Courtesy of Napoleon Perdis

Posted: Thursday 11 December, 2008


Australian make-up artist Napoleon Perdis has his own schools, his own cosmetics line, and now, his own reality show: Get Your Face On. The program, filmed at Perdis’ flagship L.A. store, follows 12 make-up artists as they vie to become his protégé. The one-hour, 10-episode show debuted Dec. 8 on the TLC network and is airing every weekday morning through Dec. 19. We asked Perdis to tell us more:

Make-Up Artist: How did you come up with this show?
Napoleon Perdis: I actually had the idea for the last 10 years in Australia, but it worked out in the U.S. It was about looking for a protégé to help communicate my beauty mantra to the U.S.

Make-Up Artist: And what is that?
Napoleon Perdis: That women should be in control and empowered. That when they’re around make-up, they should feel like a kid in a candy store. That make-up is there to serve them.

Make-Up Artist: What do you hope to accomplish with the show?
Napoleon Perdis: I want to find a protégé. We also want to address the ability of women to feel free with make-up, no matter what their situations. [In the show] we go to the beach and work with a 60-year-old woman, we do a bride, we deal with cancer patients—make-up empowers them and lets them appear to their families in a new light. We deal with runway and fashion. The contestants do a major task, then a smaller task, then go on to the next level. Every day, people put make-up on. Make-up is a part of life. This show demystifies make-up, makes it accessible. (continued below)