Teenage experimentation.
An older friend - who must've known - who'd talk me through stuff. I particularly remember sitting with her one evening as she got ready for the theatre and saying she felt sorry for men who'd never know the pleasure of eye make up. She looked great by the time she was done - smokey eyes, leopard print leggings, velvet heels, a cloud of YSL Opium. I put/send flowers on her grave every time it's her birthday, which it is next month.
I'm not in town next month because I'm studying in Scotland, so thanks for reminding me - it'll have to be sent. This year I'm taken by tropical arrangements, and I'm sure she'd like that, so that's what it'll be. With a picture to admire/prove they've done what I asked. I wish she was still here - that particular night she was meeting a youngish Italian man in his 40s, on my encouragement (she was over 70) and to hell with her horrible husband who'd led her a dogs life.
My mother, who had/has a horror of people looking ungroomed and introduced me to concealer and tweezing and stuff before I turned 12. As well as Biactol, just in case, but thankfully I never did develop teenage acne. Unfortunately, my electrolygist has subsequently created a scar in lieu of an acne scar.
Harvey Nichols. Absolutely fabulous darling! And really by osmosis, because I used to hang around there playing truant because I was sure I'd bump into Princess Diana, bond over the counter, and be BFF. Which is where I discovered that Clinique self tan really works for me on the face and neck.
A great hairdresser who will follow what I point out in magazines without arguing. And I hate particularly long hair - I like an almost unisex slight bob, with the dark roots dyed into it.
Magazines themselves - buying them directly or reading in the dentist - that tell you what's current.
Seeing what's on offer in different cities/countries. Always helpful, particularly so if you like the local look - Sephora on fifth avenue in New York is great for that, as is Bergdorfs, for those who are in New York. Last time in the latter, I was with my friends kid and they were sweet enough to set up a treasure hunt.
Dealing with pushy salesgirls when you're only buying blusher who say things like 'you have dark circles, I have just the thing' and thinking, sod off you cheeky Madame.
Salons - discussing what fits and what looks too much before they apply the dye - brows and lashes. That works pre transition as well as during etc.
All that sort of thing. Osmosis I'd say, if I had to pick one word.