Before I became hooked on MAC cosmetics (which I no longer am, by the way), I dabbled with IMAN Cosmetics, the make up line created back in 1997 for women with skin of colour by the supermodel Iman, who also happens to be the wife of rock royalty, David Bowie.
I actually preferred the foundation that I had tried (which was Second to None Cream to Powder foundation) to that of the four or five I later acquired from MAC. Fast forward a few years and when I decided to go back and try IMAN again, it was nowhere to be found. Its UK distributor had gone bust, and the brand was pulled out of the UK – but now it’s back, and I’m a very happy lady.
A couple of weeks ago, I previewed IMAN’s new foundation, Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup (£23.95), a liquid mineral base which comes in an eight-shade range of sheer-to-medium coverage. It aims to even out skin tone and add luminosity, whilst combining Acai, Magnolia and good ol’ Vitamin E to hydrate and enhance the skin.
A foundation swatch shown on a hand tells you nothing at all, so I didn’t bother taking any photos of one, but I plan on trying it out at some point in the near future. I recall the texture felt light and it moved against my skin easily.
I had a play with the other products on display, which caught my attention. Naturally, I immediately zoned in on the blushes (predictable, much!). Nice shades which are very flattering on deeper skin tones and contain adequate pigment. It’s very easy to create a natural flush to the skin with the blush duos.
Iman Afterglow – a bronzer comprising of rose, gold and terrocatta has been on my wishlist for months having first read about it on the
Beauty of Color forum on Specktra.net. I was really pleased to finally see this in the flesh as I’ve wanted to try it for the longest time.
It leaves a lovely warm rosy gold glow, very natural looking. However, combining the
Sleek Shimmer blushes I feel will create a similar effect.
Luxury Lip Shimmers
The Eye-Con (geddit?) eye shadow palette offers four differing looks created by Iman’s make up artists, which will take you from day to night , complete with a simple how-to guide on the back, which guides you step-by-step to recreate them.
The palette cover …
Sorry – I didn’t get a chance to swatch this!
I noticed there was a lot of emphasis about the brand catering for paler skins too, and whilst I agree that some of the the eye colours, blush and lipglosses will be complimentary, I’m still not convinced that the new foundation range (or any of the existing foundations) will cater for the majority of those will pale skin. The website states that IMAN foundation shades start around the MAC NC35 mark.
Those with darker skin tones who are unsure of which IMAN foundation shade they may be, check out the
Meet Your Match tool, which will give you your equivalent shade from brands such as MAC, Black|Up, Fashion Fair, Black Opal, Revlon and L’Oreal.
Finding the brand isn’t the easiest task, and if you’re not based in London, then you’re currently out of luck. I’m told it will be stocked on
Feelunique.com later in the year, but you can currently find the range on
Afrotherapy. I’m pleased the brand is back in the UK, and I’ll be popping down to
Morleys in Brixton to try out the foundations again very soon.
Also, check out the
stockists page on the IMAN website.
Have you tried IMAN Cosmetics before?
*PR samples – IMAN Afterglow and blushes in Posh & Allure.
Oh this is such great news;
my mum was so bummed when it stopped being stocked like a lot of woc I'm sure.
This is such great news :o)
Ahh I really want to try Iman, but I live nowhere near a stockist that sell it. Although they are limitedly available online, I don't want to purchase anything, and find the shades aren't right and etc.
http://hairandbeautylicious.blogspot.com/
I've ALWAYS wanted to try Iman and I honestly don't know why I haven't yet. The blushes look amazing! I also love how they have a 'shade match' non their website, very helpful. I might take a trip down there now!
They also have a stand at the Debenhams in Croydon too.
love those blushers!
come to east croydann 😉 the stand is always rather busy! xxx
Thanks for the review! I can wear bolder colours when I hit NC35, so I'll be on the lookout!
Thanks for sharing! IMAN has awesome products.
I'm so happy IMAN is back out here. I had a great shimmer powder from IMAN back in 2005 before I knew about MAC and I loved it until I couldn't re-purchase it.
The “Posh” and “Peace” blushers are absolutely gorgeous and the lipglosses are amazing. Did you try them out on your lips? I'd like to know if they're sticky or not. Cheers
lashesandpearls.blogspot.com
@LaaLaa Monroe – So was mine, she'll be pleased to hear it's back too.
@Hair and Beautylicious – That's annoying. I'd be the same.
@Stephanie – The shade match is very helpful 🙂
@City Girls Fashion Block – Brixton's closer to me! LOL
@Jamilla Camel – Cool, hope you find something you like.
@StealMyHeartLove – You're welcome!
@Henessy – I had a shimmer powder too. I think I may still have it..not sure.
@Domzy – Nah, I didn't – they'd been swatched over a gazillion hands! They felt sticky when I wiped them off though. They have other lipglosses (in squeezy tubes) which may be less sticky.
Of all the foundation I have tried The Iman cream to powder is one of the best and easy to wipe n wash off when the time is right. i checked the pic your match and some pairings are off but i supposed its just a guide.
Hey this is actually my first time on your blog!..Love it! I've been using Iman for a while now MAC foundation has never looked gd on me makes look grey :/
Im relatively dark around Kelly Rowlands colour and Iman has really done it for me.
I really love the glowy bronzed look which Imans makeup line is known for.
I have found that the foundations including the stick versions to be rather heavy but the coverage is brilliant.
The luminous second to none foundation is very popular but as I had quite clear skin I was recommended the Deep Oil blotter which is a light powder foundation with a warm tone.
One thing about their powders especially the bronzing powder is that they break soo easily!! The colours are great though especially on the body.
Recently, I tried the liquid luxury radiance foundation and its PERFECT the MUA's at the Brentcross branch are really helpful I got about four free samples including a miniture version of the foundation I bought.
Its great,light and gives you a subtle glow basically a better version of the powder foundation.
Iman's definitely doing her thing!