As most of you know, I'm 42, I've been doing makeup for years, and I'm often perceived as having the perfect career. The truth is, it's not perfect; no ones' is. There's always more to do and strive for. For example, I always wanted to do beauty campaigns for large cosmetics companies; it was high on my long list of goals. Finally—after a couple of decades—Sharon Stone requested me for her new Christian Dior print and commercial campaign. It was beyond my wildest dreams: reaching my goal, doing it with one of the most beautiful women in the world, and on top of that, working with a photographer whom I've always admired and dreamed of shooting with, Jean-Baptiste Mondino.
 Billy B |
Sharon Stone is incredible. Most of us know her for her legendary role as the seductive (and deadly) novelist Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct, as well as for her Oscar-nominated performance in Casino. But she's so much more than that. I was lucky and honored when she asked me to work with her after the death of her dear friend and makeup artist (and my idol) Kevyn Aucoin, and now I'm proud to call her a client and friend. After meeting her, I quickly learned that not only is she an intelligent, outspoken, sexy actor, but also a compassionate, fearless woman tirelessly devoted to the things that really matter, including AIDS research and relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
When she first started out, Sharon modeled for a short time in Europe, but as she has told me, it wasn't the best experience for her. She wasn't exactly what "they" were looking for, so she redirected her career toward acting. Obviously being a star was in her destiny after all. At 47, Sharon is a single mother, a devoted daughter, an unconditional friend and a champion supporter and spokesperson (since 1995) for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (www.amfar.org) and Planet Hope (www.planethope.org which she founded with her sister, Kelly, in 1992. Now she's the new face of Christian Dior's Capture Totale. If you ask me, they couldn't have tapped into a better spokesperson than Sharon for their new line, which is targeted at women who have begun to show the signs of aging.
An actress in Hollywood who has yet to undergo the knife is hard to find these days. Sharon celebrates her age and wears it proudly. She takes incredible care of herself with exercise and diet, and of course that also includes taking great care of her skin, with the right products. She's the epitome of a confident, gorgeous woman who relishes her years of experience. (You can see more about the print and commercial campaign at my Web site, www.billybbeauty.com
So, at ages 47 and 42, Sharon and I both realize that we're never too old to dream. I guess it's true: the '40s are the new '20s.
E-mail Billy B. at [email protected], or visit www.billybbeauty.com