Magazine interviews women in Bangor

BANGOR – Mirror, mirror on the wall? Who has the best beauty tricks for one and all? That’s what Marie Claire magazine was trying to find out on Aug. 24 when it set up in West Market Square a small cubicle resembling a white ice fishing shack.

The mission was to ask women what they liked most about themselves – profile, smile, hair, shape of eyes – and what beauty product they would want with them on a deserted island.

Maureen Dempsey, the young woman conducting the interviews, hoped for a range of ages from early teens to 80s or 90s. But as of 2:30 p.m., no one older than mid-40s had been interviewed and photographed.

Until I showed up, that is. And shortly after that, another woman, perhaps a tad older than I, also participated in the unique experience of being ushered into the white tentlike structure, sitting on the black stool while Ben Baker, a pleasant young man whose English accent was to die for, clicked the camera shutter.

Baker said he liked his job. He paused in his work and waited for a cloud to pass by in order for the natural light to become bright enough again for his purposes.

Serving as Dempsey’s assistants were New England School of Communications students Danielle Rosenblum and Kate Leighton, and Brewer High School senior Ashley Stinson.

The questions Dempsey asked me were: Who are your fashion icons? – Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn and my aunt, Barbara Herrick. What do you like best about your face? – My eyes and my smile. What beauty product would you take with you to a deserted island? – Shea’s Butter for my dry skin. How do you feel about aging? – It’s a natural process and I don’t mind “growing into my mature face.” Would you consider surgery to look younger? – No.

Marie Claire also went looking for faces and beauty tips in New York; Minneapolis, Minn.; Dallas; Phoenix; and Wilmington, N.C.

It is hoped, Dempsey said, that the Bangor “Beauty Road Show” story will see print in February.