Born to a Swedish father and American mother, Gucci Westman spent 15 years living in Varberg, south of Gothenburg before relocating to the US. The celebrated makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier, a beauty line formulated almost entirely from natural ingredients, is renowned for her minimalist aesthetic and her signature 'Gucci Glow'. Here she talks to us about multi-tasking in the shower, releasing fascia to sculpt the face and why applying bronzer horizontally under the eyes gives the most natural results
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What does beauty mean to you?
Confidence, ease, ritual and wellbeing.
Talk us through your morning beauty routine...
I like to exercise in the morning followed by a cold and then a hot shower. While I am in the shower, I like to multi-task with a nice exfoliator or face mask. I use the Humanrace Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator a couple of days a week and recently I have been loving Korean sheet masks. My skin has been dehydrated so anything for extra hydration!
I follow this up with the new Westman Atelier Skin Activator [the brand's first foray into skincare, this serum floods skin with 12 actives to soften fine lines, boost firmness and intensely hydrate]. I will also use an at-home gadget – I love the TriPollar STOP device for skin-tightening and the LYMA Laser.
For my off-duty makeup routine, I start with our Vital Skincare Complexion Drops, followed by the Vital Skin Foundation Stick, a Baby Cheeks blusher and a touch of Beauty Butter Bronzer in Coup de Soleil. For more authentic results, instead of following the direction of the cheekbones, brush the bronzer horizontally under the eyes and across over the nose.
Eye Love You Mascara and Bonne Brow is all I use to define the eye area and a swipe of Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm finishes the look. Very easy!
What is your biggest skin concern?
My biggest concern is my rosacea. I have brown spots that bother me, too. They are stubborn, especially the one in the middle of my cheek. I am always finding I have to cover it. I have done all sorts of laser and use the Goop Goopglow Dark Spot Exfoliating Sleep Milk at night.
Which three products are always in your makeup bag and why have they earned a place there?
I always have three bags of essentials for work! But these three products must be included in each one –Face Trace in Biscuit, our Westman Atelier brushes and the Vital Skin Foundation Stick.
How do you look after your hair?
I go to David Mallett in Paris and see Lionel for my colour. I love to use the salon's Pure Shampoo and Conditioner alongside Rahua’s Color Full Shampoo and Conditioner. I also see Chris McMillen when I am working with Jennifer Aniston and Diana Bottino for my weekly blow dries in Bedford, New York.
What is your favourite fragrance?
We just launched our first candle called Healing Wood. It is made with sustainably sourced ingredients with neurological benefits. The ingredients are scientifically proven to boost your mood and enhance relaxation. The notes [ginger root, cinnamon, soft woods, warm amber and musk] remind me of being outside in the cold all day with snow everywhere and the feeling of then coming inside to your loved one who is waiting for you at the fireplace with your favourite drink and a cosy blanket.
What is the best beauty advice you’ve ever been given?
Get out of your comfort zone, push the boundaries and accept yourself for all of who you are.
What are the beauty practices you’ve learned from the women in your family?
My mom taught me to never wash my face with soap. I use Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream with water – or a nice gentle cleanser. My aesthetic is not to wear too much makeup. I go for more of a naturalistic approach and my daughter now does her own makeup similarly to how I do it.
What was your greatest beauty discovery?
I was just in Australia and my husband [Rag & Bone fashion designer David Neville] and I went to the Amara Wellness Centre. We did Endermotherapie [mechanical massage involving a sequence of suction and rolling] for the body with Dr. Zara and it was incredible!
I also swear by Anastasia Achilleos in London who does a sculpting facial that involves fascia release [massaging the supportive layer of connective tissue under the skin on the face]. It is a whole different approach and feels so amazing.
What beauty advice would you give your younger self?
I wish I had known about wearing sunscreen every day, how dangerous tanning beds are and to not pluck my eyebrows.
Do you have a beauty or wellness secret?
You are your most beautiful when you have that ultimate balance of eating right, sleeping well and exercising. It is all about the consistency.
