In 2001, Rebecca Williams Morrice, then a Perth-based makeup artist dissatisfied with her foundation choices, founded BECCA (www.beccacosmetics.com), a cosmetics company that focuses on subtle, natural toned products. Today, there are BECCA makeup counters all over the world and high-profile fans include Collette Dinnigan, models like Gemma Ward and Kate Moss and a whole slew of Hollywood actresses, who strive for that beautiful yet un-made-up look. Our London correspondent Elena Bowes recently caught up with Rebecca’s business partner and BECCA’S CEO Steven Schapera, who dished on makeup around the world and revealed what every woman should pack, regardless of the destination.

Has a destination ever surprised you with the quality of its makeup? Have you ever been disappointed? The makeup world is so globalized now that one destination is not usually able to hold on to its makeup talent for very long. I think, though, that Australia surprises me. The country is relatively small with a population not much larger than Los Angeles, and yet it’s generated so many top international makeup artists: Sue Devitt, Val Garland, Vincent Longo, and, of course, BECCA’s Rebecca Williams.

Funnily enough, Italy disappoints with its makeup. For a country with so much depth to its fashion, the makeup is so commercial. In other words, there are no Ferraris in the Italian makeup world, only Fiats.

In which countries do you find it easiest to work? What are the most difficult ones? I like it when I can get inside the head of the local BECCA customer. I would like to think I understand the Londoner fairly well and I certainly find it very easy to work here. The hardest would have to be my retail holy grail—Tokyo. It has everything stacked against it: language, alphabet, culture, local laws and legislation…but it’s the jewel in the crown for me. If I get BECCA into any one of the iconic stores of Tokyo I will feel as if I had climbed Everest.

What makeup should a woman pack with her if she’s going somewhere warm and sunny? What if she’s going to a cold, wintry destination? No matter the climate, you cannot escape the aging effects of the sun. Whether sunning yourself in the Bahamas, skiing in St.Moritz, or shopping on Sloane Street you are exposed to UVA. It baffles us that woman do not routinely use a primer or foundation that has a high, broad spectrum SPF. I have to say, then, that a primer with sunscreen or a foundation with sunscreen is an essential for any trip. After that I’d say it would be a concealer. If you have one in EXACTLY your skin colour it can mask almost anything. Rebecca swears it’s one of the 3 items she would have to have on a desert island (I assume she’s not there alone).

What are some of your favorite BECCA products? Our recently launched primer with mineral SPF (non-chemical sunscreen protection) is a world first and has rapidly become a best seller for us. It has an SPF of 30, and while it is designed to fit into the BECCA Skin Perfecting Makeup System it can be used either with, or without, makeup from any brand. The active ingredient is an extremely refined form of zinc oxide that suits even the most sensitive skin.

I also really love our new mascara. It actually forms “tubes” around each individual lash, giving the appearance of additional length and volume. Assuming the foundation is done, this mascara—with a dab of crème blush, and some lip-gloss—will transform any woman from “I’m so jet-lagged” to “take me to lunch!”

How would you describe the BECCA woman? She will invest time in her beauty but that does not mean she spends ages putting on makeup. She is drawn toward a natural, “no makeup” look but, on occasion, will throw that out the window and indulge in smokey eyes or strong lips. Most importantly her skin is her focus and she wants it to appear perfect. Very, very few women have perfect skin. Pictures you see in magazines of beautiful models are airbrushed. To achieve anything close to perfect skin, in real life, you have to invest time in your makeup. With practice, this becomes at most a 10-minute exercise, and the BECCA woman makes that investment.

And does she change a bit depending on the location? The BECCA woman is defined more by psychographic than by demographic. No matter where I am in the world, I have yet to meet a woman who does not aspire to have perfect skin. While the preference for colors may change, and the look may vary from say the Middle East to Asia to New York, all woman want a complexion that is as close to perfect as possible.