How the French Do Bold Colour, With Violette Serrat
March 10 | 4 minute read
Words by Julia Lubitz
Violette Serrat, who spearheaded global makeup brands before launching her namesake line in 2021, truly embodies that elusive je ne sais quoi every non-French person is chasing. We hang on her every beautifully accented word – even, or especially, when she’s telling us to colour our eyelids lilac with her Yeux Paint Matte or spray our face with an onomatopoeiac milk. On her visit to Australia, we thought it haute time to ask Serrat if she herself believes in makeup rules – and if so, which are the most important ones to follow. Because, even in the antipodes, we will do as the French do.
What are your rules for pairing eye and lip makeup?
VS: “If I’m wearing a bold lip, I like to keep the rest of my look very minimal – foundational skincare, a touch of light on the skin, and a more neutral eye. And vice versa: if I’m going for a bold eye, I’ll keep the lips softer. I tend to reach for a bold lip when I want a confidence boost, and a bold eye when I need an energy lift. For example, my signature Yeux Paint shade ‘Dieu Bleu’ is perfect for that – it’s an electric, vibrant blue that instantly lifts my mood.”
How do you decide whether to focus on the eyes or lips?
VS: “For me, makeup always starts with my mood. Some days call for a bold lip, others an eye moment – it really just depends on how I’m feeling. That said, I’ve always had a special connection to lips. On set, I became known for lip looks and lip prep – it meant less retouching later, which everyone appreciated. That obsession led me to create Bisou Balm and Petal Bouche – two formulas that really honour the ‘French lip’.
“Petal Bouche is my couture lip: the timeless, bold, matte red you reach for when you want to feel confident. And Bisou Balm is more undone – an effortless formula for that just-bitten lip look you can swipe on in seconds. The context really matters – Bisou Balm is really that everyday, ‘best friend’ formula, and Petal Bouche is what I reach for when I want to create some extra va-va-voom.”
Your eyeshadows and liners are so pigmented and dimensional. How should we approach them?
VS: “I always say: don’t be afraid to play! Colour shouldn’t be intimidating... Colour is emotional, intuitive – it’s less about matching and more about how it makes you feel. Most of my shades are designed with a mix of warm and cool tones, which makes them surprisingly universal. One of my favourite tricks for beginners is the dot technique: tap a dot on the centre of your lid and blend out with your finger. It’s so easy and beautiful.”
What’s your number one lip product?
VS: “Bisou Balm, without question. It’s become our cult favourite, and I’m so touched by how people have connected with it. It was the first blurring matte lipstick-meets-balm on the market – that hydrates, builds and comes in nuanced, flattering shades. It reimagines the French bouche mordue ritual – where you blot balm, then lipstick together for an effortless, just-kissed finish – into one easy step.”
Any tips for making a bold lip look last?
VS: “Lip prep is everything. I created Balm Amour because I could never find a lip balm that truly worked – nourished, treated and hydrated lips for long-term health – all without disrupting my lip colour. I apply it first, then blot off the excess before adding pigment. That way, the colour goes on smoothly, stays longer and doesn’t crack or fade.”
How do you remove bold looks at the end of the day?
VS: “If I’ve worn a bold lip or eye, I’ll always do a double cleanse. First, I break down everything with a gentle oil-based cleanser, then follow with a simple, hydrating one. After that, I always mist with Boum-Boum Milk to calm and rebalance the skin. And I finish with C’est La Cream to lock in moisture and protect my skin overnight.”
Do you have any complexion ‘rules’ when doing a bold lip or eye?
VS: “I’m not one for ‘rules’ in general, because everyone’s complexion is truly unique. That said, I never apply foundation or concealer directly under my eyes – I like to keep that area natural. I go just below to cover dark circles without creasing. Sometimes I apply blush underneath my concealer to create this beautifully diffused look. And I use highlighter sparingly – only where the light naturally hits: inner eyes, cheekbones, brow bone, Cupid’s bow, tip of the nose. When I do a bold lip or eye, I try to echo that tone somewhere else, like in the blush, so everything feels cohesive.”
Any other artistry tricks to share?
VS: “Let your instincts guide you. So many people think makeup has to follow a set of steps or rules, but the most beautiful looks come from intuition. If a colour moves you, wear it. If you want to try a new shape or texture, go for it. Let it be about joie de vivre – not perfection.”
