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British PM’s make-up tips left in taxi

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown meets US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at 10 Downing Street in London yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown can console himself with this thought: mockery will not be the public’s initial response. That will come second.

News that the prime minister’s makeup tips were left in the back of a London taxi is more likely to prompt astonishment that Brown has even heard of the term “concealer” other than in the context of a political cover-up.

There will certainly be more surprise at that revelation than at the news that a so-called “aide” left the notes — which were inside a file that also contained details on how to handle the expenses scandal and an upcoming trip marked “confidential” — in a taxi.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair spent £1,800 (US$2,750) of taxpayers’ money on makeup for himself between 1999 and 2005. Although Brown has not put his makeup on expenses, the more important point is that perhaps he is not as different from his image-­­conscious predecessor as he always insinuated.

The notes give an insight into the prime minister’s beauty routine, should a makeup artist be unavailable to give Brown his subtle healthy glow:

“1. Transparent brush. Foam all over,” reads the first note.

The brevity suggests the prime minister is highly fluent in matters of personal beauty. For those less au fait, it refers to a face illuminating foam.

“2. Small pot under eyes, dimple, creases, blend in,” it continues.

The suggestion that Brown should use an entire pot of concealer is unusual, but does show a degree of self-knowledge. It raises the question that, if this is how he looks after a whole pot of concealer, what does he look like without it?

“3. Clinique. Super balanced makeup. All over again, like painting a wall, and ears. Shut eyes over lids then with makeup pad smooth over liquid,” the list continues.

Again, telling someone to apply makeup “like painting a wall” continues the aforementioned show of self-knowledge. The instruction to “shut eyes over lids,” as opposed to vice-versa, though, is puzzling.

“4. Powder terracotta Guerlain all over,” the list concludes.

The potential for a security breach by the release of these notes is still being debated.
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