As a teenager I worked in Boots on a Saturday as a general assistant for the cosmetic and perfumery counters. The Mary Quant counter was the greatest lure for me and I can catalogue the play-pretties, with their iconic daisy motifs, that I persistently bought until they were no more.In the round, clear glass bottles of nail varnish the vibrant colours shone out. My favourites were 'Bloody Mary' and 'Black Cherry'. I also got through many a tube of 'Nutshine', a neutral lipgloss, and tubes of the sheer red 'Cranberry' lipstick. A makeup style I have really not changed, although I gave up the thick pencils of black kohl and mascara when I got contact lenses - it was easier to get my eyelashes dyed.
I wear glasses again now and I've added tinted moisturiser and mineral face powder to my repertoire. Those Saturdays on the Mary Quant counter echo on with cosmetics from Dr. Hauschka, Lush and Lily Lolo I buy now. My preferred palette changes very little from the dark nails and easy on the lip, with sheer purple-black lipstick and dark green, purple and blue nail varnishes turning up in my makeup bag.
