Mona Monahan of Waterford, Ireland feels best when she’s put together and has her makeup done.
But she was losing her eyesight, and eventually, it would be completely gone.
But her husband, Des Monahan, wanted to make sure that his wife always felt her best whether she could see what she looked like or not.
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So, he decided that he would learn her makeup routine so he could carry out the daily ritual that made her feel like herself during their 50-plus years of marriage.
“Mona’s eyesight is deteriorating and she won’t be able to do her make-up in the future so I thought the quicker I learned the better,” Des told Daily Mail.
He didn’t just watch a few YouTube tutorials. Des signed himself up for some classes at their local Debenhams store.
The senior couple met with makeup artist Rosie O’Driscoll who showed Des how to do his wife’s makeup.
“After asking Rosie to do her make-up when we visited the Benefit counter I just picked up the brushes and started asking how to do it. Rosie has been a great friend to us and we go in daily to see her so I can get more tips,” Des said.
The couple is now even friends with O’Driscoll outside of their makeup lessons.
O’Driscoll will often stop at the Monahans’ home for tea.
“They are such a lovely couple and Des loved learning how to help Mona from the very beginning. It was obvious Mona was losing her sight and he wanted to help her in any way he could,” O’Driscoll said.
“I know from being in the make-up industry that applying make-up each morning helps people with their confidence as well as it being something they enjoy,” She told Daily Mail. “We have such a laugh when they come onto the counter at Benefit but we are friends outside of Debenhams too.”
Des can now confidently apply a full face of makeup using lipstick, bronzer, and eyeliner.
He knows what brushes to use and exactly where to apply everything.
“Des uses eyeliners and lipsticks I wouldn’t be able to use myself,” said Mona. “I struggle to see the colors of different shades now but thanks to Des I now know my make-up will always look great.”
Des says he’s so confident with doing makeup that he says he could probably teach his own classes at this point.
“He’s learning a lot of new things. He’s a little heavy-handed sometimes, but you can’t tell him that. He thinks he knows it all,” O’ Driscoll admitted to Inside Edition.
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Des is even trying out a variety of new looks instead of just repeating the new routine.
He also has special techniques and products that he likes to use.
“He has a fascination with the brows,” O’Driscoll said. “He’s moved on to pencils. He prefers the look of the pencil on Mona.”
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“Des and Mona’s story shows that no matter your age or gender there are always new skills that can be learned.”