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THE VIOLET FILES
FILED UNDER
FINISHING SCHOOL
Pressed for time? Don’t fret. Read VIOLET GREY’s guide to polished makeup and a voluminous ponytail in the blink of an eye.
Written By Lexy Lebsack
MONDAY MORNING BEAUTY UNIFORM: #VioletGrey's guide to polished makeup and a voluminous ponytail in the blink of an eye.

— PHOTOGRAPHY BY Dan Martensen / Trunk Archive

Bad manners includes tardiness, but there are certain moments when being five, 10 minutes late allows for just the right build up of anticipation. Even still, when faced with limited time and an impending appointment, a strategic beauty plan that allows for maximum polish in minimal time is imperative. VIOLET GREY suggests a quick and clever approach: a purposefully imperfect, voluminous ponytail tied with a sleek black elastic (as easy as it is chic), paired with matching lips and cheeks and a defined, refined brow. This combination, well suited for any situation (hurried or not), is mapped out in a step-by-step tutorial below.

THE 
READY-IN-TEN
TUTORIAL

MONDAY MORNING BEAUTY UNIFORM: #VioletGrey's ready-in-ten tutorial
NARS - Radiant Creamy Concealer Biscuit
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1

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6

INSTANT COMPLEXION PERFECTOR
To begin, conceal, even, and brighten the complexion in one step. Dab a generous amount of Nars Radiance Creamy Concealer on skin immediately after applying moisturizer (this will help blend and lightly dilute the product). Concentrate on the under-eyes, on and around the nose, the chin, and in the center of the forehead. Smooth with your ring finger to evenly disperse the product, then pat into skin until blended.

Time Check: 1 minute and 30 seconds.
NARS
Radiant Creamy Concealer
Biscuit
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Hourglass - Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil Dark Brunette
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2

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6

BROW DISTINCTION IN MINUTES
To create a full, refined brow simply comb brow hairs down and sketch Hourglass’ Arch Sculpting Pencil in short, downward strokes along the natural arch (this defines the shape of the brows). Then brush hairs up, and fill-in the bottom of the brows using short, upward strokes (this evens the brows). Brush through once more to soften the color.

Time Check: 2 minutes.
Hourglass
Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
Dark Brunette
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MAC - Cream Colour Base Premeditated
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3

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6

UNIVERSALLY FLATTERING 
Force a smile, then using your middle and ring fingers, dab M.A.C.’s Cream Colour Base in Premeditated directly onto the center of the apple of each cheek. Blend and press the color into the cheeks with your fingers, then lightly feather it towards the temples to diffuse the color slightly. Next, dab more product directly onto clean lips, blot with a tissue or blotting paper, then add one more coat of color. (For a dose of hydration, top with balm or gloss once in transit, if desired.)

Time check: 1 minute.
MAC
Cream Colour Base
Premeditated
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Serge Lutens - Comb Mascara 1 Black Brown
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4

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6

EYE OPENER
Curl lashes (optional) and apply a single coat of Serge Lutens Comb Mascara to the top lashes.

Time Check: 30 seconds, 20 more including the curl.
Serge Lutens
Comb Mascara
1 Black Brown
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Sachajuan - Volume Powder
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5

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6

PONYTAIL POLISH
Gently detangle hair using Yves Durif’s Comb, then flip head over and mist roots with Sachajuan’s Volume Powder; this adds thickness to the hair overall and soaks up unwanted oil. Flip hair back over and generously spritz more product through the mid-lengths of hair.

Time Check: 3 minutes, max.
Sachajuan
Volume Powder
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Blax - Blax Hair Elastics 2mm Black
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6

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6

EASY SECURITY
Lean your head back and finger comb hair into a high ponytail. It should not be perfectly smooth – small imperfections will give the final effect texture. Tightly secure with a Blax Hair Elastics 2MM in Black. Next, spray the entire ponytail with more Sachajuan’s Volume Powder and fluff with your fingers. To finish, smooth the ends of hair by holding the mid-lengths of the pony and gently combing ends until smooth (holding it will prevent the elastic from becoming loose).

Time check: 2 minutes.
Blax
Blax Hair Elastics 2mm
Black
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IN POLITE
SOCIETY

“ ”
In polite society,
a LADY knows when punctuality is preferred and when to keep them WAITING. 
–  VIOLET GREY
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