There’s no place like home and there’s no place like NYC. The Big Apple is my home and I spend as much time here as possible. I travel a couple of weeks out of the month.
Proudest moment of your career?
I will never forget the sheer joy of watching my debut collection of lip colours sell out the day I launched at Bergdorf Goodman in 2006. There have certainly been many highlights throughout my decade in beauty—mainly having women run up to me exclaiming I make their favourite lipstick!
Why do you love what you do?
I love beauty. I love the pursuit of beauty; creating and admiring it. I feel so fortunate that I can contribute to others feeling beautiful and confident. Just imagine how many times in a day I say ‘beautiful!’ What a treat to say it and to seek it.
What music do you listen to when you’re on the road?
I’m a music junkie and my interests range from the jazz greats to D’Angelo to Sade to Buika. Of course, I also love any leading lady with pipes—Barbara Streisand, Adele and Amy Winehouse. You get the idea.
How do you combat jet lag to stay looking and feeling great?
I try to go, go, go! I find it most effective to beat the clock if I stay up and adhere to whatever time zone I’m in. No matter how tired I get trying to stay on schedule, I can always count on a local espresso to give support.
What makes you feel ‘at home’ when you’re traveling?
Against many hotels’ fire-safety rules, I have been known to bring my favourite candles with me.
You arrive at a place you’ve never been before. What’s the first thing you do?
I usually head for the best museum in the area and hope for an exhibit that peaks my interest. It’s also a treat to find a new running trail to soak up the beauty of a new city early in the morning and watch the bustle begin as the sun rises.
How do you relax?
Relaxation for me runs the gamut from highbrow drawn-out opera to mindless reality shows I should know better than to watch. Living in New York, I unwind by watching the city’s Broadway shows.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be but I knew strongly I wanted to be surrounded by beauty. I was lucky to discover early on the path for my pursuit of all things pretty.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
My dear friend Betty Halbreich, the famed personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, told me I can’t be all things to all people. This sage advice from a dear friend reminds me to do what I do best without trying to always appease everyone.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I always look forward to returning to Paris, so I’ve already started counting the days until I’m back in the City of Light. I will head to Colette, one of my favourite stores in the world, which also happens to carry my make-up. We collaborate on exclusive products so there’s lots to look forward to!
