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
VIOLET HOUR:
5PM

Our short film captures the languid, twilight vibes that inspired a limited-edition candle collaboration with Joya.

Film byEMI BELL

When VIOLET GREY decided to commission an exclusive candle, we knew exactly who to ask: Frederick Bouchardy, the enormously gifted founder of Brooklyn-based fragrance studio Joya. And in turn, Bouchardy knew (even before we did) exactly what it should smell like. “I’m a native New Yorker,” he laughs. “Everybody who’s a New Yorker also has the fantasy of moving to Los Angeles.” The resultant The Violet Hour: 5PM candle captures that distinct feeling—a mixture of longing, anticipation, and daydreaming—in scent.

The 5PM annotation is deliberate, and meant to evoke the dusky, liminal space between afternoon and evening. It tells the story of “this amazing woman who’s done with an action-packed day,” says Bouchardy. We envision a leisurely moment at the vanity, getting ready for a night out with a glass of champagne and low lights—the VIOLET GREY version of day-to-night. Our short film (see above) captures this languid, twilight mood.

As for the fragrance itself, Bouchardy drew inspiration from an unlikely source: “I was thinking of the Johnny Cash record Orange Blossom Special. It’s like a train to Los Angeles.” The titular bloom—sunny, sparkling, elegant—figures prominently as a top note, but the scent’s full profile is more complex. “It’s Los Angeles on a FaceTime with New York,” says Bouchardy by way of explanation. Honey, jasmine and apricot are a nod to California. For New York, there’s the “dank” green smell of cedar. “To me, that’s like New York park life.”

JOYA STUDIO IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK DESIGNED BY TAYLOR AND MILLER ARCHITECTURE

And much like bicoastal real estate, The Violet Hour: 5PM is highly covetable: only 150 of the hand-numbered, limited-edition candles were produced. So grab yours quickly—but then turn off your phone and take a moment to enjoy a proper Violet Hour.

The VIOLET HOUR:
5PM

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EXCLUSIVE

Infused with notes of orange flower, jasmine, sandalwood, and rose, the candle evokes the dusky, languid time between afternoon and evening.

Joya

The Violet Hour: 5PM

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The VIOLET HOUR: 5PM

SUBSRIBE TO VIOLET GREY

The VIOLET HOUR:
5PM

SUBSRIBE TO
VIOLET GREY