Most makeup artists follow a predictable path—apprenticeship, assisting, years of backstage hustle before striking out on their own. Violette Serrat never did. A painter first, she skipped tradition entirely, teaching herself makeup with the eye of an artist. She built her early portfolio by partnering with young photographers and beginner models, all experimenting together in a creative frenzy. Sometimes, that creativity went a little too far—once, she even dusted cocoa powder onto a model’s face to achieve the effect she wanted. But what seemed unconventional became her strength. An agent took a chance, small jobs at Vogue followed, and soon she was on her way.

From the start, Violette knew she wanted to create her own brand. What became Violette_FR is an extension of her French philosophy: beauty should be fun, simple, and most of all, effortless. “To look effortless, you have to be effortless,” she says. No endless hours in the bathroom, no intimidating routines—just clever products that make beauty playful and intuitive.

Skincare: Gentle Science Meets French Pragmatism

With contact dermatitis, Violette has always needed to tread carefully when it comes to skincare. Her routine centers on gentleness and barrier repair. She swears by Dieux’s Baptism cleanser, which removes makeup in one easy step, and occasionally begins with Purito’s cleansing oil, whose cushiony texture she loves.

Her signature creation, Boum-Boum Milk, came from a deeply personal quest. She wanted a single product that could hydrate, repair, and strengthen the skin barrier. After three years of formulation and the painstaking search for fermented birch sap harvested only once a year, Boum-Boum Milk was born. A quick spray—boom, boom—and skin is soothed, plump, and glowing.

Afterward comes sunscreen—Le Rub, recommended by her chemist for its clean, sustainable formula. Though mineral-based and a bit chalky, she accepts the white cast as a small trade-off, knowing she can soften it with makeup.

Her routine also weaves in nightly treatments: lash serum from Nuorganic, alternating eye creams from Augustinus Bader to K-beauty gems, and occasionally sealing in hydration with eye masks. Lips get the scientific touch, too—she loves Dr. Idriss’ two-step Lip Basting Duo, which exfoliates before locking in moisture, a solution she feels lip balm alone never truly delivers.

Every other night, she layers A313, a French retinoid classic, for a gentle resurfacing effect. Though she owns an LED mask, she laughs that her enthusiasm for devices usually wanes after three days.

Body and Wellness: A French Twist

Wellness, for Violette, is as much ritual as it is product. She praises Holidermie, a French wellness brand founded by her best friend. From collagen cocoa cubes to a Cleopatra-inspired bath milk they created together, her approach to body care is indulgent but thoughtful. Baths, though rare, become small ceremonies—Epsom salts, magnesium, fragrant oils, all designed to make the moment count.

She’s also candid about intimate care. In France, feminine hygiene is openly discussed, with products that support microbiome health. In the U.S., she was surprised by the lack of conversation. Now, she relies on Rael for pads and feminine washes. Oral care gets a French flair, too: she’s loyal to Email Diamant, an old-school red toothpaste that whitens while tasting faintly of anise, always paired with a copper tongue scraper for its antimicrobial benefits.

Makeup: Spice, Not Mask

The French attitude toward makeup is famously minimal. Violette embraces this, often going without as a way of staying comfortable in her skin. But when she does wear it, she chooses wisely: Victoria Beckham’s concealer pen, Uoma powder, and mascaras from fellow artists like Gucci Westman. Packaging matters, too—she insists beautiful design enhances the ritual of applying makeup.

Her own brand’s Bisou Blush carries personal meaning. The shade “Inès” was inspired by her daughter’s rosy cheeks while teething. She layers shades like an artist blends pigments, creating her signature “Ombré Flush”—a sunlit warmth from bronze tones, topped with a pop of fresh red on the apples of the cheeks. The result is lively, multidimensional color that mimics real life.

Hair: Healing Through Ritual

Hair has been an emotional journey. During pregnancy and postpartum, Violette lost significant volume due to anemia—an experience she calls traumatic. Recovery came with patience and targeted care: Nioxin’s Night Density Serum for regrowth, K18’s repair treatments, and the Epres Bond Repair treatment pre-shampoo. She’s loyal to Rōz’s shampoo and conditioner for their ability to cleanse and hydrate without dulling her natural golden-brown tones.

She mostly cuts her own hair, trusting only one colorist with her subtle highlights. Styling tools are kept to the best: her Dyson dryer and the classic Mason Pearson brush, a family staple she plans to pass to her daughters.

Fragrance: Scents as Second Skin

When it comes to fragrance, Violette seeks intimacy over projection. Her own creation, Avec Amour, is an alcohol-free roll-on oil blending amber, vetiver, sandalwood, and bergamot. It fuses with the skin, becoming uniquely personal. Friends tell her it feels like a hug in scent form.

She layers it with Matiere Premiere’s Neroli Oranger or Trudon’s Absolu, both tied to her love of orange blossom. For bolder moods, she reaches for D.S. & Durga’s Amber Kiso, while evenings often end with wellness-inspired fragrances from The Nue Co., designed to calm and rebalance. “Is it placebo?” she asks with a smile. “Maybe. But if it works, it works.”

The Beauty of Effortlessness

For Violette Serrat, beauty isn’t about strict routines or impossible standards—it’s about joy, ease, and play. From cocoa powder beginnings to launching her own brand, she’s built a philosophy rooted in French pragmatism: happiness first, effortlessness always. Her rituals, whether a spritz of Boum-Boum Milk, a flush of blush, or a discreet fragrance, remind us that beauty at its best should never feel like work.