This week we turn our attention to Amy Adams, whose depiction of ’60s painter Margaret Keane in the biopic Big Eyes has earned her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress. 

With her long dancer’s limbs and delicate features like a perky, upturned nose and ponderous doe eyes, Adams’ characters often display a girlish vulnerability. On the red carpet, however, the actress looks every inch the lady, exuding grace and a self-assuredness that’s more in keeping with her age (a hard-to-believe 40) and accomplishments (41 major award nominations and counting). 

Below, VIOLET GREY talks with Adams’ longtime makeup artist, Stephen Sollitto, about her best looks, essential products and biggest beauty gambles of the year.