We accept 
Lessons in making the classic nail and lip pairing ultra modern.
Written By Lexy Lebsack
Photography By Guy Aroch
Makeup By Jillian Dempsey
Hair By Peter Butler
Nails By Tracey Sutter
Styled By Samantha Traina
— ACTRESS CARMEN EJOGO / PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY AROCH
Matching Lips & Tips
BEAUTY CREDITS
BEAUTY CREDITS
- MAKEUP BY JILLIAN DEMPSEY
- EYES
- JILLIAN DEMPSEY KOHL EYELINER IN JET BLACK
- GIORGIO ARMANI EYES TO KILL EYESHADOW IN MAESTRO 1
- VELOUR ARE THOSE REAL MINK LASHES
- DUO EYELASH ADHESIVE
- CHARLOTTE TILBURY FULL FAT MASCARA IN GLOSSY BLACK
- LIPS
- HOURGLASS OPAQUE ROUGE LIQUID LIPCOLOR IN MUSE
- FACE
- KOH GEN DO MAIFANSHI AQUA FOUNDATION
- BOBBI BROWN CREAMY CONCEALER
- NAILS BY TRACEY SUTTER
- TOM FORD NAIL LACQUER IN SCARLET CHINOIS
FASHION CREDITS
- STYLING BY SAMANTHA TRAINA
- PROTAGONIST SHIRT 01 IN WHITE
- BELADORA ART DECO SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING
No matter what avant garde beauty trends are currently en vogue on the catwalk, the appeal of a classic is eternal. And none is more polished and infinitely wearable than a flattering shade of lipstick perfectly coordinated to one’s nail polish. The combination is a nod to the hyper-feminine glamour of the ‘50s, but when it’s done in a vibrant hue with interesting textures, the effect is seriously modern. From VIOLET GREY’s cover story shoot with Carmen Ejogo comes the work of makeup artist Jillian Dempsey and nail artist Tracey Sutter. Together, they paired a matte, blotted lip color with a high-shine, poppy nail. The tips, tricks, and hues to pull it off, below.
THE MATCHING
LIPS & TIPS TUTORIAL
1
/2
The Trick: To make this pairing feel fresh, nails should be short and ultra glossy.
Expert Instructions: Sutter filed Ejogo’s nails into a short, square shape with rounded edges, coated them with a light base coat and then applied two coats of Tom Ford’s Nail Lacquer. Allow each application to set for two minutes before adding the next. For the highest shine, finish with YSL La Laque Nail Lacquer Base et Top Coat.
2
/2
The Trick: The lips should slightly matte with no heavy outline.
Expert Instructions: To achieve this soft matte effect, apply Hourglass’ Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipcolor in Muse with a lip brush, painting on numerous thin coats, blotting each with a tissue. (About four thin coats should do it.) Dempsey’s technique creates a stained look, but retains the natural texture of the lips. It also creates the softest version of the color. Top with a light coating of balm to ensure the lips look hydrated without a glossy sheen.
Expert Instructions: To achieve this soft matte effect, apply Hourglass’ Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipcolor in Muse with a lip brush, painting on numerous thin coats, blotting each with a tissue. (About four thin coats should do it.) Dempsey’s technique creates a stained look, but retains the natural texture of the lips. It also creates the softest version of the color. Top with a light coating of balm to ensure the lips look hydrated without a glossy sheen.
SUBSCRIBE
VIOLET GREY has a file on everything from
the genius of Pat McGrath to
the best eyelash curler in the world.