When I first became a makeup artist, my first job in New York was at the original Barney’s store on 17th Street in Manhattan. On the advice of my mentor, I found a job in retail to help hone my craft while developing my editorial career. My mentor advised, “Better to make a mistake doing someone’s makeup at the counter than when you’re doing the cover of a magazine.” It was great advice and I really learned alot, doing trainings with all the differant brands, meeting power players from the fashion world who shopped there and practicing, practicing on every person I could cajole into my makeup chair.

One day, two little old ladies strolled in arm in arm, in their Laura Ashley floral dresses that covered them from their chins down to their ankles. They looked slightly terrified to be venturing into the cosmetic department, and they huddled together arm in arm they way people do when facing a firing squad.  One of them noticed a lipstick shade on my counter that appealed to her. This began a debate with her friend about whether or not she dare try the lipstick on. I assured them that it was not a tattoo and that I had makeup remover at the ready should she decide she doesn’t like the color.

With the trepidation of someone tasting roasted porcupine for the first time, she tried on the lipstick. Of course, while she seemed to like the color, I knew that if trying it on was such a big deal, she would never actually buy it. What shocked me to my core was that as I looked at these little old ladies up close I realised that they were not old at all! They were probably in their mid-to-late thirties and simply appeared old due to their demeanor and style. One had long hair that had long grey roots, the other was wearing grandma glasses and they were both dressed very demurely and prim and proper. Upon closer inspection, I saw that they had smooth skin and both could have been very attractive with a little effort and a more open mind-set.

I never forgot them because it taught me the importance of  how we carry ourselves and the impact of the image we present to the world.   Below: What a “Little Old Lady” should look like!

Sophia Loren