On today's episode of Today with Maura and Dáithí, TV presenter Maura Derrane spoke with make-up artist to the stars, Charlotte Tilbury, about her best friend Kate Moss, her Irish roots and women in business.
An A-lister in her own right, Charlotte is a self-confessed "24-hour girl" who spends her days launching new products, breaking beauty records, and attending the most fabulous events with the most fabulous of people.
As well as being a skilled make-up artist, the London woman is the founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, a cosmetic empire that posted a 44.5% rise in revenues to £145 million last year on the back of its celebrity following.
An incredible success in just seven years.
"It has been the most incredible journey, I have to say," Charlotte told Maura. "Seeing what we're doing in America, the Middle East, Asia, all over Europe - I arrived here in Cork today, and the tears almost well up, you just think, 'this is amazing'. The gratitude... it's still so exciting for me."
With the mission statement 'Give a woman the right makeup and she can conquer the world', Charlotte believes in making every woman the most beautiful version of themselves - a task that isn't always difficult, considering who she works with.
With a client list including Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, and a whole host of supermodels, the make-up artist has spent her thriving career surrounded by beauty and, thus, inspiration.
"I mix colours for them for different events - whether it's the cover of Vogue, a red carpet event, whatever it is - and then we go, 'should we turn that into a lipstick?' "It started with Kate Moss. I created 'Nude Kate' and then I did one for JK Rowling, and one for Amal Clooney.
"I name them 'Amazing Amal' or 'JK Magic' in homage to them and then we give a million pounds back to a charity called Women For Women, helping women in war-torn zones around the world."
Interestingly, the already iconic brand only has two flagship stores, both based in the UK, but products - including the famed CT Magic Cream which comes in at €90 a pop - are available online and across stockists in the UK, US, Canada, and Europe.
So, with so much success under her belt in so little time, what advice would Charlotte give to women looking to start their own business?
"Dare to dream it, dare to believe it, and then dare to do it. Most people have dreams but they stay as dreams but if you believe in dreams then they will come true. If you do what you love, you will excel."
Watch the video above to watch Charlotte's appearance on Today with Maura and Dáithí.
