People always ask me if there are regional differences when it comes to women and their makeup. And it’s true that what rates highly in one state may not be the same in another. Texan women adore my DeVine Goddess lipsticks in the SMP, while Californian’s prefer Electra. Similarly, my razzle-dazzle glitter eye shadows resonate in Los Angeles, but the less showy Prismatic Eye Shadow Quad in Fire captures the attention of Chicago gals. This got me thinking about creating looks inspired by some of my favorite cities, with a focus on eyes since they are often the defining feature of a look. I travel so much that I’m forever being inspired by different destinations and indigenous beauty. Try these city-inspired looks out on your clients.
New York: Silver Belles
So many social engagements, so little time. New York is all hustle and bustle, so makeup needs to be just as flexible. The easiest way to go from a Midtown office to a Meatpacking District lounge is to sweep on some silver shadow. Try this on a client: Using my Prismatic Eye Shadow Quad #3, apply the charcoal shade to the upper and lower lash lines to frame the eyes. Then use the silver from the same quad over the entire eye lid. Use my Loose Dust in Ice Storm on the brow bone and finish up with Neo Noir Liquid Liner on the upper lash line. Just add mascara and you’ve got a look that glistens like the Chrysler Building.
London: Groovy Green
Here’s a look that British It girl Alexa Chung would surely approve. Start by feathering a green eye pencil (like my Bottle Green) along your client’s lower lash line. Start from the outer corner and work in, blending through with a small eye shadow brush. Then use your pencil to create definition, length and smokiness on the outer corner of the eyes. Start by working the pencil on the outer third of the upper lash line then up towards the socket. Blend out with your eye shadow brush. Line the inner rim of the eyes with green for a soft smokiness or with black to sharpen your look. Apply another coat of black mascara to finish.
Miami: Neon Lights
Channel the electrifying energy of this tropical city with a clashing mix of intense blue and fuchsia pink. Work a deep blue like my Color Disc in Infinity Pool onto the lids, applying the shadow from the lash line to the eye socket. Then use Color Disc in Pink Slink through the socket of the eye overlapping slightly with the blue to create a neon lilac shade. Line the eyes with a combination of an electric blue shade and my Cake Eyeliner Sealer, and then apply to the lash line with a fine liner brush. Miami—nice.
Hollywood: Glitz and Gold
The City of Angels demands an equally ethereal look. Use my China Doll Eyeliner in Copper to create the foundation of your eye statement. Glide the gel liner over the entire eye lid blending up towards the socket and feathering along the lower lash line. Tap my Loose Dust in Copper Element onto the center of the eyelid for dimension, and then highlight the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone with my Eye Pencil in Gold Standard. Glitz up the look a little more by working Loose Dust in Million Dollar Mermaid close to the lash line for a layered, metallic effect. Rock on gold dust woman.
In 1995, celebrity makeup artist Napoleon Perdis debuted his line of cosmetics and launched his first concept store and Makeup Academy in Sydney. Today, Napoleon Perdis has 67 stand-alone concept stores and more than 800 point-of-sale locations across Australia and New Zealand. In the U.S., the brand has three Napoleon Perdis stores and is sold in select independent retailers. Celebrity fans of the brand include Jessica Szohr, Lady Gaga, Becki Newton, Debra Messing, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Shenae Grimes, Whitney Port, Adrienne Bailon and more.