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.

Makeup artist Jeffrey Baum’s interpretation of Paris’ vibrant Left Bank neighborhood includes an artfully lined eye.

Written By Jess Basser Sanders

Photography By HEATHER GILDROY

Makeup By Jeffrey Baum

Hair By Asami Maeda

Styled By Donatella Musco

The Left Bank Liner
BEAUTY CREDITS

FASHION CREDITS

STYLING BY DONATELLA MUSCO
MAISON MICHEL HAT
J.W. ANDERSON TOP

THE ARTIST

Jeffrey Baum | @jeffreybaummakeup

THE INSPIRATION

The perfect liner of 1960s French New Wave babe Anna Karina and the bohemian spirit of Paris’ vibrant Left Bank.

WHERE TO WEAR

Front row at Vuitton, next to Alicia Vikander.

MEET THE FACE

Agnes Sokolowska | Model | @agnessokolowska

THE LEFT BANK
LINER

BY JEFFREY BAUM

Chanel - Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF15 50 Beige

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SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN

For this eye-focused look, Baum wanted to keep skin bright, beginning with Avène’s Skin Recovery Cream and then layering on Laura Mercier’s Oil-Free Primer. Next, he applied this Chanel foundation for a “touchable quality to the skin,” before covering any spots with Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage and setting everything with Mercier’s loose powder.

Chanel

Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF15
50 Beige

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REBEL, REBEL

“I really love Agnes’ eyebrows,” says Baum. “They are striking and kind of unkempt, so I wanted to preserve that for a more rebellious look.” He traced over the outside of the brows with this long-lasting wax-gel combo using an eyebrow brush similar to Utowa’s 7OB, going a few shades lighter than the model’s actual color for added definition.

Laura Mercier

Brow Definer
Fair

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Hourglass - 1.5 MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner Obsidian

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WALK THE LINE

After swiping a couple of coats of Tom Ford’s Extreme Mascara on both top and bottom lashes, Baum set about creating a skinny, dramatic line all around the eye, kicking it out the outer corner. Draw carefully—Baum advises taking your time to ensure the line is defined and perfect.

Hourglass

1.5 MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
Obsidian

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TELL ME A SECRET

Baum left the eyelids almost bare, save for a touch of Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, which he applied with a finger. He notes, “I think it’s a nice trick for women just to leave that area empty, rather than feeling obligated to cover it up with eyeshadow.”

Laura Mercier

Secret Camouflage
SC5

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BY TERRY - Hyaluronic Blush Hydra-Veil Print Flush 1 Peach Posh

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PEACHES AND CREAM

To reinforce the fresh, touchable feel, Baum dabbed this peach-colored blush (he loves that it has a hint of sheen) onto the apples of the cheeks. “It settles into the skin softly, rather than looking dry,” he says, and lends a lit-from-within warmth.

BY TERRY

Hyaluronic Blush Hydra-Veil Print Flush
1 Peach Posh

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KISS ON THE LIPS

Baum finished the look with the help of a nude lipstick pencil. He favors this Hourglass shade because it “has enough richness to it to give the lip some definition, rather than making it disappear like some nudes would.”

Hourglass

Femme Nude Lip Stylo
No. 4

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ARTIST
PROFILE

JEFFREY BAUM

ARTIST STATS

Name: Jeffrey Baum
Known for: High-concept looks with clean skin and strong brows
Where to find him: Los Angeles
Clients: Mary Kate Olsen, Nicole Peltz
Years in the Industry: 6
Instagram: @jeffreybaummakeup
Beauty Essential: Hanskin Glossy BB
Mentions in the Violet Files: Best New Year’s Day Masks, The French Bohemian Smoky Eye
Agent: Yan @ Jan Root

San Diego native Jeffrey Baum found his way to makeup through the city’s experimental theater scene. He was directing a play and ended up being “forced into directing the makeup, and it grew from there.” He soon began assisting celebrity makeup artist (and Violet Files contributor) Kate Lee, who he says “definitely educated my eye about refined, feminine beauty and classic techniques.”

Now based in Los Angeles, Baum revels in the creative spirit of the city, doing makeup for everything from Burberry, Belstaff, and Marc by Marc Jacobs ads to CR, Elle, and i-D editorials to red carpet outings for celebrities like Mary Kate Olsen. “There’s a great space here for interesting makeup in celebrity and fashion,” he says. “It’s not explicitly sexy, sexy makeup—there’s an idea and an integrity; there’s a thought behind it.”