VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm

As we shared recently, the too-cool-for-school make-up artist Violette Serrat (above left) was recently appointed Guerlain’s Creative Director of Makeup – the latest stellar role on her CV (after similar roles at Dior and Estée Lauder).

Slightly more under-the-radar, Violette also has her own pretty fab capsule make-up, skincare and fragrance range – VIOLETTE_FR – which is much-loved by in-the-know French beauties, and also available by mail order here. (Which is just as well, since it’s pretty challenging to cross the Channel right now.)

The star of the show, as far as we’re concerned? A truly innovative tinted lip-balm-slash-sheer-lipstick. Nourishing and softening, but not greasy, Bisou Balm is the first matte-textured tinted balm we’ve found – and (in the shade Bêtise, on the left of the trio) delivers a very flattering, natural look. (You can keep layering and layering for a deeper shade, but one swipe is also just great.)

As Violette explains: ‘Bouche mordue, in French, means “just bitten lips”. Think lips with a flash of colour, like maybe after you’ve just been kissed. In France, after red lipstick, this is our favourite lip look.’

And now ours, too.

£24 (plus shipping) – buy here

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