Dolly Parton Shares Her Finest Magnificence Secrets and techniques for Doing Too A lot — Interview

My look was at all times type of trashy. It was a rustic woman’s concept of glam — the backwoods (1) Barbie. And I would kinda overdone it, I assume, however I used to be at all times comfy. So I keep in mind Chet Atkins, one of many world’s most well-known guitar gamers and a buddy of mine, who was born and raised in East Tennessee like I used to be, and was the top of RCA Data for a few years, he pulled me off to the facet in my early days. He stated, “Dolly, I do not assume you are ever going to do every thing that you simply wish to do by trying like that. You are a proper fairly woman, you do not want all that.” And I assumed, Effectively, I want you hadn’t stated that. I hate to not take the recommendation of somebody I like and respect. I simply saved doing that look increasingly more. After which after I grew to become so well-known, I used to be on RCA and he was certainly one of my bosses, and he got here up and stated, “Now ain’t you glad you took my recommendation?” And I stated, “Yeah, proper.”

Do what makes you content, as a result of for those who’re comfortable and also you’re comfy, persons are going to be comfortable round you. They are going to be comfy with you — even for those who would possibly look ridiculous to them. As a result of there’s one thing about you that makes them really feel content material. I am not preaching [that] anyone ought to appear like me. Most individuals do not wish to put on that a lot make-up or hair, however no less than I’ve one factor that I do know for a truth is actual: I’m comfy with who I’m. And I costume for me. I do what makes me comfortable. So I might simply say to anyone: “For those who’re comfy carrying no make-up, be that. For those who wanna put on an excessive amount of, do this.” 

I do not know that there is a good factor about getting older. We do it. However for me, I’ve at all times regarded the identical means, and I feel I will look this fashion just about if I dwell to be 100. I am just like the Gabor sisters — Zsa Zsa and Eva — you by no means knew how outdated they had been. If you’re a cartoon type of character like me you by no means actually know if that individual’s outdated or younger. I am not going to be like Choose Judy, who I like to demise. She wore her hair and her make-up so nice, however now she’s gone to only carrying her hair pulled again in a bun and — effectively, she’s comfy and that is all good. She did not wish to need to work so arduous, being on the age she is. And I respect that and I like that. However for me, I will simply do what I’ve at all times executed. I will do what’s greatest for me, as all people ought to.

I by no means exit with a naked face. Not even once I exit. Anyone, please open my coffin to place some make-up on me. At evening, I depart my make-up on. I do not wish to go to mattress in curlers and Clearasil and patches throughout me for my husband (2). Lots of people say, “Oh, it’s best to by no means go to mattress together with your make-up on.” And I say, “It’s best to by no means be telling me what to do.” I do not know what is going on to occur in the midst of the evening. My husband shouldn’t be in nice well being, and I’ve to be ambulance-ready always — an ambulance for him, or for me. I’ve to be earthquake-ready, I’ve to be tornado-ready (3). You are not gonna catch me out within the streets bare-faced until you have caught me within the morning once I’m cleansing my face and on the point of put it on once more. If I needed to hit the streets then… I in all probability would simply die within the twister. I can do my make-up in 15 or 20 minutes, although, and I put on a wig virtually on daily basis.

I’ve just a few homes scattered right here and there. I spend time in L.A., and we now have a spot on the lake, and I’ve a little bit condominium in my workplace downtown [in Nashville], after which my huge home the place I dwell with my husband. So I’ve little wig cupboards that Cheryl [Riddle, my hairdresser,] units up in all places, and I can at all times say, “Okay, yup, I really feel like that right now.” Wigs are simply so useful. I might like to do a wig line subsequent. And I will be doing make-up.