During one of my usual research wanderings online, I came across a striking portrait of Bella Hadid, photographed by Harley Weir for W Magazine. The images were published in September 2024, yet they hold that timeless quality that continues to resonate long after their release. Somehow I had missed them until now. In recent years, I’ve found myself more often buried in books (or occasionally lost in my thoughts) than on social media, Instagram included. As for TikTok, I closed the app almost as quickly as I first opened it: too loud, too frenetic, and far removed from my preference for quiet, thoughtful, written worlds.
Still, this portrait remained with me. What captivated me most, beyond the beauty of the model, was the makeup created by Sam Visser. I have always loved the contrast of a red lip with barely-there eyes and a fresh, luminous complexion (as evidenced by my one and only profile photo). And with the holidays approaching, it struck me as the perfect evening look, or Le Grand Soir, for those who have the reference from Les Édits Privés.
What I find especially beautiful is the light on the eyelids, achieved with a white shadow that is surprisingly rare to find. Paired with no mascara (or one with an almost imperceptible finish), a garnet blush on the cheeks, and a deep, purple-red lip, the effect is both modern and quietly dramatic.
It’s true that when you have naturally thin lips like mine (I’ve never had injections or Botox myself, I’m simply waiting patiently for thin lips to have their comeback ;)), a purple-toned lipstick can appear a little stern, particularly on very fair skin. Since I’m not aiming for too dramatic a contrast, the key is to warm the complexion gently with a bronzer, just enough to soften the effect.
I love this makeup look: seemingly simple, subtly sophisticated, and surprisingly easy to recreate. It also offers a welcome departure from what we usually see, especially with those nearly bare lashes. So here is how I recreate this makeup, always with a French touch, and very Léonce Chenal.
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The Complexion
The ideal place to begin is always with well-cared-for skin (with or without lines, with or without imperfections). A hydrated, healthy complexion, tended to with consistency, is the true foundation of beautiful makeup. For the complexion, I rely on just four products: a base, a concealer, a bronzer, and a blush. I start with the base. I adore Merit’s The Minimalist, which I’ve used almost constantly since I first discovered it. At the moment, I’m wearing the shade Ecru, which warms my skin ever so slightly. I apply a few small dots and blend them out with a brush.
Next, I place a touch of concealer, the UnCoverup Concealer by RMS, in shade 11.5, at the inner and outer corners of the eye. I love its slightly oily texture; it melts beautifully into the skin. I never mind if my under-eye area looks a little dewy, in fact, I find it adds a fresh luminosity to the makeup.
Then, with a very light hand, I warm the complexion using bronzer on the areas the sun would naturally touch: the temples, a hint across the forehead, the bridge of the nose, and the tops of the cheekbones. The effect should remain soft and natural, almost imperceptible. For bronzers, I highly recommend Guerlain’s Terracotta Light, or for fairer skin tones, the ReDimension Hydra Bronzer by RMS in Beachwalk Betty.
And finally, my favourite step: blush. If I had to keep only one makeup product, it would be this one. For this look, I recommend two shades that recreate the beautiful “cold-kissed” flush seen in the photograph: Merit’s Flush Balm in Après (a soft berry), or Postmodern (a deep pink-brown). These cream blushes apply effortlessly and melt into the skin with a natural, diffused finish.
The Eyes
For the eyes, I suggest something very simple: a soft, iridescent white shadow swept across the entire lid, with a little extra emphasis at the inner corner. Choose a shade that feels right for your complexion (lighter or slightly warmer) depending on your skin tone and your personal preference. The aim here is to bring light to the eyes without making them look overtly made-up.
I recommend Chanel’s Ombre Essentielle in Blanc Perle. You can also play with the two lightest shades from the Les 4 Ombres Tissé Camélia palette. And if you prefer a multi-purpose product, why not use an iridescent white highlighter you may already have in your makeup drawer?
The Lips
For the lips, I suggest two directions. The first is a deep, bold purple-red in a matte texture; striking, elegant, and perfectly suited to this look. The Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in Pourpre Figue is absolutely beautiful. I also found a lovely shade at Westman Atelier called Lou Lou, perhaps a touch deeper and slightly more violet than the Hermès colour. If you prefer something softer, with a gentler colour payoff and a glossy finish, I recommend the Lip Nectar in Dahlia Noir from Violette_FR (a brand I adore and often mention on the blog, especially the Boum-Boum Milk, which I truly cannot live without).
Credits: Bella Hadid by Harley Weir for W Magazine; Chanel; Hermès Rouge Matte Lipstick, Pourpre Figue; Merit Flush Balm.
