ILLAMASQUA PRO: NEWSLETTER, ISSUE 7, FEBRUARY 2021

LET’S TALK

With our new tutorial hub now live, learn from Pablo as he shows us how to master the winged eyeliner technique. 

MEET OUR ARTISTS

Our Head of Education and Training Mel Barrese was born in Manchester, but is currently London based. With over 10 years’ experience in the makeup industry, Mel started her career in beauty after joining MAC Cosmetics as an artist with a love of makeup. With a focus on beauty and bridal, she enjoyed making people look and feel like the very best versions of themselves. As she grew in her role, her passion for teaching and customer service became apparent and she soon became a regional trainer looking after MAC’s most prestigious free–standing stores and department store locations in London. 

In 2018, Mel joined the Illamasqua team as the Head of Education and Training. She has since worked backstage at Fashion Week under Pablo Rodriguez, while building strategic and educational content to ensure the Illamasqua heritage of artistry and service excellence is upheld to the highest standards. 

Tell us a little about your role at Illamasqua?

As Head of Education, I’m responsible for ensuring that in-store teams know everything there is to know about the brand and its products. I also support marketing with any customer-facing education, such as social media, blog posts and marketing material. My role fuses together makeup artistry with customer service!

What attracted you to Illamasqua?

I always loved the brand, specifically the products and the amazing campaign visuals. I was excited to be part of the brand’s heritage and to evolve it in a modern direction.

What makes Illamasqua different from any other makeup artistry brand?

Our product line up is amazing, it’s very concise but the formulas, wear and colour purity are the best. They make the perfect addition to any makeup artists’ kit, as well as being appealing and easy to use for any makeup lover.

What are you most looking forward to in 2021?

I’m really excited for our an upcoming summer launch. At the moment, we don’t have this product and it’s much needed – I can’t wait to use them in summer.

What are your top three Illamasqua makeup products?

1. Skin Base Foundation – the ultimate foundation for any MUA, you can basically make it look however you want and it gives skin the most beautiful, real skin finish.

2. Colour Veil blushers – I love a cream blusher and this formula gives the same hydrating, soft sheen results, but locks into place for long wear.

3. Elemental Artistry Palette – If I had to choose one palette to use, it’s always this one. It’s just so multifunctional. It can be used for soft and dramatic eye looks, brows. It has soft muted purple tones for a softer take on wearing colour and, without any doubt one of the big things I love is, it has three of the best warm-toned blending shades ever!