Amy Adams' Red Carpet Beauty

THE BEST IN BEAUTY
FROM THOSE WHO KNOW BEST

VIOLET GREY began with our search for the best eyelash curler. To find the answer, we formed a band of inside-Hollywood experts and editors — from makeup artists to movie stars — to test every eyelash curler against our rigorous set of standards (the VIOLET CODE). We tested on film sets, on red carpets, and in the back of Jack Nicholson’s limousine — and once we learned which curler would make our lashes curve and not crimp (Utowa, it’s from Japan), we moved on to mascara, lip stain, dry shampoo, and everything else a girl needs in her cosmetic wardrobe. On any given day, we are discovering, testing, and approving best-in-class beauty. The result is a discerning curation of products, tips, and inspiration deemed essential — the Industry’s Beauty Edit.

VIOLET GREY spotlights the nominees of awards season and their biggest red-carpet hits.

Written By Evelyn Crowley

Amy Adams' Red Carpet Beauty | #VioletGrey, The Industry's Beauty Edit

AMY ADAMS AT THE 2014 COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA AT THE MET, PHOTO By BILLY FARRELL / BFA.nyc.com

Throughout awards season, VIOLET GREY will be deconstructing the nominees’ most memorable red-carpet beauty moments of the year. On hand for commentary (and the occasional insider tip) will be the actresses’ makeup artist, hairstylist or both.

This week we turn our attention to Amy Adams, whose depiction of ’60s painter Margaret Keane in the biopic Big Eyes has earned her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress.

With her long dancer’s limbs and delicate features like a perky, upturned nose and ponderous doe eyes, Adams’ characters often display a girlish vulnerability. On the red carpet, however, the actress looks every inch the lady, exuding grace and a self-assuredness that’s more in keeping with her age (a hard-to-believe 40) and accomplishments (41 major award nominations and counting).

Below, VIOLET GREY talks with Adams’ longtime makeup artist, Stephen Sollitto, about her best looks, essential products and biggest beauty gambles of the year.

Red Carpet Beauty
Dossier

Amy Adams’ makeup artist, Stephen Sollitto, talks shop.

AMY ADAMS IN Big Eyes, IMAGE COURTESY OF WEINSTEIN COMPANY

VITALS

FULL NAME

Amy Lou Adams

BORN

Vicenza, Italy

CURRENT NOMINATIONS

2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Big Eyes (won)
2015 BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Big Eyes

MAKEUP ESSENTIALS
“I love Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Foundation. It’s creamy, pliable and I use a shade lighter for concealer,” says Sollitto. “To create a blank canvas and lighten up her lids, I'm partial to Jouer Buttercream shadow. A MAC eye kohl pencil in Teddy and a tube of Benefit BADgal Lash mascara are always close by as well.”

The Big Eyes New York Premiere, photo by Brad Barket / Getty Images

SIGNATURE LOOK: EFFORTLESSLY POLISHED

For her iconic auburn tresses, Adams favors a side part with a soft cascade of Veronica Lake–esque curls. Her makeup is sophisticated and subdued (but never minimal) and tends toward a natural palette. “She’s not big on trends,” says Sollitto. “She prefers to just stay true to who she is.”

The 2014 Baftas, PHOTO BY Rune Hellestad / Corbis

BIGGEST RISK OF THE YEAR: BERRY PERSUASION

“Most of the time I focus on Amy’s eyes,” says Sollitto. “But for the BAFTA’s last year I proposed a berry lip, and she loved it. I used a metallic rose on her lids and enough mascara so that her eyes weren't lost compared to her lips. The end result is strong and beautiful without the makeup screaming at us.”

2014 Palm Springs Film Festival, PHOTO by Jon Kopaloff FilmMagic / Getty Images

BEST LOOK OF 2014: GLOSSY LIPS & A FULL LASH

“Amy’s features are so perfect and fun to work with that it is hard to choose my favorite look; if I had to, I would say the Palm Springs Film Fest last year,” says Sollitto, who executed a glossy nude lip, abundant lashes and subtly flushed cheeks for the occasion.

Filed Under: Top Flight

NOMINATED

Best Pedicure Polish
by Stephanie Stone, Nail Artist

RGB NAIL COLOR CRÈME 106 Doll

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