This range is launching exclusive to Liberty London in the UK in February, and I was extremely lucky to be able to have a play at a recent press event last week. Prior to this, I didn’t know much about the range, apart from the fact that it had “interesting” packaging. Oh, and I knew that one of my favourite bloggers LondonMakeupGirl is a huge fan. She carried herself with total decorum during the event. Especially when she met Ellis. Just like I did when I met Alex Box.
Ellis is a very approachable lovely Dutch lady with a strong sense of style. The biography on the site makes for extremely interesting reading – apparently while studying photography, she discovered a talent for makeup as she was too shy to ask people to pose, so used makeup to transform herself and make herself appear different in each photo.
She then went on to train in makeup and special effects, teaming up with Mario Testino to create some truly stunning images. Ellis has created a range of makeup in the past for Biotherm, and has also worked for brands such as MAC, clinique and Lancome.
Ellis used her skills in special effects makeup to create this range, which is inspired by colours found naturally in the human body. Her eponymous shade “Ellis Red” is in fact based on the colour of blood. Ellis explained during the event that she believes this means that the colours are more universal, and will suit all skin tones. I love the fact that her site also enables the user to view swatches against various skin tones too…
The makeup itself is very very desirable – the packaging is designed to look like bullets (despite comparisons to several other possible objects of a personal nature…), and they are designed to be loaded into a specially designed “gun” style holder… try getting that through customs!
The range is comprehensive – it covers everything you might need on a typical day – foundation, concealer, powder, blush, eye shadow, mascara, even eyeliner. The product is dispensed into either a sponge tip, or a brush by twisting the base. It’s designed for use by “real women”, not just makeup artists.
The Lip Products – available in three formulations;
Creamy Lips gives the most Lipstick like look, with strong pigment, comes with a sponge tip applicator.
Milky Lips – more subtle than Creamy Lips, but more pigmented than a lipgloss. Brush applicator.
Glazed Lips – a lipgloss style formula with a high level of pigmentation.
My Impressions? There are some amazing shades available in the range for lips – The shade “Ellis Red” mentioned above, is completely stunning – lots of us at the event tried this one one, and it really does work with all tones of skin. Of course, a strong red is not to everyones taste, but there are some stunning pinks as well – Milky Lips in shades L205 and L208 were my personal favourites.
The Eye Products – two formulations of eye shadow are available;
Creamy Eyes – the more pigmented and rich of the two formulations. Recommende for shaping and contouring. Comes with a brush applicator. The formula lends itself well to finger blending, and dries quickly.
Milky Eyes – a more transclucent formula, but with more vivid colours. Again, a brush applicator, and easily blendable with fingers.
My impressions? I have to say, when I realised that the eye shadows in the range were all cream based I was sceptical – I don’t really use cream shadows for anything other than as a base ordinarily, as I have creasy oily lids. These are really something special though – they dry down to a lovely and totally unsmudgeable texture. I simply can’t say enough good things about them. Lets put it this way. I travelled home from London with my left hand COVERED in swatches. I got home, and they were still completely and utterly intact and unsmudged. If I hadn’t removed them that night (with cleansing oil – soap and water failed to shift them) I am certain they would have still been there the next morning.
There is also a mascara and eye liner available in the range – both come in black and brown. The brush dispenser on the liner was lovely and delicate, and the colour was intense on swatching.
The range also contains foundation, concealer and blusher – I was very impressed with the formulation and shades in the concealer. It feels very creamy, gives excellent coverage, and best of all, comes in a light enough shade for me(201 if you are interesed…). It would be really great for undereye circles.
The blushers come in sponge tipped applicators – available in four pretty and natural shades. Easy to blend and very wearable. My faves were shades S301 and S302.
Overall I love the concept, design, packaging and formulation of this range. A definite thumbs up from me, and there are several pieces being added to my lemming list.
Prices are high end, but not the most outrageous range ever – somewhere around the NARS level I’d say (prices were provided by Liberty, and are correct at this time);
Ellis lips – all formulations will retail at £21
Ellis eyes
creamy/milky shadows – £22
Mascara – £19
Eyeliner – £20
Ellis Skin
Foundation (skin veil) – £34
Concealer – £21
Blush – £20
Compact Powder – £19.
Ellis Holder – £21
If you want to see the range in the UK in person, you will have to wait til February. However you can buy it/admire it/try to decide what colours you like best on the Ellis Faas site now – click here
The prices on the site are in euros, and P&P is approx 3 euros I believe. I fear I will be more than likely to cave in and not be able to wait until February… Just don’t tell the Mister.
Ellis is a very approachable lovely Dutch lady with a strong sense of style. The biography on the site makes for extremely interesting reading – apparently while studying photography, she discovered a talent for makeup as she was too shy to ask people to pose, so used makeup to transform herself and make herself appear different in each photo.
Love, love, love this range, and I simply can't wait for my products to arrive this week – I just hope they survive being delivered to someone else (naming no names) first … I used the Ellis Red lipstick in one of my makeovers this week, it's simply the most gorgeous red, ever.
Total decorum. Absolutely. Great round up of the line – weren't the eyeshadows amazing? Could not believe how those swatches did not budge.
@Get Lippie – I loved the makeover you did. Made me want Ellis Red even more…@Grace London – they completely blew every other cream shadow I have triedout of the water IMO.
I'm looking forward to seeing how they compare to Benefit Creaseless Cream, which is the best cream eyeshadow I've found to date …
@Get Lippie – I might have to try those – I own NOTHING from benefit. The pushy sales and cardboard packaging always puts me off….
I am dying to get my hands on this line. Ellis Red sounds right up my alley. Great review as always!
Can totally see you in Ellis Red, Lipstick Rules!The Benefit Creaseless Creams are practically the only Benefit product I'll ever recommend, to be honest. They're a lot of style over substance.
I keep reading about this line & actually emailed them, hoping they come to Canada:)
That's a great summary of all the ELLIS FAAS product range! I've only tried a couple of items, can't wait to get my hands on the other products too. Do keep us posted when you get yours!