Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

The Sculpting Powder Duo from Illamasqua, is one of those products that once you begin playing with it, makes you wonder how you ever completed your makeup without it. The hues are straightforward and universally flattering: the highlighter provides lustre without appearing garish, and the contouring hue is one of the easiest to apply I’ve ever come across.

Then again, I’m not surprised; it is, after all, from the brand that has elevated makeup to an art form.

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo, ingredients listing

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo – absolutely adore this logo

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

Sculpting Powder Duo (CAN $36.00) – A two-tiered product which features a highlighter (Lumos) on the top half and a contouring product (Heliopolis) on the bottom half. This oyster/champagne coloured highlighter has a hint of peach in the base, which serves to provide a beautiful warmth and even though this is a powder product, it buffs easily into the skin for a gorgeously believable glow. The contouring shade is a mid-toned earthy hue, neither too tan nor orange leaning, and the finely milled powder helps it blend effortlessly into the skin without appearing muddy or dirty. Lasting power is about 6 hours for the highlighter (until it merges with your skin’s own natural oils) with the contour going easily a full 9 hours (especially if you don’t rub at your face excessively). Those with darker skin tones will most likely not see much colour payoff with the contour, although it will work well on those with fair tones, provided it is applied with a very light hand.

I’ve only been contouring and using highlighters for a few years now (when you’re younger, those 2 steps are the LAST thing you ever think of), but I’ve come to rely on the finishing touch each gives to my completed makeup look. Highlighters are not a one-size-fits-all type of product and depending on the occasion (not to mention you personal preference), you may want to have more than one type in your beauty drawer – I confess to having amassed quite a collection, from silvery hued to golden toned, and in varying formats as well: powder, cream, stick, and lotion.

The Lumos (highlighter) shade of this duo is a hue that should suit a wide variety of skin tones and as it’s not overly shimmery, it is a great product to wear during the day. There is some powdery kickback when you swirl your brush in the pan – nothing a good solid tap can’t solve. Heliopolis (contour) is a light sienna hue and quite pigmented; a little really does go a long way, so I suggest starting with a scant amount on your brush and increasing to your desired intensity. This shade provides enough contrast to contour in a natural-looking way, and with thorough blending, will help “sculpt” your face – thus giving your features a nice definition.

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo – Lumos (highlighter, top portion) & Heliopolis (contour, bottom portion)

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo swatches (in sunlight)

Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo swatches (natural light)

I’ve been experimenting with various types of contouring and highlighting products lately, and while crème versions offer the simplicity of not needing anything more specific than your fingers for application, I also happen to like the feel of a brush sweeping along the planes of my face. It doesn’t hurt that from the many powder versions I’ve tried, the Illamasqua Sculpting Powder Duo ranks supreme among them and considering the fact that you’re getting 2 generously sized products in one compact (so convenient for travel as well) at such a reasonable price, it’s well worth looking into.

Available through Sephora (and Sephora.com) and The Bay (Canada). Find more information via: