Thursday, June 28, 2012

Illamasqua Zygomatic cream blusher review + swatches


          I can't help but break out into song when thinking about Illamasqua cream blush in Zygomatic:
         
The hip bone's connected to the backbone
The backbone's connected to the neck bone.
The neck bone's connected to the head bone
Now shake dem skeleton bones...

          Illamasqua’s color collection is typified by punchy names, and Zyomatic is no exception.  Zygomatic refers to the zyomatic bones, which are found in the skull. They’re your cheekbones to be exact! In the photograph above, the zygomatic bones are color coded in orange. (The illustration is from Netter’s, which the classic medical textbook used when studying human anatomy. Almost all the illustrations in it were hand drawn and painted by Frank Netter, M.D. who was both physician and artist.)  How cheeky is it to name a blush after cheek bones?

          Illamasqua Zygomatic cream blusher is a ‘peachy beige’ blush released as a part of Illamasqua’s Naked Strangers Summer 2012 collection.  I also purchased its pink counterpart, Illamasqua’s Naked Rose powder blusher (review to come).  I’ve been following Illamasqua for a while now, but this is my first purchase. Despite having a wild promotional photo resembling an intergalactic warrior princess, the colors in the collection are natural and easy to wear.


          The Illamasqua packaging is a warped square, which to me coincides with their out-of-the-box take on makeup. In the sunlight, you can see a cool prism effect from the lid.

 
 
          Illamasqua Zyogomatic is a cream blush. All cream blushes have different consistencies. When I first attempted a swipe Zygomatic off the surface, I didn’t use enough pressure and got just the oily condensation on the top and no color. I had to press quite hard to get a sudden indentation in order to pick up the blush.  Essentially, this cream was more solid than I expected. I often end up picking more cream than I need when I push into the product. Maybe over time when I muss it up more, it will be easier to use. Overall, it is still easy to use and I don't have any major complaints. Perhaps the decreased ‘meltability’ will contribute to a longer lasting color on the face as opposed to softer creams like my NARS multiples. It's also worth noting that the color is impressively pigmented and easy to spread and blend on the face.

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax), Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax), C18-38 Alkyl Hydroxystearoyl Stearate, Kaolin, Tocopherol, Parfum (Fragrance) And May Contain: [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Red 7 CI 15850, Yellow 5 Lake CI 19140, Red 36 CI 12085, Red 21 Lake CI 45380, Carmine CI 75470, Blue 1 Lake CI 42090, Manganese Violet CI 77742, Mica]. May contain Carmine as a colour additive.
         Illamasqua Zygomatic is described as a ‘peachy beige’ blush. In the pan it certainly looks so, especially in sunlight. However, when worn and compared to swatches of other colors I consider ‘peachy beige’ it was quite different than I expected. Normally when I think of peachy beige colors, I think of warm colors. You can see from the swatch, that this isn't the case. The beige adds an element of coolness, which is especially evident when compared to Maybelline Coffee Cake, a orangey brown. Zygomatic also seems to be significantly more pink in my swatch than I imagined it to be. When worn on my face, it looks a little more peachy. I would say due to the 'beige' part, Illamasqua Zygomatic is a 'muddied' color that tones things down. What I mean is that this is not like a pretty flowery color. It has a slight air of sophistication similar to NARS Oasis. You can also see that Illamasqua Zygomatic is a fairly toned blush. I wouldn't say it's pale, but you can see that when compared to NYX Hibiscus, it's light. I also swatched it next to Illamasqua Naked Rose. These two look similar in the swatches, but are very different when worn. Naked rose is, well, a rose color and Zygomatic is more of a beige nude.


          Overall, Illamasqua cream blusher in Zygomatic has me grinning ear to ear or rather cheekbone to cheekbone. Despite being touted as a plain ol' peachy beige, it's actually more interesting than I'd imagined it to be. It gives me an air of cool, yet sunny, sophistication that I'm really liking. Have you tried Illamasqua Zygomatic? What are your favorite Illamasqua blushes or products?

Love, Dovey.


38 comments:

  1. THIS POST HAS CONVINCED ME TO BUY THESE!!!!!!!!!
    AMAZING amazing post!! with the most superb photos and in details references!! thank u for teaching me about cheek bones!! lol

    Also, would you know if this is close to MAC's former cream blush in lillicent?

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    1. AHHHHHHHH!!! *Blown over by the enthusiasm* :) I hope it's everything you hope it to be. It's really a hard blush to describe. So glad you liked it J! As for MAC blushes, I'm so sadly non-proficient that I cannot offer a comparison :)

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  2. AnonymousJune 28, 2012

    I touch the zygomatic area a lot when I'm doing facials on my clients. What an unique name for a blush! Great post, the blush colour looks amazing. I need to order some Illamasqua products. :)

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    1. Hi Tanisa, I bet that's so relaxing! This was my first time trying Illamasqua :)

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  3. I've being itching to get my hands on this blush. I couldn't imagine a more perfect post about it either - I absolutely loved all the photos you included, and the info about the meaning of the name. I had no idea, and you're absolutely right - very "cheeky" of Illamasqua indeed! haha

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    1. Hi Jessica, thank you so much! I'm glad you appreciate the naming too :P

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  4. What a great review! I love your pictures. I'm in need of blush and thanks to your review I'll have to check out what Illamasqua has to offer. Do you like Nars cream blushes or multiplies? I'm thinking I'd prefer a cream blush over a powder blush.

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    1. Hi RileyMariesMom, it took a while for me to check out Illamasqua too. I'm glad I made the jump, though and I'm looking to try more things now. In terms of NARS, I loved their powder blushes, but they do break me out a little. I haven't tried one of their cream blushes in a pan, but I am a fan of the multiples! They have a really nice smooth texture and the colors have that nice dimension that NARS blushes seem to have. I have only shimmery ones, which give a glowy effect. Of course, they don't last nearly as a long as a powder blush, but for me that's ok.

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  5. I think I have to go buy this ASAP!!!!!! Gorgeous. I love Illamasqua blushes!

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    1. =D Thank you! I'm starting to love them too!

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  6. Oh! I was an the Illamasqua launch for the new collection on Wednesday and one of their lovely girls told me I needed this! I didn't know if I believed her, as it looks so dark in the website image, but this actually looks lovely, exactly what I'd wear!

    Maybe I'll have to get it, then :)

    What a timely review!

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    1. Hi Cami, how cool that you attended the launch! I know what you mean, it was quite dark in the image swatch. It's not a pale or very light color for sure. It's a nice medium that seems to be wearable for me, especially if blended out. I hope you enjoy it if you do get it!

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  7. What a great post!
    I really love that name - how catchy ;)

    I don't have any Illamasqua products yet, 'cause they're not so easily accessable in Germany (only 2 store come to my mind) but their blushes seem to be great.

    Thanks for your review, I enjoyed it!

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    1. Hi MarisLilly, thanks for the tidbit about Germany. I'm surprised that it's not more so, since it seems to be originating across the pond in England!

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  8. I wasn't interested in those blushers till now! I think those will be great nudes! I love Illamasqua blushers (rude, katie and lover beeing my favs), since I am on a nail polish love atm, I have to check out their n/p as well D:

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    1. Hi Claire, I've actually been eyeing Rude and Katie for a LONG time now. How funny that you mention it! Let me know what you think in person!

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  9. AnonymousJune 29, 2012

    Ah Dovey, you strike again! I love how well-researched this post is - very informative. The blusher also looks stunning and I am considering myself intrigued now.

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  10. I've been on the fence about this one, since I wasn't sure how it would actually look on my face, but I do like Illamasqua's cream blushers. Hmmm.

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    1. Hi Larie, it is a complex color --- sort of neutral but different. I dove in head-first, but since it's probably on site now, it's worth trying out first!

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  11. Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments ladies! I'm currently in NYC, so responding will be slow, but I will get to them as soon as I can!

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  12. It definitely is an interesting shade! It's kind of understated but at the same time, there's something about it that I just can't pin point. How clever of them to name a blush after the cheek bone!

    I really want to get my hands on Naked Rose!

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    1. Hi Maggie, Naked Rose is really pretty too. I need to write up that post soon :)

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  13. I haven't tried Illamasqua yet. Between you & Getting Cheeky I've developed a bit of a wishlist. Naked Rose looks like it would be just my speed! Love the anatomy lesson along with some beautiful swatches! Your unique spin on beauty products is just one of the things that keeps me coming back for more!

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    1. Hi Kristi, I know, thanks to Jess, I've developed quite the wishlist myself. I mostly found about about Illamasqua through blogs! Thank you so much for your encouraging comment. I will try hard to keep doing that in the future!

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  14. Great post! I had no idea Zygomatic referred to cheekbones. I thought it was a made-up word, to be honest! I ought to have googled it :-P Your comparison swatches are very useful, too :)

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  15. love the first picture!
    i haven't tried any creme blush for real since i still think it is harder to control and blend, but this color sure looks very pretty and even unique!

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    1. Hi Lena, I was a powder girl too, until I found a lot didn't agree with my skin. Now, creams are my mainstay, and they're actually quite nice!

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  16. What a great post! Learned something new here. I love it when the names of shades/brands actually mean something and connect to the product. :)

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    1. Hi Liz, me too. I'm always a big fan of good names. Numbers just don't do it for me :P

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  17. This is the best beauty blog post I've ever read. I vividly remember the horror of studying for my anatomy exam, this would have made it more fun!

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    1. Hi Ida, Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm glad we share the anatomy experience too!!

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  18. What a great post! Your photos are always so interesting and creative! Zygomatic looks like a beautiful shade - I like that it is soft and sophisticated. This one is definitely going on my wish list :)

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    1. Thank you so much Makeup Magpie! I do like that slightly sophisticated feel of Zygomatic :)

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  19. Your photos are always amazing... What a beautiful peachy beige indeed... when one doesn't want to go all the way to orange/coral. It's def a reliable shade across all seasons...

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    1. Thank you so much Beauty Box. It's hard for me to go too orange. That looks a bit crazy on me. This is just right and not too bright, so like you said it's an all-season color!

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  20. I love how you took the time to post and explain the skull pic. Initially I was like, errruhhh, anatomy blog??? Nooooo...makeup and anatomy blog???? Oh wait I get it! Yes, yes, I'm slow, lol.

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