Famous for the signature clean, dewy, and never-overdone looks she creates, Gucci Westman is a rare breed of makeup artist equally beloved in the inner circles of fashion and in Hollywood (just ask Oscar de la Renta, Cameron Diaz, and Gwyneth Paltrow). Appointed Revlon’s global artistic director in 2008, Westman debuts her first color collection for the brand this month, drawing inspiration from the cheery shades of Cordes-sur-Ciel, the small town outside Toulouse, France, where she was married in 2006 to über-cool British designer David Neville of Rag & Bone. “There are colors there—in the landscape, on the roofs, in artisanal chalks and soaps—that I’ve never seen anywhere else,” she says. “I wanted to translate them into a palette that was wearable and chic, and would make people feel happy. That’s what makeup is supposed to be—a pick-me-up.”

What is the secret to creating an impeccable complexion?

If you really want to see a difference, prepping before makeup is key. When I have time with a client, I usually use a light scrub, followed by a moisturizer, and then a brightening cloth mask on top for a few minutes. Once I remove the mask, I massage any remaining product into the skin. It makes a great base and helps the makeup settle in to look more natural.