84-year-old man who learnt to apply his partially blind wife's makeup has filmed online tutorial

Des Monahan has even mastered how to use a Beauty Blender

Sarah Jones
Tuesday 28 August 2018 13:12 BST
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Des Monahan took makeup lessons at his local Debenhams store after his wife began struggling to apply it herself

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The man who became a viral sensation when he learnt how to apply his wife’s makeup after she started to lose her eyesight has filmed his own online tutorial to teach others how to apply foundation.

Earlier this year, Des Monahan, 84, from Waterford, Ireland, made headlines when it was revealed that he’d been learning how to apply makeup for his wife, Mona, an 83-year-old who suffers from a debilitating deterioration to her sight, and one day will be completely blind.

To make sure that she still looks and feels her best, even when she can no longer see, Des signed up for a full course of makeup classes at the Benefit counter at their local Debenhams.

Now, after months of lessons, Des knows how to apply everything from lipstick to bronzer and even eyeliner, and has even released his own video to help show others what to do.

Created in collaboration with EX1 Cosmetics, the video is created in the style of popular YouTube vlogs and shows the couple discussing their makeup journey.

Des is filmed showering his wife of 57 years with compliments, telling her that she is perfect and that she doesn’t have much to conceal.

Des signed up for makeup classes at the Benefit counter at their local Debenhams (EX1 Cosmetics)
Des signed up for makeup classes at the Benefit counter at their local Debenhams (EX1 Cosmetics)

At one point he says: "Your skin looks flawless, even Michelangelo would be jealous."

Throughout the video, Des explains how he selected the perfect shade for Mona’s skin tone and demonstrates how he likes to apply foundation, using a Beauty Blender in small circular motions across the face.

Des explains how he selected the perfect shade for Mona’s skin tone (EX1 Cosmetics)
Des explains how he selected the perfect shade for Mona’s skin tone (EX1 Cosmetics)

His wife, who will one day be completely blind, says that she is “in absolute heaven” whenever Des applies her makeup.

“I love the idea of getting up and getting my face done, and be ready to face the world,” she says.

“I absolutely love it.”

Mona says that she is “in absolute heaven” whenever Des applies her makeup (EX1 Cosmetics)
Mona says that she is “in absolute heaven” whenever Des applies her makeup (EX1 Cosmetics)

The video, which has been posted on EX1 Cosmetics’ Facebook page, has amassed more than 28,000 views since being shared and been flooded with supportive comments.

“I love the way he did it,” one person writes.

Another adds: “They are very sweet."

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