VIOLET GREY

Written by LENA RAFF It stops and starts when I decide. I set a boundary for myself, so when it's time to unwind, that time is protected. I might see things coming in and know exactly what I need to do, but I handle them when I come back to work. I truly believe in routine. Before heading into the office, I make time for myself so I can walk in with a clear mind and be fully present for the workday. That's usually a walk, a Pilates session, or even just dropping my daughter off at school.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF Illustrated by LYDIA McKEE When it comes to acne-prone skin, not all facials are created equal. “I realized there was this whole demographic of people who weren’t getting the right treatments,” Pavitt says, looking back on her shift into the field.

Written by LENA RAFF We at VIOLET GREY have come to rely on Eighth Day for targeted yet comprehensive formulas that deliver significant results across a range of skin concerns. With proprietary ingredients like Peptide-Rich Plasma™ and RetinalXR™, founder and dermatologic surgeon Antony Nakhla has a particular acumen for creating products that work synergistically with skin’s natural mechanisms and processes—an approach that yields remarkable efficacy without causing irritation or sensitivity.

Written by LENA RAFF When our editors first approved Angela Caglia’s Cell Forté Serum With Biomsc™ in September of 2023, a genuine frenzy ensued. Discerning VIOLET GREY shoppers added the breakthrough formula made with human adipose stem cell-conditioned media to THE BAG in droves, and that was only the beginning. In the years since, the serum has been repurchased again and again, standing the test of time and maintaining its status as a best seller.

Written by LENA RAFF Photography by SHANELLE GRIFFIN Westman Atelier, the eponymous brand founded by top editorial and red carpet makeup artist, Gucci Westman, is not playing catch up on this front—the line has been packing their makeup products with skin-nourishing actives since their 2018 inception. The latest in the lineup of beloved (and best-selling) complexion formulas not only stays true to this standard, but pushes it even further with cutting-edge ingredients and serum-strength efficacy.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF Name: Tina Chen Craig Profession: U Beauty Founder Homebase: Dallas, Texas When a discerning beauty insider sets out to create a brand, the result is akin to futurecasting. In Tina Chen Craig’s case, she could see through the tired concepts of luxury skin care—overly complicated routines, superficially fancy packaging—and envision a smarter way forward.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF Illustrated by LYDIA McKEE Across four decades as a practicing dermatologist (she recently stepped away from seeing patients), Dr. Ciraldo encountered plenty of “fickle” skin care brands, as she terms it, where the marketing hype didn’t translate to lasting results. “So many patients within my practice couldn’t find products that addressed their problems,” she says.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF Downtime is a hotel stay. Hotel du Cap in the South of France is one of my favorites. I also love spending time on our boat. I try to keep it brief—I don’t like being away from my kids for more than three nights! I love to start with hydrogen water, followed by the hyperbaric chamber or an hour-long workout. Then I always need a homemade iced latte on the way to my desk. Classical Pilates shows up for me in ways I didn’t appreciate when I was in my twenties.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF For Kleinberg, the idea to create a body care brand drew upon different facets of her career. At the start was a pivotal internship assisting the fashion director at W, which sent her sprinting around Manhattan as she absorbed how clothing and accessories shaped larger-than-life fantasy. Next came her namesake line of embellished T-shirts—the definition of an elevated wardrobe staple—which landed at Barneys New York and on the set of Gossip Girl.

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF Images courtesy of Altesse Studio We could only be speaking about Altesse Studio, a line of exceptional brushes produced by a 150-year-old atelier in Mouy, France. “It’s a workshop and a museum at the same time,” says Julia Tissot-Gaillard, the CEO of Maison Fournival Altesse, referring to equipment for drilling bristle holes—still in use—that dates back to the time of Napoléon III.