Founder Files
Makeup· Paris, FR / New York, USA · Updated 14 May 2026

Violette Serrat

Paris-born makeup artist Violette Serrat built a global cult through YouTube tutorials demystifying French beauty before launching VIOLETTE_FR in 2021 — a skin-first, low-effort line backed by Estée Lauder Companies through New Incubation Ventures.

"French beauty is not a recipe. It is the freedom to look like yourself."

Violette Serrat
Background

Violette spent over a decade as a working makeup artist in Paris and New York, became Global Beauty Director at Estée Lauder, then launched her own line VIOLETTE_FR in 2021 — funded by Estée Lauder Companies' New Incubation Ventures arm.

The line is built around tinted shadow sticks, balm bronzers, and lip oils — all designed for the 'five-minute, looks-like-you' face she had spent a decade teaching on YouTube.

Philosophy

Makeup as personal language, not algorithmic perfection.

Skin first: the base is treated as skincare, not coverage.

Career timeline
  • 2010s
    Builds international following as a Paris-based makeup artist and YouTube creator
  • 2017
    Joins Estée Lauder as Global Beauty Director
  • 2021
    Launches VIOLETTE_FR with backing from Estée Lauder's New Incubation Ventures
Press & appearances
  • Estée Lauder–Backed VIOLETTE_FR Launches

    feature
    WWD
  • Violette Serrat on French Beauty's Quiet Revolution

    interview
    Vogue
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