I haven't written a blog post for a little while due to my mum suddenly passing away a few weeks ago. She was my biggest inspiration when it came to my work ethic and my venturing into the world of beauty.
My mum trained as a beauty therapist over twenty years ago when my brother and I were very little, whilst working full time in Betty’s tearooms in North Yorkshire. When we moved "down south" she went on to have a career managing several makeup counters, starting off with Estée Lauder before moving onto No. 7, Lancôme and, most recently, Elizabeth Arden. Despite trying her hand at several other careers in between, she always held a flame for the beauty industry and it always drew her back in.
My mum was well known in the beauty industry and many colleagues and customers loved her passion and knowledge, her chatty and friendly demeanour and her amazing selling techniques. Everyone always commented how it was refreshing to have someone who was ‘normal looking’ in a beauty department, never caked in makeup – in fact sometimes not wearing any at all – who greeted you with a big smile, knew her stuff and sent you away with a sneaky free sample! She made a huge difference to many people’s lives through simply giving them the time to talk about their beauty concerns or sometimes just chat about their lives, and in turn sold a lipstick or gave a makeover and sent that person away feeling that bit more appreciated and happier than when they walked in.
I have very fond memories of popping into Debenhams almost everyday after school to see her and her team, who showered me with hugs and sprays of perfume - a young girl's dream! I particularly enjoyed “take your daughter to work” day when I was about 14, and remember going home that day with aching cheeks from smiling so much! I was so proud of my mum and enjoyed seeing her in her element.
My mum trained as a beauty therapist over twenty years ago when my brother and I were very little, whilst working full time in Betty’s tearooms in North Yorkshire. When we moved "down south" she went on to have a career managing several makeup counters, starting off with Estée Lauder before moving onto No. 7, Lancôme and, most recently, Elizabeth Arden. Despite trying her hand at several other careers in between, she always held a flame for the beauty industry and it always drew her back in.
My mum was well known in the beauty industry and many colleagues and customers loved her passion and knowledge, her chatty and friendly demeanour and her amazing selling techniques. Everyone always commented how it was refreshing to have someone who was ‘normal looking’ in a beauty department, never caked in makeup – in fact sometimes not wearing any at all – who greeted you with a big smile, knew her stuff and sent you away with a sneaky free sample! She made a huge difference to many people’s lives through simply giving them the time to talk about their beauty concerns or sometimes just chat about their lives, and in turn sold a lipstick or gave a makeover and sent that person away feeling that bit more appreciated and happier than when they walked in.
I have very fond memories of popping into Debenhams almost everyday after school to see her and her team, who showered me with hugs and sprays of perfume - a young girl's dream! I particularly enjoyed “take your daughter to work” day when I was about 14, and remember going home that day with aching cheeks from smiling so much! I was so proud of my mum and enjoyed seeing her in her element.
My mum was always more passionate about skincare than makeup, and the science behind looking after your skin. She had all sorts of lotions and potions which she applied before bedtime and I used to love watching her little ritual. She often only did her makeup when she got into work, making quick use of the testers around her, or sometimes forgoing it altogether. She was blessed with both fantastic skin and the gift of the gab and could often persuade customers to believe she was wearing the latest foundation even if she wasn’t and make a sale out of it! On her days off she rarely wore makeup and was a true natural beauty.
My mum had a magic touch. When I was doing my GCSE revision and feeling very stressed, my mum used to calm me down and give me a facial. It felt like several hands were brushing over my face relaxing every muscle. I can only hope I have inherited this magic touch. I have been blessed to use nice products for most of my upbringing -.we used to laugh at how I must have been one of the only 10 year olds using Estée Lauder products! I used to fascinate over her infamous lipstick drawer as a teenager, which my dad made and put into her dressing table drawer. I became the proud owner of it when I moved to Suffolk and enjoy choosing what shade to wear to this day.
A couple of years ago on her 53rd birthday I did my mum's hair and makeup before she went out for an evening with my dad. I had done her makeup from time to time before, but not for a few years. I enjoyed admiring her face, every new line and wrinkle around her twinkling blue eyes told a story, and she looked beautiful. I remember posting a photo on Instagram of her and saying "I'll be happy if I look like this at 53 - beautiful"….What a shame she has been taken away from us nearly two years later; too soon for her to leave our world. Too soon for her to leave my world.
A couple of years ago on her 53rd birthday I did my mum's hair and makeup before she went out for an evening with my dad. I had done her makeup from time to time before, but not for a few years. I enjoyed admiring her face, every new line and wrinkle around her twinkling blue eyes told a story, and she looked beautiful. I remember posting a photo on Instagram of her and saying "I'll be happy if I look like this at 53 - beautiful"….What a shame she has been taken away from us nearly two years later; too soon for her to leave our world. Too soon for her to leave my world.
When I look in the mirror I can begin to see slight similarities with my mum which is a real comfort and will, hopefully, continue to be so as I move on through life.
I have been spending this week sorting through her things, including drawers and boxes FULL of skincare, makeup, nail varnishes, hundreds of brushes and sponges, etc. I’m comforted to know that it can all be put to good use with my new-found skills and help make the people I meet along the way feel better about themselves. People often say in these types of situations "it's what she would have wanted" but in this case it really is!
I am immensely proud of everything my mum achieved in her life and although I might have not told her or showed her often enough, I am determined to continue her legacy in some shape or form and do her proud.
Watch this space, mum x
I have been spending this week sorting through her things, including drawers and boxes FULL of skincare, makeup, nail varnishes, hundreds of brushes and sponges, etc. I’m comforted to know that it can all be put to good use with my new-found skills and help make the people I meet along the way feel better about themselves. People often say in these types of situations "it's what she would have wanted" but in this case it really is!
I am immensely proud of everything my mum achieved in her life and although I might have not told her or showed her often enough, I am determined to continue her legacy in some shape or form and do her proud.
Watch this space, mum x
