ProductWhores

Rock On With Napoleon Perdis

I don't think I'd ever tried any Napoleon Perdis face products before this one (or if I have, I'm somehow blocking it out) but now they've definitely sold me.  I've been pairing the Mattifying Mineral Primer with the Advanced Mineral Makeup SPF 15 during the day and it gives me nice, light coverage for the summer months.  

The Mattifying Mineral Primer is very cool because unlike any other primer I've ever tried before, it's a powder, not a liquid.  And the packaging has this little opening in it that works great to give you just the amount you need, so you're not using a quarter of the jar every morning.  (I hate products that make it impossible for you to ration out the right amount.  Why must they torment me that way?)  I just use a blush brush I already had in my arsenal of brushes to buff the primer all over my face, which takes all of fifteen seconds and is super easy.  I think I might almost like it better than liquid primers, to be honest.  It feels less heavy on my skin and more healthy.  The powder's translucent, so it doesn't leave behind any color on your face to interfere with your makeup, and it has a ton of antioxidants in it, like Grape Seed Extract and White Tea Extract, so it's actually good for your skin. 

  
I've been following it with Napoleon's Advanced Mineral Makeup, which is a liquid foundation that's also full of antioxidants and minerals.  I really like the way they make my skin look together.  I would say that the mineral makeup has light to medium coverage, so if you're the kind of person who likes full coverage, this might not be for you (although I do find that the coverage is buildable).  But if you're someone who likes foundation that lasts all day, helps control shine (along with the primer) and smooths out your skin, this one's definitely worth giving a shot.  The only drawback is that it's kind of pricey at $59, but it's great for people with sensitive skin since it won't irritate it at all, so the extra money might be worth ponying up in that case.  Matte away!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Napoleon Perdis

Orange Shadow for Summer

At the International Makeup Artist Trade Show this past weekend in Pasadena, CA, Rebecca Prior, Napoleon Perdis' Global Chief of Makeup Services and Napoleon's right hand woman, led a workshop demonstrating the hottest trends of the season. Number one on the list was orange eyeshadow. It's shocking to me just who wearable this color is (see pic above).  Anyone out there dare to wear the orange?

Orange eyeshadow is the latest shade to highlight eyes all across the country, and Rebecca demonstrated how easy it is to wear. Napoleon Perdis offers 3 different shades of orange in our Color Disc line for those who want to dip their toes in the water and those who'd rather jump in the deep-end: 

Tequila Sunrise: Featured in the photos attached, Tequila Sunrise a true, deep orange, with very little yellow (so none of that Cheetos-looking shade) and slight coral undertones. Tequila Sunrise features a matte finish and invokes images of a desert sunset. 

Orange Sherbert: looks just like its namesake: a light, peachy-based orange great for opening up the eye area and for adding in a slight pop of color when Tequila Sunrise might be too intense. Orange Sherbert is the perfect color to match up with your summer tan! 

Orange Zest: is a shimmer shadow that pairs great together with bronze and earthy tones. Featuring more of a very light, burnt orange color, its perfect for highlighting or as an all-over shade when pink is too frosty and brown is too dark. 

Color Disks can be used wet or dry, are paraben-free, and retail for $25.00 (US). They're available at Napoleon Perdis Concept Stores, Ulta, select Dillard's, and Von Maur stores, as well as www.napoleonperdis.com 

Napoleon Perdis is my new love

Shhh... don't tell my husband, but Napoleon Perdis is my new love.  Seriously, I spent the better part of the two hour event I attended just staring in awe as he created these amazingly beautiful looks in no time flat - taking the time to give us a sneak peek of a few items that won't be out for a year (why did he do that to me??  Now, I obsess...)  Aside from his fantastically informative presentation, he's hilarious, down-to-earth, definitely has an eye for style, and has built an incredible cosmetics line which has made me view certain previous "off-limit" colors as totally wearable.  One of the looks which had me drooling with excitement was the wearable blue eye (no flashback to the 80's here).  Using just a few of his products, he created the most beautiful, sultry blue eyes and they definitely were office-acceptable.  I had to try myself to see if, in fact, someone who's not a worldwide cosmetics guru could get the same look.  Mission totally accomplished. 

Put Yourself on Auto Pilot

As much as I love makeup, it's always exciting to discover products that go on under the makeup to make it look better.  (I didn't start wearing primer all that long ago and wow, what a difference!)  Napoleon Perdis' Auto Pilot line is one of those things that I didn't realize I was missing until I tried it and now I can't recommend it enough.  The two products that I tried, Pore Minimizer and Mattifier ($45) and Lip Service ($25), are definitely stand outs in their respective categories. 

The Pore Minimer and Mattifier threw me at first because it's a brown, almost gel-like substance, but once it goes on, you can immediately see its effects.  It's made to refine pores and it really does leave your skin super soft to the touch.  As a mattifier, it worked great.  I was definitely less shiny in the California heat than I normally am.  (Well, for a good couple of hours at least - even fantastic skin products can't compete with 100 degree weather!)  It just made my skin look... better (for lack of a more descriptive word) and it did it without making it look like I was wearing any more makeup than usual, which is a huge plus because I hate it when my skin looks weighed down by products.  And for those of you who only want to use it on certain areas, you totally can because it works as an all over product or a spot treatment.  Also?  The box has the cutest quote on it.  How can you not want to own a product that is described with the words, "When less is more, minimize that pore?" 

Lip Service is what I like to think of as sort of a luxury Chapstick.  It's meant to repair and condition your lips, and it's made with Vitamin E, so it really fights chapped lips.  It's available in three shades, Original (a clear gloss), Hush (a light pink) and Cherry (a sheer red), and I've been constantly slicking on Cherry since I got it.  The menthol in it makes it feel cool on your lips, but it doesn't sting at all like some lip plumpers.  It's the perfect gloss to put on under your lipstick every morning, but you can also wear the Hush and Cherry shades alone for a hint of color.  This one's definitely going in my carry on when I fly back east next month - I'll be able to keep my lips moisturized AND look cute when I get off the red eye.  Now that's a product I can't live without.

For more information on Napoleon Perdis products, check out napoleonperdis.com.

Photos courtesy of Napoleon Perdis

Minimal Makeup That Makes Skin Glow

I definitely went through a long phase in my youth where I thought that more foundation was better.  If I was to have the perfect flawless complexion, I needed to coat my face so thick that it was actually hard to smile because of the weight of the foundation.  As I've matured (physically not mentally), I have really started to believe in that whole "less is more" thing and find myself always reaching for more sheer foundations.  I decided to try Minimal Makeup by Napoleon Perdis and am so happy I did!  This wonderfully sheer foundation leaves a beautiful glow and helps protect skin with PABA-free sunscreen (SPF 10).  It contains antioxidants and actually manages to mask the redness around my nose despite its light coverage.  It's oil-free (no breakouts), hypoallergenic, and the company is against animal testing so I can really feel good about myself when I wear it (it's all about me, naturally).  I have to say, what impressed me most, aside from making my skin look like a supermodel's, is that it doesn't dry out my face and wears the better part of the day without having to re-apply.  For someone with more skin imperfections, I would reach for Napoleon Perdis' Foundation Stick (where you control the level of coverage) but for someone looking for a very natural look that will even skin tone, pick up the Minimal Makeup.  You won't be disappointed.  If you are, well, it's definitely not Kris writing this post.

Photo courtesy of Napoleon Perdis

The Lips Of A DeVine Goddess

I had never tried anything from the Napoleon Perdis line, so I figured it was time to justify some new purchases (you know, for the better good of Product Whores).  Napoleon Perdis started his line back in 1995 in Sydney, grew to over 800 stores in Australia and New Zealand, and now has 4 stores in America, as well as happily stocked Napoleon Perdis shelves in 200 Sephora's.  I decided my first flirt with the line would be an affair with the DeVine Goddess Lipgloss in Muse (a elegant coral gloss with high shine).  Not only does it wear incredibly well, but the color looks wonderfully elegant on, which was surprising to me (never thought I could wear coral before this!)  The shine is out of control sexy and the gloss is actually moisturizing and isn't sticky at all.  The brush applicator can get a little messy, but it's not bothersome because the formula isn't goopy at all.  This color would look fabulous on just about everyone and works well with or without a lip liner.  I have found my new go-to lip gloss for day and evening wear.  This whole discovering coral thing has really opened my world up.

Photo courtesy of Napoleon Perdis