Make Up Lessons From Professor Trent Thornton



After my face was scrubbed clean, I ran upstairs and retrieved my stol-er borrowed make up.
‘Set it down on the table, Hon.’ Trent ushered me into a chair. He frowned a bit as he looked it over. ‘This is stage make up.’
‘No wonder you looked like you were wearing a Halloween mask.’ my Uncle quipped.
Trent quickly explained the difference between stage make and everyday make up.
Using a very gentle touch, Trent began applying the make up to my face.
‘You also want to be careful about what brands you use. You never want to buy cheap make up.’
My Uncle shuddered in agreement.
‘You wouldn’t believe what they put in that stuff.’


‘The whole point of make up is to look like your not wearing any.’ Trent continued his instruction. ‘The only thing make up is suppose to do, is give a boost to your more positive features and to conceal the flaws. I prefer my models have a fresh natural no make up look.’
‘You never want to look like you put the stuff on with a spackling tool.’ my Uncle chortled.
We had quite the audience.
Giuseppe, Jane, and Mrs. Hammond all watched as Trent redid my face.
‘Another thing you have to consider is buying the right shades of make up to match your natural coloring. Your skin has cool under tones, so you want to stick with pinks, roses, and mauve shades. You never want to wear bright reds, oranges, and under no circumstances plums or purples.’


I couldn’t help but recall my first morning in this house. I’d been devastated that I hadn’t been able to fix my hair the way Mommy always did. Uncle Remington had tried to help, but designing women’s wear was his area of expertise, not styling their hair.
Trent had heard me throwing a tantrum and had come up to see what the squawk was about.
My Uncle not used to children was as equally frustrated with me.
Luckily, Trent has a temperamental daughter of his own. He also picked up a few hairstyling technics from his many years in the fashion/entertainment business. He had saved the day.


It looked like he’d learned a few make up tips along the way as well.
‘You always want to keep your make up age appropriate.’ Trent was going on as he lightly dotted rouge on my face. ‘If you wear too much people stare at your make up, but if you wear just the right amount, you can create the illusion that you are a natural beauty with no imperfections.’
He made another face at my make up.
‘I also prefer powders over creams. Cream make up is too oily and causes break outs. I think I can get you some proper make up samples at work.’
I was suddenly over come with the love I felt for Trent. It hadn’t taken long for me to become attached to my Uncle’s other half.
We were a solid family unit even if we didn’t measure up to the conventional standards.


‘Viola!’ Trent exclaimed when he’d finished.
Giuseppe, Jane, and Mrs. Hammond all looked impressed. I hoped Jane had been taking notes.
When I looked into the mirror, I couldn’t believe how adult I looked. I was actually pretty. Sometimes I feared I would always be dreadfully plain, but Trent had skillfully brought out only my best features.
Tiffany VanSwearingen would be soooo jealous.
Happily, I hugged him.


My Uncle was blinking back sudden sentimental tears.
‘You look so much like your mother. I just wish she was here to see you now.’
I hugged him too.
I never stopped missing my parents. Every night before I fell asleep, the moment I turned off the lamp and nestled my head against the pillow, was our time. In my head I would tell them all about my day and share with them my hopes and dreams. When ever I became afraid I couldn’t remember what they actually looked like, all I had to do was look at the photograph my Uncle had put in my room.


After I hugged my Uncle, I handed him a permission slip I was supposed to have him sign.
‘What’s this for?’
‘Miss FinchMeyer feels that it’s time for our class to learn about the facts of life.’
My Uncle’s pen froze over the paper.
‘Oh God!’ he moaned. ‘You are growing up! I don’t think I like this one bit! Mostly, because it makes me feel old!’
Trent smiled sadly.
‘It happens, Mansfield. They grow up and away from you. That’s the real fact of life.’
Trent would know. His daughter Roberta and Helen had both grown up and away from him.
Though the latter was entirely his fault.
After my Uncle signed my paper, he drew himself up and looked me right in the eye.
‘I forbid you to get any older before I’m ready for you too. I’m simply not ready to deal with a teenager and all the drama that goes along with being a teen. So until I give you my permission to grow any older, you will remain the age you are now, which is....’
‘Ten.’
‘That was a good age for me. So you will be ten until further notice.’
Giggling, I humored him.
‘Ten until further notice.’
I kissed his cheek. I was thrilled to see I left a lipstick print.
‘Good Luck with that.’ Trent told my Uncle in a knowing manner. ‘It would be nice if you really could magically turn aging off and can keep our little ones from growing up too soon. If that were the case I’d have done it a long time ago.’


Coming Next: Lanie is ready to talk about Helen.