Illamasqua Liquid Metals: Enrapture, Solstice and Phenomena

Illamasqua's Liquid Metals need no introduction.
They 've been among the most discussed beauty products for quite some time now and well-loved by many beauty bloggers, makeup artists, even celebrities.

Naturally, as soon as I first heard about them, I knew I had to have them, as I didn't own any similar products in my makeup collection and knew that these were going to be the sort of items that you just don't want to miss out on!
Now, unless you have an Illamasqua counter near you (in which case I 'm super jealous), you probably know that it wasn't so easy getting your hands on them - not because ordering online is difficult (on the contrary, Illamasqua's website makes ordering really easy), but because these were out of stock for a long time (well, it seemed really long to me anyways).

Well, it may have taken me some time, but I managed to gather them all: :)



Many of you own these already and know first hand what they 're like: the Liquid Metals are richly pigmented, multi-purpose products in a cream-like formula, that give this pretty stunning intense metallic sheen wherever they 're used.

And that last part is where I fail: I don't use them a lot, fearing that I 'm gonna run out!
That proves to be a mistake, as I 've noticed that the first two from the Sirens collection, Enrapture and Solstice are starting to dry out a bit, has this happened to you too?

When I use them, however, I tend to go for the following looks:




Enrapture is the bronze one and probably the most "solid" in consistency, meaning it doesn't "melt" as much when you try to warm it with your finger. It's not as insanely rich as the other two - I needed a few more swipes of colour when I was swatching it to get it to look like that, but I find that exactly for those reasons, it's the one that creases the least.
Here I used it over MAC Tempting (with MAC Buckwheat as the crease colour) for a bold "rusty" effect on the lid. The photo doesn't do it justice, it's way more metallic in real life.




Solstice is noticeably more creamy and you only need to warm it with your fingers for a few seconds before it's ready to give it's "wow" effect. It's probably reached a cult status among the three Liquid Metals, as it's a gorgeous gold shade, that compliments all skin tones. Think of gold leaf melted into a cream and that's pretty much Solstice for you. This one does crease though, even over UDPP, so I prefer to use it as an accent for the inner corners. In this picture I used MAC Creme De Miel as a wash and MAC Lucky Tom (from the HK palette) for the crease.




Phenomena is the silver one, from the recent Dystopia collection. It's the creamier of the three, just a dab and it's ready to use. It's the most reflective one as well, as the glitter particles are slightly bigger. Unfortunately it creases like mad: I used UDPP and the NYX jumbo pencil in Pots & Pans (No. 603) to try and provide a base for it, but it barely stayed in place (Illamasqua pigment in Android was also used for the outer V). I do love it though, basically because sexy, glittery eyes are really hot right now - in any other case this one would drive me insane (creasing nightmare).


This is how I wear my Liquid Metals, but they can be used in other ways as well: together in one look (check out
this look by Su-Pah) and not just on the eyes (I think we've all seen this Pixiwoo video).

Overall, I really like them, minus a few problems with their consistency: the ideal would be a little creamier than Enrapture, but a little less than Solstice, if that makes any sense, so that they would keep the rich metallic sheen with minor creasing. I can't wait to see what other colours will be released in the future: I 've heard some rumors about a purple, but I would really love a black one!!!


So, what's your experience with the Liquid Metals?


How do you use yours if you own them, and do you have any similar products in your collection? :)

What's your opinion?

  1. I'm yet to try these babies out but after seeing your post I think I must!! That gold one as an inner corner highlight is so stunning with your eye colour, you've sold me ;)

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  2. Great photos hon.. good idea to show how you can wear each individual color!! The silver one in particular looks amazing!!!
    Great post Tina mou.. great to see you back! xoxoox

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  3. Great post, I haven't ventured into Illamasqua yet but maybe I will after seeing your post! xx

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  4. Love how you used all of them! The bronze looks amazing on ur eyes! If you ever need an alternative for the gold and silver, the makeup forever flash palette has some great ones, and the consistency is slightly better than phenomena.

    Lovely post and great makeup application :) xx

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  5. i would love to try the gold one...its looks gorgeous...i am happy to know its way most softer...I like all these colors...

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  6. i NEED the silver one! it looks so pretty on! thanks for showing all of them actually on the eye ;) xxox

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  7. Wow those are gorgeous. I don't own any but I've been wanting solstice forever :) You sure did some amazing looks!

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  8. Oh I love the metallic sheen and colour pigmentation of them all. And you have such a gorgeous eye colour!
    I've faithfully stayed far away from Sephora so I haven't tried any Illamasqua products but I just know my sister will drag me there sooner or later and those Sephora holiday mags are tempting me too haha.
    It's too bad you can't find a way to stop Phenomea from creasing - gosh, I really dislike any creasing whatsoever. I'm glad the other two are better though ;)

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  9. @Stefanie: You should definitely give these a try, they may not be the easiest of products, but they're surely pretty special! The gold works wonderfully as a highlighter and can be worn on cheeks for a subtle glow too! ;) xxxx


    @Tali: Thanx so much for your sweet comments girlie, and for the motivation! I mean, I had to blog about these, right? Lol! ;) The silver is stunning, but it's a nightmare to apply! Do you have any tricks when you use it or is the creasing completely inevitable? xoxoxo


    @Jo: I can't say that I 've tried a lot of their products, but I really love most of what I 've got, and that's not so easy with any brand! ;) Glad you liked this! xxxx


    @UnicornSmile: Thx so much, it really means a lot coming from you, I mean your looks are impeccable! I will keep your recommendation in mind, as I would love a better silver! Thanx dear!
    xxxx

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  10. @resham: The gold is noticeably creamier and much more pigmented, but it would crease. After testing each of them, I now think that none has exactly the same consistency as another one! You 'd love the gold though, it's a great product! ;) xxxx


    @fantastic: Lol! You probably need it, yes, your eyes would stand out miles away, no joke! :) If you aren't so fussy about the creasing part, then you definitely should get it! What the hell, it's not like anyone is gonna inspect your closed lid on a night out, right? :)
    And these babes need to be shown more on the eyes/lips/face rather than swatched, that's the beauty of them! xoxoxo


    @Charlene: They are, huh? Sad that only the US Sephora's carry Illamasqua, I 'd *die* when they stock them worldwide!!! xxxx


    @ellamarie84: Thank you dear! :) You have no idea how long I wanted Solctice!!! Probably a few months until I managed to finally get it! Hope you get your hands on it to, it's great to play around with! xxx

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  11. I apply it very thinly to the area near the crease.. then with a brush i apply more to the corners so it looks stronger in color. I find that keeps creasing away a BIT longer. But with the silver and gold i dont mind creasing.. the copper color drives me nuts though! lol xoXOXO

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  12. @Karen: They are pretty unique stuff these Liquid Metals, I suggest you check them out when dragged into the Sephora! Lol! :))) Yes, the creasing on the silver one seems to be inevitable so far, but still trying to think of different base options/combinations to make it work better! We 'll see how it goes! xoxoxo


    @Tali: I just do the exact same thing with the copper one that you do with the silver...think of it as a coppery accent over a bronzey/coppery shadow...maybe I should layer phenomena like that too... too bad I don't own many colours that would bring out it's silver loveliness! Lol! But, yes, when worn the creasing isn't that bad, I mean, it's not like anyone would notice at a bar or sth! Hehe! xxxx

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  13. you're right..nobody would inspect them that closely..it's the perfect time to just go all out with it!

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  14. Those colors look so bold, I need to try. Looks great on you =)

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  15. @fantastic: Yessss! And under some dim lighting, they'd be well...phenomenal! Lol! At least the silver and gold would! ;) xxxx


    @MissVonDurce: They are definitely intense and fun to play around with! Thanks so much dear! :) xxx


    @COME OVER TO THE DARK SIDE... WE HAVE CANDY: Cute huh? You would so rock the silver look with some bad-ass accessories! ;) Very glam rock!!! Lol! :D xoxo

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  16. Not that any man (your balkan man) would even understand what a crease is!! lol im sure none of them care!!!!!

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  17. @Tali: Lol! Excellent point miss! Hehe! To be honest, you 'd have to have an observative lady looking at you up close to see the creasing so... Lol! :)))

    Sometimes we just take it all too seriously with making "the perfect" looks, but half the fun is playing around with our collections! ;)
    xoxo

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  18. those colors are gorgeous - i have yet to purchase the shadows but they are on my Xmas list :)

    and I so agree - no one pays as much attention to the little things (like creasing) unless obsessed like we are haha

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  19. @ladyb: They 'd make excellent Christmas wishlist items, for sure! :)
    And yes, I think we've gone a little too crazy with having the perfect look, that has the perfect eyeliner flick, that doesn't crease and last 50 hours... sometimes little flaws can be cute, and slightly messy makeup for nights out isn't such a bad idea after all! ;)
    xxxx

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  20. Great photos :) Wow, these are gorgeous.. pity about the creasing but they are so pretty I would be willing to overlook that. I LOVE the gold one and how you have used it!! If they released a purple one I would buy it for sure!

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  21. @Sarah: Thanx hun! I 'm the same about the creasing, I can overlook it for these, as they are really pretty! ;) I can't wait to see what colour will be next! A purple would be cool, but they 'd HAVE to make a black at some point! Lol! :) xxx

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  22. I need another Illamasqua haul:) Those shades are so lovely especially for this time of year. Great post!

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  23. @Monica: Thank you Monica! :) Yes, anything sparkly and reflective is great for the holiday season! :) And I 'll agree about the Illamasqua haul, I could use another one as well! :) xxx

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  24. I've just re-read this post as I keep thinking about these! Sigh. Wish shipping wasn't so expensive to Canada.

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  25. @Lipstick Rules: That's exactly how I feel about the Beaute Cosmetics range... I bet shipping will be so high, not to mention who knows how much I 'd have to pay for customs...
    Illamasqua should find its way to you in 2010 (and Beaute to me)! :)
    xoxoxo

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  26. WOW!! these are gorgeous and i'm loving your eotds!!

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  27. @Mona: These are indeed, not to mention I think I 've finally found a proper way to use them! Lol! :)
    Thank you so much Mona, I 'm really happy that you like them! :)
    xoxo

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  28. Love the pictures, they look great xxx

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  29. @Girl With The Golden Touch: Thanx hun, there's surely a lot more ways to use these, I hope I just covered a couple! xoxo

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