Tom Pecheux

There are certain things you come to expect with the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show: killer bodies, luscious locks, shimmering limbs, faux lashes and a flutter that threatens to floor the front row. But lead makeup artist Tom Pecheux threw the rule book out for yesterday's parade, instead opting for a more natural look and banning the "fakeness" that has been the Victoria's Secret staple look for years. Instead Pecheux, Estée Lauder's Creative Makeup Director, focused on the skin, making the most of the models' early call time and treating their skin to a boosting ritual of Estée Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant SPF 15 and Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher. Of course bronzer couldn't be skipped entirely so Pecheux warmed the models' skin tone with Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Luminous Bronzer in Glitterati. As for the eyes, he turned to muse-of-the-moment Marilyn Monroe, giving the girls a '50s flick before finishing the look with Victoria's Secret Perfect Lipstick in Whisper with Sublime gloss over the top. Do you like the pared-back look or were you all for the fake lashes?

To celebrate the launch of the just-released Estée Lauder Sensuous Rouge Lip Colour, we asked the brand's Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux — who's been busy creating looks at New York Fashion Week for The Row, Derek Lam, Doo.ri and Altuzarra — what kind of woman wears lipstick, why this one is extra special and his top tips for application.

How important is lip colour in an overall look? Lipstick really creates the power of a makeup look, especially when really dark, red or burgundy shades are used. It creates an instant look of sophistication and polish.

Tell us about the new lip formula. The idea was to create a lipstick that was both very easy to apply and would also really protect the lips. It has two layers which work together to not only provide the lips with amazing definition and shape, but also a very soft, sensual quality.

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Since first hearing about the new Estée Lauder Pure Color Wild Violet Makeup Collection by Tom Pecheux when we caught up with the man himself, we've been dying to tell you more about it. And now we finally can as it's just hit counters! It's the first campaign to be fronted by the gorgeous Liu Wen, who joined the Estée Lauder family back in April last year. Liu looks a vision in violet as she wears a winged-out smoky eye and mauve-pink lip. As with all of Tom's collections, Wild Violet is packed colour, but everything's still extremely wearable. The Wild Violet Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette ($85), which is a beautiful blend of neutrals with a punchy purple thrown in, is the perfect example of just how well Monsieur Pecheux understands what women want. Also check out the new Pure Color Nail Lacquers which range from classic colours to major fashion statements. So much to check out . . . we certainly suggest a swing by your nearest Estée Lauder counter very soon for a quick looksee and play!

When you're asked if you want to meet and chat with a legendary makeup artist like Tom Pecheux, it doesn't take long to say yes. We got the chance to catch up over coffee with Monsieur Pecheux in London and the Creative Makeup Director for Estée Lauder talked about being backstage at Fashion Week, shared his beauty icons and told us the easiest way to introduce a pop of colour into our look. Here, we share 10 fun facts that you might not know about Tom Pecheux.

He is humble: The Frenchman was so excited and flattered when he heard that Estée Lauder wanted to work with him because not only do "they have the finances and resources for technology, but they also take risks and make things happen quickly." We say: Match. Made. In. Heaven.

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One of our favourite looks on the Spring 2011 runways was the orange lids that Tom Pecheux gave the Derek Lam models. The genius behind it was that it was actually a lip product. A liner to be precise. Since it was all I — and many other beauty eds — could talk about for months, Tom sensibly worked it into a limited edition colour collection for Estée Lauder, where he resides as Creative Director. The collection is called Orange Crush and features two Pure Color shadows in Orange Crush (a bold coral) and Sugar Cube (a bright white), as well as a Pure Color Gloss in Orange Crush. Now the sad news is, it won't be stocked in Australia. But try not to let it get you down, you know how I love a group trip so how is April looking for everyone?

Estée Lauder Limited Edition Pure Color Orange Crush Collection is not available in Australia. It will be stocked in Bergdorf Goodman NYC from April.

According to Tom Pecheux, lead face painter at Ralph Lauren, the inspiration for the entire collection, and therefore makeup look was The Last Emperor. Models' eyes were given an Asian look by smudging both mascara and liner in the outer V of the eye, but the red lip was most definitely the statement piece of the palette. The matte red was simply patted on to give the effect of a tint, more than a lipstick. There were three hair looks with varying parts, and whether up or down, all were high on shine and poker straight, again referencing the Asian look.

It was punk meets Parisian elegance backstage at Jean Paul Gaultier for Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Spring 2011. The mane (wo)man, Odile Gilbert, was the master eye behind visually stunning creations that included cornrows, mohawks, feathers, finger waves and rockabilly bangs as seen on model of the moment Lindsey Wixson. Our favourite, Monsieur. Tom Pecheux was on-hand to keep things "aggressive chic", extending the winged liner out until it practically touched models pencilled brows and pairing it with a creamy, blood red lip.