Napoleon Perdis Nude Bar Collection — Beauty in the Buff

Celebrity coverage has always centered on fantasy, with movie stars and musicians being depicted as virtually flawless, trouble-free creatures cavorting from one Hollywood hot spot to the next, lounging on yachts in Saint- Tropez, and vacationing in Hawaii or Turks & Caicos. All those ridiculous “They’re Just Like Us!” spreads in gossip rags only exacerbated these notions since paparazzi were now snapping photos of these starlets at the supermarket, at nearby parks, on the beach, and at coffee shops executing what could arguably be described as mundane tasks while dressed in casual yet perfectly on trend ensembles, their skin radiant, and their bodies slim and trim. Any sensible creature knows that these candid shots are as staged as they come (I mean, really, what are the odds of a photographer simply happening to bump into Jessica Alba as she leaves the gym or spotting Jennifer Garner just as she hits the playground?), and yet people still seem surprised when they discover that their favorite celebrities suffer from acne or rosacea, that they have cellulite and stretch marks, or that their luscious manes are, in fact, extensions.

But maybe, just maybe, we’re taking a step in the right direction now that celebrities like Demi Lovato, AnnaLynne McCord, Lady Gaga, and Snooki tweeted photos of themselves sans makeup, revealing pimples, under eye circles, fine lines, acne scars, shiny foreheads, and all the other “imperfections” that come with being, well, a real person. Since March, celebrities like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and Katie Holmes have followed suit by stepping out without foundation, concealer, lipstick, liner, faux lashes, and all their usual trappings. Are they doing it for publicity? Sure! But, even if their actions are purely self-interested, they could have positive ramifications, reminding women that the images they see in magazines and on television are mere illusions — not beauty standards to which they should aspire.

The “dare to bare” attitude that’s so prevalent at the moment serves as the inspiration behind the new Napoleon Perdis Nude Bar Collection, which consists of three  DéVine Lipstick hues, four Luminous Lip Veil colors, two Off Duty Tinted Moisturizer shades, and a Double Agent Lip Palette — all in sophisticated neutral shades meant to celebrate our natural beauty,  creating a sultry feel via references to radiant,  smooth, exposed skin.

Check out the entire collection, along with swatches of all the products therein, after the jump!

DEVINE GODDESS LIPSTICK

Three new shades of the phenomenal, moisturizing, botanical-infused Napoleon Perdis DéVine Goddess Lipstick ($24 each at NapoleonPerdis.com) are introduced for Summer 2012, all featuring a creamy texture and boasting a matte finish (also a prominent trend this season).  The three new lipstick shades are: Iris, a warm, caramel-like nude with hints of coral pink named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow;  Gamelia, a garbanzo bean beige color with golden tones named after the Greek goddess of nuptials; and Demeter, the deepest hue in the bunch,  a creamy shade akin to the color of peanut brittle and named after the Greek goddess of fertility.

Below, you’ll find swatches of the three lipstick shades:

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LUMINOUS LIP VEIL

The Nude Bar collection features four new  Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil ($23 each at NapoleonPerdis.com) shades. As usual, these glosses are formulated with nourishing soybean oil and lychee oil, soothing aloe vera, and vitamins C and E to protect lips from harmful UV rays. The new shades introduced are: Cocoa, a rich russet brown with reddish undertones; Café Au Lait, a very light pinkish nude shade that might remind you of the froth atop a fresh cup of cappuccino (albeit with more petal pink undertones); Pretty In Peach, a sherbet-worthy shade that has the delicate femininity of a peach dahlia blossom; and Caramel Kiss, a slightly deeper version of the Pretty in Peach hue, with more coral pink tones added to that country peach base.

Check out swatches of the four gloss colors:

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OFF DUTY TINTED MOISTURIZER

As soon as you apply the multi-tasking Napoleon Perdis Off  Duty Tinted Moisturizer ($42 at NapoleonPerdis.com) to your face, you might feel a delightfully cooling sensation, a satisfaction reminiscent of when you drink a glass of water and quench your thirst after a long bout in the sun. The lightweight formula features: encapsulated glacier water, the ingredient that provides the aforementioned moisture boost; skin calming, antioxidant-rich green tea extract; chamomile extract to soothe topical inflammations and diminish redness; ginseng, which is rich in phytonutrients that increase circulation and boost skin cell metabolism, thereby keeping aging signs at bay while also brightening overall skin tone for a lit-from-within glow; and gingko bilboa,which can increase collagen production and protect skin from UV rays.

Available in Light/Medium or Medium/Dark, the moisturizer is pigmented enough to help you conceal minor flaws so that you can wear it in lieu of foundation or powder on steamy summer days,when makeup seems to melt right off your face and you desire just a tad of coverage. On days when a bit more coverage is needed, you can use this as your primer, layering your foundation over it.

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DOUBLE AGENT NUDE LIP PALETTE

The  Double Agent Nude Lip Palette ($29 at NapoleonPerdis.com) features a beach-ready, creamy, coral sand lip color with light copper overtones and a sheer finish, alongside a matching pressed lip powder formulated with vitamin C to nourish and protect your pout. Both the cream and powder shades have a lovely golden sheen to them, plus they can be used in countless ways. You can, for example, use the lip brush included in the palette to apply the cream color and then layer the powder shade atop it to lock the shade in place.  You can also brush the powder color all over your cheeks, along the ridge of your nose, or atop collarbones, using it as a bronzer, and apply the cream color to the apples of cheeks or right above cheekbones to give the complexion a youthful glow.

Below, you’ll find swatches of the two products in the Double Agent Nude Lip Palette: