Beauty Exclusive: Napolean Perdis, the Australian Makeup Guru

Australian makeup expert Napoleon Perdis has been collaborating with Target on a beauty line, NP Set, for the last four years. Bold colors and beauty on the go are two of the Perdis hallmarks when it comes to beauty. Recently, Perdis and Target introduced several new items to the line. Fashion Reverie recently caught up with the Australian makeup king to offer some beauty tips as well as to get his views on beauty trends.

Fashion Reverie: Tell us about what you’re known for in makeup? Why are you such a big fan of color?

Napoleon Perdis: As a working makeup artist, I am personally involved in every product we create. I make sure that every product is infused with skin-supporting ingredients, silken textures and a feel-good message of female empowerment thanks to built-in educators and pro-tips. I believe that makeup tells a story and empowers women to play with color, and that was what inspired me to become a makeup artist and start my own brand.

FR: You must be happy with the current trend towards bright colors in makeup. But are there some dos and don’ts when working with bright, bold colors in makeup?

Napoleon Perdis: I love a bold pop of color on the eye or the lip, and while many women are intimidated by bright colors the trends we’re seeing right now are really easy to wear. I always say try any trend at 20 percent. On the runway the look may be bright blue shadow all around the eye, but in reality a dash of bright liner is all you need. At the fall shows we saw liner that goes beyond the smoky eye or cat eye and incorporates graphic color. In addition to black, my new NP Set Day-to-Night liners ($15 at Target) come in deep blue or copper, which are easy colors to add in to amp up your everyday look.

A bold red or orange lip can flatter anyone if it’s the right shade, but if you’re still not onto the bright lip trend, ease into it with a stain. My NP Set Lip Balms with Benefits ($10 at Target) offer the best of both worlds-they go on sheer but you can layer the color if you want to turn up the volume.

FR: In your years as a makeup expert, are there some common issues that you see with regards to women and their makeup?

Napoleon Perdis: Not priming may be the most common mistake, followed by not choosing the correct shade of foundation. Another common mistake I run into is women applying foundation all over the face—apply only where needed and keep foundation on the forehead to a minimum, as it can accentuate fine lines! Last but not least is overbronzing—apply your bronzer as a contour to the apples of the cheek, lightly on forehead, cheek and nose … and don’t forget the decolletage!

FR: What’s new about this set of Jet Set Beauty Essentials?

Napoleon Perdis: My fall 2012 NP Set collection is made for the glamour girl on-the-go who wants to live a color-full life. My Gorgeous to Go Palette ($27 at Target) includes 12 eye shadows, three lip glosses and two glowing blushes. It’s lightweight and portable, allowing women to create a variety of looks. The fall collection also includes Lip Balm with Benefits, which are packed with vitamins and shea butter, leaving lips plumped and moisturized with a pop of color. My Day-To-Night Liner Duos are dual ended—the liner side delivers bold color and the glitter side adds a subtle sparkle for maximum impact.

FR: Are there some items that are must-have beauty items for traveling?

Napoleon Perdis: Pack multitasking products that allow you to build your look throughout the day and into the night. Compact palettes like my new NP Set Gorgeous to Go Palette ($27 at Target) can deliver endless options without taking up too much space for girls on the go

FR: I know that a big part of your business is in Australia. What are some differences between Australia and US in terms of the beauty business, available products, and concerns that women have?

Napoleon Perdis: Australian women always want to achieve that fresh face beauty while Americans are inspired by a dash of Hollywood glamour. But I’ve found that each state within Australia and the US have their distinctions. California girls love a flirty pink lipstick, while the ladies of Sydney love a sweep of bronzer.

FR: What’s the number one piece of advice you would offer to women in US when it comes to beauty and makeup?

Napoleon Perdis: Always use primer! Not enough women do. The perks of primer are amazing: skin appears instantly smoother, foundation lasts the distance and hydrates your complexion.

Primer is an NP Set specialty and we’ve got every skin concern covered from redness and dull skin to prominent pores. I’ve recently added two more to the lineup: Calming Pre-Foundation Primer ($29 at Target) to minimize redness and Brightening Pre-Foundation Primer ($29 at Target) to brighten up dull skin. The after-effects are truly amazing-you may find you don’t even need to use foundation.

—Karyn D. Collins