There is no one quite like Pat McGrath. Described by the New Yorker and Vogue as "the most important black woman in fashion who isn't a model" (damn, I thought that was me), McGrath is one of the world's top make-up artists, international make-up artist for Giorgio Armani cosmetics - and a black British woman at the top of a very white, very male world. Oh, and she could charm the birds from the trees, which is virtually unheard of in fashion land, where even the person on work experience has an "artistic" temperament.

I caught up with McGrath backstage at the Armani show at the start of Milan fashion week last month, and she had good news. Make-up-wise, she says, next season is going to be a godsend for black women - and, for that matter, for anyone who likes the world to know they are wearing make-up. Wave a welcome goodbye to the "natural" look, and start messing about with your mascara - the thicker the better, because in autumn it's all about the eyes. "The eyes are super-strong," says McGrath. "We've done really black eyes, purple eyelids, beautiful fresh skin and a pale-coloured mouth."

And what about the face? "There is a reflective quality to the skin - it's slightly dewy, very healthy." She points to a stunning black model and, despite the blow to my self-esteem, I can see that this is a look that really works on dark skin.

The biggest mistake of many women when it comes to make-up, according to McGrath, is to put on too much - it's always best to start with a small amount and build up, she says. As for black women, "foundation that is the wrong shade, eye shadow without enough pigment and not properly looking after oily skin are the three most common make-up mistakes black women make", she says.

So what products can the queen of make-up not live without ? "My mascara, lip gloss and blusher," she says, "but amazing skin care is the key to looking great. Cleansing, toning and moisturising - focus on that, and the rest will fall into place."