PM'S TOP FIVE: Napoleon Perdis Colour Discs Eyeshadows

This edition of PM's TOP FIVE covers Napoleon Perdis Colour Discs. I am a huge fan of these eyeshadows and have quite a large collection! (I will get around to swatching them eventually! lol). NP (Napoleon Perdis) eyeshadows are generally more consistent, with colours being highly pigmented, easily blendable, and nice to use. I generally find them better than a lot of MAC ones, which in my experience can be hit or miss (maybe that's mostly because I've used LE/Mineralize ones). The NP colour discs come in a clear plastic compact and have a little mirror under the lid. While the mirror adds glam, I do find it a bit pointless as you can't really see much with it - I have never used them (could be handy on the go I guess?).

Anyway, here are my top five eyeshadow picks!:



My Napoleon Perdis Top 5 Eye Shadows
Top (L-R): Amazon Jungle, All That Shiraz
Middle: Violet #14
Bottom (L-R): Queen of the Night, Green Living



(L-R): Amazon Jungle, All That Shiraz, Green Living, Queen of the Night, Violet #14



Amazon Jungle: A matte nudey-peach with a touch of sparkle (you can see glitter in the pan but luckily it doesn't really translate). A great colour for blending in the crease! It looks a bit unexciting in the pan, but goes on really nice! It was actually used on me by one of the NP makeup artists when I had my makeup done one day and I really liked it! It was used in conjunction with Premium Denim (Navy) and Jaded Genie (Green) and looked fantastic! I am glad it got used on me because it's not one I would have picked by choice. It would also double as a nice blush if need be!

All That Shiraz: This colour I only picked up a few weeks ago but it has already cemented its place as one of my favourites. It is a shimmering wine colour (hence the name I guess) with brown undertones. It leans more brown when blended out so it makes a nice everyday colour that is interesting and great with green eyes.

Green Living: A nice warm mid-brown with a gold shimmer. The shimmer isn't as strong out of the pan but it's still got a nice warmth about it! If you wear browns this is a good go-to! A good brown to add a touch of glam to your everyday look.

Queen of the Night: A really intense matte black that doesn’t give you the fallout that other blacks usually do! It doesn’t take a lot of effort to layer it up to a really nice black. It also makes for a fabulous smoky eye with MAC’s Blackground Paint Pot! It was actually a bit dry to swatch, and does look a little more patchy than I was expecting. However, credit to Napoleon, QOTN and Violet were the same consistency.

Violet #14: This is an old school colour disc from before NP changed all their eyeshadow packaging. I feel a bit bad for including it (because you can't get it anymore unless it pops up in a sale) but this is seriously one of my faves! It is a really nice, deep matte purple (when NP updated their range, they seemed to drop most of their mattes and there is only a handful available now). It doesn't look super purple when blended out, but it makes my green eyes pop too. If you have green eyes, I definitely recommend you try and find something similar (if I ever stumble across something I will be sure to put it in a dupe test!). I have worn it with black and nude shadows on my lid and it looks really good!!

NP Colour Discs retail for $29 for 2.5gms (not too bad value wise) and can be purchased from www.napoleonperdis.com, or from David Jones stores and selected chemists/salons.

Do you use Napoleon Perdis eye shadows? If so, what is your favourite colour?

Love,

Your PM x

PM'S TOP FIVE: FACE ESSENTIALS

Hello again,

Tonight is another installment of PM'S TOP FIVE (my previous editions have been on Illamasqua and MAC if you've missed them!). Tonight's focus is a quick round up of my five favourite face essentials - these are the things I consider a MUST when doing my daily makeup!

My favourite Face Essentials

Kryolan TV Paint Stick (I use colour NB1)

Formulated for TV usage, this product has fantastic coverage! Its main purpose is foundation but I actually use it as concealer, because it's one of the few things that actually does a decent job of covering my dark circles! I also use it on my eyes as a base for my eyeshadow, so it's going on to even colour! (not my splotchy eyeballs!).

(p.s. I have previously raved on about TV paint stick in my Bargain Makeup-ing Post!)

Illamasqua Eyebrow Cake (I use colour Vehement)

Filling in eyebrows is a must! It really finishes your face off and makes your overall look more polished! I simply use this eyebrow cake dry with an angled brush, but you can also use it with a sealer gel, wet, for added definition!

(p.s. This Eyebrow Cake has also made it to my top five Illamasqua... What a handy little thing it is!)

Kryolan Translucent Powder (TL1)

I use Translucent Powder over the TV paintstick to set the foundation when I do my eyes. However, It could also be used for an all-over powder (nice and versatile this one!). Translucent powders help to set your foundation without adding any extra colour to your face! If you struggle to find a good match for powder, translucent powder could be a good option for you!

Illamasqua Medium Pencil in Hex

I am in love with Hex pencil! It's a nude colour (like an actual pale nude, not every other makeup company's definition of nude lip liner... which is actually brown!). It's actually a really good match for my skin tone! (I definitely got lucky there!) Anyway, I use it around the edges of my lips to stop my lippy bleeding (and I use it instead of co-ordinating colour ones because a) I'm lazy, b) It goes with everything and c) I don't have to be accurate). You could even wear it alone for a nude lip if you wanted!

Mascara (I use Napoleon Perdis' Mesmer-Eyes Waterproof)

Mascara, no matter what brand you use, is a mascara is essential! Mascara helps to define your lashes and make you look more awake and with it! The one I use (NP Mesmer-Eyes) I like because it has a plastic comb-style brush, rather than one with heaps of bristles (and considering I frequently stab myself in the eye... I feel like I'm less likely to do damage with blunt plastic!)

I hope this helps next time you are looking for some face essentials!

Love,

Your PM x

PM'S TOP FIVE: MAC

Hello again,

Time for another instalment of PM'S TOP FIVE, with today's focus being MAC Cosmetics. I will certainly not deny my love for MAC lippies, but there are a few other products of theirs that I really like! (yes lippies will feature! lol). So here goes:

My MAC Top Five!

Amplified Creme Lipstick in Morange

3gms for AUD$36

Morange Lipstick

Anyone who knows me well, knows my love for Morange! It would have to be one of my favourite lipsticks, easily! I am having the biggest orange phase at the moment (hopefully a lasting phase), I think mostly started by Morange! It is a deep, bright orange that leans more red than yellow (thank goodness becuase otherwise I couldn't wear it! Yellow based anything makes me look like I have jaundice!). Morange is one colour I reach for over and over again! The colour also lasts really well, and touch-ups are seldom needed! (I do wear it with Illamasqua's Hex Pencil to ensure that there is no bleeding!). I love all of MAC's Amplified Creme finishes, and if orange is not your thing, I do recommend you try another shade!

Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Lady at Play

4.04gms for AUD$46



Lady at Play Lipstick



The Mineralize Rich lipsticks have only been out for a few months, but Lady at Play quickly cemented a place in my heart! Not only is the colour beautiful (it is a slightly pink leaning bright coral), the finish is great and it feels great on your lips! It goes on light as a feather, I don't find it drying and it has a magnetic cap (also a rather nifty feature!). The colour looks a bit sheer on my hand, but it does go on to be pretty opaque (I was actually quite suprised when I swatched it that it was so sheer!). It also lasts pretty well for such a creamy/shiny lipstick! (You are more prone to losing it when you eat lunch, but aside from eating, barely any touchups are needed!). You can see me wearing Lady at Play in my FOTD here.

Powder Blush in Mocha

6gms for AUD$41

Mocha Blush

Mocha Blush

Mocha is a great everyday blush! MAC describes it as a "soft plum-pink". I think it's reasonably accurate, as you can see the plummy undertones, but I'd almost be more inclined to describe it as a "neutral dusty pink" (you can see a brown-y streak in the photos!). It's a matte blush (which I am a huge fan of), and it is easily buildable and blendable! Again, one of the harder ones to stuff up! Mocha would also be a great pick for the cooler months becuase of that darker undertone!

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Undercurrent

1.2gms for AUD$33

Undercurrent Pearlglide Liner

This is an absolutely beautiful colour! I am a sucker for teals/greens and this is no exception! Undercurrent is a blue base with a gold and green shimmer! *swoon*. Pearlglides are also an amazing formula, and feel like butter when they go on! (probably softer than butter they're that soft!). They also set a bit so they last pretty well and barely budge! They are a bit hard to come by... You can't buy them off MAC online (in Australia anyway). I got Undercurrent from my closest PRO store, but if you're lucky you may snag one from Myer or DJ's (I have seen them there since my trip to PRO). If you saw the Archie's Girls pencils that were recently released, they are also pearlglides! I strongly recommend trying one, they are well worth it!
Hot tip: Because of the glitter content, they are not recommended for use in your waterline (can irritate your eyes).

Paint Pot in Blackground

5gms for AUD$35

Blackground Paint Pot

This is my go-to product for smokey eyes these days! (Black ones anyway!). Since using this for my smokey eyes, I get them done in 1/4 of the time... It really makes them that much easier! Anyone who has done the generic black smokey eye knows that for a good one, you need to go back and keep building the black up... and it takes FOREVER! Well, instead, use Blackground, applying it to your mobile lid and then press on your black eyeshadow ASAP! Paint pots are a cream product and do set dry, so the quicker you get your shadow on there the better. Becuase it sets, I try and keep it out of the crease because otherwise it gets hard to blend). You could wear by itsself if you were that keen, but I probably wouldn't recommend it as it is a bit tricky to get even. If you aren't keen on the black one, there are heaps of other colours to try! They are very popular as bases for your eyeshadow (Painterly in particular is one popular with MUA's).

Do you agree with my picks? Any MAC products you can't live without?

Love,

Your PM x

PM'S TOP FIVE: Illamasqua

Hi everyone!

Yes, I am having a bit of an Illamasqua phase at the moment... Though my love for their stuff will not die off anytime soon! (They have a new collection, Paranormal, due for release on the 30th of April! WOOHOO! I'm SUPER excited to see what will come out!)

In the past few days I have put their Pure Pigments and Blush Duo's under my makeup microscope! :)

Anyway, the PM's Top Five will bring you my five favourite products from a particular category (brand, colour scheme, product etc) and explain why I love them so!

First off the blocks for my Top Five is Illamasqua. Here are my five favourite Illamasqua products, in no particular order:

My Illamasqua Top Five!

Skin Base Foundation

30mL for AUD$41 from Myer

This is, without a doubt, the best foundation I've used to date! I love that it matches my skin tone (I'm a 6), it is one of the best matches I found. It comes in 26 different shades, so there is bound to be something to suit your skintone! They even make a pure white shade (so no more dilemmas for those pasty folk about their foundation being too dark!). It is also one of the longest lasting foundations I've worn. After 8-10 hours it still looks perfect (except on my nose but that's because nothing ever sticks to it!). It is suitable for all skin types and coverage is easily buildable, it can be worn sheerer or heavy depending on your preference. You can see me wearing Skin Base in my FOTD here!

Eyebrow Cake

4.5gms for AUD$22 from Myer

Eyebrow Cake in Vehement

I swear by this for my eyebrows. My brows are not as defined or sharp as some of the others you see on the net (I like the look, but I don't think it'd suit me) but I am a firm believer that brows need some attention as part of your routine. I have brows that are more dense than some, but filling them in still makes a huge difference! I use the cake dry with an angled brush and simply fill them in... easy! The cake comes in 6 shades. I use Vehement (the darkest shade... as you can see, quite dark!). You can also use the brow cake in conjunction with Illamasqua's sealer gel to make your brows waterproof and smudge proof (they do last pretty well anyway!). Handy to note though that using sealer gel makes the cake darker (I can't use my cake with sealer gel... it's WAY too dark!). Using it dry gives you a much more natural look.

Blusher in Tremble

4.5gms for AUD$28 from Myer

Blush in Tremble

Blush in Tremble

There are so many pretty blush colours by Illamasqua, it's hard to settle on one! Tremble is the blush I find myself reaching for the most often! Illamasqua describe it as a "soft lilac pink"... to be honest I can't really see where the lilac comes in. Directly under bright lighting it looks pink, but under everything else I can see a peachy tone (perhaps my eyes are broken?), which I think makes it a great all-occasions blush. It's not so pink that you look like you've been rubbing your cheeks in candy, but it also complements any orange/peachy toned lipsticks you wear with it. It's quite pigmented, so a little does go a long way, but it still blends out really nicely and it's one of the harder colours to stuff up! I had to put in two photos for this becuase it wanted to play hide and seek with the camera! I promise it shows up more in real life!

Bronzing Duo in Glint/Writhe

2x4gms for AUD$39 from Myer

Glint (left) and Writhe (right)

I have already displayed my love for this bronzing duo in my Easter Feaster and Bargain Makeup-ing breakdowns. I love this for its versatility. You can use it as a bronzer, contour, highlighter and eyeshadow. The powders feel really silky and of high quality (not the sort of quality you expect when you think bronzer in a pan... well for me anyway!). I am not a big bronzer wearer so if I go for a bronzer, I want something that I will get a bit of use out of for other purposes. This is perfect for that!

Lipstick in Scandal
4gms for AUD$25 from Myer

Scandal Lipstick

Not only are these lipsticks fantastic value, they are SUPER long lasting. Barely any touch ups are required and they are pretty good for staying where you put them (those clumsy are unlikely to smear them half way across their face!). I will note here they can feel a bit drying, so they don't suit everyone, and your lips need to be in excellent condition to wear them, but you can smooth a bit of balm underneath to help with that! (not too much though or it can get patchy). The plus side of them being on the dry side is no bleeding! lol. That being said, Scandal is probably one of the creamier of the bunch, I didn't find much drag when I swatched it. Scandal is a stunning pink leaning coral. It's also deep enough that it complements many skin tones. It really is a beautiful colour! I recommend it if you want to try something new that's not pink or red, but you aren't game for orange. It also looks nice with Tremble blush!

Please note: I have quoted Australia's Myer prices for these products, but you can also purchase them from www.illamasqua.com and they do ship internationally!

What are your favourite Illamasqua products? Any you can't live without?

There are plenty more Top Five's to come in the near future!

Love,

Your PM x