Kelly Bensimon has traded New York for Palm Beach, and her premiere glow matched the move.
Last week, the former Real Housewives of New York City star joined her original RHONY castmates, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Dorinda Medley, to celebrate the New York premiere of the much-anticipated The Golden Life. The new E! series premiered October 20 and follows the five as they start over in Palm Beach, navigating dating, family and, inevitably, drama.
Bensimon wore a couture gold gown by Naeem Khan and celebrity makeup artist Matin (aka @itsmatin on Instagram) built the look to match—starting with skin prep from Lauvée Paris and Biafine and finishing with makeup from Le Rouge Français. Lauvée’s L1 Facial Cleansing & Drainage Brush ($179) launched on Violet Grey this week.
Step One: Sculpt + Cleanse
Matin started with the Lauvée Paris L1. “To create her beautiful glass skin, I used the Lauvée Paris L1 to gently scrub but also to tone the skin and get all the contours looking beautiful,” he says.
After cleansing, he paired the device with Yon-ka Paris Serum Vitamine C Serum ($44), using the serum as a massage fluid. It added glide and brightened the skin at the same time, he says.
The L1 runs on what Lauvée calls its patented DMC (Deep Massage & Cleaning) System, a percussive, high-frequency oscillation. According to the brand, it “mimics a sculpting facial to enhance contours.”
Step Two: Repair the Summer Damage
With the skin clean and contoured, Matin reached for French pharmacy staple Biafine Skin Recovery Emulsion ($35) to hydrate and counter the effects of the Florida sun.
“After damaging the skin in the summer (intentional or accidental), it’s very important to use a product like Biafine Skin Recovery Emulsion that hydrates the skin fully and actually repairs it,” he says.
Of all the barrier-repair options, it’s his favorite for one reason: “It works really well under makeup—it looks flawless and beautiful.”
Step Three: Go for Gold
For makeup, Matin turned to Le Rouge Français and took his cue from the gown. “Her dress was the makeup inspiration, so I created a gold-speckled eye,” he says. “She always likes smoky, sexy eyes and with smoky eyes I like more nude type of lips.”
Skin: Foundation went on first, followed by a generous layer of bronzer to play up her natural tan. Matin placed the deepest shade around the perimeter of the face like a halo. A dab of Le Rouge Français Cream Blush in Cléôpatre ($34), a bright pink, lifted the apples of the cheeks.
Eyes: The palette stayed neutral but deep. “I switched the smoky eye color from black to dark brown as it looks really beautiful and not so precious and done up with the dress. She likes that Bohemian, messy look,” Matin explains.
Lips: Le Rouge Français Tinted Lip Balm in Frosted Pink ($38) added healthy color and smoothed the lips. Matin then layered Le Rouge Français Lipstick in Nude Astera ($52), a soft nude with bronze and orange undertones, to balance the dramatic eye. “I love that it’s refillable and has no plastic,” he says. “So you can buy one case and switch up your lipstick depending on your mood with the refills.”
