VIOLET GREY

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.

The SAG Award–nominated actress’s beauty team divulge their favorite red-carpet looks along with their most necessary kit essentials.

Written By Christina Han

Claire Danes' Beauty Team Tells All | #VioletGrey, The Industry's Beauty Edit

— CLAIRE DANES & HUGH DANCY ATTEND THE 2014 COSTUME INSTITUTE GALA AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK / PHOTO BY Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

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.

Awards-season voters can’t seem to get enough of Claire Danes’ portrayal of bipolar CIA operative Carrie Mathison in the Showtime series Homeland. Since the show’s 2011 debut, the actress has picked up two Emmys, two Golden Globes and a SAG Award, along with a lengthy list of nominations.

Tomorrow Danes is again up for a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress in a Drama Series. In her corner (as usual) will be her longtime hairstylist Peter Butler and makeup artist Matin Maulawizada. For the past 11 years, the duo have created consistently modern, yet classically beautiful, red-carpet looks for the 35-year-old actress. “She sits down in the makeup chair and does not pick up the mirror once,” says Maulawizada of his wholly trusting client. “Peter and I will do our thing, and then at the end, she will take a quick peek in the mirror and go; 99 percent of the time she will not ask us to fix anything.”

RED CARPET DOSSIER:
CLAIRE DANES

The actress’s longtime beauty team share their favorite looks and the products necessary to achieve them.

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland / Photo courtesy of Showtime

VITALS

FULL NAME
Claire Catherine Danes

HOMETOWN
Manhattan, New York

CURRENT NOMINATIONS
2015 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series — Drama
2015 Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series

BEAUTY TEAM
Makeup artist, Matin Maulawizada
Hairstylist, Peter Butler

Producer's Guild Awards, 2014 / Photo by Gregg DeGuire, WireImage/Getty Images

BEAUTY PHILOSOPHY: CONSIDER THE DRESS

From Armani Privé to Valentino, the actress is hardly monogamous when it comes to designers. “Claire always chooses a hair look once she has the dress on,” says Butler, who opted for a classic roll set to match her ladylike Christian Dior sheath dress for the 2014 Producers Guild Award event. “She never goes into a styling session with a predetermined idea.”

Expert Advice: Use a curling iron to pin-set hair. Once the hair is cooled, take out the pins and let the hair down. Gently rake your fingers through and allow the hair to settle, spritzing it with a light hairspray (Butler prefers Vidal Sassoon’s Flexible Hold Hair Spray) for touchable, movable style.

Emmy Awards, 2013 / Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

BEST HAIRSTYLE SURPRISE: FAUX BOB

“I happened to walk into the room as she was trying on this dress,” remembers Butler of the sheer Armani Privé look she donned for the 2013 Emmy Awards. “She held up her hair and decided that it would be best to have it up and off her shoulders. And then I just created this faux bob; I didn’t even ask, I just did it and she loved it.” Soon after, when Danes hit the red carpet and Butler was still driving back home in his car, the actress was receiving calls from her Homeland producers. Butler’s clever craftsmanship had made them believe she had drastically chopped off her long, Carrie Mathison hair.

Expert Advice: The key to creating this look, according to Butler, is selecting a great setting lotion when blow-drying the hair. He prefers to prep damp hair with Vidal Sassoon’s Boost & Lift Foaming Air Mousse, which allows the hair to acquire the right amount of “grip” for the pinned-up look.

Screen Actors Guild Awards, 2013 / Photo by Jeff Vespa, WireImage/Getty Images

BIGGEST MAKEUP RISK: VAMPY LIP

When makeup artist Matin Maulawizada first saw Danes trying on this black Givenchy asymmetrical dress, he knew instantly that a dark, vampy lip would be the focal point of her beauty look. To persuade the actress, who was initially apprehensive about the idea, Maulawizada applied the lip look first and requested Danes stare at herself while Butler styled her hair. By the end of her beauty session, Danes, as well as everyone else in the room, was completely enraptured by the rich tones of her lipstick.

Expert Advice: Maulawizada first filled in her lips with two lip pencils from Laura Mercier (Deep Wine and Red Chocolate). He then finished the look with a swipe of Laura Mercier’s Cocoa lipstick.

Golden Globe Awards, 2015 / Photo by Douglas Miller/Corbis

BEST BEAUTY LOOK OF 2015: PEACOCK PALETTE

“I thought at first it might be a little risky to go too matchy-matchy,” explains Maulawizada of the peacock-inspired palette he selected to complement the actress’s peacock-feathered Valentino dress. “But I knew the outcome would be too beautiful, so I did it anyway!”

Expert Advice: Maulawizada layered NARS’ Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Giove over the brand’s Eyeliner Pencil in Kalisté to create the ideal shimmery blue finish.

KIT
ESSENTIALS

Matin and Peter share their favorites for longtime client Claire Danes.

Leonor Greyl - Huile Secret de Beaute Organic Oil for Hair & Body

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POST-TRAVEL MOISTURIZER

“When I see Claire, she has often been traveling from climate to climate and her skin needs lots of hydration. I’ll treat the dryness with a combination of this Leonor Greyl oil and an Orlane serum for a dewy radiance.”

—MATIN MAULAWIZADA, MAKEUP ARTIST

Leonor Greyl

Huile Secret de Beaute Organic Oil for Hair & Body

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RED-CARPET HYDRATOR

“During a daytime event I will use a face cream with SPF; however, for evening events I will hydrate her skin with a moisturizing night cream instead.”

—MATIN MAULAWIZADA, MAKEUP ARTIST

ORLANE

CREME ROYAL

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Laura Mercier - Foundation Primer - Oil Free

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SKIN PRIMER

“After moisturizing her skin I will often use the Laura Mercier primer before applying foundation for a smooth, glowy look.”

—MATIN MAULAWIZADA, MAKEUP ARTIST

Laura Mercier

Foundation Primer - Oil Free

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Laura Mercier - Crème Smooth Lip Colour 60s Pink

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NEUTRAL LIP COLOR

“I’ve used 60’s Pink lipstick on Claire when I apply a smoky eye look. I seldom do eyes and lips together as a focal point, so when I create a heavy eye look I usually tone down the lips.”

—MATIN MAULAWIZADA, MAKEUP ARTIST

Laura Mercier

Crème Smooth Lip Colour
60s Pink

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Leonor Greyl - Serum de Soie Sublimateur Nourishing & Protective Styling Serum

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FINISHING CREAM

“After a blowout I will use this super-lightweight serum as a smoothing finishing cream. For blondes in particular, you have to be careful with product because they can sometimes alter the hair color’s tone, but this one does not.”

—PETER BUTLER, HAIRSTYLIST

Leonor Greyl

Serum de Soie Sublimateur Nourishing & Protective Styling Serum

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Filed Under: Top Flight

NOMINATED

Best Pedicure Polish
by Stephanie Stone, Nail Artist

RGB Nail Color 106 Doll

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