Beauty411

Jemma Kidd Makeup School: Class is in session!

Jemma Kidd believes that makeup should reveal our inner beauty and not treat the face as a canvas, which is a common view held by many in the makeup world.  She makes an interesting point--few women ever learn how to really use and apply makeup to be successful at that.  

I've recently tried out the Jemma Kidd Makeup School line and I fell in love with it.  One reason I was so impressed, is that Jemma Kidd takes ordinary cosmetics and makes them extraordinary with professional quality formulations, multi-tasking capabilities and a "Makeup School" instruction sheet in every package.  Brilliant!  Here are the products for me are real standouts:

Jemma Kidd Skin Rescue Veil SPF 15:  This product really does do it all!  A combination prep, primer, moisturizer, illuminator and tint, this is my favorite product of the line.  It comes in a tube with a pump at the top, which I love.  But better than that, this product has the consistency of a tinted moisturizer and even with SPF 15, it just melts into your skin.  Can be used under foundation or in place of. Holy Grail-worthy, in my opinion.  $56

Eye Wardrobe Color Quartet:  A quartet of color-coordinated eyeshadows is a pretty basic makeup necessity.  What makes this Jemma Kidd eyeshadow quad stand out is the quality of the pigments in the shadow--the color goes on like velvet.  And the instruction sheet that accompanies this product is excellent.  Instructions are given for creating a natural day look, intensifying the look (like for night), lining and defining the eye and how to use the accent color.  Even a seasoned makeup addict can learn a few new tricks!  $46

Ultimate Lipstick Duo:  Every line does lipstick, right?  The Jemma Kidd Makeup School Ultimate Lipstick Duo does it better.  I love that on one end of the lipstick there is a lip balm to prep the lips and the color is on the other side.  $22

Define Eyeliner: This eyeliner pencil is rich in antioxidants and glides onto skin.  It's also waterproof, so it can be used for lining on the waterline.  I love that there is a spongy smudge tip on one end--I'm not a fan of the rubber tips, as they pull the delicate tissue around the eye. The rich color stays on all day.  $24

Jemma Kidd Makeup School is available at SpaceNK, SpaceNK.com and DermStore.com and will soon be available at Beauty.com.

Jemma Kidd, Napoleon Perdis & Pixi Cosmetics now at Target!

The much anticipated cosmetic lines by celebrity makeup artists Jemma Kidd, Napoleon Perdis and Petra Strand are online now at Target.com, and are starting to roll out into stores.  As I reported a few weeks ago (here), Target is looking to expand on the successful Sonia Kashuk beauty line. 

The lines are distinct in name and appearance from their higher end counterparts.  For example, Jemma Kidd's department store line is known as  Jemma Kidd Makeup School; her Target line is called JK Jemma Kidd.  Don't expect the differences to stop there. While the prices aren't that much lower than the higher end line, it will be interesting to see how the quality holds up.  At $18 for an eyeshadow, I'm much more inclined to stick with eyeshadows like Bobbi Brown or MAC.  The line also includes palettes ($36), lip glosses and lipsticks and mascara ($17), as well as complexion enhancers like Moisture Tint ($28) and eye-popping eyeliner shades ($18).

The Naopleon Peridis Set line features around 80 SKUs and to me, is the best of the three. This is the line I can see turning my usual $100 Target trip into a $200 trip.  One of the products I'm anxious to try is the NP Set Liquid Veil Collection.  It's a set of 4 highlighters with pomegranite extracts to add radiance to the skin.  At $15, this set is a steal. This is already in my little red virtual shopping cart!  This is a full line, including foundations, liquid and powder ($30) and a primer ($29); something that Napoleon Perdis is well known for in his higher end line.

Pixi, the line developed by Petra Strand, seems to focus heavily on palettes.  Thirteen of them for eyes alone!  The eye shadow palettes run $28; I'll be interested to see the quality of these shadows. There are brush sets and other products in the line, but of the three, this one appeals to me the least. One of the products that does stand out, are the Gel Liners.

Paula over at the Older Girl Beauty Blog has fabulous photos of all of the lines in her local Target store.  For close-ups and to check out the displays, definitely head over there. 

What do you think?  Are you interested in trying these new lines?  Let me know your thoughts!