“She was unquestionably gorgeous. She was lavish. She was a dark unyielding largesse. She was, in short, too bloody much.”
–Richard Burton
This morning, as I prepared for another day at Beauty School, I received a CNN alert message on my phone announcing the unfortunate passing of “the goddess to end all goddesses”, the one and only Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79. While well aware of Elizabeth’s publicly documented health issues, it came as no less of a shock to hear of her passing. That’s the thing about celebrities, depending on how much we adore them, receiving unfortunate or exciting news about them can stop you in your tracks, resulting in your immediately telling a loved one about it. That was the case for me this morning, suddenly, perfecting my eyeliner was of minor importance as I left the bathroom to tell my boyfriend before forwarding the CNN alert to my mother and sister. The entire time, images of Liz flashed through my mind. Her unforgettable performances in Butterfield 8, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and a host of others, not to mention her undeniable beauty.
Liz personified beauty. How many people do you know with lavender eyes for heavens sake? It was as if God chose to create the ideal vision of femininity when he gave us Liz. One of the few famous women whose grown-up beauty is clearly visible in her early childhood photos. She looks like herself as odd as that may sound though very relevant in a time of surgical enhancement mania. She was unaltered, unassisted and unenhanced. Her parents were clearly an excellent genetic match.
I’m certain Liz’s looks would have defined her legacy had her style, grace and bold talent been less grand. She was what I’d call “one feisty dame”, and made no apologies or excuses along the way. Eight marriages, twice to the same man, a range of highly coveted movie roles and talent to boot! Let us not forget what she did for the slip! What had been seen and utilized as just a necessary undergarment of ladies fashion took on a whole new meaning of sultry when she donned the simple chemise in Butterfield 8. Suddenly, the slip became THE SLiiiiiiP, and all the rage in cutting edge come-hither sex-appeal. Only Liz.
Now, many have argued the talent factor of Marilyn Monroe. An argument you should be prepared to lose if having such a discussion with yours truly. But, Liz was a given. She was unquestionably talented, a force to be reckoned with, often outshining some of Hollywood’s most captivating leading men. Ms. Taylor held her own and just so happened to be beautiful in the process. Isn’t that the stuff from which icons are made?
Even as she aged, her stunning looks were obvious, yet unlike Raquel or Sophia, sex-appeal was not always the stride with which she entered a room. No, that wasn’t necessary for Liz. Her confidence was leveled by her tell-it-like-it-is demeanor, almost as if she was not aware of her appearance, making her that much more appealing and undoubtedly all the more envied.
I believe heaven exists. Now Ms. Taylor will no longer suffer through surgeries or pain. She’s reunited with her parents, her “dear friend Michael”, those whom she loved dearly, fought for tirelessly and unfortunately loss to the awful destruction of Aids and of course, her beloved Richard. Like so many aging greats who have passed before her, she’ll now be honored with awards, accolades and honorary tributes and for future generations, possibly gain more notoriety in her passing than when she was alive.
Known for speaking her mind, she has been quoted as saying:
“When people say, ‘She’s got everything’, I’ve got one answer – I haven’t had tomorrow.”
Now you do Liz, NOW you do…..
Goodnight Sweet Liz, may you Rest In Peace…
Some of Elizabeth’s famous quotes:
* I adore wearing gems, but not because they are mine. You can’t possess radiance, you can only admire it.
* I am a very committed wife. And I should be committed too – for being married so many times.
* I don’t think President Bush is doing anything at all about Aids. In fact, I’m not sure he even knows how to spell Aids.
* I fell off my pink cloud with a thud.
* I sweat real sweat and I shake real shakes.
* I’m a survivor – a living example of what people can go through and survive.
* I’ve always admitted that I’m ruled by my passions.
* I’ve been through it all, baby, I’m mother courage.
* It is strange that the years teach us patience; that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.
* My mother says I didn’t open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked.
* So much to do, so little done, such things to be.
* Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.
* Success is a great deodorant.
* The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.
beautyschooldropn 