Dead beautiful: Cult cosmetics brand launches corpse makeovers to glam up the afterlife

In what must be one of the most unusual collaborations to date, cult beauty firm Illamasqua is to partner up with London funeral directors Leverton & Sons to provide makeovers to the dead. 

The British brand - whose co-managing director is Joe Corre, founder of Agent Provocateur - has joined forces with the 200-year-old family firm to offer professional cosmetic transformations to those who wish to make a statement - even in death. 

Dubbed 'The Final Act of Self-Expression', the firm say the service will help those who take a pride in their appearance to plan ahead so that they look good in death too.  

Dead beautiful: Illamasqua has teamed up with funeral directors Leverton & Sons to offering an afterlife makeover service, dubbed 'the final act of self-expression'

'It encourages people to plan their final transformation - one that pays tribute to who they were in life and how they want to enter the afterlife,' Illamasqua said, adding that the innovative service will bring 'ritual beauty' to the final act for those who love to 'self express.' 

The makeover sessions - costing upwards of £450 - will be attended by a Illamasqua make-up artist specially trained in working on embalmed corpses.

'The rite of passage to the afterlife has been of central importance to human culture for thousands of years,' the firm said on its blog. 

'To wear the most fabulous make-up applied by a professionally trained make-up artist for your final journey is the ultimate statement of celebration.'

'It's celebration of life, and one that should be indulged for your last glamorous look.' 

Illamasqua is a relatively new beauty firm, founded in 2008 by Julian Kynaston, a Yorkshire-born marketer who launched the brand with no previous experience in make-up, but it has quickly made an impact. 

Entering the market with the ambition of shaking up the predictable beauty industry, in the three years since its launch the brand has achieved cult status and is now sold in almost 100 stores worldwide.

Joe Corre, the son of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, joined the company last year after his departure from Agent Provocateur following his split from wife and business partner Serena Rees.