Preparing for the Thunderdome is a pain in the @ss.
There, I said it.
So many things to consider! First, there’s the whole post-apocalyptic desert thing, with the lack of potable water and modern dentistry, and the roving mutant gangs. Then, as if the mutants weren’t bad enough, I spend half my time collecting enough pig poop to fuel my ride!
Ridiculous…
Oh, and on top of everything else, I have to stay fit and makeup ready at all times, because I never know when I’m going to be called up to fight in the Thunderdome.
Seriously, who wants to go toe-to-toe with a giant mutant wearing black studded-leather chaps without at least looking the part?
Right?
Needless to say, I’m pretty stoked about the new seven-piece Illamasqua Naked Strangers collection for cheeks, lips and nails…
The futuristic warrior princess modeling makeup for the Naked Strangers campaign looks all kinds of fierce! — like she’d be all, “Thunderdome? Sure, sign me up.” Her makeup mixes nude, pink, gold and beige shades for cheeks, lips and nails with a pair of seriously smoldering smokey eyes.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this whole Thunderdome thing…and I’ve mapped out a plan that utilizes tactics that usually worked for the girls who got into fights back in middle school.
- Remove any dangling jewelry, like hoop earrings and necklaces, to maximize combat efficiency
- Grease up with Vaseline, so that my opponent’s claws can’t get any purchase on my arms/cheeks
- Trash talk, trash talk, trash talk
- Apply Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (a nude pinkish brown) and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (also a nude pinkish brown) from the Naked Strangers collection before, during and after the fight
Generally, one never wants to look too overdone for a Thunderdome duel (it’s just not professional), and both of these two neutrals should be perfect for that.
Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic
Cream Blusher in Zygomatic
See those dots of gold on the top? Purely for decoration. I dug into the pan to see if there were more pieces hiding beneath the surface, and as far as I could tell, there weren’t.
As much I like seeing them on the blusher itself, I ended up flicking them off… I just couldn’t get used to seeing myself with one random piece of gold on my left cheek.
I really like this pinkish brown because, unlike death matches, it’s pleasantly easy. The slick, thin texture melts into my skin, lasts between 6-7 hours, and I think it looks natural on both a bare face or atop foundation.
The finish also has a hint of shine to it that gives it some extra dimension, which I 
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy
Tame by Illamasqua standards (remember Human Fundamentalism’s teal and purple lips?), this sheer pinkish brown gloss, which has a sprinkling of shimmer and comes with a brush applicator, has everyday color written all over it.
Thick and sticky, the consistency reminds me a lot of MAC Lipglasses; I clock the wear time at between 4-5 hours.
I’m not crazy about the fruit punch flavor and scent…but both are faint and fade within about a minute. They definitely don’t ruin the color for me, and I fully expect to finish this tube.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Cream Blusher in Zygomatic
Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy
Cream Blusher in Zygomatic on the left and Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy on the right
The Illamasqua Naked Strangers collection
- A seven-piece, limited edition collection for cheeks, lips and nails
- Inspired by bare naked flesh (I wonder if they were thinking of the Bay to Breakers, LOL!) and nude tones
- Includes three Nail Varnishes in Monogamous (creamy, fleshy pink), Faithful (a coppery metal) or Swinger (a glistening platinum gold), about $21 each; Lipgloss in Stranger (a platinum gold) and Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (a nude pinkish brown), about $20 each; and Powder Blusher in Naked Rose (a neutral beige-brown) and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (a naked pinkish brown), about $25 each
- Available now on Illamasqua.com (you’ll have to register by creating an account first to even view it), internationally at Sephora stores beginning May 31, and sephora.com starting June 7
No, I am not a naked stranger in these pics…
…because I’m wearing my Band Oh reversible tube top, which I actually really like! 🙂
I wore it beneath a couple of tops last week, and it stayed up just fine. I just have to make sure I wear the side with the black Band Oh tag closer to my ‘pits, because the first time I wore it, I think I had it upside down (with the tag was closer to my bellybutton), and the tube top kept falling down to my waist, whoops!
I may have to check out a few more colors when I stop by Nordstrom for Mascara Madness this Saturday.
Hope you’re having a nice Thursday so far. I’m thinking about making a Starbucks run. Can I bring you anything back?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love Illamasqua collections, they are always so fierce and edgy, right? The promo pictures are soooo awesome, I love the gold an de smokeyness combined! The golden little pieces in the blusher look a bit weird tho, are they supposed to be used? Oh and I looove your eyes, please tell me what you are wearing there! 🙂
Hi Teri,
Thank you! 🙂
On my eyes I’m wearing MAC Hey, Sailor: Crystal Avalanche Eyeshadow, Barefoot Eyeshadow, Jaunty Eyeshadow and Handforged Eye Pencil. I’m also wearing MAC Teddy eyeliner. 🙂
I love cream blush, and I hear such good things about Illamasqua’s cream blushes, I might have to check these out.
Hi Chelsea,
They’re really good! I have a few colors and I like them a lot.
What other cream blushes have you tried and liked? Hourglass has this cream blush/bronzer duo that’s AMAZING.
I have Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge, which is pretty good! I just bought some of the new Revlon Photoready Cream Blushes, which are HUGE and come in great colors. I like MUFE’s HD Cream Blush a lot, but haven’t purchased it yet (I also love the sanitary pump packaging).
I’ve never used anything by Hourglass, but they have the BEST packaging.
Girl, that Pot Rouge is THE SAUCE. Lots of makeup lovers adore it. (Me too!) Haven’t tried the Revlon Photoready Cream Blushes (just their regular cream blushes), so I’ll put those on my drugstore wish list. Yay! Thank you for the rec.
So, Hourglass. They’re super pricey, but I’ve really loved everything I’ve tried from them. Especially the Veil primer and the eyeshadow duos. Next time you’re at Sephora you’ll have to swatch Dune; it’s amazing. The cream/bronzer duo is called Illume Creme-To-Powder Bronzer Duo, if you want to check it out too:
http://www.sephora.com/illume-creme-to-powder-bronzer-duo-P210576?skuId=1249218
The blush looks beautiful. I might have to get it. And you look pretty as always.
I went to Macy’s today, swatched all the Hey Sailor collection and it looks better in person than online 🙂 I also smelled some new amazing fragrances……I love perfume 🙂
Hi Agata,
This blush is so easy breezy. It will be great for your early mornings. 🙂
Oooh, so, what did you think of that gold shadow from Hey, Sailor? I know you were kinda crushing on it.
I smelled some new scents today too. Well, one’s new to me — Acqua di Gioa. I also tried the new Tocca Violette.
The Barefoot eyeshadow is really pretty but I actually loved the gold eye pencil even more. The bronzers are really pretty too. No, I didn’t buy anything- it was an indulgance night for my husband-he got a new just released HTC phone and he was almost as excited as I am about new beauty collections 🙂
As far as the perfume I am in love with Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude, Lancome’s tresor in Love Midnight Rose and yesterday I smelled the Estee lauder Bronze Goddess Capri and it smells fabulous too 🙂
LOVE Bronze Goddess Capri. I have it here on my desk whenever I need a pick me up! 🙂 Have you ever sniffed Bobbi Brown’s beach? Now that is a summery scent.
I think I will have to talk my husband into buying me the Bronze Goddess 🙂
I have never sniffed the Bobbi Brown beach, I will have to check it out next time I am at Sephora (too bad I don’t have one around)
Love these collection! You look pretty and sleek, the make up compliments your skin tone. I hope there’s a DIY video on how you do the blending and application. Love to learn from you
Hi Reena,
Thank you! 🙂 Hmm, I don’t have a video on blending…is there something in particular you had a question about?
I actually loved the way you apply make up. It looks so effortless. I sometimes find it difficult to blend.
Hi Reena,
One thing I like to do is keep a separate, clean brush around solely for blending — something with a dome shape or a fluffy pencil shape like the MAC 217 or 224. Those are very helpful for eyes and the areas around the nose. I also keep a beauty blender sponge (I use the Sonia Kashuk version) to smooth out the edges for blush!
Me likey! Illamasqua is so much fun!
Your eye make up is way cool, Karen! Love the golden glowy effect!
Hey Musical!
Yeah, they are a line that takes big risks. Have you seen the crazy colors from Human Fundamentalism? If you can try on that teal lipstick…it’s crazy but fun!
And thank you re: the eye makeup. That’s MAC Hey, Sailor working its golden magic.
How was your Thursday? Good, I hope!
Haven’t tried the teal lipstick, but their nail paints are totally my favorites! Oh, and the blushes too!
Re: Coral glosses (from another thread), I don’t have Viva Glam Cindy gloss, but do have the lipstick (which is one of my all time favorites!). I love “Sunbaked Coral” by Lancome and Chanel Glossimer 166.
Besides coral glosses, I happen to have a soft spot for rose-gold/peachy-gold shades, such as ‘Designer Label”, “Fascination” and glossimers in “Bonbon” and “Scintillance”.
My Thursday was good, lady! Hope yours was fun too!
The blush reminds me of MAC Blushbaby (which I need to buy). Did I tell you about my first day at the animal shelter?
I walked 3 dogs (two were happy to be walked, one was scared) and I showed off a German Shepard mix to a couple of prospective adopters.
Matilda (a pug) was excited for her walk and was so sweet. She ran around the room while I was trying to put on her leash (took me 10 minutes to get her to stand still). Tulip (a Shih Tzu mix) didn’t want to walk and kept running back to the shelter! I tried to pick her up and take her away. She kept jumping out of my hands. 🙂
Rita (a Shepard mix) was a fairly big girl and so friendly! She tried to chase pigeons, and everyone on the street kept stopping me to pet her.
I so wanted to adopt all of them. The cats would never forgive me. 😛
Hi Chris,
Yeah, it’s kinda Blushbaby-esque. It’s like a lighter, shinier version of it.
Congrats on your first day! It sounds like it was exciting and fun. I bet the dogs were happy to have your company.
Did the cats go nuts when they smelled the dogs on you?
YES! Rocky in particular. She sniffed my volunteer shirt for hours after I took it off.
Cats are so funny. Does her tail puff up? Tabs gets VERY agitated when he can smell other animals on his humans.
Hey Karen! I love that Band Oh! Tube top, where did you purchase it? I am having difficulties finding it when I google! Thank you in advance 🙂
Avid Reader,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
I bought it at a Nordstrom in the department where they sell workout gear. There’s a website on the packaging, pinklotusclothing.com. You might want to check there too!
I love Illamasqua! I’m excited to check out both the powder and the cream blushes.
Hi emi,
What are your Illamasqua go-tos?
Ooh the cream blusher is so pretty!
Hi Let,
I know, right? I love everything about it.
How’s your Friday going so far? Good, I hope.
These look gorgeous, Karen! I’m loving the look of Zygomatic – the shade and finish just seem so natural and polished.
And can I just say WHOA with regards to your shoulders?! I don’t think I’ve ever had shoulder-envy before, but I’m having it now! 😛 I’ve always wanted really defined shoulders, but mine are just kind of slope-y >.
Hi Rae,
LOL, thanks. You can do it! Just start doing push ups!
You rock that look, Karen! I also love the presentation of the collection, Illamasqua does it like no one else… Loving all those golden dets!
Hi Marina,
They’ve got a distinct style, for sure! 🙂
Happy Friday!
Aargh too bad the golden bits don’t really do anything! I was thinking they’re really pretty! You look so effortlessly radiant in these pics Karen!!!
Hi Sunny,
Yeah, they’re still pretty to look at though! Happy Friday!
Band-Ohs FTWWWW!!! That blusher is gorgeous and you look more awesome than the model in the promo pic! I loveee how you kinda mirrored the promo look but made it more wearable!
Hi Nina,
I’m ready for the Thunderdome, LOL!
You need those Band-Ohs in your life, STAT. 🙂
I was too lazy to schlep over to Nordstrom so I checked out nordstrom.com and ended up ordering something similar by Nordstrom Intimates. I ordered one in black and if it works out, ill see what other colors they have!
Gorgeous look and I love that necklace! Where did you get it and do you know if it comes in silver?
I still don’t own any Illamasqua products!! 🙁 I am really wanting Zygomatic and Naked Rose though. Might have to make these my first purchases!
You look so gorgeous in the picture! The Naked Strangers collection is one of my favorite upcoming collections! Will be picking up a few products.