Don't be fooled by makeup artist Lucia Pieroni's name. "Even though I have a very Italian name, I was born in England," she reveals. "I have pale skin, blue eyes, and a very thick British accent, which is a bit of a surprise for people when they first meet me." But the results of her masterful makeup artistry come as no surprise: From beautifully natural to edgy and striking, Pieroni can do it all. She's created looks for runway shows like Vera Wang, Jason Wu, and Missoni; worked her magic on celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, and Cameron Diaz; helmed the makeup for designer advertising campaigns and magazine editorials; and is the color creator for Clé de Peau Beauté, where she develops the brand's seasonal collections. We got this in-demand makeup guru to give us some of her insider secrets and share what she's loving this summer.
What's the biggest misconception people have about applying makeup?
"People think they can’t do their own makeup or that they're not good at it. With just a bit of practice, I believe that anyone can do their own makeup. You know your face better than anyone, and if you apply your makeup with confidence, it can work wonders for you. Another misconception is feeling you have to follow trends and step-by-step directions to look good. If you don't feel something's right for you, don't use it. Or skip a step if you're not sure. It’s about being inspired to try new looks, experimenting, and having fun. Don't get bogged down with the technicalities. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t like the end result, you just wash it off!"
Editorial shoots can be long. Do you have any secrets to making makeup last?
"Always start with a clean face. As a next step, I use Clé de Peau "Beauté Luminizing Enhancer Base under foundation to give a vibrant finish to the complexion and to help makeup last longer. Another tip: Spray your face with a little water and gently pat with fingers throughout the day to help keep your makeup looking fresh."
On the flip side, fashion shows can be short on time. What's your favorite, easy, go-to makeup trick that anyone can do?
"Lipstick! It’s easy and super fast and can instantly transform a tired face. If you’ve found the perfect color, a little can be dabbed on cheeks as well as lips to give an overall healthy glow. Such an easy trick!"
What's your beauty trend forecast for summer?
"Keep it fresh, light, and simple with slightly bronzed, glowing skin and a sweep of color across the eyes. I'm loving the Clé de Peau Beauté Antique Gold and Antique Silver eye color quads."
Are you known for a specific kind of makeup look?
"My work requires me to constantly try different looks, so my approach is always changing. I wouldn’t say that I’m known for any particular style, but I always try to make people look beautiful, whether it's natural makeup or some crazy face painting."
Do you have any secret skincare tips?
"The age old advice of drinking lots of water and eating well really does work! Also, shop around for good skin care and find a regime you like. It’s one of the most important things you can do for your face."
What's one product you can't live without?
"One of my favorite products is Serum Éclat by Clé de Peau Beauté. It's a very gentle lotion that exfoliates the skin and replenishes moisture at the same time. It’s amazing and always in my makeup kit. It's the very first thing I use before I start my makeup."
What products or looks are your celebrity clients into right now?
"It’s always my goal—when working with any woman—to enhance her natural beauty. And that's definitely also my approach when working with celebrities. At the moment it’s all about having a fresh, summer face with a little bit of a glow, but nothing too overly-bronzed. I’m doing soft golden eyes and adding gorgeous color on the lips, like Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich Lipstick in R1, which is a deep red lipstick that I use as a stain or at full color to make a bold statement."