Tom Pecheux (1963) is the global director of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté. His name has such authority and status among make-up artists around the world that the morning we spoke with him in Madrid he is surrounded by several of the best in Spain, among them Natalia Belda, Queen Letizia’s makeup artist. Everyone is eager to learn from the man who did Lady Di’s makeup for her legendary Vanity Fair cover in 1987, or from the professional who, according to the interested party herself, convinced Kate Moss that she had to use sunscreen daily. Even on the grayest London days.

Pecheux is a legend but he doesn’t seem like it. He is dressed in a black leather jacket. Then he will tell us what his favorite look is and how he feels most comfortable. He likes to define himself as a “bad boy with a good education.” “It is what I am and every day I try to be honest with myself, I believe that to enjoy the day you have to know the night and to enjoy water you have to know wine. That’s life.

What was it like to be a creative director of a big brand in the nineties, and what is it like to be one now?

In the nineties there was a certain dictatorship, although we used to call it trends. Now people are more open, and fashion houses do not impose, but rather make varied proposals.

What is the mission of makeup in a person’s life?

First of all, improve yourself and make you feel good. Makeup should be an accessory of your personality. For example, a red lipstick accentuates the powerful side of a woman, blush the healthiest part of her, smoky shadows, the mystery of her or the danger of her.

You have worked with Carine Rotfield and Mario Testino, you have done makeup for Lady Di, you have been an advisor to Kate Moss, what do you consider your greatest professional achievement to date?

Feel the fire and passion of this profession after 40 years in the ring. And with all due respect, all those famous people, including Shakira and Madonna, are human beings and go to the toilet every morning just like me.

Tell me three makeup products we shouldn’t give up.

Touche Éclat (the iconic concealer from the house of Yves Saint Laurent), a lipstick (everyone’s favorite) and a good mascara. Those are the essentials.

Should makeup cover what we don’t like?

Personally, I prefer people to accept their features rather than cover them up, because they make them unique and special, but I understand that it is a very personal issue.

What do you think when they call you the industry’s psychologist makeup artist?

Any make up artist with a little respect for human beings has to be a bit of a psychologist.