The Latest Beauty And Pop Culture Ties-Ups We Are Obsessed About

Nars meets... Charlotte Gainsbourg

“(My first makeup memory) was when I was 14 and on the set of An Impudent Girl (1985). The makeup artist Joel Lavau would enhance things that most people would hide, such as make the veins on my neck even more pink,” says Charlotte Gainsbourg (right) over Skype in January. “Now, I like the fact that when one cries, your nose and lips turn red… I find that a real expression of emotions, and very attractive.”

Such unfettered, modest talk about beauty is not unseemly of the often bare-faced actress, but for that to be the start of a makeup line? Pretty ingenious, really. French effortless chic is notoriously hard to emulate and the silver screen, where characters ought to look as natural as possible, makes the perfect study. Gainsbourg has done nearly 50 films and is one of the country’s most unassuming style icons. “The collection is a very obvious take on my face,” she says.

By that, she means the raw beauty she tends to sport as a working mother-of-three, as well as how she does “red carpet star” or the protagonists of Cannes hits like The Tree (2010) and Nymphomaniac (2013). The three shades of multi-use tints (poppy red, light pink and sheer berry) for example, were inspired by “makeup that doesn’t look like makeup – like in movies – but instead looks like a flush or blood under the skin”. Francois Nars also specially created a Hydrating Glow Tint moisturiser based on her idea of beauty.

Says Gainsbourg: “I wanted to be able to only wear one thing… something that would give light to the face and an impression of freshness without feeling as if there’s makeup on. A mix cream and foundation, it’s very light and what I’d wear every day.”

For night, she’s come up with Kohliners and Velvet Duo eyeshadows that recall the shades of nature, metals and dusk itself (think navy, teal and slate grey). Admitting that she’s timid with eye colour, she says: “The idea is that you can put on a little, build on it and not have to be too perfect with it.”

Only die-hard fans would know the other most obviously Gainsbourg side to the collection: how each item is linked to her personal life. The rose Velvet Matte Lip Pencil, for one, is named London Clinic – after where she was born – while her favourite product draws from her love for art supplies: a limited edition set of five brushes, each with a handle in a different finish, all sheathed in a handsome leather roll.

Urban Decay meets… Jean-Michel Basquiat

Unless you have US$58.3 million (S$79.9 million) – the record-breaking price Christie’s fetched for one of Basquiat’s canvases last year – this is probably the closest most can get to owning his paintings. His artwork is adored for being as spontaneous and street-fuelled as his highly publicised private life, and a selection now adorns a limited edition makeup line by Urban Decay.

How does a cosmetics brand justly translate the work of one of the most feted neo-expressionist stars of all time? It helps that, like the late artist, the Californian label is big on intense colours – and pushing boundaries with them. Drawing from the warm, saturated hues of his paintings, its signature 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils ($32 each), for example, now not only come in the likes of pearlescent neon green and bright teal, but also resemble art pencils.

The real showpieces, though, are the palettes: two containing eyeshadows, the other blush. Colours range from exclusive electrics (Tenant Eyeshadow Palette, $62) to universally flattering pinks and neutrals (Gallery Blush Palette, $52), and their novel packaging would up anyone’s art cred. Designed to look like canvases with a cut-out on the back, each box can be hung and displayed on the wall.

Shu Uemura meets... Ambush

In the millennial street scene, Ambush founders Verbal and Yoon are royalty, moving within the same stratosphere as Virgil Abloh, G-Dragon and Louis Vuitton’s Kim Jones. Each of these heavyweights have, in fact, at some point been collaborators. The duo’s latest – and first beauty – tie-up, is possibly their most accessible, yet it doesn’t fall short of the rebellious glamour that’s earned them cult status.

Created jointly with Shu Uemura, its name “Stay Gold” has the brazen punch of Yoon and the sub-cultures that influence Ambush. “It means to stay true to yourself,” she says. “I believe that true beauty comes from within, and my ideal beautiful woman is one who is confident.” And true to that name and the brand’s roots in fine jewellery, practically every item – from the lipsticks to the cleansing oils – boasts gilded, metallic packaging.

For all that urban cool, the colours are surprisingly wearable, with most supposed to be versatile and flatter nearly all skin tones. The Rogue Unlimited lipsticks, for example, come in four classically hip shades: matte coral and deep rose, and sheer yet lustrous baby pink and nude ($38 each). The blushes – or Glow Ons ($33 each), as Shu Uemura calls them – are meant to enhance one’s natural complexion, while the Eye Foil ($48), a debut product, offers intense, long-lasting liquid eyeshadow in a vivid lapis blue that’s still easy to pull off. Says Yoon: “That’s (my mantra) in life: Be bold, but with ease and confidence.”

Charlotte Gainsbourg Photos Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock and Everett/Click Photos Jean-Michel Basquiat Photo Getty Images/Estate Of Evelyn Hofer

This story first appeared in Female's May 2017 issue.

Like this? Check out the lightweight foundations that will give you a super natural finish, 7 coral blushers for a youthful glow and the latest Korean beauty buys that will transform your skin.