Fat Mascara Episode Summary: French Girl Beauty with Violette Serrat
Release Date: February 14, 2025
In this engaging episode of Fat Mascara, hosts Jennifer Sullivan and Jessica Matlin delve deep into the world of French beauty with their esteemed guest, Violette Serrat, a self-taught makeup artist and the visionary founder of the beauty brand Violette FR. Originally recorded in 2017, this episode offers a nostalgic yet insightful look into Violette’s early career and her evolution into a significant player in the beauty industry.
1. Introduction to Violette Serrat
Jen Sullivan opens the episode by expressing excitement about revisiting one of their earliest interviews with Violette Serrat. She highlights Violette’s consistent sense of style and the foresight she had four years prior to launching her brand, Violette FR, in 2021. Violette now anticipates launching her products in 75 Sephora stores starting February 21st, with plans to expand into Sephora Canada in March.
2. Violette’s Journey: From Art to Makeup Artistry
Jessica Matlin begins the conversation by acknowledging Violette’s unique niche in the beauty industry.
Violette Serrat (06:22): “Being self-taught in makeup means I started by myself. I never learned makeup from anyone, never assisted, never attended any training school.”
Violette shares her unconventional path into makeup artistry, emphasizing her background in fine arts. She explains how her passion for art, which began at the age of three, became intertwined with makeup when she accidentally discovered the fusion of face painting and dressing up for a party.
Violette (11:31): “I decided to treat makeup as a fashion statement, a dress for the face, merging it seamlessly with art.”
3. Philosophy on Makeup and Empowerment
Violette’s approach to makeup transcends traditional beauty standards. She views makeup not as an end but as a tool for self-expression and empowerment.
Violette (07:06): “Beauty gives powerful, independent women empowerment.”
She discusses the balance between caring for one’s appearance and embracing a natural, effortless look—a hallmark of French beauty culture.
4. French vs. American Beauty Cultures
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the differences between French and American beauty ideologies.
Violette (14:00): “French women are inspired by the balance between not caring too much but still having fun with their look.”
She contrasts this with the American tendency to be more experimental and less restrained, highlighting how her move to New York influenced her style and approach.
5. Signature Looks and Techniques
Violette shares her favorite makeup techniques and products that define her signature French look.
Jen Sullivan (31:27): “Do you get. Does your mood change? Like, if you're wearing a certain color, do you feel a certain way?”
Violette (32:38): “I really believe in color therapy. For example, putting on a bright red lipstick can instantly elevate my energy for a big meeting.”
She elaborates on her method of using bold colors like Yves Klein Blue to influence mood and appearance, ensuring that makeup application remains effortless and long-lasting.
Violette (36:52): “The application has to be clean. With bold colors, you need a more dewy base for the pigment to stay on.”
6. Skincare and Haircare Routines
Violette emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive skincare routine, especially during colder months.
Violette (19:06): “With dropping temperatures and lower humidity, your skin can have a really tough time retaining moisture.”
She discusses her nightly skincare regimen, which includes multiple products like cleansers, serums, and homeopathic ampoules from Boiron Laboratoire to maintain skin health without heavy makeup reliance.
When it comes to haircare, Violette avoids silicone-based products, opting instead for brands like IGK to maintain her hair’s natural texture and health.
7. Inspirational Projects and Shoots
Violette reminisces about her favorite shoots, including collaborations with Teen Vogue and French Elle. She highlights a particularly memorable shoot for French Elle, where she and her boyfriend, Steven, were granted complete creative freedom to showcase their vision without adhering to prevailing trends.
Violette (26:35): “For French Elle, we shot a 15-page story over two days, focusing on what inspires other women rather than following trends.”
8. The Power of Color and Art in Beauty
Her passion for color therapy is deeply rooted in her artistic background. Violette recounts a childhood experience in a vineyard workshop where she was immersed in a vibrant display of pigments, igniting her lifelong sensitivity and appreciation for colors.
Violette (31:27): “I was absorbing all these colors and creating my own medium to paint on any canvas I wanted.”
9. Final Beauty Tips and Favorite Products
Towards the end of the episode, Violette shares practical beauty tips, emphasizing the transformative power of simple makeup elements like red lipstick and the importance of clean, effortless application techniques.
Violette (33:01): “Red lipstick is your best friend. It can divert attention from tired eyes and elevate your entire look.”
She also discusses her favorite products, including:
- NARS Pigments: For versatile and bold eye looks.
- IGK’s Wave Texture Spray: Essential for maintaining her signature “sex hair.”
- Urban Decay Perversion Mascara: Her go-to for dramatic lashes.
- Boiron Laboratoire Ampoules: For targeted skincare benefits.
10. Closing Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, Violette reflects on her ongoing inspirations, including reading about influential figures like Abramovich and drawing inspiration from nature, particularly flowers, to fuel her creative processes.
Violette (34:43): “I'm very much into flowers right now, taking pictures to inspire my makeup looks.”
Jen Sullivan and Jessica Matlin thank Violette for her time and insights, highlighting the valuable lessons shared about blending art with beauty and maintaining a balanced, empowered approach to makeup.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Violette Serrat (07:06): “Beauty gives powerful, independent women empowerment.”
- Violette Serrat (14:00): “French women are inspired by the balance between not caring too much but still having fun with their look.”
- Violette Serrat (32:38): “I really believe in color therapy. For example, putting on a bright red lipstick can instantly elevate my energy for a big meeting.”
- Violette Serrat (36:52): “The application has to be clean. With bold colors, you need a more dewy base for the pigment to stay on.”
- Violette Serrat (33:01): “Red lipstick is your best friend. It can divert attention from tired eyes and elevate your entire look.”
Conclusion
This episode of Fat Mascara offers a rich exploration of Violette Serrat’s unique approach to beauty, blending her artistic background with makeup artistry to create empowering and sophisticated looks. From her self-taught beginnings to her impactful presence in the beauty industry, Violette inspires listeners to embrace their individuality and find joy in the art of beauty.
For those seeking to enhance their beauty routines with a touch of French elegance and artistic flair, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical tips straight from a seasoned professional.