Illamasqua is known for their bold and unusual color offerings. Violate (£16.50 for 7ml 0.2oz can be purchased HERE) is described as a dark green shimmer. I got this during their Summer Sale months ago for only £5.00, which was a total bargain since Illamasqua is quite a high-end brand considering their eyeshadow quads are retailed for a whole £34!

Similar to other Illamasqua glosses, it comes in a plastic transparent tube and glossy black lid with their cream-colored logo printed on. I am not at all fond of the brush tip applicator since it works like trash, which is a bummer since Bourjois gloss (£7.99) has a much nicer brush. Out of my 4 Illamasqua glosses, only one applicator works forgivably fine after my having to really smooth it over. This is quite my only complaint about their packaging choices.

Super glossy, with a sensual, sheer colour designed to enhance your lips. Use Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss on its own or with Illamasqua Lipstick for added pout. Add a little more sexiness to your smile. 

This formulation provides a bold wash of colour and gloss effect, perfect for creating statement lips. The high level of pigment, allows for application without lipstick as a base.

Ingredients: POLYBUTENE, OCTYLDODECANOL, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAISOSTEARATE, SILICA, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LINALOOL, LIMONENE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, BHT, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE) [+/-MAY CONTAIN: CI 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), CI 77491 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77492 (IRON OXIDES), CI 77499 (IRON OXIDES), CI 75470 (CARMINE), CI 45380 (RED 22 LAKE), CI 45410 (RED 28 LAKE), CI 77742 (MANGANESE VIOLET), CI 12085 (RED 36), CI 42090 (BLUE 1 LAKE), CI 16035 (RED 40 LAKE), CI 19140 (YELLOW 5 LAKE), CI 15850 (RED 7 LAKE), MICA] [NON-USA SHADES +/-: CI 77007, CI 77288, CI 77289, CI 77000].

Violate has loads of dark green shimmer particles floating on a transparent gray base. I find the formula to be very glossy, light, comfortable to wear and lasts around 2-3 hours with eating and drinking. I must disagree with their claim "The high level of pigment, allows for application without lipstick as a base" though. Without a dark base color, the lipgloss appears to be quite uneven. However especially over Illamasqua Pristine lipstick, which is a pure semi-matte black, it creates a beautiful bold yet mysterious lip look. I cannot imagine myself wearing it alone, but with Pristine the chance gets much higher, it's just perfect for a goth mood or for Halloween as they said "If you can't be brave for your makeup on Halloween, when can you?"