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Interview with makeup maestro Napoleon Perdis

Napoleon Perdis
Napoleon Perdis

Anyone who likes makeup LOVES the charismatic and outspoken Napoleon Perdis.

He took some time out of building his successful beauty empire to share with us his top beauty secrets, future makeup trends and his thoughts on plastic surgery.

1. What's your weirdest beauty tip?
Doing your mascara (and brows) first! It maps out the rest of your look and often means you don't need to apply any more makeup.

2. What are some of the biggest / most common beauty mistakes women make?
Too much foundation! It should only be applied where you need it to let your natural beauty shine through. Not enough blush is another common mistake. Many women are afraid of blush, but it's the first thing to liven-up your complexion and the technique is so quick and easy to achieve. It doesn't have to be a pink, doll-like blush. Peach and apricot blushes will emulate a natural flush that's also very youthful.

3. Which beauty product are you addicted to right now?
For fresh skin, always start with a good cleanse as it softens up the skin and ensures your foundation doesn't have to work so hard. I'm also obsessed with my Balm Voyage Moisture Complex Cleanser and Makeup Remover. After massaging the balm into your skin, it will leave looking fresh all day and allow makeup to mould and fuse into your skin for a more natural looking result.

4. What makeup trends are we seeing for the rest of 2015 and 2016?
Blush (and bronzer) are back. Don't be afraid of adding colour to your complexion as it will make you feel youthful, fresh and full of life. Lip colours are becoming more insipid. It's the return to the nineties that's pushing the trend; nudes are less peach, cooler in tone and deeper hues like mulberry and ashy plums will be huge. Nude will continue to be a huge trend for 2015, but remember nude doesn't necessarily mean naked. You can still look done and polished with nude, it's just about using neutral tones. 2016 will see the return of more colour to the eyes including bright colours and metallics.

5. Who is your beauty icon and why?
Elizabeth Taylor. She was the epitome of sophistication and wasn't afraid to accentuate her raw beauty with makeup. The brow was always done, her lashes were always fluttering and her red lip was so seductive!

6. What is the one makeup item women can use quickly to make them look polished?
A brow gel or pencil. Once the brow is perfected, everything else begins to look polished. It lifts the eyes, frames the face and makes you feel done. I always do brows first, because most of the time, you don't really need to do much more!.

7. What's your top tip for looking wide awake after a big night out?
A good double cleanse and reflective contouring. After a thorough, nourishing cleanse, use a cream luminiser to highlight the high points of your face - top of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, inner corner of the eyes, Cupid's bow and brow bone to mimic a fresh and youthful complexion.

8. Thoughts on plastic surgery?
Each to their own but if you're going to do it, be sure to do your research on both the doctor and techniques to know what you're getting yourself into.

9. Thoughts on makeup bloggers / vloggers?
I commend their success and ability to impact what's trending in the industry as some of them have an incredible audience reach. What they do works for them and it inspires others to learn and experience makeup.



10. Makeup essentials to have at all times?
Remember, ‘Not to Prime is a Crime!’. I love a good cleanser and primer. My other makeup essentials include concealer, brow pencil, mascara and a bold lip!


For tips from the man himself and his daughters at his ‘Next Gen’ Makeup Masterclass at Myer taking place in Melbourne on Friday, 7th August and Liverpool, Sydney on Saturday, 8th August. Ticket price: $149 redeemable on Napoleon Perdis products on the day.

Purchase tickets online or at the counter on the day.