More makeup artists jump into the Target talent pool
Target is not pulling any punches this Fall in the cosmetics department. You know they've got big-name talent rocking their designs in other departments: Liz Lange, Proenza Schouler, Isaac Mizrahi (for now), Justin Giunta from Subversive, John Derian, Sami Hayek, Michael Graves. For quite awhile, though, Sonia Kashuk has been the only makeup artist in the cosmetics aisle. No longer!
Many of you have noticed that Target added Bare Escentuals to their shelves recently. And I bet I'm not the only one to snap up some Waleda or Boots No. 7! Online I see they offer Iman Cosmetics (did you know this!?), Bumble and Bumble and Kerastase (are those in the stores?). But those are not the only changes in your local store. Many stores have recently added makeup and skincare by makeup artists Petra Strand (pixi), JK from Jemma Kidd, and NP Set from Napoleon Perdis.
This quote from Napoleon Perdis cracks me up: "My original line is for the red carpet...This one is for the after-party."
This trio of designers are (supposedly) presenting us with more cost-effective versions of their products. The prices range from $18 to $36 or so - which are cheaper than some makeup but certainly not wallet-friendly for many Target shoppers. Where's the bargain? I can get these prices at MAC or Clinique or several other department store counters.
But the news is not all bad - these collections come with some great palettes, fairly well-pigmented products, and fashion-forward colors (though there are some great basics on the shelves, too).
Collection standouts
I think this kit, the pixi Must-Have-Makeup Kit. It comes with that cute little wallet, a palette that houses 2 eyesshadows; 2 lip colors; and a blush; and several makeup brushes.
The downside? It's $39.
pixi does a lot of palettes, and they look so pretty on the shelves! I think there are 8 different sets like this, with 8 shadows in each. There's a comparable lip palette that looks great, too!
The color pans seem small, but I bet they're not much smaller than a MAC pan - and there's more colors in each palette so you're still getting a fair amount of product.
$28.
JK Jemma Kidd has these great eyeliner pencils. I'm going to have to give them a test drive.
My first reaction is that I'm loving the sharpener in the cap! I HATE pencil sharpeners, because it seems so many pencils crack unless you use "the right" sharpener. And how often can you get your hands on that?!
$14.
Don't you think these JK Jemma Kidd eyeshadows look so sleek and sophisticated?
But at $18, that's more than my MAC!
I haven't tried any Napoleon Perdis products, though if I get a windfall of $cash-money$ I will snap some up. Maybe I'll start with NP Set items, since they're a lot closer than my miles-away Sephora.
First stop: these Cruise Blushes, which are creamy stick blushes that are good for any skin type.
$18.
NP Set also makes these cute little lipgloss pots. They're not original, so I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to them --- but I am!
$12 a pot.
Do these look familiar?
I sussed out a few MAC knock-offs in the bunch, by the way!
Check out JK Jemma Kidd Maxi Kiss Lip Plumping Gloss. The dazzling shimmer (and unusual blue shade) is quite reminiscent of MAC Dazzleglass. But this is $17! *gulp*
The blue is supposed to brighten the smile while the gloss is reportedly plumping.
JK Jemma Kidd also has a Strobe Cream-esque product: Mannequin Skin Complexion Enhancer. Billed as an "illuminating base and primer," this product it's got a pink pearl that demands testing before purchasing. It's quite pink and my guess is it would go chalky on darker skins - though I have not tested it to confirm my suspicions.
