As an internationally acclaimed makeup artist, Sebastien Tardif has honed his skills and passion for the complexion backstage at New York Fashion Week in the tents at Bryan Park, around the world in Asia and Europe, as well as behind the scenes for countless beauty editorials in esteemed magazines such Vogue, Glamour, and Elle, among others.

Tardif built his reputation around creating flawless complexions and naturally glowing skin. After repeatedly hearing his high-profile clients express their desire for makeup that elevated their complexions instead of covering them up, in 2012 at NYFW Tardif launched Veil Cosmetics—a vegan beauty brand with complexion-focused, multi-tasking products that are also infused with skincare benefits to brighten, hydrate, and soothe.

#BeautyBoss: Sebastien Tardif, Founder of Veil Cosmetics

Veil Cosmetics’ products are weightless and help create flawless complexions with a natural glow. The entire line is cruelty-free and designed to achieve the “no makeup” look with minimal effort. The brand includes foundation, concealer, mattifying balm, a lip and cheek palette set, and makeup brushes.

“My inspiration and obsession for skin is what informs all of my makeups whether for celebrities, models or everyday women of all ages and ethnicities,” Tardif says. “Once I have captured and elevated the complexion, it becomes very clear to me what I should or should not do with color makeup and the other features. It’s that simple. When the opportunity presented itself to start my own brand of cosmetics I knew right away that the complexion was going to take center stage, and it still does 10 years later.”

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We chatted with Tardif who shared the inspiration behind the brand, its most popular products, future plans, and more.

When was Veil Cosmetics founded and what does the name mean?

Veil Cosmetics was founded in 2012 with the intention to convey through the brand name the weightlessness, and superior textures of our formulas with a natural, no-makeup makeup finish.

Tell us more about your products and what makes them special.

Veil Cosmetics are conceptualized and created by myself, an actual celebrity makeup artist and longtime professional in the beauty industry (over 25 years). You could say that I have tested my theories and makeup techniques by now and since inception I have always been a big proponent of skincare infused cosmetics to obtain comfort and performance.

Do you have a hero product? What’s your favorite?

My hero product is certainly my Complexion Fix Concealer/Corrector/Highlighter. With its melt with your skin texture, I can simply achieve the best skin and no-makeup makeup by just using these on any skin tones or skin types. The formula has stood the test of time and is still world class over 10 years after making its debut.

As far as being my favorite product, they all are as they are my babies and creations, and they all hold a special place in my heart as they each solved some challenges encountered while doing makeup over the years.

AutoMatte Mattifying Balm solved my dislike for powders and how they dry out the skin and enhance fine lines and wrinkles. Sunset Light Primer/Serum is truly bridging cosmetics and skincare with its water based freshness and soft blurring for all skin types. Sunset Skin Foundation delivers a skin-like finish like no other as it is informed by a blend of my concealer and primer with its whipped and airy liquid texture. I can go on and on...

Where are your products sold?

On our website, Amazon, and BeautyAndThe Boutique.com in the UK and EU primarily.

What's next for the brand?

All I can say is that a big launch is planned for Fall 2023 and I will be diving deeper into my love for the complexion. 

Anything else you’d like to share?

I invite you all to check out and follow our IG and TikTok accounts (@veilcosmetics) for a ton of original content showing how versatile and multi-tasking all Veil Cosmetic products are and to best learn how to use them.

For more information, visit Veil Cosmetics’ website. Follow on Instagram: @veilcosmetics

[Images courtesy of Veil Cosmetics]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk