July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Marline the make-up maven (6/2/03)
As I See It
Now I know what it feels like to be a coloring book. As part of the preparations for my daughter’s wedding, she arranged for us and two of her bridesmaids to get our makeup professionally done.
We met Marline at my daughter’s house. After introductions were made, the about-to-be-bride left to get her hair done. The self-described “drama mama” proceeded to unpack. Before long the kitchen table was covered with tiny pots containing various colored powders and potions. Brushes were arranged with all the precision of an artist preparing to create a masterpiece.
When I asked her how she got into this line of work, she assured me that she “went to school for this.” However, she tried several other professions before returning to cosmetology.
Originally from Panama, it was her father’s dream that she learn English and come to America for a better life. One of her first jobs was at a PX. She was upset that nobody could understand her English until finally someone told her not to worry about it because “those people don’t speak English.” Her English was, and is, perfect.
When she first came to this country one of her earliest friends was black. In Panama, apparently the color of one’s skin is not nearly as important as it is here. They were driving somewhere in the south, in a state known for racism, when they stopped for gas. The white station owner told them to get back in their car and drive on, they weren’t welcome there.
Marline was furious. This little powerhouse of a girl was ready to take on the overgrown bully. Her friend told her to drop it and just get back in the car. This happened less than 15 years ago. So much for equality in America.
Marline said that in the beginning she didn’t understand such overt racism. Now she said she believes that racism is just a way for people to avoid taking responsibility for their problems. It’s easier to blame things on someone else. She has also noticed that this occurs in quite a few nations, not just this one.
It was during her many years as a flight attendant that she began to practice the craft for which she was trained. They had a layover in Las Vegas. She and her friends were invited to a gay bar and a drag queen contest. The contestants were in a panic because their makeup artist failed to appear. Marline offered to fill in.
She had found her calling at last. She adores gay guys because they are so honest. They aren’t afraid to say, “Get rid of those pants, honey. They make you look like a hootchie mama!”
She is based in the Houston area now and does makeovers full time. She still visits her favorite drag queens and does their makeup whenever she has occasion to visit Las Vegas.
The petite artist told me all this as she dabbed and smoothed various concoctions on my face. She constantly stood back to check her work, stopping several times to erase bits of what she had applied. When she was finally finished she handed me a mirror. I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.
Each face is different and she likes the challenge of making people prettier than they thought they could be. Best of all she likes the stories people tell about their lives. It is through those stories that she has come to know and love the real America that she calls home.[[In-content Ad]]
We met Marline at my daughter’s house. After introductions were made, the about-to-be-bride left to get her hair done. The self-described “drama mama” proceeded to unpack. Before long the kitchen table was covered with tiny pots containing various colored powders and potions. Brushes were arranged with all the precision of an artist preparing to create a masterpiece.
When I asked her how she got into this line of work, she assured me that she “went to school for this.” However, she tried several other professions before returning to cosmetology.
Originally from Panama, it was her father’s dream that she learn English and come to America for a better life. One of her first jobs was at a PX. She was upset that nobody could understand her English until finally someone told her not to worry about it because “those people don’t speak English.” Her English was, and is, perfect.
When she first came to this country one of her earliest friends was black. In Panama, apparently the color of one’s skin is not nearly as important as it is here. They were driving somewhere in the south, in a state known for racism, when they stopped for gas. The white station owner told them to get back in their car and drive on, they weren’t welcome there.
Marline was furious. This little powerhouse of a girl was ready to take on the overgrown bully. Her friend told her to drop it and just get back in the car. This happened less than 15 years ago. So much for equality in America.
Marline said that in the beginning she didn’t understand such overt racism. Now she said she believes that racism is just a way for people to avoid taking responsibility for their problems. It’s easier to blame things on someone else. She has also noticed that this occurs in quite a few nations, not just this one.
It was during her many years as a flight attendant that she began to practice the craft for which she was trained. They had a layover in Las Vegas. She and her friends were invited to a gay bar and a drag queen contest. The contestants were in a panic because their makeup artist failed to appear. Marline offered to fill in.
She had found her calling at last. She adores gay guys because they are so honest. They aren’t afraid to say, “Get rid of those pants, honey. They make you look like a hootchie mama!”
She is based in the Houston area now and does makeovers full time. She still visits her favorite drag queens and does their makeup whenever she has occasion to visit Las Vegas.
The petite artist told me all this as she dabbed and smoothed various concoctions on my face. She constantly stood back to check her work, stopping several times to erase bits of what she had applied. When she was finally finished she handed me a mirror. I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.
Each face is different and she likes the challenge of making people prettier than they thought they could be. Best of all she likes the stories people tell about their lives. It is through those stories that she has come to know and love the real America that she calls home.[[In-content Ad]]
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