We accept 
What to get the woman who has everything? A lavish beauty set curated by the expert makeup artists of VIOLET GREY Melrose Place, of course.
Written By Jess Basser Sanders
— PHOTOGRAPHED AT VIOLET GREY / 8452 MELROSE PLACE
Someday we may have a personal coterie of makeup artists on our speed dial. But until then (and afterward, really), we have VIOLET GREY’s Melrose Place Sets, which comprise universally flattering, never-leave-home-without-them essentials chosen by the artists at our flagship store. When not beautifying clients at Melrose Place, the VIOLET GREY artist team—Merrady Wickes, Marisa Anhaltzer, Jamie Keller, and Christopher Miles—spend much of their spare time perfecting the visages of A-listers for the red carpet. When these ladies (and gentleman) talk about makeup, we listen. Below, our experts reveal the contents of their Petite (for the bare essentials) and Luxe (for those who believe more is more) Melrose Place Sets, and explain why they love each one.
THE PETITE
MELROSE PLACE SET
Desert island essentials from the Melrose Place team.
1
/2
This cream blush barely stays on the shelves at VIOLET GREY, such is the passion it inspires in the artists and clients alike. Christopher, who loves a defined cheekbone, praises its “elegant and easy” quality, gushing over the perfect flush it bestows (natural looking, with just a hint of glow), plus its hydrating, moisturizing after-effects. A true chameleon, this particular shade suits practically everyone, and scores extra points from Marisa for its presentation in a chic leather zip pouch.
2
/2
Christopher, a lash fanatic, dubs this mascara the “best ever” and “life-changing.” The lash-grabbing comb lends itself to easy, natural looks as well as dramatic ones—just layer until you achieve the desired effect, says Jamie. Imparting length, curl, separation, and lift, the no-flake formula stays put faithfully through the day, the team effuses. There’s little need for falsies with this in your arsenal.
THE LUXE
MELROSE PLACE SET
With all the necessities above, plus a few more extras below.
4
/6
Marisa, a radiant-complexion devoteé, hails this shading and highlighting compact as “foolproof” for its natural approach to contouring. You can use the two powders—one for sculpting and one for highlighting—on bare skin, under foundation, or as a finishing touch. Beyond their advertised shaping and illuminating capabilities, the shades can pull triple and quadruple duty as bronzer and eyeshadow.
5
/6
There’s a reason this sheet mask takes pride of place in the carry-on of every jet-setting model, actress, and makeup pro. “It instantly firms, lifts, plumps, hydrates, and brightens,” skincare-obsessive Merrady raves. Clients devoutly use the masks pre–red carpet for a luminous glow, plus a couple of times a week as maintenance. The brave (and relatively shameless) among you can try one on your next transatlantic flight for a refreshed look straight off the runway.
6
/6
If it’s good enough for Karl Lagerfeld, it’s probably good enough for Melrose Place—and this French pharmacy favorite was a shoo-in. As Monsieur Lagerfeld can testify, this dry shampoo is stellar for absorbing oil and does not leave residue. The formula (which you can use for days in a row) whips hair into a clean and manageable state, sans the gritty texture or overpowering fragrance that some other formulas inflict.
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