Violette Serrat Drops Her Skin-Care Routine

It’s not difficult to see the attraction of French-girl beauty. It’s often associated with the French word. ClassicThere’s a reason. But Violette Serrat—who goes by just Violette—a makeup artist and creative director for Guerlain makeup, makes it feel new again. She takes French-girl basics like glowing skin, a perfect red lip, and Jane Birkin bangs but adds unexpected details that make makeup uniquely her own—like a scatter of chartreuse glitter, blush inspired by Renaissance paintings, and graphic navy liner. Her charming accent and easy to follow tutorials have made her a popular beauty expert.

Violette is a pioneer in makeup, but she is very traditional when it comes skin care. “The culture we have around skin care in France is very specific,” she tells Glamour. “I think we go to our first dermatology appointment quite young. We don’t do skin care based upon trends or brand marketing. In a way, I became allergic to marketing. We want to get professional advice. That would be either from a dermatologist (or a pharmacist). Because pharmacists are managed and managed by people who have gone to medical school, they are extremely educated. This is where we got our education. We don’t shop for skin-care products at any French pharmacy. Because even if you go to the dermatologist, they’re going to send you to the French pharmacy.”

Violette explains how, like many French women she doesn’t like to use makeup on the skin. This is why skin care is so important. “It also goes with the lifestyle mentality that we want to take care of what Mother Nature gave us, more than trying to hide it and perform better,” she says. “Because of that, that our skin needs to be at its best, we’re pretty hard-core on taking this seriously.”

However, serious doesn’t have to be aggressive. This is Violette’s personal sensitive skin routine and Violette_FR brand which offers a variety of skin-care products. “During the pandemic a lot of people started to dig into how we can become more our own dermatologists, and I’ve had so many people coming back to me, saying, like, ‘Oh my gosh, I destroyed my skin,’” she says. “I think I want to restore a faith in our skin. We don’t really need that much. I want skin routines to feel as accessible, and what matters the most is that people are consistent with it.”

What is her daily routine? Violette reveals her daily routine. 

My mist

I was mostly using French pharmacy products but still had skin inflammation. I had trouble finding the right amount and type of moisturizer to nourish my skin. When I launched my brand I knew I wanted skin care to be a part of our beauty. I can’t tell the French look without talking to skin.

I was inspired to create a skin-care product I could actually use. We worked together for three years on Boum-Boum Milk. This is like a beverage for your skin. It’s packed with good stuff. For example, 30% of the product contains fermented Birch sap. The skin benefits are quite intense. It’s harvested once a year, it’s highly anti-inflammatory, it hydrates skin immediately—with the squalene too, with the olive leaf extract—it’s rejuvenating on its own. For me, I was looking for deep hydration and nourishment to lock moisture, push cells’ revitalizion. It protects your skin’s microbiome and flora. It’s a 3-in-1, so it’s all I use except in winter. I need support with the New York heat that is blazing on my skin, sucking out all the liquid, and the New York heat.

My cleansers

I just wash my face in the morning. At night I double-cleanse with the Purito face oil; I’m obsessed with the texture—it’s incredible. It’s amazing that an oil can be so good. This oil is my favorite. I apply it to dry skin and then add a little water to prepare the oil. Then I rinse it off with a gel cleanser. I love the Nue Co. Next, I use Boum Boum Milk. 

My creams

I add a barrier cream to my milk at night. I also use Cerave. I have very thin skin and it gets so dry. With triple barriers, moisture can’t get out. Because winter here is brutal, that’s what I do.

My SPF

I’m less loyal when it comes to SPF. I can use La Roche-Posay pharmacy brand. Supergoop is what I use right now.

My exfoliator

Paula’s Choice chemical peeler is something I sometimes use, but maybe once a week. I don’t stimulate too much my skin. I believe people are obsessed about detoxing. You can detox your body, but your skin cannot. Even when you are asleep at night, you are still losing skin. It’s not dust that you see on your TV or other devices; it’s skin dirt. While your body can do those things, it can be very helpful for people with oily skin. I don’t have this problem. I find that once a week is sufficient.

My serum

I am new to Dieux Skin’s Deliverance Serum. I love this brand and it has been great so far. Because people want expert skin feedback, I try to keep it consistent. Like, “What do you think of this serum?” Well, I’m super reactive to everything, so I’m definitely not trying anything anymore. I am doing research. I was interested in Dieux Skin’s serum. I met Charlotte, the brand’s cofounder, and she shared all about her work. I was like, “Okay, I can trust that this is worth the effort.” 

My lip balm

Aveda Lip Saver is my obsession. It’s the best.

My Masks

I use the I’m From Mugwort Mask and the Honey Mask. They did a great job for my skin. Korres, a Greek brand, has a yogurt mask that I also like. 

My treatments 

I’m going for my first laser session in two weeks. I’m a little nervous, but I want it to be successful, since I have dark spots from pregnancy. So I’m going with Lauren Abramowitz, Park Avenue Skin Solution. We’ll see how it turns out.

Biologique Recherche is my preferred method of facial. I love the estheticians and feel that they are highly trained. My facials are usually done in Paris.