EFFORTLESS ISN'T AN AESTHETIC, IT'S A METHOD

Built on restraint and strategic minimalism, French beauty is all about making every step count.

- MARBBIE TAGABUCBA

Sisley international makeup artist Alexandre Colaianni has nailed the effortless beauty approach since the mid-'90s, doing looks for stars like Natalie Portman and Monica Bellucci.

Maximalist looks have their place — but for versatility and timelessness, French beauty endures. Its appeal is in its practicality: skin-first, edited, and built to function in real life.

Sisley and Alexandre Colaianni — who's been doing makeup since the mid-'90s for stars like Natalie Portman and Monica Bellucci and has served as the brand’s international makeup artist since 2006 — keep that philosophy alive. In French beauty, makeup looks finished but never “done,” a reminder that ease still has a place in a world obsessed with constant optimization.

Colaianni’s approach is technical, unfussy, and very French. “My goal isn’t to transform you,” he says. “It’s to make your everyday routine easier.”

At an exclusive masterclass at Rustan’s Shangri-La Plaza Mall, here’s exactly how he builds the kind of base that reads polished but never heavy — and why he almost always finishes with a matte lip.

Blurred edges are the makeup trend of the season. For the eyes, try a soft wash of velvet tints, this can be done in just one step with a cream shadow stick. For the lips, a soft matte lipstick is best. The formula creates a thin, flexible film that blurs imperfections and leaves a soft, velvety finish.