Illamasqua Born Again

I feel like Illamasqua has been teasing us for the past few weeks.  First, they introduced Magenta Muse as a summer-fall collection and now they have released Born Again.  When I saw the hype around Born Again, I  really thought that it was the official fall collection.  This collection is large and focuses around the looks created for a short film, named "Born Again".  But just kidding!  According to the Illamasqua Facebook page, this still isn't the fall collection and the hype around that collection is still continuing to build.  I am perfectly content with Illamasqua offering us tons of new collections this fall since I have been Illamasqua obsessed over the past few months...

The description of this collection is provided by the company's website, "Set in the middle of no-where-in-particular and at no specific time, 'Born Again' tells the story of a beautiful young woman on a journey that will define who she will be for the rest of her life.  The young woman, throughout, is at odds with the world - tense and on edge - she chases the sun in the hope she will find peace in its setting.  We see it in her vibrantly coloured eyes and read it on her vividly patent lips - how this search for her true self has taken her to the edge of reason and sanity and ended in the ultimate act of commitment..  Only here, at her journey's end does she realize that to be born again, first you must die."  This sounds like a happy collection...  But I love the Illamasqua is goth, dark, and totally unique.

The Born Again collection...

Bronzer - Shape, define, tempt, and tease.  Illamasqua Bronzer contains crushed pearl powder, for a smooth, even finish that leaves skin begging to be caressed.  Apply to face and body for a beautiful bronze glow that will last until dawn.
- Writhe - golden tan

Eye Brow Cake - Give you eye brows the edge.  Shape and define to frame your eyes and enhance your expressive side.  Match with your natural colour or experiment with different tones for an alternative look.  Be strong, be striking, give your eyes attitude.
- Vehement - soft black

Liquid Metal - Feel the heat with this gloriously rich and highly pigmented metallic cream that radiates wherever it's applied.  Use on eyes, lips, face, and body, and apply with fingers or a brush.  Release your inhibitions and free your inner siren.
- Resolute - metallic ruby

Medium Pencil - Revel in the drama of your individuality.  Use the creamy Illamasqua Medium Pencil to create sultry eyes and sensuous lips.  Designed to glide over skin and create a long-lasting, colour-true finish.  Write a different story with every look.
- Vow - cool apricot yellow
- Sophie - pure black

Nail Varnish - Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colours.  Hardwearing and chip-resistant with individual finishes from matt to high gloss.  Apply two coats for intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish.  Talk with your hands and make a statement.
- Scarab - deep ruby red with a metallic finish

Masquara - If the eyes are the windows to the soul, our new Masquara in Raven (Midnight Black) reveals a heart of darkness with a new formula that lengthens, defines, and dramatises lashes to extremes.  The happy union of our unique brush design and new smudge-proof formula ensures lashes can last the whole night through.
- Raven - midnight black (Coming Soon)

Skin Base Foundation - Inspired by the cult Asian market Beauty Balm creams, Skin Base Foundation is a brand new, refined formula unlike anything on the UK market.  Easily blendable, it effortlessly creates a perfect complexion, and like the entire Illamasqua foundation range, it is undetectable in a professional HD environment.  Suitable for all skin types, it smoothes, softens, and conditions your skin whilst providing natural, buildable coverage.  Available in a range of shades to suit all skin tones.

Powder Blusher - Illuminate, radiate, make your face come alive with the colour and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher.  Colour-intense and highly pigmented, use it to shade, brighten, enhance, and define the shade of your face.  Be bold, be daring, be the centre of attention.
- Lower - soft apricot with a matte finish

Powder Eye Shadow - Bring a room to its knees without saying a word.  Each of these glorious colours makes a statement that is as individual as you are.  Highly pigmented, these long-lasting colours ensure all-night intensity.  Experiment and be bold.
- Bronx - pale bronxe-gold with a shimmer finish
- Boomerang - deep burnished brown with a matte finish
- Daemon - bright scarlet red with a matte finish (EU only)

Precision Ink - Create looks with attitude that no one can ignore.  Precision Ink's fine tip allows for defined application.  Long-lasting and waterproof, it's perfect for use anywhere on the face and body to bring out your bold side.  Available in deepest black, Abyss; antique gold, Alchemy; and opalescent nude, Glister; the waterproof formula dries in seconds and stays true for hours.
- Abyss - deepest glossy black

Pure Pigment - Made to be played with.  A metallic, high-shine, pure-colour powder that highlights eyes, cheeks, and brows.  Mix with eye shadow, blusher, or use it on its own to intense effect.  Bring out your bold side.
- Furore - champagne peach shimmer

Sealing Gel  - For looks with added impact, intensify your artistry with Illamasqua Sealing Gel.  Mix with Powder Eye Shadow, Pure Pigment, or Eye Liner Cake to create a colour-intense paste that dries quickly and lasts for hours.  Be bold, be original, and stand out from the crowd.

Sheer Lipgloss - Super-glossy, with a sensual, sheer colour designed to enhance your lips.  Use Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss on its own or with Illamasqua Lipstick for added pout.  Add a little more sexiness to your smile.
- Lily-Rose - warm raspberry pink

This is great collection for someone who loves unusual eye makeup...and lives in Europe since the red shade that is used to create the look is only available in the European Union.  Does anyone know what certain shades are only introduced to Europe?  Trade regulations?  If someone has this answer, pleae let me know!  But anyway, this isn't really a great collection for me.  This one seems like another early fall/late summer collection, which isn't really what I am shopping for at the moment.  I would be willing to try this bronzer out next summer but my summer shopping season ended almost a month ago, this would have been a better collection to bring out a bit earlier.

I really like the Bronx and Boomerang shades of the Powder Eye Shadow, both will work well with shades that I already own.  My favorite piece of the collection is the Lily-Rose Lipgloss, I am just hoping that it is not too warm for my skintone.  It doesn't look warm on the website but who knows what it will look like in person.  I am so looking forward to big Illamasqua fall collection...

photo courtesy of Illamasqua