March 09, 2015

Kookai does Vegas for AW15

March 09, 2015/ Nicole McIntyre

Sneaky snap of Siobhan touching up her makeup

Last week I found myself amidst the backstage mayhem prior to the start of Kookai's fashion show. It wasn't really mayhem of course, more like organised chaos - everyone had a station, a role, and a pretty model to paint. I'm still pinching myself about it all, but the highlight of the evening was meeting Napoleon Perdis' Director of Makeup, Siobhan Kelly.

Watch on to see how this fashion show came to life..

And, be sure to check out these links for a bit more information:

Music by Geowulf - a local, and very talented Aussie.
Napoleon Perdis' DeVine Goddess Lipstick in Electra (currently sold out).
Napoleon Perdi's Auto Pilot Lip Service
Kookai's latest collection for AW 15 - dying to try on the Placid Funnel Neck Top, and The Architect Top!

Thanks for watching!

Special thanks to Two Birds Talking for providing backstage access, as well as allowing me to hang out for the show.

August 03, 2014

A few lipsticks that really haven't bowled me over

August 03, 2014/ Nicole McIntyre

The idea of them makes me happy, yet in terms of execution they all fell flat and have left me feeling uninspired. So much that I've been putting off writing about them.

This blog, after all, is about the good, the bad and the downright ugly and I'd be doing you a huge disservice by not highlighting the misses I've recently come across.

The one that made me feel old: Clinique's Curviest Caramel

Here we have Clinique's Chubby Stick Intense in Curviest Caramel ($35 AUS / $17 USD), it's not awe inducing, but on first swatch I thought it'd do for an everyday lipstick. I'll give Curviest Caramel props for its pigmentation and creamy texture, but I couldn't shake how much it aged me. In a moment of weakness I chopped my hair off back in January -- that cut made me look older than I felt. Applying Curviest Caramel was equivalent to pouring salt onto my self-induced wounded situation.

The one that I dread/loathe, ok hate: Napoleon Perdis' Nymphe

Have you ever bought something because you saw someone else wearing it? Yeah, I did that. It was at a beauty expo held in Melbourne back in March when I regrettably picked up Napoleon Perdis' Nymphe ($35 AUS / $25 USD). If you're looking to magnify dry lips (thanks to winter) and fine lines, then pick up Nymphe - she'll knock it out of the park. Sorry V, this wasn't for me.

The one that made me uncomfortable: NARS' Schiap

Truth be told I'm on the fence about Schiap. It's so bright I need to wear shades -- Francois should've put a warning label on the tube.

Warning: Contents Inside Are Hot. Handle With Care.

I wore Schiap ($39 AUS / $26 USD), named for Italian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli, on Friday and I have serious misgivings about my timing or lack thereof. I'm all for wearing a bright shade of lipstick, but for whatever reason I felt a hyper degree of self-consciousness. I'm not bagging on Schiap, I just don't think I'm confident enough at this moment in time.

January 11, 2012

Napoleon Perdis' Set Eye Primer Review

January 11, 2012/ Nicole McIntyre

I have a slight problem, my eyelids are fairly oily; this leads to shadow creasing and my handiwork suffers greatly. I don't want to be fluttering my eyes at Scott while knowing things are slipping and clumping - can you say Maginot Line in the works? I have tried lots of different products based on recommendations from friends and makeup artists, reviews I've read online and just by taking a good ol' chance on something that promised to preserve. During a recent outing to Priceline, I purchased a tube of Napoleon Perdis' Set Eye Primer and last night I finally opted to use this over Urban Decay's Primer Potion in Sin. The texture of Napoleon Perdis' Eye Primer was silky smooth initially and then it turned oily upon applying it to my lids. It was so oily, I was able to fix a mistake I made after lining my eyes with MAC's Fluidline; I dragged my pinky along my lash line and erased my blunder. After recovering from my shaky application, I continued on while making sure I applied my shadow with a heavy hand. I wanted to put Napoleon's product through the wringer in order to see how well it could perform.

Makeup application was completed around 5 o'clock yesterday evening and I noticed shadow drifting around 10 PM during a visit to the restroom; five hours wear time? Unacceptable! Not knowing what to expect, I honestly walked away severly disappointed. Napoleon Perdis is a household name here in Australia and is even sold in Target throughout America; I don't think this brand lived up to the buzz.

Maybe next time I will line this on my lids before using liquid liner; I think it'll serve as shaky hand insurance.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount spent on Napoleon Perdis' Set Eye Primer: