I used to be a make-up artist For Lancome when I was in my early twenties. My job was to "pull" perspective clients from the aisles and hopefully wow them with a quickie make-over. Talk about a stressful job. The term "deer in the headlights" summed up most of my clients look when I grabbed them from the floor.
I had 4 stores that I traveled to, all Lord and Taylor accounts.
One day I was at the Fairlane account and it was a particularly sloooow day. My counter manager and I decided to go to the local TGIF for a late lunch. This was after I had applied about 4 layers of Lancome's Coffee and Acaju eyeliner. At this time in my life I was dating an Arabic man, big surprise, and thought that the excessive eye make-up may help me fit in a bit better.
Anyhow as we were sitting in the restaurant a bit of a commontion started. A stunning woman with pale LUMINOUS skin and a jet black bob walked in. She was surrounded by about 7 European looking men, each with slicked back dark hair, all wearing dark suits and coats. She was wearing a tan trench and the reason I bring that up is the fact that she stood out from them in this glowing, important way.
I immediately knew it was Paloma. I was totally transfixed to her table, I mean we were in Dearborn, Michigan for god's sake, not exactly the most cosmopolitan city, or state for that matter. Here was a famous fashion icon only a few feet away from me.
I remember we even asked the waitress if it was indeed Miss Picasso and I'll never forget her response: "Who in the Hell is Paloma Picasso?"
That's Michigan for you.
I also remember that Paloma kept glancing at our table and calling attention to us with her guests. I probably looked like a 12 year old girl playing in her mother's make-up and jewelry. I'm sure you will also understand that being it was the late 80's my hair was huge, permed and grossly high-lighted.
I cut my hair into a severe bob after that and purchased about 12 different shades of red lipstick (including Paloma's signature Mon Rouge.)
Yesterday I saw an issue Of Pink magazine with none other than Paloma herself on the cover. Of course I bought it. My obsession starts again.
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