We accept 
T3 $150
LESSONS:
SARAH BROWN’S
GUIDE TO ULTIMATE
UPGRADES &
INVESTMENTS
Our Executive Director of VIOLET LAB on the results-driven essentials designed to add luxury, quality, and confidence to your life.
Written BySARAH BROWN
Photographed By BRYCE ANDERSON
Creative Direction By VICEN AKINA
Muse SUNNY NASH
Styling By SOPHIA ALVAREZ
Production MARA WEINSTEIN
I have always been an investment shopper. First, I love shopping (a lot). Second, shopping like a samurai—seeking out the finest quality, no exceptions!—streamlines my routine and simplifies my life. When every staple in my wardrobe—cosmetic or otherwise—fills a need, inspires delight, and plays its role to perfection, I don’t need much else.
When it comes to beauty, we at VIOLET GREY believe in investment shopping, big-time. It’s literally the only reason we are here. We exist to simplify your routine with everyday essentials designed to deliver results and to add luxury, quality, and confidence to your life. There is no time like January—an optimistic month by nature, when the calendar cranks back to 1/1—to add a few fresh VIOLET CODE APPROVED updates and upgrades to your already hard-working regimen. This is the moment to take stock, re-set, get organized. It’s like spring cleaning but…winter.
With that, we present our 2022 Guide to Ultimate Upgrades & Investments. From simple pleasures (like the best cleanser) and little luxuries (power to the pillow) to devices that deliver (when was the last time you thought about your showerhead?), these are the not-so-basic-basics that rule our shelves and deserve to be on yours. They are staples—both luxurious and utilitarian—that form the foundation of smart routines, good habits, efficient mornings, self-care-Sundays and I-mean-business Mondays. I don’t know about you, but if I love it, I am bound to use it. That’s a smart purchase.
Your day pretty much begins and ends with some version of your beauty routine. That is no small thing. Investing in your regimen is by extension investing in yourself, and that is the ultimate smart move—and in my book the ultimate resolution for 2022.
Here’s to a new year of health, happiness, beauty, confidence, laughter, and love.
Cheers.
SB
ULTIMATE UPGRADES & INVESTMENTS
1
/15
Co-founder Tera Peterson describes this micro-current wonder wand (designed to gently lift and ease lines around the eyes, lips, and forehead) as, “FaceTune in a pen.” After a Zoom tutorial with her, we agree!
2
/15
Why do you need a new showerhead? Because this one helps filter out the skin-and-hair-dulling impurities (iron oxide, copper, chlorine, rust, actual dirt) you don’t want to think about blasting out of your pipes—and onto your body.
3
/15
Who knew hyaluronic acid could be…fun? These pure and potent freeze-dried capsules dissolve in the palm of your hand.
4
/15
All cleansers are not created equal. This pièce de résistance from Dr. Macrene Alexiades is silky, almost serum-y; featherlight yet hydrating. Feels like a treat, every time.
5
/15
Sometimes it’s the really simple things that make all the difference. Like one truly great towel. Resorè’s high-tech cotton blend is quick-drying, hypoallergenic (so it stays fresh longer), and totally #plush.
6
/15
Our Editors swear by Shu’s decadent reparative mask to “literally revive” dry, damaged, heat-styled-to-death hair. Try as an intensive treatment or use in place of conditioner for a few washes until hair “resets.”
7
/15
Here is the product that started it all: the mysterious healing serum that London plastic surgeon Yannis Alexandrides discreetly handed his patients post-procedure, and which kept them coming back to ask—what was that magical stuff?
8
/15
40,000 sonic tooth-cleaning vibrations per minute in sports car-esque matte black.
9
/15
Here are two eternal truths: (1) Truly great makeup brushes will last a lifetime. (2) Nothing beats Japanese craftsmanship. This custom FOR VIOLET set from Utowa comes in our signature cosmetics clutch.
10
/15
Bioderma’s cucumber-infused micellar water is an apothecary staple par excellence, ideal for touching up the errant liner smudge or taking off an evening’s smoky eye. No oily residue. Just clean, fresh, magic.
11
/15
Part luxury trapping, part beauty-product-with-benefits. Mulberry silk fibers reduce friction on hair and skin, helping to prevent sleep-induced creasing (it’s a thing) and even extend blowouts. Consider it Beauty Sleep 101.
12
/15
The simple stick that guarantees two seconds to a sculpted face—defined cheekbones, refined jawline—from clean makeup’s queen of ease, Gucci Westman. Now available in a beautiful deeper shade: Ganache.
13
/15
This extra-gentle, fragrance-free pro kit staple—designed by CHANEL dermatologist-in-residence (and VG Committee Member) Amy Wechsler, M.D. for ultra-sensitive skin—is so simple, containing just ten ingredients.
15
/15
No-mist, no-mold, no-mildew, no problem! Canopy’s lightweight, dishwasher-safe humidifier is a game changer.
SHOP SARAH’S ESSENTIAL UPGRADES
Source Showerhead
FINAL SALE
Crave $69
Vesper Vibrator
Silver
EXCLUSIVE
Apa Beauty $250
Apa Sonic Toothbrush
Black Matte
Slip $110
King Pillowcase
White
Resorè $99
Body Towel
White
SARO DE RÚE $170
Freeze-Dried Hyaluronic Acid Anti-aging System
60-Day supply
Chanel $80
La Solution 10 De Chanel
1 oz
Macrene Actives $95
High Performance Cleanser
3.4 oz.
Bioderma $16.99
Sensibio H2O
500 ml
WESTMAN ATELIER $48
Face Trace Contour Stick
Ganache
111Skin $175
The Y Theorem Concentrate
7 x .07 oz.
CANOPY $150
Humidifier Starter Set
Green
EXCLUSIVE
Utowa $395