When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Gucci Westman is one of the world’s top makeup artists. From iconic covers for Vogue, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair, Westman’s signature look of dewy, radiant and healthy skin has been coveted by the industry’s top insiders for years. Calling on her career as inspiration and passion for product development, Westman launched her own collection, Westman Atelier, in 2018, creating a new standard of luxury in clean and consciously-crafted beauty.
In her Thrive Questionnaire, she opens up about her morning routine, her email guilt, and her love for pink bubble meditation.
TG: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
GW: As soon as I get out of bed, I stretch, go to restroom, and then go back to bed and do Transcendental Meditation for 20 minutes with my husband.
TG: What gives you energy?
GW: Exercise, feeling joyful and optimistic, and eating well.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
GW: Trying to visualize consistently. I love using the pink bubble meditation technique for creative visualization. It’s simple, and so effective.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
GW: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I read it at the right time, in the right place. I haven’t read Thrive yet, but I heard that will change my life as well.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
GW: I put it on airplane mode, but I am going to get an alarm clock and keep in another room. I find that it often holds a lot of anxiety.
TG: How do you deal with email?
GW: Some times very efficiently, while other times I’m not as quick responding. I struggle with feeling slightly guilty when I’m not as responsive.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
GW: When I have 15 free minutes, I take a moment to meditate.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
GW: I was in Australia promoting our line, Westman Atelier. It was great, but also quite demanding –– and the jet lag is real.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
GW: I didn’t feel I did my best at the Goop summit. I got a bit of stage fright. I overcame it by crushing it at my next panel for YouTube!
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
GW: “The process is the reward.” That’s by my husband, David Neville.
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