Playing with Illamasqua Cream Pigments Mould and Delirium

Illamasqua's new Cream Pigments will cost £17.00 and go on sale online Thursday March 10th  and from Thursday March 17th on counters in the UK. There's even a waiting list you can go on right now for items from the new collection. The question is should you be rushing out to buy? My answer to that very much depends on who you are.

Here's what Illamasqua say:

A new matt formula that can either neutralise or dominate. Create the ultimate in textures whether it’s on your face, eyes, or body, bringing a flash of colour to a subtle contour.

We have supplied you with an artist’s palette so that you can experiment with mixing and matching your new Cream Pigments!
Apply with fingers or a brush for a buildable, matt and water resistant finish.

They've certainly been used to great effect by Alex Box in the Toxic Nature Collection:

They've even been used in her hair here.

I've been playing with a couple of them this afternoon. And by playing I really do mean just playing. Sara of Daily Polish was asking on twitter last night, how as a makeup novice you would use them. So I set out to find out. Using my fingers only.

These Pigments are supposed to be more crease resistent and overnight I thought of a little comparison I'd like to run.

 Mould – Because every Spring collection needs a touch of darkness, this grape is stunning as a base for a smoky eye or intense, statement lip.

I set out to compare the crease resistance of Mould with an Illamasqua Cream Shadow (No longer available) and a Liquid Metal. I thought this may give an interesting comparison for people who owned some of the cream shadows or liquid metals, which are both much more emollient.

Cream Shadow in Entangle

Cream Pigment in Mould

Liquid Metal in Resolute

Applied over UDPP

After flexing my fingers for 5 minutes on and off

I re-smoothed all 3

After 20 minutes sat with my hand in a fist

(I sat down and fell asleep ;p)

Quite an artificial test I know but interesting to see the difference in texture and creasing.

Mould didn't fair quite so well, when I wacked it on my eye with no primer:

It broke up straight away!

And 25 minutes later after my impromptu sleep - sitting up right so it definitely didn't rub against anything.

Mould at least needs powder to set it on the eyes:

“The versatile and multitasking formula has an intense colour payoff that provides additional adhesion and intensification when applied before Powder Eye Shadows and Pure Pigments. The product can be used as a sheer wash or built to full coverage.” – David Horne, Director of New Product Development

I thought Mould looked quite nice with Phenomena over the top, and I'd really like to try it with Pure Pigment in Static over the top

Next up:

Delirium – This rose taupe shade is fantastic for contouring pale – olive skin tones, as well as healthy flush to all skintones as a blusher and as a soft lip colour.

 

As a cheek colour over FACEatelier Ultra Foundation in Porcelain

Now this is more like it!

Stepped up a level

Delirium as a lip colour

Delirium with a touch of Mould over the top

So, my initial impression is that Cream Pigments really are Pro-products:

Alex Box, Creative Director: “I don’t think we have ever created a product that is as hard working as Cream Pigment. They can correct or enhance, disguise or reveal. I am obsessed with their versatility; blush, lips, eyes, contouring … they are absolutely my favourite product right now. Super-blendable, they can be pressed and blended into skin or slicked on for graphic shapes. Education is key with the pigments. Once you have learnt how to master them, you can control their impact.”
I think those last 2 lines says it all. I'm hoping Illamasqua will come out with some tutorial vids to back that up. And I'm excited to be going on another course next month. Hopefully some tips will be forthcoming. In the mean time, if you have some of these or are planning to buy any remember to think outside the box!

Goodie bag items Mould and Delirium