I was born with a foot in my mouth. But now, as a “beauty expert” I sometimes, ok, continually, fail to remember my verbal impact. The impact is felt often by my staff; all whom I enjoy, and who do their best to look their best (whenever I am around). But, I just have this inherent knack for seeing how something could look better. It’s instant.
Unfortunately, when expressing my opinion, I have no edit button.

When I was younger I felt my opinion was just an opinion, and, who cares what I think anyway? Now what I think holds just a tad more wallop. My staff, those who last through the first few “I can see your panty lines,” and “you need more lipstick” usually appreciate, or at the very least get where I am coming from. But in the beginning, it can be harsh.

So last night, I walk into the salon and one of my new hires was standing there looking beautiful. Instead of just saying “you two look great,” I said, “What are you wearing under that?”

Meaning, those low rise slacks will give you a bulge if they are not the right fit and if you wear a tight stretch top. You either need the right shapewear, or a differen top. Simple analysis, simple advice…TRAUMATIZING.

All that young woman will remember for the rest of her days is BULGE. She’s probably a size 4. But of course even a size 4 can bulge, and I was put on the earth to help ban the bulges that wreak havoc on a smooth line. I am living my purpose.

Recently, one of the sweetest and cherubic looking women I’ve had the pleasure of working with walked in with an empire mini dress, tights, and chunky boots. With her creamy skin, and red curly hair what I should have said was “You look adorable.” But what came out of my mouth was “You look like a little Prairie Doll.”

Blank stare.

“That’s a good thing. Prairie Dolls are adorable! “

I mean, I don’t recall being offended when I walked into my theater company years ago with the latest wedged haircut and my director said, “You look like a gay tulip.”

But then again, I've never forgotten it, either.

Still I realize that what I say has impact, and when the story is told it will be like the game of telephone: “This neckline helps slenderize a fuller face” will forever turn into “he told me my face was fat.”

So if what I say is going to evolve into what someone perceives I mean, I figure, just say that, and save the story’s evolution. Make it an unchangeable compliment. Like, last night when a friend was obsessing with the blemishes on her chin, I just said,

“Don’t fret, it draw attention away from your big butt.”

That's a good thing, right?