Join My Substack (Ad Free)I’m really not sure what to make of Illamasqua’s collaboration with a funeral company to do one last make-over on the deceased before they head off to the great make up counter in the sky. I don’t really get who it is aimed at (well, the dead, clearly..but..) because thinking about it personally if I was on my death-bed I’m not sure my final request would be for an Illamasqua make over, especially not at £450.
Now, in some cultures an open casket is just the way of things, and I suppose how you look is quite important in that instance. Cosmetics are commonly used in the embalming process to present a final face to loved ones and that’s on young and old, male or female (I’m told Ben Nye is a popular choice!) but does it really need Illamasqua’s trade-mark ‘self expression’?
I’m trying to translate in my head if Bobbi Brown or Clinique, for example, started doing this… wearable neutrals for the casket?… how it would go down? Of all the brands, I guess only Illamasqua could spin this, but I still feel a bit uncomfortable at the cash-in. It’s not the act of making up the dead, it’s more the skewed perception that you might actually need to have your casket face done by an Illamasqua make up artist for £450. And, it also feels a little bit ‘typical Illamasqua’ to attention grab in this way. Make waves by all means, but you know.. nobody ‘needs’ this.
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14 comments
Normally I really like that Illamasqua are doing something different in the industry but this just seems in rather bad taste.
You summed it up perfectly; nobody “needs” this. The funeral homes have competent, qualified personnel who’s job it is to to do this, should the family elect to have an open casket.
I know it’s getting harder to find new markets but c’mon!
I just posted about this too. I find this a little disturbing, they have gone a little too far with the ‘crazy’ this time. No thank you.
I agree, just a ploy for attention. I actually find it to be a bit in bad taste – I don’t see how someone who is grieving/dead will go for this as a priority. Plus I would suspect that most people would just want a traditional/everyday make up…in which case, why would you need Illamasqua to do it, with their penchant for high fashion brights etc?
In saying all that, I know a few people who’ve complained that their loved ones “didn’t look right” when they saw them after they’d died because their make up and expression was different. Maybe this will help that, but I don’t get why the price tag.
This is ridiculous. Especially the price, surely most people would want to help their family out with funeral expenses rather than asking for a £450 make-over..
Well I understand that it can be disturbing, I found it a bit weird myself, but I also think that everyone is different and it’s nice to have options. If an edgy look has been part of who you were all your life, maybe it matters to you that people won’t see you with a naked or neutral face.
It doesn’t hurt anybody that this option exists for those who want it.
What?! I don’t understand why everyone isn’t jumping on this!!it’s an amazing idea!!! I would rather die than go without my contoured cheeks and beloved red lip so why oh why any different? and I disagree Ali – competence in a funeral parlour? At Make-up??? I sincerely doubt it.
I think it’s wonderful. Yea it’s a PR ploy but so what. They deserve a medal for thinking outside the box! Or in it as it may seem…
What I really want to know is whether the skilled MUA’s that they talk about have been trained to actually deal with the dead! Do they come from a background where they have carried out this service for a long time or are they just going to haul in a regular MUA to do it?
Bad taste pretty much sums it up!
Illamasqua is a very popular company with Goths, we want to look our best when we die so I would be very much in favour of this.
In response to the other commenting, I think it is far worse taste to ignore the final wishes of the deceased.
Hi Alexandriaweb: that’s a really good point but if you consider the average age of dying in the UK which for women is 81, would you still be after a Goth look then? It’s an honest question as I don’t really know much about the Goth philosophies. I just can’t help thinking that the market for this is SO niche, it’s an attention seeking ploy and wonder if they’ll still even be doing it when I’m 81!
My aunt was well know for her bright nail polishes, so when she passed away it made sense to use some of her favourite shades on her. However, my Mum and other aunt did it themselves, I can’t imagine paying £450 it.
It’s a nice idea in theory, just not in practice. I can’t see too many people jumping at the opportunity, I guess it’s nice the option is there though.
My mum had an open casket and it would have been amazing to have her in cosmetics that didn’t look like it was drawn on with crayons..
I’m uncomfortable with it being advertised and cashed in on but if it was discreet and quietly offered then it would be amazing!
Death is not all morbid.. It’s where our weary souls can finally rest so if makeup can provide a touch of dignity then I for one am all for it.
I agree with Georgina re competence in a funeral parlour. Having lost a close friend the same age as me (33) last year, then seeing how ridiculous she looked without her brows on, plain lipstick, ORANGE eyeshadow (WTF!!). Honestly, she would have been absolutely horrified if she knew she would be laid out looking like that for eternity. I think this is a brilliant idea.
While I understand some people thinking its morbid, (anything death related is) like any service for sale – if you don’t like it don’t use it.
From what I’ve read the money is paid up front as part of a funeral plan, so the charge (which is a lot IMO) is on the deceased, not whoever is left behind.
Great blog by the way!