We accept 
Makeup artist Carola Gonzalez curates a collection of necessary cosmetics for September.
Written By Lexy Lebsack
— PHOTOGRAPHED IN THE STUDIO WITH VIOLET GREY
The beginning of
September has, and will always be, the happier, possibly more optimistic new
year. Unlike the first of January, a day fraught with champagne-aches and
selfmade (empty) promises for the year, the early days of fall allow for a
renewal of sorts, an opportunity to re-prioritize. While the last days of
summer were once dedicated to reading list cram sessions and the sharpening of
No. 2 pencils, those tasks have since been replaced by the studying of
September issue and the subsequent purchases of bold new lipsticks, and the
face serums necessary to keep skin looking as it did when kissing under the
bleachers was a Friday night ritual.
To celebrate this sacred seasonal refresh, VIOLET GREY consulted
makeup artist Carola Gonzalez. For her, updating her clients’ beauty look for
fall is far more clever than simply swapping in a new lipstick or eye shadow.
Her clients, which include the likes of Kerry Washington, Jamie King, and
Rashida Jones, Carola implements meaningful changes that include using serum in
lieu of primer for long-lasting hydration, layering highlighter under foundation
for a lit-from-within glow, and creating a Bordeaux statement lip with two
products for luxurious dimension. These methods, outlined in detail, below.
THE
AUTUMN MAKEUP
REFRESH
1
/8
“This
color is so pretty; it’s vibrant but it still has the perfect warm undertone for fall.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
2
/8
“You
shouldn’t be shiny in the winter, but you do want your skin to glow.
This highlighter is my favorite, I keep shade No. 2 in my kit because it looks
beautiful on every skin tone. In the fall I blend this into the top of the
cheekbones before I apply foundation, which gives a diffused radiance.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
3
/8
“I
like to use serum instead of primer to prep the skin in the fall, since it’s
just as light, but gives more hydration in the drier months. I prefer the
texture of this La Mer formula because it’s light and silky. It helps the
makeup to glide on and evenly adhere to the skin; it isn’t sticky and gives a
nice light feeling.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
4
/8
“I
like this foundation stick because you can use it as a medium-coverage
concealer or as a foundation. The texture isn’t too dry or too greasy and it
isn’t shiny, which is the texture I look for [in concealer]. Plus, it will last
forever.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
5
/8
“This
formula acts a little like a stain, so have a cotton swab dipped in makeup
remover handy to clean up any mistakes. And always blot between coats, which
will help set the color.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
6
/8
“To
give a red lip more depth and dimension I like to use a deeper shade of liner.
Apply a thick line, then add Hourglass’ Icon and blot to blend the colors
together. This liner is also great as lipstick. You don’t have to only think of
your lip pencils as liners, you can use them as matte lipsticks as well! Just
apply a rich lip balm to your lips for 20 minutes and blot before applying.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
7
/8
“I’ve
been using this foundation for 10 years! It’s my favorite formula and what I
always have in my kit. It gives a really nice, radiant finish. You don’t look
shiny, you just glow.” — CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
8
/8
“Hourglass’
brushes are the best quality. Just apply one or two pumps of foundation onto the back of your
hand and apply all over your face with this brush. It gives nice,
light-to-medium finish and covers a large area, so you’re done in under a
minute.”
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
— CAROLA GONZALEZ, makeup artist
ARTIST
PROFILE
For
former model Carola Gonzalez, a career in makeup happened by accident. “I
didn’t understand why I always looked worse after getting my makeup done
[before photo shoots], so I decided to start doing it myself,” she says. Carola
used Kevyn Aucoin’s Making Faces as her beauty textbook and the
industry took notice of her natural talent. Before long her agency began to
receive booking requests for her as an artist, too. When it came time to select
her main focus the answer was easy. “Doing makeup quiets my mind, and I’m just
there, present,” she says. “That’s how I know I’m meant to be doing exactly
what I’m doing.” Now Carola is Kerry Washington’s go-to artist and works with
actresses like Olivia Wilde, January Jones, Rashida Jones, and Jamie Kling.
“
”
It doesn’t matter what MOODTweet This
I’m in,
when I’m
doing makeup
I forget
about
everything else.
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IN POLITE
SOCIETY
“
”
In polite society, one’s FALL shopping list is determined by a Hollywood makeup artist.Tweet This