French Girl Beauty: The Glitter Eye
Makeup artist Violette creates a bold beauty look inspired by the women and fashions of her native France.
Written By CHRISTINE WHITNEY
Photography By STEVEN PAN
Makeup By VIOLETTE
Hair By DENNIS GOTS
Nails By ELISA WISHAN
Styled By TURNER
Makeup artist Violette, a regular contributor to The Violet Files and our go-to for all things French beauty, offers her how-tos for attaining that elusive Parisian je ne sais quoi.
THE GLITTER EYE: “I used the base from the [Natural Beauty] look—MAC Face & Body foundation, MAC strobe cream on the T-zone, Dior Diorshow mascara, Matte MAC shadow in Charcoal Brown, and Nars shadows in Bali and All About Eye,” says Violette. “I then added Make Up For Ever silver disco glitter under the eyes. Some of the sparkles fell onto her cheeks, and I like that she looks like a jewel.” Read on for the artist’s step-by-step guide to creating the look.
THE GLITTER EYE TUTORIAL
BY VIOLETTE
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All About That Base
“I applied MAC Studio Face & Body foundation like a cream—the French don’t use too heavy a base on their skin. Then I removed a little bit of makeup from the bridge of the nose and put MAC strobe cream on the T-zone. This trick makes everything look lighter, like you’re not wearing foundation. Then I added Laura Mercier Crème blush in Oleander to make the face look warmer.”
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A Demure Lip
“I didn’t want the lips to be the focus, but I didn’t want them to be erased, either. So I chose a super simple beige nude lipstick—Charlotte Tilbury’s Penelope Pink. I used a brush to put it on here, but you could also apply it directly to the lips.”
CHARLOTTE TILBURY K.I.S.S.I.N.G LIPSTICK PENELOPE PINK
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Building the Eye
“I started the eye with MAC matte shadow in Charcoal Brown, which I applied along the arch of the eyelids with a large, flat eye brush and blended through. Then I used a smaller brush (about half the size of my pinky nail) to layer two Nars shadows—Bali and All About Eve—between the lashes and around the contour of the eye to add intensity and open it up even more. It’s gives the impression of having more lashes than you do—without using kohl.”
NARS DUO EYESHADOW ALL ABOUT EVE
4 / 5
Lashing Out
“I recommend putting as much mascara as you can on the roots of the eyelashes, then moving outward. The black intensity and heavier texture on roots will contrast with eyes and make their color pop more. It also looks more natural with natural shape of lashes. I started with Diorshow Overcurl because you can really reach the roots with it, then finished on the ends with Diorshow Iconic Mascara. Another bonus: If you add mascara after curling your lashes, the texture helps them keep their curl longer.”
DIOR DIORSHOW ICONIC MASCARA BLACK
5 / 5
The Glittering
“I used glitter from Make Up For Ever, with Rosebud salve to get it to stay on—it’s not too heavy, but it’s sticky enough to grab all the glitter. First, apply the salve under the eye with a finger, then put more salve directly on the finger and dip it in the glitter. (You might want to hold a tissue over the parts of your cheek where you don’t want it to fall.) I first pressed the glitter along the bottom eyelid with my finger, then dropped more on the contour of the eye, and added more in the center. I left it falling off a little—I think it adds more emotion. French women love accidents. It feels much more authentic to have something that isn’t perfect.”
MAKE UP FOR EVER EXTRA LARGE SIZE GLITTERS IN SILVER
Learn how to get the Parisian-inspired glitter eye and more at VIOLETGREY.COM
