hands on the EU only shades, I would want those too but I will have to live without them at the moment.

For myself, all of the lip shades will be too much. Also, the Toxic Claw is a great idea but is totally not my style. All in all, we needed a break from the norm this spring and Illamasqua provides it in this collection.

photo courtesy of Illamasqua