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How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

"The power of makeup is that she is a tool for expressing self-love." Violette from Paris said. This extremely avant-garde makeup artist is famous for his playful color combinations and the celebrity effects of his makeup experience. Recently appointed Guerlain's Global Makeup Creative Director, she is now responsible for overseeing every collection the brand launches. "Nothing excites me most than the brand's archives of great history." "I just want to learn day in and day out the names, recipes and subsequent adjustments of all the products the brand has made since its inception in 1828," she says. After digesting them all, bring the classic product back in a form that is more in tune with the present. ”

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

Makeup artist Violette is located at her home in Brooklyn, New York

Pink suit Isabel Marant

High heels for personal belongings

Violette itself exudes that relaxed and natural French beauty. She has a fluffy hairstyle like Jane Birkin's, and contrasts her understated makeup with bold details. For example, her navy sequin eyeshadow and pink eyeliner are her daily "standard". Even though Violette is best known for its signature bright red lipstick, it's surprising that the makeup artist, who insisted on not using his last name, only started trying makeup for the first time at the age of 15. "In French culture, it wasn't until then that you were allowed to do things like makeup." She explains, "You can only touch beauty products after a few years of skincare. ”

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

Violette with the love cat Dimsum

White suit set The Row

Jewelry Private property

As the daughter of a couple of successful hair stylists and hairstyle and makeup agents, Violette would watch on set their collaborations with different well-known photographers such as Helmut Newton to Paolo Roversi, but she did not initially intend to enter the industry. Instead, she studied pure art at the Louvre Academy in Paris.

However, she also quickly realized that she preferred to "paint" on human faces over brushes. Still, she feels that thanks to this experience, she has given her a better understanding of color, and she encourages her assistants to take art-related courses. "You'll learn how different textures 'interact', you'll learn how one color becomes a new color by adding another color, and you can learn how to present different visual effects on your skin." She said.

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

Play room for daughter Inès

After coming to New York from Paris at the age of 19 with a small makeup bag, she began to create her own products for fashion photography, which quickly gained a reputation.

In 2012, Violette, 26, was named an international makeup designer by Dior, becoming the youngest ever for the brand. Then in 2017, she became Estée Lauder's Global Makeup Director.

In March 2021, she also launched her own eponymous brand, which aims to empower and embrace women who don't want to be limited by unrealistic rules and regulations. She said that this concept can also be found in Guerlain and has become one of her original intentions for working with brands. Of course, Guerlain, as the brand that invented the bullet-shaped lipstick, is also an important reason for this "lipstick control" to join.

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

White trousers Nili Lotan

Blazers, high heels, private belongings

Growing up in Paris, Violette was influenced from an early age by the women she came into contact with. Even if they just go to the supermarket to buy some groceries, they still wear dark red lipstick. "I grew up thinking that being a woman is amazing." She laughs and says, "They obviously don't do this to attract anyone, but to make themselves feel good." "And when she came to New York, she found this unique French spirit popular on the other side of the world." I think what appeals to this style is that it's not about emphasizing that we make a makeover, but that everything is relaxed and natural. ”

Jeans, black belt Isabel Marant

T-shirts for personal belongings

After coming to New York, she can boldly pursue her dreams and be more creatively free. Today, she lives with her husband, Steven Pan, in a single-family house in Brooklyn, along with their 2-year-old daughter Inès and cat Dimsum. The couple first met in 2010 during a film shoot in Paris, and have since worked together a lot, and even now, the two continue to work together. Advertising images like Violette's own brand were shot by Pan.

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

Denim shirt, jeans DL1961

Belts, high heels, private belongings

Couples in the creative industry naturally also project artistic atmosphere into their homes. There are many female portraits of Violette's artist friend Kristen Giorgi, the typical red geometric patterns of Chinese artist Liao Fengmin, and the works of Logan Ledford full of vibrant colors.

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

The whole home mixes the medieval interior style with modern furniture. Many of the furniture in the home, such as beds and dressers, were designed by Violette herself. "I used to think about becoming an interior designer or a furniture designer." She explains, "I like different materials, but I especially like velvet. I'm also very clear about my use of color. I like the gold accents, the saturated pink of the body, and the slightly tawny blend. ”

Violette also stressed that because of the child now, the oval coffee table that used to house hardcover books is now full of children's toys. "Actually, I really like her stuff to be kept everywhere in the house." She said.

How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?
How can a French woman who can't even make up carelessly become a makeup director?

When it comes to her own fashion style, Violette advocates "the minimalist style of high-quality tailoring". Her wardrobe is filled with pieces from The Row, Anine Bing, Khaite and the Frankie Shop, as well as jeans from Agolde and Theties of Humanity. "Through clothing and red lips, you can praise yourself." "The most important thing is to accept yourself," she says. ”

Photography / Max Hoell

Compile/Micah IU

Text/Brooke Theis

Typography/Yuer

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