We accept 
Meet the French makeup artist behind some of Hollywood’s most famous faces.
Written By Evelyn Crowley
— MAKEUP ARTIST SABRINA BEDRANI / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN BLACK
On a chance visit to New York in her early 20s, Sabrina Bedrani’s future was sealed after stepping onto the set of her first fashion shoot. “I took one look at the makeup artist and thought to myself, Wait, this is a job?!” she says in her distinctively girlish French accent. At the time, Bedrani was on track to obtain a degree in English from the Sorbonne in Paris. However, once she realized her greatest passion — makeup—was a viable career option, she promptly dropped out of school and flung herself into learning everything there was to know about the art of maquillage.
Today, Bedrani is among the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry. She’s painted longtime client Vanessa Paradis’ lips numerous shades of crimson (including here for VIOLET GREY). She has applied sultry, smoky shadows to Julianne Moore’s eyes many times over and was appointed Sandra Bullock’s on-set artist for the star’s fifth Vogue cover. “I want my clients to feel beautiful and confident, rather than trying to make a ‘makeup statement,’” explains Bedrani. It’s this sensibility and skilled artistry that has her frequently on set for Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair, and collaborating with the likes of photographers Norman Jean Roy and Peter Lindberg.
Earlier this year, Bedrani added Dior brand ambassador to her job title. “It makes sense,” she says of the role, which recently brought her to VIOLET GREY’s Melrose Place flagship store as an artist-in-residence. “I really do love all of their products. And the company is French, just like me.” When not on set with a client or traveling the world, Bedrani can be found in L.A.’s Echo Park neighborhood, where she lives with her partner, three children and dog, Depot. “We found him in the parking lot of a Home Depot,” she explains of the name choice.
violet
inquires
Sabrina Bedrani shares her all-time favorite looks along with her must-have products, drugstore beauty finds and anti-aging strategy.
Bedrani's iridescent smoky eye on Felicity Jones for the actress's VIOLET GREY shoot / Photography by Guy Aroch
NECESSARY INDULGENCE
Massage,
sushi, yoga and a glass of rosé Champagne once in a while.
ANTI-AGING STRATEGY
There’s no secret here: I drink lots of
water all day and have a healthy diet. For my skin, I exfoliate once a week
with Dr. Lancer Polish, use moisturizing masks by SK-II and Sisley and wear sunscreen every day (Sisley Sunleÿa SPF 50 or Dior Diorsnow White Reveal SPF 50). I also try
to get enough sleep, which is not always easy with three kids and a career.
MIRACLE-WORKER
My
facialist Mila at European Secret Skin Care is a wizard. I’ve been going to her
for 15 years and I recommend her to all my clients. She’s just the best. She
can actually do extractions without leaving any redness. I let her do whatever
is necessary (simple facial, oxygen mask, etc.).
DRUGSTORE DISCOVERY
Ardell
Individual Lashes (knot-free).
DREAM APPOINTMENT
Jane
Birkin in the ’60s and ’70s. I would enhance her beautiful skin to let her
freckles shine through and play up her beautiful doe eyes.
Sandra Bullock at the Gravity premiere in London with makeup by Bedrani / Max Mumby / Getty Images
NIP/TUCK OR GROW OLD GRACEFULLY
I’m
opting to age gracefully, but ask me again in 10 years…
SPA
Tomoko in Beverly Hills.
FLORIST
Clementine
in Silver Lake. They make the most eclectic, unusual bouquets.
MANTRA
Just
do it! Don’t be afraid to try new things; be open and excited for what’s next
without forgetting to enjoy and appreciate what you have now. Work hard, but
take time to enjoy life as well.
CAN’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
Dior Diorshow Black Out mascara.
PLAN B
No idea. Thank God this is working for me…
BEST NIGHT EVER
From
the countless amazing destinations that my work has taken me to the birth of my
children to simple evenings among friends and family around a fireplace, there
are just too many to pick just one.
Felicity Jones' attends the 2015 Golden GLobe awards, makeup by Bedrani / Jason Merritt / Getty Images
GO-TO GIFT
MASSEUSE
April at Pho Siam in Echo Park.
GYM/WORKOUT
Body
by Simone and YogaWorks.
VACATION DESTINATION
Casa
Xixim in Tulum, Mexico; Costa Rica; the South of France; and, of course,
there’s always Paris.
FIRST THING YOU NOTICE WHEN MEETING SOMEONE
Their
eyes and then, right away, their eyebrows.
MENTOR
[Makeup artist] Pat
McGrath has always been such an inspiration to me; her creativity never ceased
to amaze me.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: “BEAUTY IS...”
Happiness.
No makeup can give you the glow you exude when you're happy.
The turquoise
Eye
When Bedrani recently spent a day as an artist-in-residence at VIOLET GREY’s Melrose Place flagship store, she was struck by how many requests she received for a lush, full lash. “I think it might be the new smoky eye,” she says. For a summer night out, Bedrani suggests taking the look a step farther with an turquoise waterline on the bottom lid. "It's a chic but subtle way to add color,” she says. Below, a step-by-step guide to achieving the look.
1
/2
“It’s amazing how much an eyelash curler can open up the eye,” says Bedrani, who depends on Utowa’s for a soft curl. For best results, she recommends getting the curler as close to the lash line as possible and lightly squeezing three or four times before clamping down tightly for 10 to 15 seconds.
2
/2
To finish the look, dab a bit of Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonderglow Primer on cheekbones. “It adds an instant but natural-looking glow,” says Bedrani.
the
red-orange lip
Sabrina Bedrani’s guide to creating a punchy summer pout.