29 SUMMER BEAUTY ESSENTIALS | VIOLET GREY

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THE INDUSTRY'S BEAUTY EDIT

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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's artist community selects the very best of summer beauty.

— PHOTOGRAPHY BY BURT GLINN MAGNUM PHOTOS / TRUNK ARCHIVE

Summer complexions, like the season’s peek-a-boo bathing costumes, beckon for a less-is-more approach. Bare, sun-kissed skin is meant to glow, highlighted only with bronzer, embellished only with flashes of color, covered only with SPF. In preparation, the industry’s savviest makeup artists (who tend to clients like Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Jessica Alba and Julianne Moore) insist on paring down winter’s makeup bag. Heavy creams, full-coverage foundations and dark red lips are replaced with lightweight moisturizers, safe sun necessities and bright pops of peach and coral. Along with summer’s kicky, leg-baring skirts and pedicure flaunting sandals, consider these products to be your summer essentials.

The
Essentials

Soleil Toujours - Mineral Based Sunscreen Continuous Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50

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THE SPRAY-ON SUN PROTECTION

“Ask any makeup artist what the best beauty secret is and they will say sunscreen. It's your best defense against wrinkles, sun spots and sun damage. This sunscreen goes on in a soft mist, ensuring coverage for every inch of skin.”.

— FIONA STILES, MAKEUP ARTIST

Soleil Toujours

Mineral Based Sunscreen Continuous Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 50

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Bobbi Brown - Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Sepia Ink

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THE STAY-IN-PLACE LINER

“The best gel eyeliner: It glides on perfectly, stays put all day, and it is so easy to apply, correct and clean if you make a mistake.”

— MONIKA BLUNDER, MAKEUP ARTIST

Bobbi Brown

Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Sepia Ink

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BY TERRY - Hyaluronic Blush Hydra-Veil Print Flush 3 Bubble Glow

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THE PEACHY CHEEK

“By Terry liquid blush delivers a sheer wash of color to enliven the face.”

— PATI DUBROFF, MAKEUP ARTIST

BY TERRY

Hyaluronic Blush Hydra-Veil Print Flush
3 Bubble Glow

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NARS - Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Groenland

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THE COMPLEXION PERFECTOR

“Tinted moisturizer helps add a wash of even glow without feeling too heavy on the skin.”

— PATI DUBROFF, MAKEUP ARTIST

NARS

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Groenland

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Tom Ford - Illuminating Highlight Pen Naked Bisque

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THE COMPLEXION BRIGHTENER

“Even if you aren't wearing makeup, adding a bit of highlighter to the tops of cheekbones, eye lids and along the nose adds dimension to the face. Highlighter, a touch of mascara and a beautiful lip color gives you an easy, glamourous summer look.”

— FIONA STILES, MAKEUP ARTIST

Tom Ford

Illuminating Highlight Pen
Naked Bisque

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Yves Saint Laurent - La Laque Nail Lacquer 1 Rouge Pop Art

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THE PERENNIAL CLASSIC

“I'm into the classics this summer like a perfect red nail, which looks great with sun-kissed skin.”.

— DEBBIE LEAVITT, NAIL ARTIST

Yves Saint Laurent

La Laque Nail Lacquer
1 Rouge Pop Art

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James Read - James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face

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THE OVERNIGHT BRONZER

“This goes on like a mask that you put on at night. It has a nice texture, and you will wake up looking refreshed and sun-kissed with a very natural, even tan.”

— SABRINA BEDRANI, MAKEUP ARTIST

James Read

James Read Sleep Mask Tan Face

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NARS - Satin Lip Pencil Lodhi

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THE CORAL TO CONSIDER

“Not too bold, not too light, this mid-tone coral looks bright and fresh and feels like summer captured in makeup. The texture is great for the summer months, like a lipstick with a touch of glossiness, or a gloss without the stickiness.”

— FIONA STILES, MAKEUP ARTIST

NARS

Satin Lip Pencil
Lodhi

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African Botanics - Marula Detoxifying Salt and Sugar Scrub

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THE SELF-TANNER PREP

“It’s very important to exfoliate before applying self tanner, but you must scrub the day before you tan. Scrubbing the day of will result in a streaky tan that doesn’t last. African Botanics detox scrub is perfect as its both smoothing and hydrating. Apply on dry skin for a more intense treatment, in the shower for a gentle scrub, or put a dollop in the tub for the ultimate detoxifying soak.”

— Merrady Wickes, MAKEUP ARTIST

African Botanics

Marula Detoxifying Salt and Sugar Scrub

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Tom Ford - Nail Lacquer Pink Crush

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THE GOES-WITH-ANYTHING POLISH

“Pink Crush by Tom Ford is my favorite nail color for summer! This baby pink is soft enough to compliment your skin tone yet bright and playful enough for summer. Coordinating your summer attire with this color will be a breeze since it is a classy essential that works well with everything.”

— STEPHANIE STONE, NAIL ARTIST

Tom Ford

Nail Lacquer
Pink Crush

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Laura Mercier - Crème Cheek Colour Canyon

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THE TAN ACCENTUATOR

“All of Laura Mercier creme blushes are gorgeous, but Canyon is my favorite for summer. It's a perfectly, peachy-tawny tone which is a great base for bronzer or as an added pop of glow on top of a tan.”

— MOLLY R. STERN, MAKEUP ARTIST

Laura Mercier

Crème Cheek Colour
Canyon

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James Read - Wash Off Tan for Body

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THE INSTANT TAN

“If you don't have time to let those self-tanners work, but you still want a beautiful, even, sun kissed body, this instant body bronzing cream is perfect: Dries within minutes, goes on evenly and won't transfer onto your clothes. Unlike a gradual self-tanner, this one washes off in your next shower.”

— SABRINA BEDRANI, MAKEUP ARTIST

James Read

Wash Off Tan for Body

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RGB - Wire - RGB Nail Color Creme 128 Tropic

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THE UNEXPECTED POLISH COLOR

“Traditionally, a deep green like Tropic would be reserved for colder fall months, but the unexpected depth in tone for summer feels unusually fresh. For best results, wear with all-white and a tan.”

— JENNA HIPP, NAIL ARTIST

RGB - Wire

RGB Nail Color Creme
128 Tropic

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Yves Saint Laurent - Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation Beige 30

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THE DEWY COMPLEXION

“This makes your skin look amazing with a luminous, dewy finish. If you have combination skin, set the foundation with powder in the T-Zone area to eliminate excess dewiness.”.

Yves Saint Laurent

Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation
Beige 30

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St. Tropez - Tan Optimiser Body Moisturizer

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THE GOLDEN GLOW EXTENDER

“It is essential to hydrate the skin prior to using self-tanner to avoid dry patches especially in areas like elbows and knees.”

— SABRINA BEDRANI, MAKEUP ARTIST

St. Tropez

Tan Optimiser Body Moisturizer

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Yves Saint Laurent - La Laque Nail Lacquer 18 Bleu Majorelle

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THE CONVERSATION PIECE

“YSL Bleu Majorelle Nail Lacquer is the perfect pop of color for summer. This shade will make you and your summer tan stand out, plus it's the perfect royal blue for all skin tones!”

— KAREN GUTIERREZ, NAIL ARTIST

Yves Saint Laurent

La Laque Nail Lacquer
18 Bleu Majorelle

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La Mer - The Reparative Body Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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THE HAND PROTECTION

“Sunscreen on your hands is an absolute summer essential. Hands show some of the first signs of aging so it is important to keep them protected as much as your face! La Mer Reparative Sun Lotion SPF 30 will not only protect your hands from the sun but, also keep them moisturized (without leaving them feeling sticky). Be sure to apply about 30 minutes before sun exposure.”

— STEPHANIE STONE, NAIL ARTIST

La Mer

The Reparative Body Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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Tom Ford - Extreme Mascara Ravenous Black

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THE LASH MAXIMIZER

“Mascara is my desert island product. A face just isn’t done without mascara. I love the rich carbon black of this product and the fullness and definition it gives.”

— FIONA STILES, MAKEUP ARTIST

Tom Ford

Extreme Mascara
Ravenous Black

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Hourglass - Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner Cognac

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THE NOIR ALTERNATIVE

“I love a liquid line on bronzed skin, and this Hourglass calligraphy pen has great wear. The Cognac shade is a perfect because it is brown and dark without edge.”

— MOLLY R. STERN, MAKEUP ARTIST

Hourglass

Calligraphy Liquid Eye Liner
Cognac

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RGB - Wire - RGB Nail Color Creme 106 Doll

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THE MOD POLISH

“Doll by RGB is a nude that is endlessly flattering. Its opaque coverage gives it a mod feeling and it's the one polish that I find very chic to match on fingers and toes.”

— WHITNEY GIBSON, NAIL ARTIST

RGB - Wire

RGB Nail Color Creme
106 Doll

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Utowa - Eyelash Curler

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THE LASH PERFECTOR

“In the summer, I like to keep the eyes simple with perfectly curled lashes.”

— PATI DUBROFF, MAKEUP ARTIST

Utowa

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Tom Ford - Eye Defining Pencil Metallic Mink

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THE INSTANT EYE DEFINER

“Smudge this pencil close to the lash line. It will add a hint of bronze shimmer to the eye and deliver definition along the lashes.”

— PATI DUBROFF, MAKEUP ARTIST

Tom Ford

Eye Defining Pencil
Metallic Mink

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Tom Ford - Nail Lacquer Ginger Fire

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THE PICK-ME-UP POLISH

“This is the ultimate summer color for me and I love Tom Ford polish because it stays on for a long time.”

— MONIKA BLUNDER, MAKEUP ARTIST

Tom Ford

Nail Lacquer
Ginger Fire

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RéVive - Sensitif™ Renewal Cream Daily Cellular Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

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THE LIGHTWEIGHT CREAM

“We get so hot and sweaty in the summer, moisturizer can feel heavy. However, our skin still needs it. I love this Revive moisturizer because it has a lightweight feel and finish but it provides effective SPF 30 protection.”

— Molly R. Stern, Makeup Artist

RéVive

Sensitif™ Renewal Cream Daily Cellular Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

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Hourglass - Nº 28 Lip Treatment Oil

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THE LIP COMFORT

“I love how moisturizing the formula is and how it helps to plump up lips and keeps them looking smooth.”

— MONIKA BLUNDER, MAKEUP ARTIST

Hourglass

Nº 28 Lip Treatment Oil

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La Mer - The Reparative Face Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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THE DAILY LOTION WITH SPF

“This particular La Mer moisturizer is not too heavy, and it gives the face a light touch of hydration while providing protection.”

— PATI DUBROFF, MAKEUP ARTIST

La Mer

The Reparative Face Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

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NARS - Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed

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THE MATTIFIER

“Summer is hot and sticky. You don’t want to wear a ton of makeup, but you don’t want to be shiny and sweaty either. A light translucent powder is key to tame shine and stay polished. This one doesn’t load you up with pigment and is delightfully transparent.”

NARS

Light Reflecting Setting Powder
Pressed

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Tom Ford - Nail Lacquer Toasted Sugar

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THE SUMMER NUDE

“A nude nail polish is great any time of the year including summer! A nude polish will draw attention to a flawless manicure creating a subtle contrast, which looks amazing against tanned skin. Perfect for the girls who are not as into bold colors.”

— KAREN GUTIERREZ, NAIL ARTIST

Tom Ford

Nail Lacquer
Toasted Sugar

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Lessons on
SPF

Choose the best sunscreen for you this summer.

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