'NO ONE DOES IT LIKE ME, DARLING!'

new's head of beauty Zoe Cripps meets cosmetics guru Charlotte Tilbury to talk magical make-up and great gifts

- Zoe Cripps

During my 12-year career in beauty, I’ve only ever managed to sit down with Charlotte Tilbury once before, and then I was almost too starstruck to speak. Today, armed with a dozen new questions, I’m determined to do better.

As Charlotte dials into our virtual meeting room, I make a poor start by blurting out how I’ve always thought of her as beauty’s answer to Michael Bublé, who flourishes as summer draws to a close and the tinge of cold signals the countdown to Christmas. Charlotte lets out a laugh full of genuine delight and, to my relief, she gladly accepts the title of Queen of Holiday Gifting.

I’m only half joking. As arguably the world’s most sought-after make-up artist, the 51-year-old is anything but a one-season wonder. However, by her own admission, she does seem to light up at Christmas time.

“Gifting is like undressing, it can take you to heady heights,” she tells me, her perfectly made-up eyes full of sparkle. I wonder if it’s these that inspired her Hypnotising Pop Shot eyeshadows – a make-up bag favourite of Kate Moss, I’m told.