Meet the Mastermind Behind Givenchy Beauty's New Lipstick Range
Earlier this July, we spoke to Thom Walker, Makeup Creative Director of Givenchy Beauty, about the house's new range of liquid matte lipsticks and how they add to one's individuality
What sets good lipstick apart? For us, it's the product's ability to accentuate your features and add to your self-expression all in one. Oftentimes, what works for someone may not work for another; your go-to shade may not look as flattering on someone else, all because of the formulation of its pigments and the way it layers on top of one's lip or complements one's skin tone.
Enter: Givenchy Beauty's new Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet lipstick range, designed with every woman in mind. Created by Makeup Creative Director Thom Walker and his team at Givenchy Beauty, we can envision this being one of the season's most sought-after lipsticks.
Below, we speak to Walker about his creative process behind the range, what he prioritised, his understanding of colour theory in relevance to inclusivity in beauty, and his personal favourites from the line.
Can you describe the essence of Givenchy Beauty?
When I think of Givenchy Beauty, I think of powerful yet simple luxury. It is timeless and elegant, and yet, it has boldness. It is brave with a desire to push beauty boundaries.
How does your approach to beauty align with that of the house?
My approach to beauty perfectly aligns with the essence of Givenchy as a house. At Givenchy Beauty, we strive to offer timeless elegance in our products; embracing the brand's rich heritage while infusing it with innovative elements that resonate with the modern woman. We believe in striking a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity, ensuring that our products carry the legacy of craftsmanship while embracing the latest advancements in beauty technology.
One of my core values is to celebrate individuality and self-expression through our beauty offerings. With the launch of our new lipstick range featuring 12 exquisite shades, we aimed to create a collection that empowers every woman to find her unique voice and confidently express herself.
I am also truly passionate about curating products that enhance and celebrate each individual's natural beauty, ensuring that every woman feels empowered and beautiful in her own skin.
What did you prioritise when formulating the Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet?
When formulating the Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet lipstick range, we placed utmost importance on two key elements: Wearability and innovation. Our goal was to create a collection that effortlessly elevates beauty, providing a seamless transition from daytime to evening wear. We meticulously curated twelve shades that cater to different occasions and moods, ensuring that each shade complements various skin tones and undertones. Additionally, our focus was on offering 12-hour wear and 12-hour hydration, providing long-lasting colour payoff without compromising on comfort.
Innovation was also at the heart of our process, and the unique wand design plays a vital role in the lipstick's application. The wand ensures smooth and precise application, enhancing the intensity of the colour, and allowing every woman to achieve a flawless lip look effortlessly.
What about the range makes it unique from other brands or previous formulations?
What sets Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet apart is its unique combination of features. As our creamy-textured lipstick, it introduces a whole new dimension of versatility and precision in lip colour application. The light-as-air cream texture ensures a smooth and effortless glide, while the vibrant colour payoff delivers a striking impact. The range also gives off a perfectly matte blurred finish, creating a modern and sophisticated look that remains comfortable throughout wear. While providing a matte effect, we made sure not to compromise on hydration, infusing the formula with nourishing shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil to keep the lips moisturised.
As a result, Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet offers a complete lip experience, combining bold colour, a luxurious matte finish, and lip-nourishing properties in one product. This exceptional combination makes it a must-have addition to the Le Rouge Interdit family, embracing the essence of Givenchy Beauty's innovation and elegance.
With 12 shades available in the range, can you explain how essential colour theory is in this creative process?
As a brand committed to empowering individuality, we understand that each shade carries its own unique meaning and emotion, and it is crucial to strike a perfect balance between vibrancy and versatility. In the creative journey, we explored the principles of colour theory, understanding how different hues interact with various skin tones and undertones. We carefully selected a diverse range of colours, from classic neutrals to bold statement shades, ensuring that every woman can find her perfect match.
Everyone has their go-to lipstick. Why do you think people gravitate towards Givenchy Beauty for theirs?
When it comes to choosing a go-to lipstick, Givenchy Beauty holds a unique allure that captivates beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Our brand's vision revolves around empowering individuals to express their individuality and embrace their natural beauty. With the launch of Le Rouge Interdit Cream Velvet featuring 12 exquisite shades, we have focused on creating a collection that resonates with every unique personality and style.
For daytime, the shade I would recommend is Rouge Infusé No. 27. It is a very wearable pinkish rose colour. You can also wear this for the evening with black eyeliner. If you want to create a statement lip, I would apply the shade Rouge Grainé No. 37 for a powerful and classic deep red lip.
Beyond aesthetics, our lipsticks also boast long-lasting formulas that provide comfort and hydration throughout the day. We believe that beauty should never be compromised, which is why our lipsticks are enriched with nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil, offering a velvety, weightless feel that remains true to Givenchy Beauty's signature elegance.
What is your favourite shade from the collection and why?
I love the shade Rouge Grainé No. 37. It is a deep red that feels classically Givenchy. I also love the shade Brun Cuivré No. 51, which is a warm brown nude; the perfect nude for deeper skin tones. Having an inclusive shade range is very important.
